Hard Man to Love

Chapter One Helen, this time you've really gone too far." Montana Blackstone eyed her mother-in-law, perched daintily across the desk. What in the world was she going to do with her? "Montana, darling, give the man a chance, won't you?" "You cannot sleep with every man on this ranch who takes your fancy, then fire them when they no longer suit your needs!" Helen's surgically rejuvenated face flushed pink. "You're exaggerating." "Not by much." Montana would have liked to add that if Charlie was still alive he'd be appalled by his mother's behavior, but the truth of it was they were cut from the same cloth, these two. Charlie had also slept with the help, then fired them when he was done. "I know Steele will be a tremendous asset to Black Creek. He's a lucky find. You've been so immersed in the resort and spa, you have no idea how the rest of the ranch is faring." "I know it hasn't been our best season," Montana admitted. "It needs an infusion of fresh ideas and energy," Helen said. "You can't continue your expansion without the revenue." "It's nearly done," Montana said. "And over budget," Helen said, a fact Montana couldn't dispute. The state-of-the-art spa had spiraled out of control with delays and cost overruns, and what had started out as an exciting new project was rapidly turning into a mess of red ink. Helen's decision to hire a new foreman wasn't really Montana's to override, for although Helen didn't control the purse strings, she did have the ear of Black Creek Resort's guarantor. "All right, then. Let's go meet your latest boy toy and get it over with." "For the record, he's not my type." When Montana saw him, she had to agree. Just the way the man stood in the tiled entrance hall of the ranch house, his back toward them, his Stetson loosely clasped between his fingers, screamed power and control and capability. He was studying a painting by Lamotia, one of Montana's favorite artists, and she had a brief moment to take in his thick dark hair and broad shoulders before the newcomer turned to face them. She caught her breath, speared by the most intensely blue eyes she had ever seen. Somewhere between genuine turquoise and desert night sky, they were breathtaking, mesmerizing, rendering her temporarily speechless. "Steele, Montana, I'll leave you two to chat." With a smug smile, Helen retreated. "Sorry," the stranger said. "I didn't mean to stare, but I expected Montana to be a man." His remark restored her equilibrium as effectively as a dash of cold water. "Do you have a problem working for a woman, Mr. Steele?" "It's Hardt." "I beg your pardon." "Steele Hardt." Surely he was making that up. "Is that what it says on your birth certificate?" His smile was almost as breath-robbing as his eyes. Every survival instinct she possessed screamed "danger." "My mother has a warped sense of humor, but I always figure it could have been worse: my brother's name is Sloan. And no, I have never had problems taking direction from a woman." Despite the silent overhead fan stirring the air, Montana felt herself grow suddenly warm. Beads of perspiration dewed her hairline while nerve sensors went on full alert. She felt a surge of blood through her system, like an adrenaline rush. His words sounded innocent enough; so why did she read sexualLawless, Kathleen is the author of 'Hard Man to Love', published 2006 under ISBN 9781416507529 and ISBN 1416507523.