That Night With the Rich Rancher Read Free

I know your family well. Tonight I feel as if I’m spending the evening with a complete stranger I’ve just met.”
    She looked amused. “In some ways, Tony, we are strangers. There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” she said in the breathless, sultry voice that made the temperature in the limo climb again.
    “I should have asked you out long ago,” he said.
    “You know how likely that was to have happened, and what my response would have been.”
    He nodded. “Our past is better left alone and forgotten tonight.”
    “We fully agree on that one,” she answered as the limo slowed. “Tonight is filled with illusions.”
    “The way you look is no illusion. You’re gorgeous,” he said, and was rewarded with another coaxing smile.
    The limo turned into the airport and in minutes they slowed to a stop. While the chauffeur held the door, Tony took her arm to escort her to the waiting private jet. The moment he touched her, awareness burned in a fiery current. Her arm was warm, her skin silky smooth. He caught another whiff of her exotic perfume, and he couldn’t wait to get her to their destination so he could ask her to dance and have an excuse to hold her in his arms.
    In the plane he was aware of how close she sat. It was difficult to keep from staring because her red dress had fallen open, revealing those beautiful, long shapely legs. He took a deep breath.
    “I need to keep pinching myself to make sure this is actually happening,” he said. “And I keep reminding myself you’re the same neighbor I see across the fence with your horses.”
    “I love my horses. You should come visit and really look at them sometime. I have some fine horses.”
    “I’ve seen them across the fence. Everyone in the county knows you have some of the finest horses.”
    “They’re working horses or horses for my riding. I like to ride.”
    “We have that in common, Lindsay.”
    “I’ve never seen you riding just for pleasure.”
    “If it’s for pleasure, I don’t ride in the direction of your ranch.” He smiled sheepishly. “I figure we’re both better off that way.”
    “We’re in agreement there, too,” she remarked in a tone that was light and held no rancor.
    “Have you attended one of these charity bachelor auctions before?”
    “Sure, because it’s a good cause.” She held up a hand but stopped before it touched his arm. “I don’t need to ask, I know you haven’t. What prompted you to agree to participate in the auction tonight? You seem to be more the type to just donate the money.”
    “I lost a bet with Wyatt over bronc riding in an Abilene rodeo.”
    She laughed. “So because of your brother you’re trapped into a night with me now.”
    “I was filled with thoughts of revenge until you stood up to walk to the stage. Since then, this night has taken the best possible turn.”
    She smiled. “I must admit I’m pleasantly surprised by your reaction. I never, ever thought I’d hear you say that. But you know, underneath this red dress, I’m still me.”
    He inhaled deeply, his temperature spiking at her mention of what was beneath the red dress, even though she had intended a different meaning.
    He cleared his throat. “I have a feeling I better not say anything about what’s underneath your red dress.”
    She looked as if she held back a laugh. “I knew there had to be another side to you besides the one I always see. I’ve wondered how the evening would go and so far, so good. I think, Tony, we’ve set a record already for the length of time we’ve been civil to each other.”
    “I intend to be more than ‘civil to each other.’ We’re just getting started,” he said. “Frankly, Lindsay, it’s damn difficult to remember that you’re the same woman whose ranch adjoins mine. I feel as if I’m with a beautiful woman I’ve just met,” he said softly, taking her hand in his and rubbing her knuckles lightly with his thumb. His brows arched and he turned her hand over to open her