Page 46 of Wrangling a Wild Texan

For the first time in her life, Sunny was speechless.

Sensible, responsible Reid Mitchell wanted to get into trouble . . . with her? It made no sense. No sense at all.

“W-W-Why?” she sputtered.

His calloused fingers slid along her jaw and lifted her chin until their gazes met. There was definite desire in his amber eyes. And something else. Something that made her heart beat faster as he spoke in a low raspy voice.

“Maybe I’m finally seeing the person behind the smile—the person you really are.”

“The failing artist who is a liar, a vandal, and a horrible influence on innocent young girls?”

He shook his head. “No. The talented artist who struggles to believe in herself and puts everyone else’s happiness above her own—even an innocent young girl’s.”

“I haven’t made people very happy lately.”

His eyes grew intense as he studied her. “It’s not your responsibility to make everyone happy all the time, Sunshine. Sometimes, you just need to make yourself happy.”

“That’s the trouble. I don’t know what will make me happy.”

“Then I guess you’ll just need to figure it out. Until then, hold your breath.”

She stared at him. “What?”

“Hold your breath.”

Before she had a chance to figure out what he was talking about, he scooped her into his arms and tossed her in the springs. The water was freezing and filled her nose when she sucked in from the shock of it. She surfaced, choking and trying to catch her breath as a strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her against a muscled chest.

“You okay? I told you to hold your breath.”

She scraped her hair back and glared at the man grinning at her. “No one holds their breath when people tell them to. They’re too busy thinking ‘Why does he want me to hold my breath?’ And the answer to that question, as far as you’re concerned, wouldn’t have been because you planned to toss me into the springs.”

“And why not? You don’t think I know how to have fun?”

“Actually, no.”

He laughed. Since she was held tightly in his arms, she felt the husky rumble all the way down to her toes that were brushing against his hard calves.

“Okay,” he said. “Fair enough. I haven’t exactly been fun luvin’.”

“Haven’t exactly been?”

“Alright I haven’t been. But I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf.”

“And why is that?”

He studied her. “Maybe I’m taking a page from the Sunshine book and looking for the joy in life, instead of looking for the sorrow.” He grinned a lecherous grin and easily lifted her high above his head.

“Don’t you?—”

That was all she got out before she went sailing through the air and landed in the water again. But this time she was more prepared. Instead of resurfacing, she stayed underwater and swam toward him. Since the bottom of the springs was lined with slippery moss and rock, it only took a tug to get his feet to slip out from under him. She tried to hold him under, but he was too strong. He pulled her to the surface in a tangle of arms and legs. He was laughing like crazy. She shoved her hair out of her face and scowled.

“I think I like the grumpy Gus better than the joking prankster.”

“Says the woman who sent the mayor’s underwear up the flagpole.”

“I was a clueless teenager.”

“So you’re telling me you aren’t interested in any more daredevil thrills?”

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