Texas-Sized Temptation Read Free Page B

watch; it was almost six o’clock. He wanted her to stay for dinner when common sense said to get rid of her. Tell her no, get her out of his life and keep the property. She would give up and go on with her life if she learned there was no hope of regaining her childhood home.
    But, traitorous or not, he was enjoying the sight of her too much. “You might as well stay for dinner. You can’t ride home in this and I don’t care to get out in it right now. It’s a gully washer and you know as well as I do how fast creeks and streams here will flood, so just stay. I can take you home later and you can get your horse when it’s convenient.”
    She gave him another of her long, assessing looks and he couldn’t guess what ran through her thoughts. “Very well, thank you.”
    He nodded. “This place is stocked. All the staff is gone, Their work is minimal since I’m here so little. I give them notice when I want them. My cook lives here on the ranch, and the other house staff live in town. Since you’re here, I’ll ask Fred to come in the morning. He lives on the ranch, so it’s easy for him to do so. Dinner will be what I can rustle up.”
    â€œThat’s fine. You can keep it simple.”
    â€œWant a drink? Wine, soft drink, mixed drink, beer?”
    â€œA glass of water would be great,” she said.
    â€œLet’s go to the family room. It’s more comfortable.”
    â€œFine, lead the way,” she said, standing in a fluid motion.
    She was tall, although a good six inches shorter than he was. They walked into an adjoining room twice the size ofthe study with windows and French doors with another, more panoramic view of the storm. French doors also opened onto the porch and the covered patio. She crossed to the windows to look out while he built a fire in a stone fireplace. He went to the bar to get her water and get himself a cold beer.
    â€œWe can sit outside and watch the storm if you prefer, although it may be chilly. I can build a fire and I’ll cook out there.”
    â€œI have a jacket.”
    â€œAnd I don’t get cold,” he said. They walked out to the patio with its comfortable furniture, stainless-steel equipment and a state-of-the-art cooker.
    â€œEven though there are no walls, you have what amounts to another few rooms out here,” she remarked, glancing around at a living area, a kitchen area and the cabana and pool.
    â€œIt’s livable. A fire will make it more so.” He built a fire in a fireplace and then sat facing her near the blazing orange flames.
    Handing her drink to her, he brushed her hand lightly. The physical contact, while so slight, burned. Soft warm skin. A startling awareness increased his desire.
    She smiled at him. “Thank you. We’re having quite a storm. There won’t be any going home the way I came. As you said, this kind of downpour gets the river spilling out of its banks.”
    She slanted him a look that was hot. He wondered if it was deliberate. Maybe he shouldn’t be so hasty in getting rid of her after dinner.
    While he had no intention of selling any part of the Santerre ranch back to her, how far would she go to try to convince him to do so?
    â€œIt’s already dark out because of the storm,” he said. “We have plenty of room,” he added in a husky voice. “You can stay all night.”

Two
    â€œA Santerre staying overnight with a Benton. It’s a shocking invitation that would turn our relatives topsy-turvy if they had known.”
    â€œScared to stay with a Benton?”
    â€œNot remotely. I look forward to it,” she said, smiling at him. “It’s just that never in my wildest imaginings would I have guessed I would be here overnight. One Santerre is definitely shocked.”
    â€œThis is a stormy night, so better to stay inside.”
    â€œGood. Staying longer will give me more time to try to talk you into