It Happened One Night

“Not everyone would be that considerate of their housekeeper,” she answered.

“I’ve known Martha and Bobby Ray all my life,” he said, shrugging. “When they had to sell off their herds because of the drought, they were in danger of losing their ranch. I offered them jobs because I knew they wouldn’t accept help otherwise.”

“I can understand that. It’s a matter of pride.” She seemed to visibly relax as they continued to talk. “Were they able to keep their land?”

He nodded. “They didn’t have the money to start over, but since the ranch has been in Bobby Ray’s family for over five generations, they wanted to keep it for their grandson. By working for me, they have enough money for their needs, as well as being able to keep the ranch.”

“And you make adjustments in your life, so they’re able to continue doing that,” she said softly.

“Something like that,” he answered, feeling a little uncomfortable. He hadn’t thought about it as anything more than what it was—the right thing to do.

Deciding it was time to change the focus of their conversation, he grinned. “You know what we need to do tomorrow?”

“I can’t imagine,” she said, giving him the smile that never failed to send his hormones racing.

“We need to decorate this place for Christmas.” He pointed to the corner beside the stone fireplace. “That’s where I put the tree the first holiday after I moved in.”

“You haven’t decorated since then?” she asked, frowning.

“I haven’t really had the time.” He had, but he hadn’t seen any reason to decorate since he was the only one around to appreciate it. “Do you think the tree should go there or somewhere else?”

“By the fireplace is fine,” Kiley agreed, hiding a yawn behind her delicate hand. “Emmie and I put ours up on Sunday afternoon. She’s going to love getting to decorate another one. But where are you going to get one in this weather?”

“I have a seven-foot artificial tree stored in the garage. But we can talk more about it tomorrow. You’re tired,” he said, rising to his feet. Holding out his hand to help her up from the couch, he pulled her into his arms. “I’m going to give you a good-night kiss, Kiley.” When she started to protest, he put his index finger to her lips. “Just a kiss. Then I’m going to go upstairs—”

“We can sleep—”

He reached up to lightly run the pad of his thumb over her full lower lip, interrupting her protest. “It’s all right. I’ll take the suite upstairs.”

He felt a slight tremor course through her at his touch and without hesitation brought his mouth down to replace his thumb. Careful to keep the kiss nonthreatening, Josh barely brushed her lips with his as he waited for an indication from Kiley that she wanted him to take the caress to the next level. When she slowly raised her arms to his shoulders and leaned into him, he felt a moment of triumph. She wanted more, but teasing her with a featherlight touch, he continued to wait. He wanted an indication of her eagerness for his kiss, wanted to know she was impatient for him to give her the kiss she deserved.

Nibbling at her perfect mouth, Josh sensed her increased frustration when a tiny moan escaped her slightly parted lips and she pressed herself closer. “Do you want me to kiss you, Kiley?”

“I…shouldn’t,” she said, sounding delightfully breathless.

He leaned back to look down at her. “But you do.”

“Yes.”

It was all he needed to hear, and lowering his head, he covered her mouth with his to give them both what they wanted. Soft and yielding, Kiley had the sweetest lips. Coaxing her to open for him, he deepened the kiss, sending a shaft of heat straight to the region south of his belt buckle.

When she sagged against him, Josh caught her to him. He had no idea why, but even with several inches’ difference in their heights, no other woman had ever felt as perfect in his arms as Kiley did. Thinking about how flawlessly they fit together reminded him of that night three years ago and caused his body to harden with need so fast it left him feeling light-headed.

Pulling her more fully against him, he knew the moment Kiley felt his arousal pressed firmly to her. Her breathing quickened and instead of pulling away as he thought she might, she tightened her arms around his shoulders and seemed to melt into him.

The knowledge that she wanted him as much as he wanted her sent his blood pressure sky-high and he sensed that it wouldn’t take much for either of them to throw caution to the wind and give in to the explosive chemistry between them. But that wasn’t what Josh wanted. When they made love that night in her sister’s apartment, their coming together had been frenzied and desperate. And they had both thought they were making love with someone else.