Reunited with the Rancher (Texas Cattleman's Club: Blackmail 3)

“It’s not going to happen tonight.”

He grinned. “I have to keep trying. I can really be fun to take a shower with, or maybe you remember. I remember you’re lots of fun to shower with. It would make this a superspecial Saturday.”

“Will you stop?” she said, laughing and shaking her head. “No, we don’t shower together. What would you like to drink? Let me guess—a cold beer.”

“Ah, you know me too well. All the mystery is gone.”

“There’s plenty of mystery about you—I’m surprised you haven’t fallen in love with Natalie Valentine. She is so sweet and has a wonderful family. And you love that dog.”

He came back to put his hands on her shoulders and she wondered what chord she had struck. Was he falling in love with Natalie? She gazed into his seductive hazel eyes.

“I’ll tell you what, darlin’. I don’t fall in love with someone because of their dog. Or their kids—and those are adorable kids. Natalie is beautiful, but she’s Jeremy’s widow and she still loves him. And he was my buddy.”

“You’re a good guy, Tom,” she said, turning back to her task.

When they were done putting things away in the kitchen, she turned to him. “I’m going upstairs to shower—alone. I’ll meet you on the porch. The first one done can get drinks. See you in thirty minutes.”

“Fine. I’ll go upstairs and shower, too.” At the head of the stairs he turned to her. “The invitation is still open.”

“I’ll have to admit, I’m tempted—”

“Oh, darlin’,” he said, holding his arms out. “Come join me. We’ll have a shower you’ll never forget.” She laughed and he laughed with her. “See, I told you I can be fun in the shower,” he said. “We’re not even there yet and I have you laughing.”

“You are fun, you devil,” she said, squeezing his jaw and looking into his mischievous eyes. “As fun as you are, I’m going to shower all by myself and then enjoy sitting with you on the porch,” she said.

He placed his arms casually on her shoulders. “We can still enjoy each other’s company. It’s been a good day.”

“It has. The Valentines are wonderful.”

“Yes, they are, but the good time today wasn’t just because of the Valentines. You and I can laugh and enjoy each other. We haven’t totally lost it,” he said with so much confidence she felt a thrill.

“I know we can as long as we stay away from real life and the serious stuff.”

“I’ll settle for what we can get. We can do a lot of things together,” he said, his voice changing, becoming deeper while his hands slid down to rub her bare arms lightly.

“I know we can.”

Her heartbeat raced as his gaze lowered to her mouth. Her lips parted.

“Tom,” she whispered, his name an invitation. She might have huge regrets very soon, but at this moment she wanted to kiss him. What would one kiss hurt?

When his mouth covered hers, she opened to him and felt on fire. Their tongues mingled as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her tightly against him. She hugged him around his waist and ran one hand over his muscled back.

She had no idea how long they kissed, but when she felt his hand on her breast, she placed her hand over his. “Wait,” she whispered, looking up at him. “I want to shower and sit on the porch and talk and maybe kiss again—okay?”

He inhaled deeply and nodded. “Okay.” He caressed her nape and tugged lightly on her braid. “Take your hair down.”

“I will. I’ll see you on the porch.” She walked away, hearing his boots as he went into the room where he kept his things. Now what would she agree to after her shower? She better think before she brought pain and regret crashing back down on them.

* * *

When she came down, he was already on the porch. She wore navy capri pants, flip-flops, a pale blue sleeveless cotton blouse and a clip in her hair to hold it behind her head. The minute he saw her, Tom stood up. His gaze drifted over her from her head to her toes, making her tingle. She took in tight jeans, his black boots and short-sleeved navy T-shirt. To her, he was still the most handsome man she knew. And definitely the sexiest. She strolled to the empty chair beside him and picked up the drink he’d prepared for her.

He stepped closer and smiled at her, making her heart race as she gazed into his eyes. “You look as good as a million dollars.”

“Thank you. You look rather good yourself.” She didn’t want to admit how appealing he did look to her.

“Let’s fix this,” he said, reaching over to take the clip out of her hair and placing it on the table. She smiled at him as she shook her head, letting her hair fan out over her shoulders.