lump formed in Layla’s throat. Beneath the brightness of the noon sun sat a gorgeous man on a beautiful horse. She’d seen the horse before. One day after arriving on the Silver Spurs, she’d noticed when one of the men had taken it out of the stall to groom it. She had been admiring the animal when the man, Curtis, told her the horse’s name was Acer and that he belonged to the boss. This was the first time she’d seen Gavin on the horse and the sight took her breath away.
It had been three long days since he’d taken her to the movies and later walked her to the guest cottage, leaving her there and blatantly ignoring her since. Honestly, what had she expected? For him to have kissed her good-night regardless of what he’d said the night before? What he’d done was to toss the ball in her court. He probably figured she didn’t have the guts to play it.
But it wasn’t that she didn’t have the guts. She didn’t have the time or the inclination... Oh, who was she fooling? Definitely not herself. If anything, not seeing him these past few days had made her realize that out of sight, out of mind didn’t work when it came to Gavin.
“Who in the blazes is that?”
Layla didn’t have to move her gaze from Gavin to know one of her students, Tammy Clemons, stood beside her looking at Gavin, as well. “That’s Gavin Blake. He and his grandmother own the Silver Spurs. They were kind enough to let us dig here.”
“Um, maybe I should thank him. Properly.”
A sudden stab of jealousy ran through Layla, and as much as she tried pushing it back, she couldn’t. Properly? She didn’t have to wonder just what Tammy meant by that. It was rumored around campus that Tammy often bragged about sleeping with her professors to get better grades.
Layla knew not to believe everything she heard, but Tammy’s behavior made Layla think there was some truth in that claim. Especially since Tammy was here on this dig. Some said her latest conquest was Dr. Clayburn. That wouldn’t surprise Layla since the married man and father of two was known to have roving eyes. More than once she’d heard about his late night meetings with female students. Those meetings were something Layla was certain the college president had heard about but had chosen to ignore.
Tammy’s grades should have made her ineligible for this team, but Dr. Clayburn had personally added her name above other more well-deserving students. When Layla had brought it to Dr. Clayburn’s attention, he’d gotten upset that she’d questioned him. He’d reminded her that he had the power to withdraw the school’s funding for the excavation.
“That guy is what you would call a real cowboy. And I didn’t have to travel to Texas to get one.”
Layla saw the twenty-one-year-old lick her lips with her gaze trained on Gavin. It shouldn’t matter to Layla. But it did. Why? She didn’t want to be Gavin’s bed partner so why should it bother her if someone else did?
“Need I remind you, Tammy, that you’re here to work on this project?”
Tammy frowned. “No, Dr. Harris, you don’t need to remind me of anything. Just like I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that although we’re dedicated to this dig during the day, the nighttime hours are ours to enjoy. And I intend to enjoy him.”
The young woman stated the words so matter-of-factly that Layla had to take pause. Was Tammy the type of woman Gavin wanted? The kind who could handle both work and play without breaking a sweat? A woman who enjoyed the challenge of both?
Layla was about to reply when a huge smile covered Tammy’s face. “He’s seen me checking him out and is coming down for me.”
The thought that Gavin might be showing some interest in Tammy made Layla’s chest ache.
She turned her attention back to Gavin. He was sprinting down the hill on the huge horse and she recalled something he’d once said. When he saw a target he wanted he went after it. Was he now galloping down the hill because he wanted Tammy? The young woman evidently thought so.
He looked good on the horse, wearing a Stetson on his head. Tammy was right. He was the epitome of what a cowboy should be. Tough. Rugged. Fearless. But then she could probably use those same adjectives to describe him as a navy SEAL. Gavin slowed his horse to a trot when it hit level ground and then he headed in their direction.
“Didn’t I tell you he was coming to check me out?” Tammy said, with a ton of confidence in her voice.
The young woman didn’t lack any faith in herself as a woman who could draw a man’s interest. Gavin reached them and brought the horse to a stop. A lump formed in Layla’s throat when she saw his attention hadn’t even flickered to Tammy. He was staring straight at Layla.
“Gavin.”
“Layla.”
“And I’m Tammy,” the younger woman quickly said, not waiting for an introduction. She flashed Gavin a huge, flirty smile.
Gavin switched his gaze from Layla to Tammy. “Hello, Tammy.”
“You look good on your horse. I would love for you to give me a ride.”
Gavin released a smooth chuckle. “Sorry. Acer is temperamental. I’m the only one he lets on his back.”
“Um, I’m sure there are other ways we can ride,” Tammy purred suggestively. “Without your horse.”
Layla cleared her throat. Did the young woman have no shame? Tammy had pretty much offered herself to Gavin. Talk about being over-the-top brazen. The smile, she noticed, didn’t leave Gavin’s features when he said, “Thanks. But no thanks.” He then turned his full attention back to Layla. “Have dinner with me tonight.”
Layla swallowed. “Dinner?”
“Yes. I figured we could grab a meal in town.”
Before Layla could say whether she would go or not, Tammy spoke up in an irritated tone. “Dr. Harris is in charge of this project, and I’m sure she has a lot to do tonight since we start digging in a few days. There are preliminary reports she has to complete and soil samples that need to be reviewed. But I’ll be glad to go out with you tonight.”
An annoyed frown replaced the smile on Gavin’s lips when he turned to Tammy. “Are you her spokesperson?”
It was obvious Tammy had been caught off guard by Gavin’s question. “No.”
“I didn’t think so. As far as taking her place, I didn’t ask you to, did I?”
He couldn’t have been I’m-not-interested-in-you plainer than that, Layla thought. Rage appeared in Tammy’s face, making it quite obvious she wasn’t used to men rejecting her and she didn’t appreciate Gavin doing so. Instead of answering his question, she turned and angrily strutted off.
Layla watched her go and then turned her attention back to Gavin. “You might have hurt her feelings.”
He shrugged massive shoulders. “She’ll get over it. Besides, someone needs to teach her some manners.” He leaned back. “So what about it? Will you have dinner with me tonight? We can even take in another movie if you like?”
Layla nibbled at her bottom lip. Tammy had been right about her having a lot of work to do to prepare for the start of the dig. But then hadn’t Tammy also
