Page 3 of Spurred On

He arched a brow. “That many?”

“Tibby wants to come.” This she spat.

His head came up so fast he bit his tongue. Tibby. What a horror. Aside from being Zack’s sister and a monster in her own right, she was the woman Cody’d started dating right after he and Sidney broke up.

Beyond that, Tibby was still convinced Cody was in love with her—even though their relationship, if one could call it that, had ended nearly as soon as it had begun. Even though all that had happened nearly a decade ago, Tibby attached to him like a remora whenever they happened to cross paths.

Naturally, he avoided her like the plague.

He swallowed heavily. Cleared his throat. “Ah . . . Tibby?”

Sidney nodded. “She’s bringing her friends.”

“Awesome.”

Claire was going to have a conniption. She’d made it clear that Tibby was never to be invited to the ranch. But if it was a condition of Sidney’s booking, he would have to accede. Because he’d realized, all of a sudden, this was the opportunity he’d dreamed of. An opportunity to see her again. And maybe, if he was lucky, to seduce her again.

It was something he’d fantasized about for ten long years.

Making love to Sidney again . . . and finally getting her out of his system.

He hummed with excitement as they waded through the details of her event. Even as he wrote down each of her requirements, his mind was in a whirl, surreptitiously planning how he might soften her wrath, when and where he might kiss her again. It was foolish of him, but he couldn’t resist. Being so close to her, drawing in her scent, hearing her voice . . . all weakened his resolve, his protective instincts.

With a shock, he realized he would do anything to be with her again. If only once.

When they’d finished all the paperwork, she stilled and folded her hands in her lap. Then she looked at him—really looked at him for the first time. For once her gaze was not distant. It was warm, open, almost pleading. “I have . . . a special request, Cody.”

He poised his pen over the order form, even though all he wanted to do was stare at her. And maybe drool. “Yeah? What is it?” Whatever it was, he’d do it. If only to see that sincere look in her eye again. If only to please her.

She took a deep breath and captured his gaze.

“I want you to help me scuttle this wedding.”

***

Cody stared at her. As well he should. It was an insane idea, but Sidney was out of ideas.

Obviously.

She’d been desperate enough to come here. To take the chance of seeing him again, after all the heartache he’d caused. And man, it had been hard to maintain a civil countenance in his presence. She wanted to yell at him, rail, howl. She’d wanted to run. But she didn’t. This was too important. Hanna needed this—even though she didn’t realize it.

Still, Sidney deserved a frigging Oscar for her acting.

Cody blinked. “Excuse me? You want me to . . . what?”

She glowered at him. For some reason, he flinched. “Come on, Cody. Quit playing innocent. You and I both know there’s something wrong here. Hanna doesn’t love Zack. Not really. We need to show her.”

He shook his head, as though he didn’t understand. But then, maybe he didn’t. Men were notoriously oblivious. About everything. “Show her what?”

“That she’s not in love with Zack. What a mistake this wedding would be.”

“Sidney . . .” He sighed. “How am I supposed to do that?”

“You have hot guys here. Can’t you have one of them . . . ?” She waved a hand in an illustrative manner.

“What?”

“Seduce her?”