Roping the Cowboy: Circle B Ranch, #0.5

By Kennedy Fox

An unforgettable one-night stand filled with heat and passion starts the unraveling of a love-hate feud between a small-town baker and an arrogant cowboy.

When Katarina shows up at the Circle B Ranch Bed & Breakfast to serve her new gluten-free, sugar-free, organic pastries, Braxton decides to make her life hell for kicking him out the next morning and then pretending he never existed.

First step, make fun of her tasteless muffins.
Second step, get revenge.

Soon the duo are at each other's throats, getting even until things go too far and the chemistry burns too hot.

Kat claims their night together meant nothing.
He's determined to prove her wrong.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kennedy Fox Books, LLC
• Release date: Jun 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393011576

Kennedy Fox

Kennedy Fox is the pseudonym for duo Brooke Cumberland and Lyra Parish, two romance authors who teamed up to write USA Today bestselling books. They share a love of Hallmark movies and overpriced coffee. When they aren't bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

KAT

SIX MONTHS EARLIER

Online dating is hell. Then again, so is being single, which is why I’m putting myself out there. The annoying voice in my head has been screaming at me lately, continuously reminding me that all my friends are married with kids and I’m not getting any younger. Though I wouldn’t classify myself as old, my mother and grandma Gigi like to remind me I only have a finite number of eggs.

To appease my nagging family, I signed up for a dating app. During the past month of trying to meet The One, my matches have consisted of complete pervs who instantly sent dick pics and see me as nothing more than a booty call. That’s not what I’m looking for, but there’s no middle ground. I’m not in any hurry to find someone just to fill a void because my Mr. Right has a lot of boxes to check, which is why I’m more single than a lost sock. It also doesn’t help that I’m known around town as a heartbreaker.

Going against my better judgment, I agree to meet up with one of the non-creepy men. His name is Noah, and he’s sweet, considerate, and has his shit together, which is more than I can say about the donkey dicks who beg for my address five seconds after matching.

Just thinking about finally meeting Noah has me nervous as hell. He’s good-looking with sandy-blond hair and blue eyes. Though he’s a few years older, he’s never been married and has no kids, which makes me wonder what’s wrong with him. I laugh because I’m sure the same thought crossed his mind about me. I’m twenty-seven, never been in a serious relationship, and my family is well-known in this town for their money. But I’m ready to settle down and start a family, and live my dream life with someone who loves me wholeheartedly.

Instead of meeting at a fancy restaurant that leaves nothing but expectations, I chose a fun club that plays country music. Since the middle of nowhere Texas has limited options, it’s a popular place on the weekends.

As I put on red lipstick and smack my lips together, nervous jitters get the best of me, and I start doubting this. I slip on a slinky blouse and skirt, then put on my favorite pair of heels, giving me four extra inches since Noah’s over six feet tall. Before I leave, I take one last look in the mirror and somehow muster enough courage to walk out the door.

Once I’m in the parking lot of the bar, I pull out my phone and check the time. We agreed to meet around eight, so I send a message to let him know I’ve arrived.

The bouncer checks my ID at the door and allows me inside. Making my way to the bar, I save a seat for Noah, then order a cosmopolitan as I wait for him.

Time passes quickly, and as I finish my drink, I look down at my phone and see my message was read, but I have no reply. Perhaps he got caught up at the office, considering he’s somewhat high profile. Or he got lost. Or his phone died right after he read my message.

It’s plausible.

Just as I’m ordering my second drink and contemplating why he’s not here yet, a man plops down on the barstool next to me. A hopeful grin fills my face, but when I turn and realize it’s not Noah, my expression quickly fades.

Is this seat reserved? he asks with a thick Southern accent. His green eyes bore into me as he flashes a charming smile. Lifting his baseball cap, he runs his fingers through curly dark brown hair, and I can’t help but notice how attractive he is and how amazing he smells. When he licks his lips, I find myself staring, then wandering down to study the scruff on his chin. Damn.

He lifts his eyebrows, and I realize I never answered his question.

Um, yes, it is, I tell him, taking a sip of my drink, but he just shrugs.

Darlin’, you’ve been sittin’ here for almost an hour drinkin’ alone. Doubt whoever’s supposed to be in this seat is showin’ up.

I narrow my eyes. Rude.

I’m not the rude one, sweetheart. I wouldn’t have stood you up. Trust me on that one. He gives me a nod, then orders a beer. His confession causes my cheeks to heat and my heart to beat rapidly. This man is making me nervous as hell, so I try to focus on the cherry in my cosmo, hoping Noah’s not really standing me up. But if he is, maybe my night won’t be so bad after all.

I’m sure he’s just running late and doesn’t have great reception, I say, making excuses. Opening the app on my phone again, I find he still hasn’t replied.

I’m Braxton, he finally says. And I’m buyin’ you a shot. Make it a double. Think ya need it.

I shake my head. No. It’s fine. I should probably go home.

You’re gonna let some asshole ruin your night? Fuck him. If he can’t even give you the courtesy of meetin’ up with you, then he ain’t worth your damn time.

A smile touches my lips. Now I can drink to that. Braxton hands me a double shot of tequila, and we clink our glasses together. I lick the salt, take the liquid gold, then hurry to put the lime in my mouth. Tequila gives me too much courage, and for that reason, I stopped drinking it. Mainly because it gets me in trouble.

The alcohol burns as it goes down, and Braxton shoots me a wink, then takes me by the hand. Before he can lead me out to the dance floor, I gulp the rest of my cosmo, and then we go.

You never told me your name, he whispers, placing his large hands tightly around my waist and pulling me close to his solid body. Considering he’s so tall, I’m happy I wore these heels.

I’m Katarina, but everyone calls me Kat.

Kat? I like that. Meow. He chuckles, holding me in his strong arms as we two-step around the room. Eventually, the song changes to a slower one, and when I look up into his green eyes, I feel the fire burning between us. As if an electrical current pulls us close, our lips crash together, and we kiss one another greedily. I know I shouldn’t do this, but for one night, I want to feel wanted by someone, especially somebody as sexy as Braxton. One-night stands aren’t my thing, but I’m thirty miles from home, and I’ve never seen him around before, so he can be my best-kept secret just this once.