Page 17 of The Rancher's Cinderella Bride

“Damn,” Gabe said again, shaking his head.

He couldn’t wait for tomorrow night at the country club. Justin’s parents and Meg’s parents would be there. He’d be relieved when that evening was over because it ought to finish Justin’s dream of a marriage of convenience. Did he ever pick the wrong woman to try to push or bribe into a loveless marriage.

Gabe grabbed his hat and left to throw himself into working with his men on moving cattle from one pasture to another.

* * *

Meg took a few hours off work Friday to shop for a new dress and shoes for Saturday night’s formal dinner dance. She found a sleeveless black crepe dress with a deep-vee neckline, a straight, ankle-length skirt and a high slit on one side. She paired it with stiletto-heeled black sandals.

On Saturday she had her makeover. It took all day, but that night while she waited for Gabe, she stared at herself in the mirror and couldn’t believe what she saw.

She twirled in front of her full-length mirror and smiled. She barely recognized herself and she hoped Gabe wouldn’t recognize her at all.

* * *

Gabe rang Meg’s doorbell and as he waited, he gave himself a pep talk. That morning, somewhere between feeding the stock and mending a fence, he’d come to a realization. One he’d reiterated to himself again and again. Meg was just Meg—a childhood chum and now a friend he intended to help before going on his way. During the normal course of life these days, they rarely even saw each other. He’d simply missed her in his life—that’s why she suddenly seemed so attractive. It wasn’t the hot kisses, he told himself. Meg was filled with life and he was glad to be back with her. And this was just a temporary situation that would be over in three weeks.

Reinforced by his thoughts, he punched the doorbell again. What was she doing?

The door swung open and he was startled. For one brief moment he thought he had the wrong house. His gaze raked over a very tall stunning blonde, her silky hair falling to her shoulders in spiral curls. Her stylish black dress emphasized her creamy skin and luscious long hair while the vee neckline revealed full curves that made his temperature soar. She had a tiny waist and long legs with shoes that gave her additional height.

“I’m sor—” He stopped and peered at the woman while his pulse pounded and the world grew warmer.

“Meg?” he said, for once in his adult life feeling like an awkward teen with a new date—a feeling that he had rarely experienced even as a teen. “Meg?” he repeated, unable to believe he faced her. Shocked, he could only stare.

She smiled, a smile that lit up her perfectly made-up face.

“Why don’t you come inside, Gabe.” She stepped back, took his arm and drew him inside. He merely followed, unable to take his eyes off her, unable to speak.

“You look very handsome in your black tux. Sophisticated and wealthy and elegant.”

Again, he remained silent. He was absolutely flummoxed by the sight of her.

“We’ll go inside until you’re finished looking at me,” she said, sounding amused. “From your expression, I take it you like what you see?” When he didn’t reply, she walked into the living room.

He followed her, captivated by the slight sway of her hips, the clinging ankle-length skirt, the glimpse of a long leg through the slit in the side of it. He inhaled her intoxicating perfume, a brand that was definitely not lilac scented.

When he’d taken in every inch of her, he slowly came out of his shocked stupor. He tried to collect his wits and act like a normal guy ready to go out for the evening. But it wasn’t easy when his brain could form only one thought: Wow!

When she crossed in front of him, he caught her arm lightly and turned her to face him, then placed his hands on her hips, feeling as if he faced a stranger. He could feel her warm body and her soft curves, the silky material of her dress beneath his hands.

“You’re stunning. You look gorgeous,” he said in a raspy voice.

“Thank you. I’m glad you noticed and like the change.”

“I’d have to be blind or dead not to notice or like how you look. You take my breath away.” Suddenly, he could feel himself sinking even deeper into a quicksand of complications in his life. He had never expected to take out a stunning blonde who could kiss him into a raging fire. This pretend engagement was going to require every ounce of his willpower to keep him from trying to seduce her. He didn’t want to take her to the club tonight. Right now, he wanted to take her to bed.

He inhaled deeply. “Oh, darlin’, the single guys are going to want to take you home tonight, and this is not the way to get rid of Justin. He won’t want to give you up now, even if it becomes a life-or-death fight with me.”

She laughed softly. Where did Meg get the soft, seductive laugh? She’d made a total transformation and for one single second he wondered if someone else was trying to pass herself off as Meg tonight. “Are you really Meg?”

“I’m really Meg,” she replied, sounding more like herself. He felt tied in knots. He was still in shock from the neck up, his brain unable to process the change in her, but from the waist down he was hot, aroused and ready to pull her into his arms and kiss her until they made love.

“I guarantee you, after Justin sees you tonight this is going to be a battle.”

Her smile faded and her brow furrowed as worry clouded her big brown eyes that were now thickly lashed, lined and lidded with a smoky hue. Her makeup was flawless, as if she had come straight from making a movie.

The worried expression didn’t last. She drew herself up slightly and smiled, a smile that kept him aroused, aching to make love and still unable to believe his eyes.

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