That Night With The Rich Rancher. Sara Orwig

had she hidden her gorgeous figure all these years? Why had she always pulled her hair back in a braid or ponytail? He looked at the beautiful silky blond hair arranged on her head, some strands falling loosely in back. He had never seen her hair falling freely around her face—would he before this night was over?

      She looked seductive, like pure temptation, and he knew he should be on his guard, but there was no way he could be defensive with the woman standing only yards away. He wanted her in his arms. He wanted to kiss her. And, if he was truthful with himself, he wanted to make love to her.

      When she finished writing and handing over her check, their host led them to a garden, where they had pictures taken together. As he slipped his arm around her tiny waist while they posed for the camera, the physical contact sizzled. He was so heated he thought he would go up in flames.

      He made a mental note to get a picture. His brother-in-law and sister were in the audience, so they had seen her tonight. So was his oldest brother, Wyatt. He was certain Jake Calhoun had seen his sister look this way before, but Wyatt was probably as shocked as he had been.

      Talking constantly, their host escorted Lindsay and Tony through the wide front doors of the country club, where a long white limousine waited.

      As soon as the door closed on the limo, they were alone, except for the driver on the other side of a partition.

      “Maybe you’ve been using the wrong approach,” Tony remarked.

      She smiled another full smile that revealed even, white teeth that made him inclined to agree with whatever she said.

      “That’s what I decided. So we’ll see how it helps letting my hair down, getting out of my jeans and into a dress, smiling and being friendly. So far, it seems to be working rather well, don’t you think?”

      “Absolutely. I don’t know why you waited this long. I keep reminding myself not to give you the deed to my ranch tonight.”

      She laughed with a dazzling, irresistible smile on her lips. “The other way is a more direct approach. You know where you stand.”

      “And this is a sugarcoated enticement to get what you want?”

      “Oh, my, yes. I’m just getting started. When I walked up on stage, I’m sure you wanted to refuse keeping your part of the bargain.”

      “You’re wrong. Not the way you look tonight,” he said in a husky voice. “With you in that red dress, there’s nothing that would cause me to turn down an evening with you.”

      When had he reacted like this to a woman? He escorted beautiful women, was friends with them, had them continually around in his life and yet never had he been dazzled senseless as he was tonight. He wouldn’t ever have guessed Lindsay could generate such attraction and make him overlook all their battles.

      It had to be the shock of who she was that was setting him ablaze. He’d better get a grip on reality and see her as the person he knew her to be. But that wasn’t going to happen tonight. His thought processes worked clearly enough to know that.

      She smiled sweetly. “Penny for your thoughts.”

      “I’m wondering why I haven’t ever heard from anyone about how gorgeous you can be.”

      “I suppose because I rarely go out on dates and never with anyone in these parts.”

      “Why not?”

      She shrugged. “I’ve just never met anyone around here I wanted to go out with very much. And there’s nowhere close by here to go dressed up.”

      “There’s Dallas.”

      With a twinkle in her blue eyes, she answered, “In Dallas, our paths probably wouldn’t cross.”

      “I’ve known you all my life and 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,”