Seventeen Days Read Free Page A

spoiled, rich ass in a foreign jail. I didn’t lie when I told her I wasn’t pleased to meet her. I’m not. She’s a distraction I simply can’t afford to have. 
    Trouble with a capital T. 
    This summer, I have big plans. Those plans sure as hell don’t include getting tangled up with a red-headed, emerald-eyed, uptight beauty from the city. My plans include expanding my business and adding in an overnight charter. That is what I should be focusing on. Not the way her hair shines like garnets glittering in the sun.
    This sudden need to be near her needs to go the fuck away. 
    “Come on, Spitfire, let’s get your spoiled ass home.” Why the hell did I give her a nickname?  
    “Spitfire? Sorry, bud, the name is Morgan. Let’s get one thing straight before you lead me back to my aunt’s. You and I are never going to be friends. I’m not here for friends; I have plenty back home in New York. Trust me when I say I won’t be here long enough for you to remember me. I’ll only be one tiny blip on your radar. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. One tiny blip. Got it?” Her voice is full of disdain. Wish I could say the feeling is mutual.  
    And she wonders why I called her Spitfire. One gaze and her eyes seem to ignite. She’s got fire in her, for damn sure, it’s like she’s been struck by a match. Sadly, it only makes me want to be near her more. I’m not entirely sure what this feeling is, but it can only lead me in the wrong direction. Ignoring it seems like the only logical solution.   
    “Well, you did get one thing right. You and me? We’ll never be friends. But, you are a spitfire, that is crystal clear, so you’re wrong about the nickname, it fits, and you fucking know it.” It’s then that I make the mistake of looking straight down into her eyes again. Fuck, they’re amazing and my expansion plans are flying right out the window. Her gaze holds mine, and I find all the answers I never knew I was looking for. Shit, shit, shit.
    Why does she have to be the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen? Besides my mother, I’ve never encountered such beauty. 
    And why the hell did Savannah send me out to find her when she clearly could have herself? Turning away, I start to walk toward the ranch. She either follows or she doesn’t. The sun will be setting in about an hour, and she’ll truly be lost once it does. It shouldn’t concern me; Savannah can come back for her. Fuck. If I didn’t feel like I owe Savannah my life, I wouldn’t have come to find her spoiled niece at all. I probably wouldn’t have answered the damn phone. And instead at this moment, I’d probably be at home drinking my third beer, relaxing on my couch, and watching the baseball game with Dog.
    “Come on, Mac, let’s get you home.” He quickly follows along like I knew he would. 
    After a couple minutes, I turn around to make sure she’s following. She is. Like Mac, I knew she would be, too.  To my dismay, my manners also kick in—a little.
    “Hey, Red, are you thirsty?” 
    “No, thanks. And the name’s Morgan. Let me spell it for you, M-O-R-G-A-N, remember it. Not Red or Spitfire.” Mumbling to herself she says, “I’ve heard about cowboys being slow, but Jesus, this is getting ridiculous.”  
    That’s at least the second time she’s insulted me. Maybe the third … Who’s counting? 
    “Insults aren’t called for, Morgan, but I can take whatever you have to dish my way. I’m a big boy, please don’t worry about hurting my feelings.”
    What the hell is wrong with me that it turns me on when she mouths off? Maybe I need to get laid. I should give Jess a call and see if she can come out tonight. Thing is, she doesn’t have auburn hair or green eyes. She does, however, know exactly what I like. It’s been awhile since I scratched that particular itch. I am a twenty-two-year-old healthy young man who enjoys female companionship from time to time. Nothing wrong with enjoying sex as far as I'm