Page 28 of The Rancher's Cinderella Bride

“Enough about Justin. Want me to surprise you with an elaborate marriage proposal? Or do you just want to keep it simple? We go out and during the evening I give you a ring and then we go tell your parents.”

“Let’s keep it simple because it isn’t real.” She thought for a moment, then said, “The grandparents that live with my parents are going to Colorado to see my aunt, so after we tell my mom and dad I’ll call both sets of grandparents.”

“I may have a guilty conscience every time I see Mason Aldridge.”

“No, you won’t. You’ve got nothing to feel guilty about. You’re coming to my rescue with this fake engagement.”

Fake engagement. The words resonated in his head. He looked at her. “Is either one of us going to have trouble remembering this engagement isn’t real?”

“What you’re asking is, will I want the real thing before this is over. No, my friend, I will not. All I have to do is stroll out the door on your ranch and see those big rodeo bulls you raise and sell, and know that you ride them, too. Then see your motorcycle, remember your plane, look at your sports car that will do a hundred miles an hour in the first three seconds or some other ridiculous statistic, and I promise you, I will never want the real thing from you. Not for one teeny, tiny second. And I know you won’t want it from me, because you don’t want the real thing anytime with any person. Right?”

“You’re on target there.” He saluted her with his beer bottle. “Well, we know where we stand and what we’re going to do. This has turned out to be a simple deal.”

She clinked his bottle with her glass. “Oh, sure, except for one little surprise—when we kiss, we both lose all rational thought and want the other person in a way that is so fierce it’s scary.”

“We won’t even think about that part of it. Keep your distance and try to be a little remote and untouchable. I can’t believe I’m saying that to you.”

“I can definitely be remote and untouchable. I’ll get my old hairdo back and pack my bags and move home. You’ll forget all about me, especially when I’m covered in dirt.”

He doubted that.

“You know, I never did ask you about your business. I’m glad it’s growing and you like it. Do you get out there and mow with the guys?”

She laughed. “No. I’m a landscape designer. I plan flower beds, how yards will look—what trees will be good and where they should be planted. I hire and keep up with everything, but mostly my job is planning.” She looked out at his crystal-blue pool, with a waterfall and fountain at one end. “I have an interest in a pool business in Dallas, too. They do the pools in the yards I landscape. I’m surprised you didn’t let me have a shot at doing yours, but that’s okay. I haven’t inquired about buying a bull from you.”

He smiled at her. “Maybe I’ll have you come do the yard over.”

She looked around. “This yard doesn’t need doing over. It’s beautiful, Gabe. Your pool is gorgeous and this patio—with the furniture, the big-screen television, the fire pit and the outdoor rug—it’s all perfect. When we arrived, I saw your beautiful shade trees. Your oaks are marvelous. And your two magnolia trees. They’re big for how long you’ve lived here.”

“Some of the biggest ones were already on the lot. I had the house that was here razed and this one built. It’s more contemporary—lots more glass and plain lines.”

“You have a beautiful home.”

“Thanks. Maybe we should go inside. Seems kind of warm tonight.”

He held the door for her and when she walked past him, he caught a whiff of her new exotic scent and looked at the sexy sway of her hips and desire tore at him. He wanted her in his arms. What was wrong with him? Only minutes ago he all but told her he would leave her alone. Once again his libido warred with his common sense. He wanted her but he knew he shouldn’t touch her. He had to avoid seducing her or he would be doing this fake engagement for real, because of a guilty conscience. And, heaven forbid, he did not want to fall in love. That hadn’t ever happened and he didn’t think he ran much of a risk, but Meg had a way of complicating his peaceful life. He couldn’t think of many disasters as big as falling in love with Meg. She’d tear his heart into little pieces. She didn’t like any part of his life—his bulls, his motorcycle, his car, his planes, nothing except him. He had to keep reminding himself of that, so he’d keep his hands off her.

“I guess I’ll turn in, now that we’ve made our plans,” she said as they walked inside. “Tomorrow we’re going to your ranch after church, right?”

“Yes. I’ll take the small plane.”

She spun around. “No way! I’m not flying in your small plane. I’ll drive to your ranch.”

“But it’ll take so long to drive,” he protested.

She stepped toward him. “Don’t worry, I’ll entertain you while you drive,” she said, running her hands over his chest.

He shook his head and dragged her hands away. He couldn’t risk having her touch him, not when he was about to explode. “Life is full of risks. You can’t live in a bubble.”

“There are some risks that are unnecessary and some that are definitely bigger than others. I don’t have to fly to your ranch, therefore I’m not going to fly in your small plane.” She tugged her hands from him and walked away.

The sashay of her behind was the last straw. He strode forward, grabbed her and spun her around. “The hell with this, Meg.” He stepped closer, not a molecule of air between them. “Here’s another wild risk in life. Live a little.” And he kissed her.

Seven

Meg had had every intention of going straight to bed—alone. Till now. Once Gabe’s lips touched hers, every intention to resist him disappeared, along with all her warnings to herself and her sense of caution. What was the harm? A few kisses would not bind her to him. It was ridiculous to worry over a few kisses with Gabe. The minute that thought came, it was followed by big doubts. How unforgettable would Gabe be?

When his lips parted and his tongue plundered hers, she wasn’t capable of any more thought. Her body overrode her mind and she wrapped her arms around him, his kiss making her feel more desired than she’d ever dreamed possible.

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