Forbidden Cowboy by Khloe Summers

Chapter One

Kate

Ford Matthews is an evil man. Well, evil might be an exaggeration. He’s annoying. Very, very, very annoying.

I glance toward my friend Nikki, then back at Ford, who’s throwing a horseshoe across the field with all his force. His biceps flex as the shoe flies and lands on the sandy patch just before the pine forest opposite the ranch.

“He’s so hot.” Nikki twists her long hair to her shoulder and looks back at me. “Seriously, like… how is an old man so attractive?”

My brows crinkle inward as I stare back toward her. “Maybe, but he’s kind of a prick. I feel like that knocks him down a few notches.”

She laughs. “Yeah, from an eleven to a ten.” She grips my chin in her hand and steers my head back toward the giant man on the opposite side of the yard. “Look at him!”

Truthfully, there’s no denying the man is attractive. Even without his boots, he’s six foot four, has working man muscles, and his forearms down to his fingers are covered in tattoos. Not to mention his deep timbre in his voice that sends goosebumps shooting all over me.

“Seriously,” I continue, “did you hear him going on this morning about how much better he is at roping than Jake? Jake has been roping forever.”

Nikki narrows her brow. “And Ford’s still better than him. He’s better than everyone here. So, what if he brags about it?”

I roll my eyes. “It’s pompous. Like… how good are you really if you have to tell everyone about it?”

Nikki looks toward me. “You’re really worked up about this. Maybe you should ask him out. I’m sure he’d let you know what else he’s good at.” She winks and grins playfully.

“God!” I laugh. “Could you imagine? He’s too old, too full of himself, and too… not my type.”

“And who is your type? I haven’t seen you with a man in years. Besides… he’s got his eye on you already.”

I glance at Nikki, then at Ford. He’s walking through the meadow toward me.

I look away quickly, then glance behind me, checking for a charging bull or something more interesting he could be looking at.

There’s nothing. Nothing but more trees and grass. I contemplate disappearing.

“This is my cue to leave.” She pats me on the shoulder. “You’ve got this! I want every dirty detail.”

I shake my head, wondering how well Ford can read lips. I’m sure he would say he was an expert.

“No!” I widen my eyes. “Don’t leave! Plus… gross. He’s like twenty years older than me, and he works for my dad. Maybe you haven’t met my dad, but he’s not the most understanding guy.”

“Please, your dad is married to a woman considerably younger than him. He’d understand.”

I laugh. “He’s also a big fan of the saying, do as I say, not as I do.” I toss my hands up in the air and turn away from the fence post we’ve been leaning on. “What are we even talking about? I’m not dating Ford! I’m not talking to him, befriending him, or doing anything with him. I just told you… I can’t stand him.”

“He’s almost here,” Nikki speaks through her teeth as my heart plummets to the ground.

When I turn, there he is. A giant looking straight toward me with stupid blue eyes and big hands that stroke down over his salt and pepper beard.

“Your dad says you want a lesson on how to run a cattle drive.”

Am I sweating? It’s sixty-five degrees. I shouldn’t be sweating.

“No. I’ve already been on one. I—”

He nods, his face stoic. “I heard. And now, you’ll learn from the best.”

I cock my head to the side and stare toward him. “Really?”

He grins, reminding me of the devil himself. “Do I look like a liar? Get your ass over here. I’m taking you out now.” He turns away, as though his demands are gospel.

“No. I don’t think so. I’ve got chores to do in the barn. We got a few goats in yesterday that are—”

“You need something warmer than that t-shirt, a pair of gloves, and a hat. I’ve got the camping and riding gear covered.” He spins toward me. “Get any personal items you need and meet me out on the range in twenty.”

I raise my brows and hop the fence, stomping toward him. “No. Camping gear? What? I’m not camping out on the range.”

He turns back again, this time annoyed. “What do you think a cattle drive is, angel? We drive cattle into the pasture miles away. It’s going to take some time to get there and back.”

I roll my eyes and my voice turns obstinate. “I know what a cattle drive is. I’m saying, I don’t need to go on one. I did it a while back. I don’t need help.”

That big, inked hand drags over his beard again. “Your dad’s the boss. He gave me orders to get you out on the drive. So, I’m doing my job. End of story. Be ready in twenty.”

“Where is he? I’ll—”

“He won’t be back until tomorrow.”

I glance toward Ford and laugh, pulling my phone out of my pocket. “I can still call him.”

I expect this to be a major threat, but as I’m dialing the number, I realize how juvenile I probably look calling my daddy to get me out of work, especially when I whined about not getting to do a cattle drive for years.

I hang up the phone and glare toward Ford. His shoulders are back, and his chin is held high. God, even when he’s doing nothing, he has to posture like a superhero. The man needs to be knocked down a few pegs.

“I’m glad we got all that worked out, angel.” Ford laughs, turning back into the barn. “Now get your shit together and meet me at the first gate in twenty. I leave on time. No excuses.”

I bite the inside of my cheek and ignore his last comment. I’m sure there will be ten people on this drive, and I’ll blend right in.

Ford Matthews won’t even notice me.