Page 57 of Captured By the Billionaire Cowboy
The blush deepened. She shrugged, yet the nonchalance was clearly feigned. She was as affected as he. “Help me clean Mischief Maker when we get home.”
“Clean Mischief Maker.” He added the appropriate level of horror to his voice. “I’ll be soaked from head to toe.”
“If you’re afraid of a little friendly competition…” Anticipation sparked in her eyes, and he hid his satisfaction. Even if she wouldn’t admit it, she wanted to lose as much as he wanted to win.
Slowly, he approached the horse. He’d spent his life playing by the rules – perhaps it was time to bend them just a little. Mischief Maker watched with a glint in his eye, unmoving, as if plotting his own strategy. Rowan took one step and then another, approaching carefully, relying solely on his reflexes. Just as Mischief Maker kicked, he jumped back, out of reach of the water. Although the horse had tried to splash him, he remained perfectly dry.
“He splashed you.” Ciara clapped. “I win!”
“Not so fast.” He pivoted, strode with sure steps. “The bet wasn’t if he splashed me, but whether he got me wet. He didn’t, which means I win.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You cheated. The whole point was whether he would splash you. Ishouldwin.”
He shrugged. “Not according to the rules.”
“But only because you cheated!”
He smiled at the fiery beauty. Her cheeks were pinkened with emotion, but not with anger. Instead, lurked surprise, amusement…
And pure, unadulterated desire.
“Are you trying to get out of granting my reward?”
She blushed, then stood up. “I, for one, play fair.”
She licked her lips, red, plump and oh-so-inviting. Her luscious curves rose with every breath, womanly and feminine, as the sun glinted off her golden locks, casting an ethereal glow to her rare beauty. She was loveliness defined, but nothing could compare to her spirit, her drive, the determination and goodness she heralded in strength. Only one word described her:Perfection.
He forced himself to move slowly, to not gather her in his arms as the predator in him demanded, to possess, protect and cherish this beautiful creature. Instead, he gave her space, waited as she slowly reached up, up, up and kissed…
His nose.
His smile widened as the little imp winked. He threw back his head and laughed, the last of his neutral mask falling away at this beautiful sprite who enchanted him so. “Playing fair?”
She shrugged lightly, all feigned innocence and mischief. “The rules didn’t specify a kiss on the lips.”
He reached out to her. “Well, if you’re not going to play by the rules…”
She gasped as he captured her, as he brought those tantalizing curves against him. Her gasps turned to sighs of pleasure as he molded her against him, deepening the kiss as she started her own exploration. She kissed tentatively at first, and then with increasing boldness. Nameless emotions swirled within him, urging him closer, to keep her where she belonged. With her, it would never be enough.
Suddenly… a deluge. Rowan sputtered and Ciara gasped as water soaked them like a sudden rain shower. Water dripped from his hair into his eyes, seeping under his clothing and saturating his skin. He spun around, searched for the source of the sudden drenching. He stopped, stared…
At a very satisfied horse.
“You picked an inopportune time.” He glared at Mischief Maker. The horse responded with another thorough splashing, and this time Rowan couldn’t jump back swiftly enough to avoid it. They must have edged closer to the horse during the kiss, putting them directly in range of the aptly named equine.
“I won after all.” Ciara’s cheeks were bright pink from the kiss, and her impish look had returned. “I hope you plan on following through with your payment.”
He hung his head in feigned disappointment, but in truth, he’d always planned to help. After all, he had cheated. But it had been worth it.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in charming serenity. They enjoyed light banter and pleasant conversation, as the horses frolicked playfully. When the animals finally tired, they led them back to the paddock, yet even cleaning Mischief Maker was enjoyable. As expected, Rowan got drenched, but he also managed to steal a kiss from Ciara. Not to be outdone, she stole two.
Did she realize how close they were becoming? As their bond strengthened, the future beckoned, and her part becameever-clearer. Everything would change with their first date this evening, most of allhim.
What would she do when she realized this time, he had no intention of letting her go?
CHAPTER 11
Ciara hadn’t been this nervous since the skunk rescue infiltrated the women’s club annual garden party. That had not gone well, which was quite unfair, since the women’s club loved cute little animals. Skunks were cute and friendly – and just a little smelly.
