Tempt Me Cowbear (Curvy Bear B&B Book 3) Read online

  Tempt Me Cowbear

  Liv Brywood

  Description

  Donna’s mission to indulge in each of the seven deadly sins begins with a trip to the Curvy Bear Ranch’s cooking class. Recently divorced, she’s ready to spread her wings and finally live the life she’s always wanted. But when she meets Brody, a sexy cowboy with a scorching hot body, she has to decide whether or not she’s ready to give up her newfound freedom to take a chance on finding the love of a lifetime.

  When Brody meets the curvy blonde bombshell, his bear insists that she’s their mate. But she’s totally wrong for him. She filthy rich, self-absorbed, and entirely too seductive for his taste. Definitely not future wife material. But as they work together to master the art of cooking, he discovers there’s more to her than meets the eye. And by the end of the week, he’s ready to do whatever it takes to claim her.

  Excerpt

  The temperature outside had bite, but he enjoyed the cold. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting an orange glow across the snow. It was perfect.

  He chose a seat at the table and motioned for her to sit next to him. She did. She was close enough that he could feel her warmth.

  “This is literally the best biscuit I’ve ever had,” she mumbled between bites.

  Crumbs caught on the corners of her mouth. It took everything in his body to keep from swiping them off with his fingers.

  “I still can’t believe we made it.” She sipped her cocktail. “Are you going to eat or just keep watching me eat?”

  “Oh, right.” He flushed as he shoveled a huge mouthful between his lips.

  They ate in comfortable silence. After he’d scraped the last bite off of the plate, he sat back and patted his belly.

  “I could eat those every day,” he said.

  “Me too, except my ass would be the size of a water buffalo after about a week,” she said.

  “Water buffalo?” He laughed. “You’re not even close to that size.”

  “I have to keep my figure bikini-ready.” She leaned forward and placed her hand on his forearm. “Don’t forget to meet me at the Jacuzzi tonight.”

  A resounding roar echoed in his chest, his bear jumping at the thought of seeing her in a skimpy bikini. Every curve of her supple body would be on display. Every curve of her completely off-limits, totally not for him, body.

  He swallowed loudly. Temptation jammed its wickedly sharp claws into his body, or maybe that was just his bear up to shenanigans.

  Before he had a chance to turn her down, she hopped up.

  “I’ll see you later,” she said.

  As she walked back toward the B&B, her ass bounced, her hips swayed, and his resolve cracked like teeth on a popcorn kernel.

  Tempt Me Cowbear

  Liv Brywood

  Tempt Me Cowbear

  Copyright© 2016 Liv Brywood

  Amazon Edition

  All rights reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Donna grabbed the helicopter pilot’s hand and carefully stepped out of the cockpit. Spinning helicopter blades whipped snow into a swirling frenzy. As she ducked to avoid decapitation, she pulled the hood of her jacket up to cover her hair. She should have opted for a French braid today. Her blow-out was going to be ruined before she’d even have a chance to meet everyone at Curvy Bear Ranch.

  She grabbed a pair of sleek Coach luggage bags and dragged them toward the ranch house. Even though she’d packed the bare minimum necessary for a week away, she was surprised by how heavy they were. She shielded her eyes, looking around for the bellboy. Well, this was a first. Was she going to have to carry everything herself?

  Behind her, the helicopter kicked up another blast of snow as it took off. She turned and waved at the pilot. As soon as the wind relented, Donna pulled a compact from her pink Prada purse. She flipped it open and surveyed the damage. At least she’d brought everything she needed to fix it.

  After applying another coat of red lipstick, she checked her teeth and snapped the compact shut. She’d just finished stuffing it back into her purse when a woman appeared on the front porch. Dressed in jeans, a flannel shirt, and thick boots, she looked half lumberjack. Donna wrinkled her nose. She wouldn’t be caught dead in that outfit.

  The woman hurried down the steps.

  “Hi, I’m Madison,” she said. “You must be Donna?”

  “That’s right. It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’d shake your hand but…” Donna held up her bags.

  “Oh, let me help you with that.” Madison grabbed one of the bags and lifted it effortlessly.

  Donna sized up the pretty blonde woman. With such a sunny disposition and a complete lack of wrinkles, Madison had to be in her late twenties. Donna swallowed against the rising lump in her throat. Anytime she came across a woman who was still in her twenties, especially a pretty blonde, she had to try extra hard to relax and play nice. At thirty-two years old, she could already feel her collagen depleting and her winkles increasing. She never told anyone her real age. She’d been shaving four years off of that number since the day she’d turned thirty.

  As they approached the bed and breakfast, Donna smiled. Although the house was smaller than it had appeared in the pictures on the website, it was cute. Several people stood on the large front porch with steaming coffee mugs in hand. She shivered. Weren’t they freezing their butts off? It was easily below thirty degrees outside even with sun directly overhead.

  Donna couldn’t wait to get inside and check out her temporary home for the next week. If there was coffee to be had, she’d enjoy it alone in the warmth of her room.

