Page 70 of A Baby for the Texas Cowboy
“Why don’t we all go out together?” August suggested like he was auditioning for Mr. Switzerland. “We could go to the Carriage House, eat dinner, and politely talk. That would get some town tongues wagging. Maybe make the front page of theDefender.”
Anders scowled at his brother. Tinsley didn’t like the idea any more with a crowd. It sounded too much like being part of a couple.
Everything seemed to be moving too fast.
“I’m not dressed for the Carriage House,” Cruz said. “Let’s make it something casual and quick as I want to pick up Diego at his friend Ryan’s house before it gets too late.”
“I have an idea,” Tinsley said quickly, as inspiration and self-preservation hit at the same time. “I have been putting together a few appetizers and snack plate ideas for the tasting room. How about I bring some out and we can all sit on the new couches around one of the gas fires, admire the lights, and test the tasting room menu?”
“You’ve been working all day. You don’t need to feed us,” Anders objected.
“Not a lot of work,” Tinsley said, holding on to her patience. “Besides, it’s helpful, and then August and Catalina can see what it will feel like to be a guest. I’ll bring out a Tempranillo for the brothers to bond.”
“Bond?” Anders made the word sound like a curse.
She smiled when she really wanted to roll her eyes.
“You’ve been on your feet all day.”
“Everyone here’s been working all day,” Tinsley said.
Then when he opened his mouth again, she seized his arm. “Fine. You can help me put a few things together.” She dragged him back into the tasting room. “You said you’d chill out on the bossing.”
“I’m not bossing. I just wanted to take you to dinner without my brothers and their wives analyzing everything I do.”
“Why?”
“Why?” he echoed, staring at her. “So we can spend time alone together—you know, a date, something couples do.”
“We’re not a couple.”
He stared at her like she was nuts. “We made love so many times last night and this morning that we could barely move. That sounds pretty couplish to me.”
Heat prickled her neck and flared in her cheeks. Even her scalp felt sweaty.
“Yes, but—” she began.
“But nothing. We will be co-parenting in about six months. You didn’t want me to rush you into marriage so I agreed to back off so that we could get to know each other better. That means dating. You agreed.”
Had she?
She opened her mouth and closed it again. Not sure of anything anymore. Anders confused her.
“I am trying.”
He closed the distance between them. “I want to show you that I can be a good partner, that I can take care of you and our child. That I am not just into you for the mind-bending, fantastical, amazingly awesome, incredible sex.”
Mind-bending?
She liked the sound of that too much. Desire stirred low in her body. She pressed her legs together.
“Let’s feed your family.”
“They can feed themselves.”
“I was an only child,” she told him. “I like that you have brothers.” She swallowed, and, without meaning to, she reached out and played with one of the buttons on his western-style blue and red checked flannel shirt. “And I really like Catalina and Cruz.”
“I do too. I just don’t have that much time when I’m home, and when I’m home I want to spend time with you.”
