His Tempting Bride (BBW Western Romance - 1): Millionaire Cowboys, #1

By Jenn Roseton

The first book in the spin-off series from the popular Billionaire Brothers series.

When curvy event planner Heather Lancaster meets Gage Coltson in a New York City hotel, she’s instantly attracted to him. And when she helps him out, he repays her by inviting her to vacation on his ranch.

But when her sister shows up to “rescue” her, she discovers that Gage is related to the billionaire Trask brothers.

Stressed out Heather succumbs to his - and his ranch’s - charm. And when she rescues a puppy, Gage helps her care for the appealing creature.

As her two-week vacation turns into three, she slowly falls in love with the sexy rancher. But what about her career in New York? Should she risk it all for love? Could Gage ever love her - and her curves?

This is a sexy contemporary romance novella of approximately 31,500 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jenn Roseton
• Release date: Sep 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781524247393

Book preview

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

––––––––

Thank you, Nicole Hernandez-Vela, for inspiring me.

And thank you, H.Y. Hanna, for helping me out at the last minute.

CHAPTER 1

Friday evening. The New York city hotel lobby buzzed with the sound of people’s voices. The ranch management convention was due to start in earnest tomorrow, and guests had arrived from all over the country to attend.

Heather Lancaster looked up from the front desk as a tall, dark-haired man in his mid-thirties approached. Her heart skipped a beat when she felt the force of his dark brown gaze upon her. Wearing charcoal pants, a pale blue shirt and matching black jacket, he radiated confidence, his overnight bag slung over his shoulder.

Taking a deep breath, she summoned a professional smile, surprised at her sudden reaction to this stranger. She’d worked as assistant events manager at the hotel for the past four years, and although she’d helped out at the front desk from time to time like this evening, when they were slammed with guests, she couldn’t remember experiencing such an instant attraction to a man before.

Hi. May I help you? Yes please. 

I’m Gage Coltson. I have a reservation for a King room with a city view. I’m attending the ranching convention. His gaze swept over her, as if taking in her appearance. He smiled at her, apparently liking what he saw, which made her even more flustered.

Heather concentrated on keying his name into the system. She wasn’t used to male guests looking at her with interest. Usually, she stayed in the background, helping her supervisor with numerous events throughout the year. Short and curvy, she’d concentrated on her career instead of dating. Although a lot of men stayed at the hotel on business, they were seldom interested in her.

Gage’s reservation popped up on the screen. I’ll need your credit card to complete your booking. She risked glancing at him, and immediately knew it was a mistake. His straight nose and rugged jaw combined with his molten brown gaze caused her to stop breathing for a second.

Sure. He dug into his back pocket, then froze.

She watched him try to pull out a wallet that obviously wasn’t there.

He cursed softly. It appears my wallet is missing.

She stared at him, a muscle pulsing in his jaw. He seemed genuine. It hadn’t happened to her when she’d worked the front desk but she’d heard stories from the other staff members about guests turning up to claim their reservation and discovering their wallet had mysteriously disappeared, alleging it must have been stolen, when upon investigation, it had been a ruse to score a free room.

But Gage Coltson was different. She just knew it. Heather couldn’t see any guile at all in those brown eyes. His emotions on discovering his wallet was gone seemed real. And after working with some tantrum-prone prima donna clients in the last four years, she had pretty good instincts when someone was being disingenuous.

When did you have it last?

At the airport. He raked a hand through his short, slightly wavy brown hair. I can’t believe this. I must have been pick-pocketed.

She furrowed her brow. How did you get here from the airport?

I reserved a town car, and it was waiting for me. I paid online.

You’ll need to cancel your credit cards right away, she said. And any bank accounts the thief would have access to.

You’re right. Thank God I already reserved the room with my credit card.

Umm ... about that, Heather began, not wanting to give him more bad news, but there wasn’t any alternative. The hotel has a policy of completing your reservation upon arrival with your credit card. Your card only holds the room for you until you arrive. We need to actually have it in order for you to occupy the room.

What?

She felt the full force of his incredulous gaze.