  “I’m excited to have you in my class,” Madison said. “I’ll be your cooking instructor this week. I can’t wait to get started, but there are still a few guests on their way in.”

  Her smile was open and genuine. Donna immediately liked her. She didn’t get that hostile, vicious, backstabbing vibe that so many women seemed to have these days.

  “I’ve been looking forward to the cooking class for weeks,” Donna said.

  “Do you do much cooking at home?” Madison asked.

  “Well no, not really. My kitchen staff prepares my meals, but I’d love to learn something new. The minute the ink dried on my divorce papers, I decided I would go on a year-long quest filled with new experiences.” The word “divorce” danced across her tongue and tasted like pure freedom. “When I found your website online, I signed up immediately. It seemed like the perfect way to start.”

  “It sounds like you’re going through a big transition,” Madison said. “Hopefully this week will be both enjoyable and relaxing.”

  “It will be,” Donna said.

  As they walked up the porch steps, Madison waved at the other guests. She gave an extra big smile to a rather dreamy-looking cowboy with a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. Judging by
the rings on both their fingers, Donna figured they were married. Marriage…never again.

  She huffed and puffed as she followed Madison up the flight of steps. Damn luggage. Next time she’d find a way to pack lighter. Or at least make sure they had a bell hop. The B&B really needed to invest in an elevator.

  “We’re going to have a lot of fun this week,” Madison said as they reached the landing. “My goal is to get everyone in touch with the sensual side of cooking.”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve had anything sensual in my life,” Donna said.

  She stopped and rested for a second. The trip up the stairs about killed her. Maybe she shouldn’t have fired her trainer when he’d suggested that yoga wasn’t exercise. Of course it was. Okay, maybe it wasn’t the same as running on a treadmill. But running sucked. Yoga was at least fun.

  “Your room is at the end of the hall. I hope you don’t mind. There are a couple of older ladies attending and I already feel bad that they have to go up and down the stairs several times a day.”

  “Have you ever thought about adding an elevator?” Donna asked.

  “We don’t have a place to put one. Someday we’ll redesign the B&B, but in the meantime, everyone’s going to get a little extra cardio in their day.”

  Madison set the suitcase on the ground in front of a heavy pine door. A plaque with a wood-burned bear holding the number twelve sat at eye level. She unlocked the door and gestured for Donna to go inside first.

  The room was small but cozy, with a wooden bed topped with comfy-looking pillows and a brightly colored quilt. There was a decent-sized dresser, a small night stand, an older-looking TV set, and two windows facing out into the woods. She eyed the open doorway to the bathroom, pleased to see there was plenty of counter space.

  “It’s cute,” Donna said, finally getting her breath back. She reconsidered her aversion to running. Although she loved her soft, sexy curves, all that huffing and puffing couldn’t be good for her.

  “I’m going to leave you to your room, but please feel free to come downstairs and meet the rest of our cooking class.” Madison flashed a quick smile. “Let me know if you need anything, okay?”

  “Sure thing. Thank you.”

  Once Madison quietly shut the door behind her, Donna got to work unpacking. By the time she’d finished emptying the first suitcase, the entire bathroom counter was covered with a smorgasbord of face creams, skin cleansers, makeup kits, brushes, and all the different hair and shower products she owned. She stood back for a moment, nodding to herself. It might’ve been a pain to drag everything up the stairs, but it was totally worth it. One bag down, one to go.

  “Jesus!” she groaned as she lifted the other suitcase onto the bed. One by one, she pulled out each article of clothing before arranging them into pairs of tops and bottoms. She hung the carefully planned wardrobe in the small closet next to the bathroom. When she finished, it was stuffed. Okay, so maybe she’d overpacked a little, but it was all completely necessary. She had to make sure she could put together the right outfit for any occasion.

  Donna sat back on the bed, contemplating whether she wanted to go ahead and take another shower after all of that, but decided against it. If she took another shower now, she’d have three hours of work ahead of her. Even if she rushed, she couldn’t possibly blow-dry her hair and put her face back on in under two hours.

  Since she didn’t feel like moving, she pulled her phone out and dialed Ebony’s number.

  “Hey girl. Are you already settled in?” her best friend asked.

  “I am. And it’s gorgeous out here. The natural lighting really does wonders for my complexion.” Donna chuckled as she checked her nails for chips.

  “Glad to hear it. You know how I worry about you.”

  “There is absolutely nothing to worry over, darling,” Donna said.

  “What are your plans again? You’re taking like a week-long cooking class, right?”

  “It’s called A Culinary Week of Decadence. I’m so excited; I can’t wait to dig in. This is just the first step in my plan to indulge in the seven deadly sins.” As Donna lay back on the bed, her blonde locks spilled around her head in long waves.

  “Oh yeah, how could I forget?” Ebony’s tinkling laughter warmed her heart.

  “Now that my pitiful excuse of a marriage is over, it’s time for a big dose of gluttony. I’ll figure out lust, greed, pride, envy, sloth, and wrath later. I could go for a nap, so that would cover sloth.”

  “You’re so crazy,” Ebony said.

