Page 20 of In Bed with the Rancher

“So you say.” He raked a hand through his thick black hair. “Damn, you remember and I don’t. That’s a hell of a thing.”

“Patience. Your memory will return.”

“Sorry. Don’t stop telling me what you recall.”

“I think you’re single. I don’t think you or your twin is married.”

“That’s good news.”

“I’ve heard of your family, but I’ve never met any of you until now. Somehow I thought the brother named Wade was the rancher and the other one wasn’t, but I really don’t know that much about you.”

“That’s what Gerald said when we heard the news in town. He said he thought the brother he met was Wade. They met at a rodeo and they talked another time at the Fort Worth stockyards. Before Gerald left, he said he remembered that Wade Sterling and three of his cousins, Luke Grayson, Cal Brand and Jake Reed, contributed millions to build a new rodeo arena in the Fort Worth area. It was built to replace an old arena that burned down. I don’t even remember having a twin. I have no memory of my sibling contributing to building a rodeo arena, but if I’ve ridden in a rodeo before and I’m from a well-fixed family, I don’t know why I didn’t contribute to building the new arena. More puzzles than answers, I guess.” He smiled at her. “I’ll tell you what I did do. The police helped and gave me the address and phone number of my parents.”

“Did you call them?”

“I did and talked to my mother. It was a tough call. She was so happy I was okay that I don’t think she worried about anything else and I couldn’t tell her I don’t remember her.”

“You might have to tell her sometime.”

“I hope to get my memory back before I see her. Anyway, I have my parents’ address. That’s where I’ll go when I get to Dallas.”

“Did you tell them you’re coming home?”

“Yes, I did. I told them that because of torrential rains it might be a few days, that I would let them know when I start home.”

“I need a car to get home, and I need a license. Not to mention, I don’t have a clue where I live. I have my parents’ address, but not my own.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be able to get directions from your family and I’ll take you home. We can go together. I’m not doing anything except riding out the storm and the worst of that is over, and the water will go down even more today. We can probably safely leave tomorrow if you don’t mind waiting that long. We can try today, but there are still showers and the ground is soaked. I’d rather wait until tomorrow.”

“I hate to impose on you to take me home.”

“Not a problem. I’m eager for you to get home to your family and find out about yourself.”

“Well, thanks. I’ll go shower now. If you want to continue this conversation, I’d be more than happy to have you join me.”

She laughed as she shook her head. “You don’t stop trying, do you?”

He smiled in return. “Not with you, I don’t,” he said softly and she was conscious only of him and how near he stood. She forgot about his identity and the problems they each had.

His dark brown eyes conveyed blazing desire. It was so obvious it made her weak in the knees. She couldn’t look away; she couldn’t get her breath. His eyes narrowed just the tiniest fraction, and then he stepped the short distance between them to slide one arm around her waist.

Her heart pounded as she placed her hands lightly against his chest and slid them down around his waist to avoid hurting his shoulder. His dark eyes were filled with desire as his arms tightened around her. His mouth covered hers and their tongues met.

Holding her tightly, he kissed her with a deep insistence. As he did, he tugged her blue denim shirt out of her jeans. His hand went beneath her shirt to push away her bra and fondle her breast. Light touches by his warm, callused hand made her want more.

Clinging to him with her arms around him, she moaned softly as he caressed her. He picked her up to carry her to his bedroom, where he stood her on her feet while he kissed her.

Finally, he yanked the covers off the bed and began to unfasten her jeans. She put her hand over his and looked up at him with hooded eyes that didn’t hide the desire consuming her.

“I’ve been hurt badly and where we’re headed, I could get hurt again. I have to wait until you know more about yourself.”

“Oh, damn,” he said softly and turned away.

She left him, walking to her suite. She knew she was right and she was trying to guard her heart even if it was too little, too late. She couldn’t fathom how important he had become to her.

She had to do a better job of guarding her heart or she would have another painful event to go through when they parted. Or was it already too late?

She groaned and paced the suite, trying to think about something aside from how badly she wanted to go find him and walk right back into his embrace. She wanted to go to bed with him and make love through the night. But that was the sure way to another ghastly letdown. She shook her head. She was already too involved, but she could get over the kisses. If they made love, she would go through heartbreak again because her emotions were invested in physical intimacy.

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