Texas Tall (The Tylers of Texas 3)

oment . . . just for a moment . . .

* * *

Will had come back to the house to phone the insurance company, submit some forms on line, and order a batch of supplies for the new barn. He was headed down the hall to the ranch office and happened to glance into the living room. Tori was on the couch, fast asleep.

He’d seen her drive up to the house about an hour ago, but he’d been too preoccupied with the barn work to pay much attention. Now he found himself wondering why she hadn’t stayed in town with her new boyfriend.

Giving in to an urge, he walked into the room and stood looking down at her. She was curled on her side, her knees tucked up, her head resting on a cushion. Tangles of spun-gold hair framed her face and spilled over the suede pillow. Shadows of weariness rimmed her closed eyes. Seeing her in her sleep, he realized how tired she must be and how much of herself she’d given to helping him.

As always, Will had counted on her competence and her willingness to do her job, whatever it took. Only today, seeing her holding hands with Drew Middleton, had it hit him how much he’d taken her for granted. Tori was a beautiful, intelligent, sexy woman. He needed her like he needed air to breathe and water to drink. But needing her wasn’t enough—not unless he had something she needed in return. And Middleton seemed to be filling her needs just fine.

Seeing her with the man today had damn near killed him. He’d managed to keep a civil tongue, but it had been all he could do to keep from smashing his fist into that smug, pretty-boy face. Drew Middleton was well-educated, as was Tori. He probably had more interesting things to talk about than horses and cattle and the coming weather. The fancy bastard probably knew his way around the bedroom, too.

Will cursed under his breath. Why was he torturing himself like this? He had more pressing worries than holding on to his woman—not that she was his anymore. Legally, she hadn’t been his for eight years—and there wasn’t a damned thing he could do about that.

His jaw tightened as he gazed down at her, holding back emotions he had no right to feel. He ached to lean down and taste those plum-ripe lips in the secret hope they would soften to his kisses; but no, that wouldn’t be smart. If she pushed him away, he wouldn’t be able to stand it.

He settled for lifting the woolen afghan off the back of the sofa, unfolding it, and laying it gently over her body. As it settled into place, she whimpered, stirred, and opened her eyes.

Will’s heart dropped for an instant. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” he said.

“Did you . . . need something, Will?” Her voice sounded muzzy, the way he remembered from those long-ago mornings when they’d awakened early to make love before starting the day.

He shook his head. “I just wanted you to be warm. Go back to sleep.”

“No . . . ’s all right,” she muttered, sitting up. “I was out cold. What time is it? Is Erin back?”

“It’s almost four, and no, she’s not back.” Will hesitated, knowing he should keep silent, but needing to clear the air. “About today—”

“Drew’s a friend. He says he’d like to be more than that, but I’ve told him I need to focus on the trial for now.”

“So you still haven’t slept with him?” Will could have bitten his tongue off, but it was too late to take back the question.

Tori raked back her hair, tightening the fabric of her blouse over one breast. Will cursed himself silently for noticing.

“Not that it’s any of your business,” she said, “but no, I still haven’t. This is no time for a heavy relationship, especially since I’ve got Erin to think about.” She stood, tucking her blouse into her jeans. “Trust me on this. Whatever happens, in the end, I’ll do what’s best for our daughter.”

“Does that include moving back to the ranch?”

“Don’t push me, Will. I said I’d think about it.”

“It’s what Erin wants. She told me.”

“So you’ve been lobbying her behind my back?” Annoyance sparked a fire in her eyes.

“You know I wouldn’t do that. Erin was the one who brought it up to me.”

Tori’s shoulders sagged. She shook her head. “Anyway, it isn’t going to matter, because I’m going to win your case. When that’s behind us, the rest will fall into place.”

“With you, me, Erin, and what’s-his-name. Right?” Will knew better, but he couldn’t resist the jab.

“Don’t make this any harder than it is,” she said in a flat voice. “Just don’t.”

Her face was close to his, her gaze coldly defiant. Will fought the urge to seize her in his arms and kiss away all the anger, all the bitterness between them. But something told him it would take a lot more than kissing to accomplish that.

The tension was broken by the sound of footsteps and voices across the porch. An instant later, Natalie, Beau, and Erin burst inside.

“Hi, Mom,” Erin said. “I thought you were staying in town.”