Page 15 of In Bed with the Rancher

She sat in a wooden rocking chair while he sat facing her near the other end of the hearth. Looking solemn, he sat with a lot of space between them.

From outside they heard the distant rumble of thunder and the pitter-patter of rain. It sounded as if the storm was letting up. But she didn’t know if this was the third storm predicted, or if another was to come.

He cast his eyes toward the window. “Thank goodness I’m not sitting out on that slope in this weather in the dark with nothing. No shirt, no memory, no wallet or identity—even worse, no marvelous, sexy kisses,” he said, and his voice had dropped deeper as he turned to gaze at her with a look that made her hot.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come over here and sit by me? That’d keep me awake on this cold, rainy night,” he said. This time his voice was lighter and she heard the hint of laughter.

“Thanks, but I’ll stay seated right where I am,” she answered. “It’s safer that way. Especially since, like I said, we don’t know if there’s a woman sitting somewhere worried about you in this storm.”

His smile vanished. “You’re right. Well, we will try to do the smart thing so we’ll sit by the fire with several feet of space between us.” He settled back in his seat. “Go ahead and tell me about yourself. You’ve told me a little, but I’d like to learn more.”

“I’m not that interesting. I’ve had an ordinary life in a lot of ways. I like helping people, so that’s why I have the business that I do. I love kids and want kids in my life. Also, I like my independence, so I enjoy having my own business.”

“You sound like a city person, but you have several horse pictures here. How did you get interested in horses?”

“My grandparents had this ranch, so I spent time with them when I was growing up. I’ve liked horses since I was young.”

She talked and he listened, sometimes asking more questions. After a moment of silence, she focused on him. “When do ranchers put ear tags on calves?”

“When they’re born. Why?”

“I just wanted to see how you would answer my question. The answer’s not important. What’s significant to me is you knew what I was talking about. You didn’t have to stop and think about it to answer me. Try this one—what rodeo event do you like best?”

He looked startled and then smiled. “For the first time I remember something. Coming out of the chute during a rodeo. I was riding a horse. I’m glad it wasn’t a memory of bull riding.” He looked at her intently. “Maybe this is the beginning of the return of my memory.”

“We’ll hope so.”

“Also, it’s another small indication that I’m a rancher.”

“I agree. If you remember one thing, you might recall something else. Remember, though, Molly said to just relax.”

“I can think of some really good ways to relax if you want to help.”

She smiled. “You’re flirting again. We were going to avoid that.”

“You bring it out in me. It’s rather harmless so far and a whole lot more fun than trying to jog my memory.”

“I think you’ve stayed awake long enough,” she said, standing. “I’ll turn off the gas logs, turn out the lights and we’ll go to our rooms. If you want me in the night, just call.”

One corner of his mouth curled slightly. “You can count on it, darlin’,” he drawled. “I can tell you right now if that’s all I have to do, you’ll get a call.”

She smiled. “Stop teasing. You know what I meant. If you have a problem—a real problem that has nothing to do with lust or kisses or crawling into bed together—then don’t hesitate to call me. Otherwise, remember all the reasons we should keep our distance from each other.”

“Aw, shucks. I thought maybe we would have a fun, memorable night. If it turns out that I’m single, I’m going to want to come back and do this night over.”

She smiled again and he came to his feet. She was beginning to think he moved in the same level of society as her family and she wondered where his home was.

When they went to their suites, he walked to the door of his and turned as she started to walk to the door of her suite. His fingers closed lightly on her forearm. “Come here, I want to tell you something,” he whispered in a husky, sexy drawl that stirred butterflies in her stomach.

“Whatever you have to tell me, I can hear you from here.”

“C’mon, Ava,” he coaxed in his drawl that kept the flutters going. “Soon, we’ll go our separate ways and this night will just be an old memory,” he said as he stepped closer. “It’s been a bad time in some ways. Kisses help.”

She could resist what he was saying to her, but she couldn’t resist the look in his brown eyes. Or her memories. Taking her hand lightly, he drew her into his embrace and wrapped his arms around her. As he pulled her close, she didn’t object. Her gaze was held by his and by the look of desire in his eyes. Earlier, she had tried to avoid another kiss, but now her heart raced, her lips tingled and she wanted to be in his arms. She wanted to kiss him and be kissed, to feel desired again after the devastating breakup that had made her feel so inadequate. His kisses made her forget the hurt and embarrassment, the heartache and pain, the colossal rejection.

Finally, she tilted her face up to his and his mouth pressed against hers. Her heartbeat raced while she held him tightly and kissed him in return. As his tongue stroked hers, she wrapped her arms around his narrow waist. He bent over her, kissing her into oblivion, into blazing desire, while she pressed her hips against him. Never had she known kisses as sexy as his. Or as dangerous.

They were playing with dynamite by kissing and everything could blow up in their faces. Did she want to get hurt even more than before? She knew the answer to that one. No, she did not.

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