Page 30 of The Rancher's Cinderella Bride

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Gabe watched her go. Her fabulous blond hair swung with each step and it took an effort to keep from going after her.

He recalled all those initial feelings, days ago, when he had watched her come up his drive and then into his house and into his life again. Those feelings that said trouble was coming had been right. He had never known another woman like her, never been sexually involved with one. Right now, as much trouble as she was, he still wanted her. If she turned around and came right back and walked into his arms, he would take her to bed with him for the night, and for the week if she would let him. And then she would worry the hell out of him, even if she didn’t say anything about what they were doing. Except she would say plenty.

She had him tied in knots and he hadn’t even slept with her. And she was causing him sizable grief. In addition, her dad had threatened him, which was probably an empty threat, but her family definitely disliked him. After his dad and Meg’s had split, Gabe learned later, when he was grown, his dad had pulled some sneaky dealings to buy out her father for way less than he should have been worth as a partner. Her father had tried to retaliate and hurt Dirkson’s business, trying to outbid him on land deals and drilling rights, but it was like a fly buzzing around a bull. Dirkson Callahan hadn’t been hurt, and it had left the Aldridges bitter and angry ever since.

Mason Aldridge, her rancher grandfather, was the least angry and did speak to Gabe, probably because they knew each other through cattle sales and rodeos and ranch activities. Gabe respected her grandfather and Mason seemed respectful of Gabe. Whatever happened, Gabe just didn’t want to get into a business struggle or any other feud with her family, at least no more than they already had.

Her father had warned him, and Gabe had no intention of hurting Meg, but she was the earnest type who counted on certain things and would get hurt if she didn’t get them. If he slept with her, would she expect him to marry her? She had to realize, given his reputation, that he certainly had no intention of walking down the aisle after taking her to bed. She should know that, since she had talked about it often.

Gabe gathered his things and went to his room. As he stripped off his clothes, his thoughts kept going back to the past hour with Meg. It was a crime how sexy she had turned out to be. He was on fire just thinking about her and he wanted her more than ever. He had a feeling a cold shower wouldn’t do the trick tonight. It would take a soak in an icy lake to cool his body down.

Why, oh, why, did his little childhood chum set him ablaze just by entering the room? As absurd as it was, the sight of her had jolted him, because he had never for one split second expected her to arouse him so instantly.

And that silly argument of hers that sex between them might be too great? It had almost made him laugh, except the prospect had made him hard from wanting her. If it turned out to be the most fantastic sex ever, he would find that a welcome problem.

He scoffed to himself as he turned on the shower. All the way to cold.

The little girl next door...

Only she wasn’t the little girl next door now. She was a stunning blonde who could blow him away. And she came with all kinds of trouble—her fear of planes, fast cars, rodeo riders, all the things he thought were great, fun or just downright convenient. She had a family who hated him. She wanted commitment and marriage if she shared her bed. It was a litany that was becoming far too familiar, but he had to keep reminding himself why he should view the lady as off-limits. Big-time off-limits. Meg would be nothing but trouble in his life if he seduced her. She already was a bushel of trouble. Why didn’t that prospect cool him down?

Gabe groaned as he stepped into the shower, gritting his teeth at the cold and hoping it would freeze his libido. If only there were some spigot he could turn on to stop thinking about her and remembering how she looked and kissed—that’s what he desperately needed.

He tried to think of something else to get her out of his thoughts. Another woman wouldn’t do it. Business deals wouldn’t, either. Meg trumped them all. Little Meg, who had him in knots and shivering in an icy shower, still unable to stop thinking about kissing her.

He had to get a grip because his thoughts were taking him to dangerous places. He started to think that it might not be the worst thing in his life if they made love and his conscience forced him into proposing to her. He expected to shudder at the thought, but not even that prospect stopped him from wanting her. And that scared him.

After a long shower, he pulled on a short-sleeved navy Western shirt and jeans. He took his time, but finally went downstairs and found her outside on his patio. He got a cold beer and joined her.

“Hi. Is it cool enough out here now?” he asked, his gaze drifting over her. She wore another loose-fitting black T-shirt and cutoffs that left her legs bare. It didn’t matter what she wore, she looked great and he could remember exactly how she had looked naked from the waist up.

“It’s cool enough, and it’s so quiet out here. All I hear is the splashing water from the fountain, which is such a relaxing sound.” She laid her head back against the seat back and stretched her long legs in front of her.

He couldn’t help but think how perfect she looked sitting in his backyard. As if she belonged here.

“I’ll miss you when this is over.”

She turned to him, her face visible in the dim patio light. “No, you won’t. We haven’t hung out together for quite a few years. Not like we used to. After this is over, we’ll go our separate ways again.” She gave him a grin. “I’ll read about you in Texas magazines or in the society pages.”

He put his hands up. “Not me. I won’t be in many society pages. My mom maybe, when she’s here, which is seldom. My dad even less, and he keeps a low profile since he’s gotten older.”

“You expect me to believe you’re a hermit? I know you too well, Gabe Callahan.”

“Oh, I get around,” he retorted, “but I tend to do my trolling out of the public eye.” He shrugged. “Never had any complaints from the women I’ve dated.”

She laughed and her whole face seemed to light up. “And I’m guessing that’s a fair number of women, from what I’ve heard.”

Gabe was not the type to kiss and tell. He simply shrugged and took a draft of beer.

She turned to him then, and sat up, suddenly serious. “Don’t you ever want to get married, Gabe?”

“Sure, someday, but I’m young and I’m not ready now. I don’t want to be tied down and I haven’t found the right woman, anyway.”

“I seriously doubt if she exists,” she said and he grinned.

“Sure she does. I just don’t know her yet. I could ask you the same question. Don’t you ever want to get married?”

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