Free Rocky Mountain Freedom by Vivian Arend Page A

hand. “Well, well. You feel the urge to round anything up, give me a shout. I’d love to see you in action with a rope.”
    Cassidy jerked to a stop, her fingers already in his, not quite sure how to respond to that comment as he accepted her firm handshake.
    Travis rolled his eyes. “You want him to strip so you can look him over a little closer?”
    Instead of blushing or getting embarrassed, Ashley’s eyes lit brighter. “You’re a genius, Travis.”
    She stepped forward and closed the space between them, and Cassidy found his chin captured by a set of strong feminine fingers as she examined him up close and personal. “You’ve got an amazing jawline,” Ashley noted. “And the two-day stubble? Rawr . Totally perfect. I could easily snap a dozen shots of you.”
    Cassidy stood like a statue as she traced fingers over his face, her gaze tightening in focus as a tickle moved over his skin.
    He wasn’t sure what the protocol was for being checked out by an artist. “Umm, well, I don’t have a problem with photos. Karen told me you were going to give Trailblazers help with next year’s brochures.”
    Ashley touched the corner of his temple, brushing her fingers up and into his hair as she traced the scar she’d discovered. His hat fell to the ground behind him, but she had him trapped, unable to move away from her captivating touch. “I like that you’re not perfect. You’ve got a few bumps and bruises to go with the pretty blond hair and those gorgeous green eyes.” She peered in closer, tugging on his neck to get him to bend. “You’re not wearing coloured contacts, are you?”
    Cassidy felt a smile breaking out in spite of the crazy situation. “Nope, ma’am, just me.”
    Ashley patted his cheek then let him go. “You’re nice. I like you.”
    “He’s an ass,” Travis cut in. “But you can still like him.”
    Ashley blew a raspberry at Travis. Before Cassidy could bend to recover his hat, she’d swooped in and knelt at his feet, reaching up to pass it back. “Sorry. I get a little enthusiastic at times.”
    Cassidy fought to stop from peering down the front of her blouse, the creamy scoop of her breasts right there and exposed. He cleared his throat and willed his body to stop reacting like some bloody teenage boy. “No problem. I like people who get into their work.”
    Ashley glanced between the two men as she regained her feet. “Hmm. Travis, come here.”
    She tugged him forward, and Cassidy found himself standing inches away from Travis as Ashley looked them over intently.
    Travis sighed. “You want to get unpacked before you start making mischief, sweetheart?”
    Ashley shook her head. “Mischief first, last and always. You know that.”
    Being this close to Travis made Cassidy nervous, and he shifted his feet to ease away slightly. “If you’re ready, I can show you where you’ll be staying.”
    She didn’t seem to hear, she was too busy examining him and Travis. “I definitely need you two in shots together. God, you’ve got that angel/devil thing going on. Darkness and light, sinner and saint—”
    “And we both know who the sinner is,” Travis drawled.
    Her smile bloomed again, gaze darting between their faces. “I don’t know. Maybe Cassidy is one of the fallen-angel types. Looks like heaven and knows exactly how to get you to paradise.”
    Travis laughed, the sound breaking over them like a waterfall. Encompassing them, ready to sweep them away. He’d shifted position, and now stood close enough his body heat brushed Cassidy.
    Between Ashley’s provocative words and Travis being…Travis, Cassidy was walking a thin line of control. He took a couple of deliberate steps away and adjusted his hat. “I really need to get back to work.”
    Travis’s cocky expression screamed an accusation. “We don’t want to keep you from anything important.”
    Cassidy bit back the urge to call him an asshole.
    A shadow crossed Ashley’s face as she stepped closer to Travis’s