  “But you love me anyway. I saw some of the possible recipes on the website. It’s going to be so delicious. You know what else is awesome? I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, and with whomever I want. This new adventure is a huge turn-on, so God help the poor soul who gets in my way.”

  “That’s right girl, you tell them,” Ebony said. “I have to run, but I want to hear all about it when you get back home. I hope your gluttonous week is fabulous, you little minx. Love ya.”

  “Love ya.”

  After ending the call, Donna sighed with contentment. She couldn’t wait to get into all kinds of trouble in the kitchen.

  ***

  Brody swung a duffel bag over his shoulder as he climbed out of his big black truck. He’d been out to the ranch once before to buy a horse, but he’d forgotten how majestic their land was. As he gazed across the sparkling snowdrifts, his bear sighed with pleasure.

  A short walk away, Hebgen Lake’s frozen surface reflected a deep blue winter sky. Pine trees bedazzled with clumps of show decorated the shoreline. In the distance, mountains rose up to kiss white, fluffy clouds.

  With Christmas only a few weeks away, he’d expected it to be colder, but it wasn’t. As a Montanan, he enjoyed temperate summers, but his bear preferred cooler weather. The beast didn’t like being overheated.

  According to the flyer he’d seen, Curvy Bear Ranch was shifter-friendly. He’d be able to let his bear out whenever he needed to and he wouldn’t have to hold back. After all the pressure he’d been under lately, he couldn’t ask for a better place to go to decompress.

  After yanking his suitcase from the truck bed, Brody walked up to a couple of the guys he’d met during his last trip to the ranch. Mack and Logan—fellow shifters that ran the place—were out by the barn.

  “Hey man, nice to see you again,” Brody said.

  “Howdy. Brody, right? It’s great to have you back, man. Need any help?” Mack clapped him on the back.

  “Nah. I got it, but thanks.” Brody smiled, waving them both off.

  “Good to see you again,” Logan said. “Are you here for another horse?”

  “Nope. I’m here for the cooking class.”

  “You’re a brave man,” Logan said.

  “Eh, it can’t be that hard,” Brody said with a shrug. “I already know how to cook some stuff, but I’m looking to expand my culinary repertoire.”

  “Word to the wise—if you see my wife taking out a flambé’ torch, make sure to duck,” Mack said, nudging Brody with his elbow.

  “Hell, you might want to just run for the hills while you’re at it,” Logan chimed in, sending the two men into hysterics.

  “Should I be worried?” Brody arched a brow.

  “Nah, I’m just playing with you. My wife’s a great cook,” Mack said.

  “Yeah, now she is,” Logan said. “Remember what she was like when she first came to the ranch? She set the kitchen on fire.”

  “She’s come a long way, hasn’t she?” Mack asked with a note of pride in his voice.

  “She has, I’ll give her that,” Logan said.

  “She’s been practicing a lot, so don’t listen to this knucklehead,” Mack said.

  “Hey, I admitted that she’s improved. She’ll be a great teacher,” Logan said.

  Brody smiled. Hopefully he’d learn a thing or two from her. As long as he learned how to bake a proper cake, he’d be happy.

  “So what got you all interested in
cooking?” Mack asked as he wiped his hands on his jeans. “I thought you ran a ranch.”

  “It’s kind of a long story, but my sister has Down syndrome,” Brody said. “My parents are getting older and she’ll need my help eventually. So I want to make sure I can take care of her. She keeps asking me to bake a cake for her birthday, but I don’t want to make one of those cakes out of a box. I want to do it right and make it from scratch.”

  “I’d go with the box cake,” Logan said. “It would be easier.”

  “I couldn’t do that.” Brody shook his head. “She’s amazing and deserves the best that I can give her. Besides, it’s going to be her twenty-fifth birthday next week, so I want to do right by her.”

  “Hey, that’s great, man,” Logan said. “I really respect a guy who wants to step up for his family. You’re in good hands. We like to tease Madison, but she knows her stuff. I’m sure she’ll be able to teach you everything you need to know about baking a cake.”

  “Don’t get me wrong,” Brody said with a grin. “I cook a mean omelet and I can grill steak in my sleep, but the rest of it? Baked goods are an elusive beast. I can’t ever get it quite right. Either the middle implodes or the whole thing tastes like chalk. But I’ve got to admit, I’m really looking forward to working with the flambé torch. What red-blooded man can resist working with an open flame, right?”

  They all laughed.

  “Good luck,” Logan said. “I’m heading up to the B&B. I’ll show you the way.”

  “I’ve got a few new horses that need some training. So I’ll catch up with you later,” Mack said.

  As Brody followed Logan up to the main house, they discussed horse training. Brody was mid-sentence when a beautiful, curvy blonde stepped onto the front porch. He nearly dropped his suitcase.

  It was like watching a movie star strut down the red carpet. Long blonde hair cascaded down her back, swaying as she brushed something away from her chest. A tight red blouse barely contained her luscious breasts. Painted-on jeans hugged her curvy hips in a way that had his bear all riled up.