The Last Single Maverick - Christine Rimmer

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       Joss knew what was coming. He was going to kiss her.

      And oh, at that moment, she wanted him to kiss her.

      Wanted him to guide her back onto the sofa cushions, to press his big, muscled body so tightly against her, to hold her so close and kiss her so long, and so deep and so thoroughly that she would forget…

      Everything.

      The mess that was her life. All the ways her plans and her world had gone haywire. All the things she somehow had to fix, to make right, though she really had no idea how to do that.

      She wanted to tear off all her clothes and all of his, too. She wanted to be naked with him, skin-to-skin. Naked with her new best friend—who happened to be a man she’d only met the day before.

      She wanted forgetfulness. And she wanted it in Jace’s big arms.

      Dear Reader,

      Former player Jason “Jace’’ Traub isn’t sure what he wants out of life anymore. He’s out of the family business and determined to leave his lifelong home of Midland, Texas, and start anew somewhere else. In the meantime, he’s spending a week or two at the annual Traub family reunion in Thunder Canyon, Montana.

      Runaway bride Joss Bennings is enjoying her un-honeymoon at the Thunder Canyon Resort courtesy of that cheating rat she almost married. When Jace meets Joss, it’s best friends at first sight.

      Nothing serious. They’re just great buddies.

      Or so they keep telling themselves. But every moment they spend together draws them closer to the realization that there’s a lot more going on there than friendship.

      I love it when best friends become so much more. I think Joss and Jace are meant for each other. And I totally enjoyed writing their story.

      Happy reading, everyone!

      Yours always,

       Christine Rimmer

      About the Author

      CHRISTINE RIMMER came to her profession the long way around. Before settling down to write about the magic of romance, she’d been everything from an actress to a salesclerk to a waitress. Now that she’s finally found work that suits her perfectly, she insists she never had a problem keeping a job—she was merely gaining “life experience” for her future as a novelist. Christine is grateful not only for the joy she finds in writing, but for what waits when the day’s work is through: a man she loves who loves her right back, and the privilege of watching their children grow and change day to day. She lives with her family in Oregon. Visit Christine at www.christinerimmer.com.

      The Last

      Single Maverick

      Christine Rimmer

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      For my readers.

      You are the best!

       Chapter One

      Family reunions. Who needs them?

      Jason Traub didn’t. He realized that now. And yet somehow, a few days ago, he’d decided that a trip to Montana for the annual summertime Traub family get-together would be a good idea.

      Or maybe he’d just wanted to escape Midland, Texas, and the constant pressure to return to the family business. He should have realized that in Montana it would only be more of the same. Especially given that the whole family was here—and still putting on the pressure.

      And why was it that the reunion seemed to get longer every year? This year, it began on the Saturday before Independence Day and would go straight through the whole week to the Sunday after the Fourth, with some family event or other taking place daily.

      That first day, Saturday, June 30, featured a late-afternoon barbecue at DJ’s Rib Shack. Jason’s cousin DJ had Rib Shacks all over the western states. But this one happened to be at the Thunder Canyon Resort up on Thunder Mountain, which loomed, tall and craggy, above the small and charming mountain town of Thunder Canyon.

      “Jace.” The deep voice came from behind him. “Glad you could make it.”

      Jason, seated at one of the Rib Shack’s long, rustic, family-style tables, glanced over his shoulder at his older brother Ethan. “Great party,” Jason said. And it was. If you didn’t mind a whole bunch of family up in your face in a big, big way.

      His brother leaned closer. “We need to talk.”

      Jace pretended he didn’t hear and held up a juicy rib dripping Rib Shack secret sauce. “Great ribs, as always.” With the constant rumble of voices and laughter that filled the restaurant, how would Ethan know if Jace heard him or not?

      Ethan grunted—and bent even closer to speak directly into his ear. “I know Ma and Pete want you back in Midland.” Pete Wexler was their stepdad. “But you’ve got options, and I mean that. There’s a place waiting for you right here at TOI Montana.”

      TOI—for Traub Oil Industries—was the family business. The original office was in Midland, Texas, where Jason and his five siblings had been born and raised. Pete, their stepdad, was chairman of the board. And their mother, Claudia, was CEO. Last year, Ethan had opened a second branch of TOI in Thunder Canyon. Jackson, Jason’s fraternal twin, and their only sister, Rose, and her husband, Austin, were all at the new office with Ethan.

      “No, thanks,” Jace said, and then reminded his brother—as he kept reminding everyone in the family, “I’m out of the oil business.”

      Now it was Ethan’s turn to pretend not to hear. He squeezed Jason’s shoulder—a bone-crushing squeeze. “We’ll talk,” he said.

      “No point,” Jace answered wearily. “I’ve made up my mind.”

      But Ethan only gave him a wave and started talking to the large elderly woman on Jace’s right. Jace didn’t hear what they said to each other. He was actively not listening.

      A moment later, Ethan moved on. Jace concentrated on his dinner. His plate was piled high with ribs, corn on the cob, coleslaw and steak fries. The food was terrific. Almost worth the constant grief he was getting from his family—about work, about his nonexistent love life, about everything.

      Across the table, Shandie Traub, his cousin Dax’s wife, said, “Jason, here’s someone I want you to meet.” The someone in question stood directly behind Shandie. She had baby-fine blond hair and blue eyes and she was smiling at him shyly. Shandie introduced her. “My second cousin, Belinda McKelly. Belinda’s from Sioux Falls.”

      “Hi, Jason.” Belinda colored prettily. She had to practically shout to be heard over the din. “I’m so pleased to meet you.” She bent closer and stuck her hand out at him.

      Jace swiped a wet wipe over his fingers, reached across the table and gave her offered hand a shake. She seemed sweet actually. But one look in those baby blues of hers told him way more than he needed to know: Belinda wanted a husband. As soon as she let go, he grabbed an ear of corn and started gnawing on it, his gaze focused hard on his plate. When he dared to glance up again, she was gone.

      Shandie gave him a look that skimmed real close to pissed off. “Honestly, Jace, you could make a little effort. It’s not like it would kill you.”

      “Sorry,” he said, even though he didn’t feel sorry in the least. He only felt relieved not to have to make small talk with sweet Belinda McKelly.

      To his right, the large elderly woman Ethan had spoken to a few moments before said warmly, “Such a lovely young girl.” The old lady’s warm tone turned cool

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