We’ve been burned a few times by people using stolen credit cards to book their reservation by phone or online, she hastened to explain. When they left after their stay here, the transaction was cancelled by the credit card companies when the owner realized their card had been stolen. So we need to physically see the card and swipe it before a guest has access to their room.

This just gets better and better, he groused.

She bit her lip. How could she help him?

Do you know anyone here that could pay for your room?

No. He shook his head. I’ve flown in from Montana. I don’t know anyone in New York.

Montana. An image flickered in her mind of wide open spaces, lots of blue sky, and peace and quiet.

What’s it like living there? she asked impulsively, surprising herself. Asking guests personal questions was frowned upon, unless she needed to know a particular detail in order to help plan their special event. I’m from Laramie, Wyoming.

Practically my next-door neighbor.  His smile eased away the glower that had creased his face. The ranch is great. It’s in a beautiful area. You should visit sometime.

As if that would ever happen. Whenever she thought of taking some vacation time, another important event cropped up that her supervisor needed her assistance on.

A line of guests eager to check in had formed behind Gage. She heard a few disgruntled mutters, and when she looked past him, a couple of the men in line were frowning at the wait.

This may take a while to sort out. She looked at the line behind him again. Why don’t you use the desk over there— she gestured to a mahogany desk tucked away in a corner near reception, —to cancel your cards? She lowered her voice. The number to dial out is eight. When I’ve checked these people in I’ll see what I can do.

You’ll keep my room for me? He turned his head, glancing at the growing queue.

Promise.

I’ll hold you to that— his gaze fastened on her nametag "—Heather."

Just the way he said her name gave her delicious goose bumps. His voice had been low, smooth, and totally male. What would it be like to hear him say her name like that every day?

She watched him stride over to the desk, admiring the way his tailored black trousers fit him like he was a male model.

Excuse me, miss? A short, beefy man with a ruddy complexion planted his elbows on the counter. Can you help me?

Heat tinged her cheeks as she realized she’d been gazing at Gage like a love-struck teenager. Blinking, she forced herself to concentrate on checking in the guest before her. The faster she got through the line of check-ins, the quicker she could help Gage.

Finally, she was free of incoming guests. Two staff members had called in sick today, which was why she was working reception alone. And their hotel was hosting the ranching convention this weekend, so it was even busier than usual. 

Excitement flitted in her stomach as she left the front desk and walked over to Gage. He’d just hung up the phone. How’s it going? She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

The good news is I’ve managed to cancel everything and I’ve already paid for the convention including meals. My new credit card should arrive here tomorrow. The bad news— he shrugged and looked at her. You tell me.

True to her word, she’d kept his room reservation. But without a credit card until tomorrow, how could she check him in?

But she couldn’t leave him sitting in the lobby all night either.

Why don’t I pay for your room myself? Heather knew she should be shocked at the words that had popped out of her mouth, but somehow she wasn’t. This man appealed to her on so many levels, and that had rarely happened before.

I can’t ask you to do that. He shook his head.

You’re not. I’m offering.

I might run into someone I know at the drinks event this evening, and can bunk with him tonight. He looked determined to refuse her help.

You can pay me back once your replacement credit card arrives.

She didn’t think many people in such a situation would reject a comfortable hotel room for the night. Waiting for his answer, she wondered once again at her attraction to him. She’d never been boy-crazy like some of her classmates in school. Yes, she’d dated occasionally in high school, and again in college, but had never met a guy she could dream of forever with. Had she met him now?

Shaking away that crazy thought, she flickered her gaze toward reception. No one requiring assistance, apart from the man in front of her - Gage.

She felt his scrutiny, and turned her attention back to him, holding her breath as she waited for his reply.

Okay, he said after a moment of silence. Thanks. On the condition I pay you back as soon as my replacement credit card arrives.

Deal. She nodded, then motioned toward the front desk. Let me check you in.

He followed her over to the counter. Suddenly feeling flustered, she had problems bringing up the correct room information at first, until she ordered herself to concentrate and to stop peeping up at him