When Montana Blackstone's mother-in-law Helen hires a new foreman for Black Creek Ranch, Montana thinks it's just another one of Helen's would-be lovers. With the grand opening of the Black Creek Resort and Spa fast approaching, Montana has no time to deal with men, let alone the sexy new foreman.
Steele Hardt is known for his golden touch. Having made his fortune gambling, he's now a consultant whose reputation is legendary. He's been hired to determine if Black Creek Resort is worth the money being spent, and he'll do whatever it takes to gain the information required. Montana will be a welcome challenge.
Because every man in Montana's life has disappointed her, she's learned not to trust and give her heart easily. When her relationship with Steele almost instantly becomes physical, Montana decides she'll take what she needs for the moment and give it up when he decides to leave. But it doesn't take long for Montana to realize that letting Steele go will be harder than she thought. Steele really cares for Montana and wants to see her succeed. He does everything he can to put off the people who hired him as he focuses on helping Montana achieve her dreams.
When Montana learns the real reason Steele came to the ranch, she's livid and hurt, unable to believe that once again the person she cares about the most has betrayed her. Steele, in an attempt to save Montana's reputation and put investors and reporters at ease, announces their engagement. Convincing Montana he loves her may be harder than he thought, but Steele knows she's the only woman for him.
A HARD MAN TO LOVE is an excellent story. Trust, love, betrayal and forgiveness are woven into its plot and the characters are spunky. I think this book is one to keep and read again at a later date.
Montana Blackstone has big plans for the deluxe spa resort
she's building at Black Creek Ranch. They don't include
letting her know-it-all new foreman take the reins, even if
tall, broad-shouldered Steele Hardt looks mighty capable of
showing her how blissful it can be to surrender control --
in and out of the bedroom. As the sizzling chemistry
between them erupts in one mind-blowing encounter after
another, Montana finds that Steele has a knack for knocking
down her defenses and seeing through to the vulnerable core
she's tried so hard to hide.
Once a pro poker player, now a renowned business
troubleshooter, Steele came to Black Creek to give
investors a covert report on the spa's potential -- not to
give its gorgeous owner such very personal attention. And
once she learns the truth about why he's there, Steele
stands to lose Montana forever. Convincing her that the
heat between them is more than a diversion means taking the
biggest gamble of his life. But Steele has never been known
to take the easy way out -- and he's not about to start
now. . . .
EXCERPT
โWe havenโt renegotiated my contract,โ Steele said.
โWhat did you have in mind?โ
โHow about a flat fee, renewable on a daily basis? That
way if you donโt like what Iโm doing, we simply walk away
from each other, no hard feelings.โ
โAnd if I like what youโre doing?โ she asked with a husky
catch in her voice. His nearness stirred something primal
inside of her, something sheโd feared had been forever
extinguished by Charlieโs infidelity.
He trailed his fingers down the length of one arm, the
light stimulation far more powerful and arousing than if
heโd clutched her close. He linked his fingers through
hers and raised their joined hands overhead, slowly
leaning into her as he pressed her back against the rock.
His eyes were on hers with deliberate intent as he pinned
her in place.
Montana felt an internal jolt, as if heโd suddenly jump-
started something deep within, something that threatened
madly to ricochet out of control.
Her breathing quickened. She watched his eyes darken, the
pupils dilating till the intriguing rim of blue all but
disappeared into the smoldering darkness. He was fully
aroused, his body brushing hers with slow and deliberate
intent and she felt herself soften in response, every
quivering nerve ending on full alert. She held her
breath, wondering what heโd do next. How far would he
push her? How intoxicating to yield the control for
once.
He kneed her legs apart and pressed his kneecap against
that tingling, throbbing central core in a move that both
teased and further inflamed her, as he lowered his head
and captured her mouth with his own.
Montana shimmied against him, her body suddenly,
desperately in need of his touch. Everywhere. Fully
aroused in a way sheโd never been before. His tongue
mated with hers, knowing deliberation in the way it
challenged and stimulated. He swallowed her soft moan of
pleasure, her plea for more as he deepened the kiss and
his body molded itself to hers. His erect cock throbbed
against the thin barrier of silk as he sought and found
her inner heat.
She moaned in frustration, chafed her aching breasts
against the crisp matting of damp hair on his chest, and
swiveled her pelvis in tandem with his. He broke the kiss
then immediately moved to the sensitive pulse point just
below her earlobe, eliciting a low moan for more.
โTurn around,โ he said, his voice a husky breath of warmth
that found its way from her inner ear to her inner
womanhood in less than a second.
She did as he said, hands still joined with his as she
spun in a graceful arc reminiscent of her short career as
a dancer.
He caught both her hands in one of his and anchored them
against the rock, imprisoned in a way she found divinely
thrilling. His other hand he ran freely, knowingly across
her breasts, her belly, her hips and her buttocks, his
touch urgent, yet leisurely in his exploration of her
body.
How long since sheโd been touched by a man? Felt sexy and
desired? It was good for her soul, her emotional
responses sending her physical reaction right off the
Richter scale.
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