Page 43 of The Rancher's Secret Son

Nick’s deep laugh broke into her thoughts. Once more she remarked on how much more she had heard Nick laugh, whistle and hum since he had been on the ranch. She wondered why he pursued the life he did if he was so much happier being a cowboy. Nick rolled away, stretched out a long arm and his hand closed around her ankle lightly, startling her and getting her attention.

“Why so solemn?” he asked as his fingers lightly caressed her ankle.

“I was wondering how I’m going to get him quiet enough to ever go to bed.”

“I’ll take care of him. Don’t give it another thought.” He rolled away and sat up. “Cody, it’s bath time and then story time. Come get on my shoulders and I’ll carry you.”

Cody laughed and got on Nick’s shoulders, winding his fingers in Nick’s thick hair. Nick stood, smiled at her and trotted off like a horse, making Cody laugh harder.

She glanced at the clock. She would give them thirty minutes and then go kiss Cody good-night.

When she walked into the bedroom later, Nick was leaning down to brush Cody’s forehead with a kiss. He crossed the room to place his arm around her shoulders.

“He couldn’t last to hear the end of the story.”

“Good job, Dad. Thank you very much,” she said, aware of Nick close at her side. She felt his fingers toying with her hair.

In the hall he turned toward his room and stopped. “I have plans for us.”

“I’m sure you do,” she said, amused, but her smile vanished as she looked up at him. Desire was blatant in his blue eyes. He ran his hands lightly across her shoulders, up to caress her nape, to untie the ribbon that held her hair. He leaned down to brush her lips lightly with his.

He stroked her mouth with another kiss and then his mouth covered hers and his tongue touched hers. As he kissed her, his arm tightened around her.

Breathless, she wanted him in return. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed against him and kissed him back with fervor.

Nick picked her up and she knew without looking that he carried her to his suite. She heard the door close behind him and in seconds he’d laid her on the bed and joined her.

* * *

It was eight the next morning when she woke in her own room, then showered and dressed to go get breakfast and see where Cody and Nick were.

The family dinner was tonight, at Nick’s house in Dallas. Briefly she felt butterflies at the thought and then remembered how friendly Wyatt had been and how super friendly Nick’s parents had been. They made it obvious how badly they wanted Cody in the family and the butterflies left her. She joined Nick and Cody at the breakfast table, where they were eating bowls of oatmeal and berries.

“The temperature should climb today and the roads are clear,” Nick said. “We’re off to Dallas after breakfast and tonight should be fun. I can’t wait for my family to get to know Cody.”

“The only grandson—he should be very welcome,” she said, smiling but feeling a pang in her heart. She would spend time with his family, but she’d never be a part of it.

* * *

By late morning they were back in Dallas at Nick’s mansion. Two members of his staff were present and his cook was already there.

Cody sat at a game table in the family room, coloring, and Nick took her arm to pull her aside, walking into the hall.

“My folks will be here tonight. Can you talk to Cody—and I think it should be you—about what he would like to call them? Granddad, Grandma—whatever he comes up with will be wonderful to them. They’ll be thrilled and it would be nice to start now. They are his grandparents, after all.”

“Of course. I should have thought of that. I’ll ask him and then we’ll get your approval.”

“I think I can give approval right now,” he said, smiling at her and brushing her cheek with a kiss. He looked into her eyes and the moment changed. He pulled her to him, to wrap his arms around her and really kiss her until she made him stop.

“Whoa, Nick. Your house has staff and Cody’s running around. The hall isn’t private.”

“My bedroom will be tonight, and I can’t wait.”

“You’ll have to,” she said. “I’m going to talk to Cody,” she added and left him. She had stopped him, but her heart still raced and she couldn’t stop that as easily.

Luckily the rest of the afternoon was taken up with party preparations, so she was too busy to get waylaid by tempting kisses.

Late in the afternoon Nick offered to get Cody ready for the party, so she handed over his clothes and left the two of them while she went to dress. It was a dinner party, and the first time she would meet some of his family—and she barely knew his parents. She’d chosen to wear a deep scarlet, long-sleeved dress with a round neck and matching high-heeled pumps.

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