Page 39 of In Bed with the Rancher

His arm tightened around her and his dark eyes searched hers. “What are you thinking? Will you go to dinner with me?”

Her mouth opened, her response surprising her. “Yes, I will. I need to go home first. I have calls, mail, things I should do. I’ll be happy to go to dinner tomorrow, thank you.”

“Good,” he said, smiling at her. He kissed her lightly, wrapped her in his arms and held her. “Ava, I’ve seen your cabin, where you like to spend time and relax. I’d like to show you my ranch. We don’t have to stay long. I just want to show you what I love and where I work. Will you go to my ranch with me?”

For a moment she thought about it. That would be more time with him, getting to know him better and seeing another part of his life. Did she want that risk to her heart?

“I’ll have to think about that one,” she said.

“I want you to see it,” he said. “I haven’t ever asked any other woman out to the ranch. You’re very special,” he whispered, showering light kisses on her throat and then down to her breasts. She wound her fingers in his hair, and all thoughts ceased as she was swept away by his tongue, his kisses and his hands on her.

* * *

It was noon when, showered and dressed, she walked into the living room to find him.

“I need to go home, get my mail and calls, do some things.”

“Let’s go to lunch and then you go,” he said and she nodded. “And before we go to lunch, I’d like to take you with me tomorrow. My cousin Jake Reed called. My cousins and I donated money to build a new arena in Fort Worth this past year.”

“That was in all the news,” she said.

“My cousins and I haven’t seen the building—they haven’t seen it since the ground-breaking ceremony. I’ve seen it, but not recently and when I saw it, it was spectacular. Anyway, we have an arena board now and an arena CEO and other employees. We’ve been invited to come look at the arena. We’re going to meet in the morning and tour, look at it. I’d like you to go with me.”

She smiled. “I’d love to. I’ve heard so much about it on television. I’d love to go.”

“Great,” he said, laughing slightly. “I was in hopes when you said you’d love to go that you would add that you would love to be with me.”

She laughed and rushed up to put her arms around his neck. “Of course, I’d love to go mainly to be with you,” she said. They looked into each other’s eyes and laughed and then the moment changed. Her heartbeat speeded and she tightened her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe as he wrapped his arms around her waist, drew her to him while he leaned down to kiss her.

They had lunch together and he went to her car with her.

“I’ll pick you up at half past six,” he told her through her open window. “I have your address. I don’t even want to tell you goodbye and let you go now.”

She smiled at him. “I’ll see you tonight.”

He nodded and stepped away from the car. When she reached the corner, she glanced in the rearview mirror to see he was still standing, watching her.

“I shouldn’t go out with you tonight or tomorrow or ever again,” she whispered to herself. His announcement about never marrying and never having children came crashing back now, and this time she had to face the truth of what he had told her and how it affected their relationship. She should have said goodbye when she left, but she couldn’t resist him.

It hurt to know a parting would come, and she feared that this one would be a whole lot worse than the first one.

* * *

In his jeans, red, white and blue plaid shirt and boots, Wade stepped out of his car. Lucy had asked him and Jack to look at her new house. She stood outside waiting and smiled when he was close, then hugged him lightly. “Thanks for coming to see my new home.”

“Wouldn’t miss seeing it,” he said and turned to shake hands with Jack. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I didn’t invite Wynn and probably never will,” she said. “Sorry. If I do, it’ll be because of Olivia. I do like her.”

“Don’t apologize. Wynn caused you to feel that way. But I’m telling you, Olivia may bring about some changes for the better in our brother,” Wade remarked and Lucy rolled her eyes.

“I’ll believe that when I see it. I hear you’re not coming to the family dinner tonight,” she said as they walked to the front door of her house.

“No. I had already asked Ava to go to dinner with me and I’m not joining the family instead, even if she is also invited, which she was.”

“I don’t know whether Wynn will really care or not. He does love an audience and I happen to know from someone else that he gave Olivia a huge diamond engagement ring last night and she accepted his offer of marriage. Can you imagine Wynn married?” Lucy asked, laughing while Jack shook his head.

“He’s in love, believe it or not—the guy must be able to love someone besides himself,” Jack said.

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