Page 12 of At the Rancher's Pleasure

Well, this was awkward.

Sarabeth and Brett hadn’t spoken one word since meeting in the parking lot of the general store. Brett helped her load her sacks of groceries into her vehicle, then opened the driver’s side door before walking around to the passenger side. He spent the entire journey back to Heritage Ranch staring out of the window, his expression remote.

Was he upset, angry, regretful?

What was going through his head? Andwhywas she obsessing about this?

Sarabeth saw the gates to his ranch in the distance and slapped her hand on the steering wheel, sick of the heavy quiet. “Will you please say something?”

Brett turned his head to look at her. “What do you want me to say?”

Sarabeth rolled her eyes heavenward. Okay, she might have to stop and draw him a picture. “Wekissed, Brett.”

“I remember. I was there.”

Having a conversation with him was like pulling teeth. Why was she always attracted to the strong, silent type? Rusty, admittedly, hadn’t been—he’d been slick and charming and so damn smooth he could slideupwalls. But, after him and probably because of him, every man she had a serious or not-so-serious relationship with was reticent and economical with words.

“Shouldn’t we discuss it? We did give the gossips grist for their overworked mill.”

“Is that a problem for you?” Brett asked.

“No. But it might be a problem foryou. I’m leaving in three months but you live and work here. You are a member of the Texas Cattleman’s Club, and you’re a wealthy and respected rancher and businessman.” Sarabeth released a breath as she turned the car to pass through the gates leading up to his ranch.

“I’m single. I wasn’t cheating on my wife, girlfriend or partner when I kissed you. And, trust me on this, this might be a conservative Texas town but if we had to stop doing business with people who have committed adultery, there wouldn’t be many people left to trade with,” Brett said.

So, in that regard, not much had changed in Royal.

“So you’re not regretting kissing me?” Oh man, could she sound any more insecure? What a stupid question.Change the subject, Sarabeth, and change it now.

She pointed to a group of horses in the paddock. “God, they are magnificent. You have beautiful animals, Brett.”

As they passed, Sarabeth noticed a russet-colored horse with a distinctive coat of curls. “Did you give that horse a perm?” she quipped, trying to cut through the tension hovering between them.

“That’s Percy, he’s a Bashkir Curly horse. The breed is one of the rarest of American descent. I’m thinking about breeding them,” he replied. “And no, I very muchdon’tregret kissing you.”

Well, then. Good.

“And I’d like to do it again as soon as possible.”

Sarabeth turned her head to stare at him and forgot to look back at the road. What?Really?Where was he going with this?

Brett leaned to the side and placed his hand on the steering wheel, pulling the wheel toward him. Sarabeth’s eyes darted to the road and winced when she saw that she’d been heading for a ditch. “I’m not sure where you are going with this...” Braking gently, she stopped the vehicle so that she could give him her full attention and avoid crashing. Brett Harston fried her ability to multitask.

“Just stating a fact,” Brett replied, sounding completely unfazed.

Okay. Well. Did that mean he was going to kiss her or not? Brett gestured to the road and Sarabeth accelerated away, both hands gripping the wheel. If that kiss was off the charts hot when they were in public, how would it be when they were alone? How far would he take it? How far would shelethim go? She didn’t know but she wouldn’t mind finding out...

Just drive, Edmond. You’re playing with fire...

But, after covering just a few yards, she slammed on the brakes again, put the car in park and turned back to him.

Don’t do it, Sarabeth, don’t step into the flames. But the fire was seductive and she wanted to play...

Hitting the catch on her seat belt, she felt it slide away and she turned to half kneel on the seat. She caught the flash of surprise in Brett’s verdant green eyes as she lowered her mouth to his, one hand coming up to touch his jaw, rough with stubble. He was such a man, every inch of him oozing testosterone. Sarabeth nibbled at his mouth with her lips, tracing the seam of his mouth with her tongue. She felt his hand on her hip, heard that masculine growl of approval deep in his throat. Then his hand came up to grip the back of her head, his mouth opened and she lost control of this encounter, of their kiss. His tongue slipped past her teeth to tangle with hers and it was her turn to moan, a primal request for more.

Brett placed both hands on her waist, and without breaking their kiss, lifted her so that she straddled his muscular thighs. There wasn’t enough room for her to make an intimate connection, and she wiggled her hips in disappointment. But her dismay turned to elation when he fumbled for the door handle and the door opened, allowing her the room to get closer. Seizing the moment, she instinctively dragged her mound over his erection and they both stilled at the contact.

Sarabeth pulled back to look into his face and she clocked his heavy breathing, the desire raging in his eyes. She wasn’t alone in this madness, and that was good to know.

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