Free Bad In Boots 02 - Ty's Temptation by Patrice Michelle Page B

ways.”
    Evan’s heart constricted at the news, but discovering Ty and Lily had a past explained his mercurial change of mood. “Were they serious then?”
    Jena eyed her and a small smile formed on her lips. “Ah, I see where this is going.”
    Evan’s stomach tensed. She needed to lighten Jena’s serious thoughts. “You do? If so, I’d like to be in on the secret. Your brother will be gone in two days, Jena. I have no expectations other than to enjoy his company while he’s here. His mood went in the tank once he saw Lily.”
    As soon as Evan spoke, a sudden sinking realization hit her. Maybe the reason Ty called it off with her was because he wanted to rekindle an old flame with Lily while he was here. The thought made her stomach cramp into tight, hard knots. She sighed as her own good spirits dropped considerably.
    Jena put her hand on Evan’s shoulder. “I don’t know what to say, Evan. My brother has always been pretty quiet when it comes to his relationships. He’s not one to share much.” A sympathetic look crossed her face. “Are you still going to come to the rehearsal party this evening?”
    Evan straightened her spine. She’d gone this long without a guy. There was no reason to be concerned about a man she never had in the first place. “Absolutely. I’ll be there…and I’ll even wear a dress.”
    Jena smiled. “That’s the spirit!”
    Evan’s gaze strayed to Ty as he came walking out of the stables with a bag of grain across his shoulders. He’d taken his shirt off again. The play of muscles across his chest made her mouth water before he turned to head to the back of the building. Damn, the man was built.
    Evan let out the breath she’d been holding. “Well, I’d better collect Flash and a mount for Ty and then I’ll head back. Tell Harm I’ll keep Flash until the wedding is over. She should be back to her old self by then.”
    Jena smiled her appreciation. “Harm will be relieved to have her back. He doesn’t like me riding the other horses as much. Says he trusts Flash’s genteel nature when it comes to me.”
    “It’s so obvious when he looks at you that Harm is very much in love.”
    Jena gave a soft laugh. “I love him very much, too.”
    The adoration reflected in Jena’s gaze as she looked at her fiancé across the yard, solidified Evan’s personal vow. No matter how long it took, no matter how old she was…she refused to fall in love with a man who couldn’t give her all his love in return.
    Chapter Five
    Evan drove up to the small house she shared with Ty, her emotions churning. After she’d loaded up the horses and taken them to the Double D, she’d spent the last couple of hours at her office seeing clients who’d begged to be squeezed in on her “vacation” day. She didn’t mind. Work was distracting, which helped her forget about Ty for a while. But as she parked her vehicle next to Ty’s rental car, she couldn’t help the tightening of her stomach or the way her breathing hitched at the idea of seeing the man again.
    Her stomach rumbled, reminding her it was way past lunchtime. The last thing she ate was a bagel for breakfast. But the sensation of her heart hammering as she opened her car door and closed it behind her, overshadowed her need for food. She started toward the house when she heard one of the horses neighing in the stables.
    Leaving her backpack beside her car’s tire, Evan walked over to the stables. As she entered the small building, the sight of Ty grooming his horse made her pulse race. He faced away from her, giving her an oh-so perfect view of just how well his jeans hugged his nice ass.
    The well-worn material cupped his cheeks and muscular thighs in such an inviting way, she wanted to walk up and run her hands down the soft material. She knew the contrast of worn denim covering hard muscles would turn her on like no other. Or was it his broad, naked back she wanted to press herself against that got her motor going?
    Why not? she