Rich, Rugged Ranchers. Kathie DeNosky

      As if reading her mind, he set down his fork and commented, “I never thought I’d be sitting in this kitchen, having dinner with you.”

      “Boggles the mind. Our second meal together in two nights.” Sophia gave him a sweet smile, refusing to be intimidated.

      “Let’s not make a habit of this.” He surveyed the rooms in his line of vision—the kitchen, parlor and hallway that led to the bedrooms. “I don’t care for this place.”

      “The place is wonderful. It’s me you don’t care for. So just be honest about it.”

      Logan sipped water from his glass, and then eyed her carefully. “My brother kissed you today.”

      Sophia’s radar went up. She’d promised herself she would be on guard around Logan, but now he’d dropped another bomb on her that she hadn’t expected. “Did he tell you that?”

      Logan glanced at her lips, and then lifted his lids to look her squarely in the eyes. “I was at the lodge this morning.”

      “So you saw Luke give me an innocent kiss and what?”

      “Maybe I don’t think anything about you is innocent.”

      Sophia’s stomach began to ache, not from the food but from the conversation. Darn him for creating more turmoil in her belly. Logan liked playing judge and jury. In his mind, he’d already convicted her of a half-dozen crimes. “And why is that?”

      “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

      “So now I’m a cliché to you, Logan? I’ve already told you if you’re comparing me to my mother, it’s a compliment. She was a wonderful woman. I only wish I could be more like her.”

      “Yeah, well, I used to want to be like my father. Blind worship doesn’t work. Sooner or later, you find out that the person you thought you knew wasn’t that person at all.”

      It was pointless to argue with him. Sophia didn’t want to spend her time defending herself or her mother. Logan’s mind was made up and nothing she could say would change that. Even though she knew the truth about her mother and his father, he would never believe her. He didn’t trust her, and she was through trying to gain that trust from him. Through trying to prove herself to him. The only thing she cared about was doing a good job at the lodge and proving to herself that she was worthy of Randall Slade’s generosity.

      “I’m sorry, Logan. It must have been a big blow for you to learn your father wasn’t perfect. Most of us aren’t, you know.”

      She rose from her seat and came over to his side of the table, brushing his shoulder to reach for his plate. Her long tresses flowed onto his lap as she brought her face inches from his. He smelled of earth, rawhide and musk, and her breathing quickened as their eyes met. He was a beautiful man who hated her, but right now, she saw desire darken his eyes and that did amazing, warm things to her sensitive belly. She was close enough that if she stumbled, she’d be lap dancing with Logan. The image didn’t amuse her as much as it made her lust. She whispered gently, blowing her breath over his lips, playing the vixen he thought she was, “I’ll clean this up, and then we’ll get right to work so you won’t have to stay any longer than necessary.”

      He stared at her, their gazes locked and then his hand touched the ribbon of exposed skin at her waist. Her breath caught in her throat and her senses heightened as he splayed his fingers along the hem of her shirt. It was unexpected magic. Sophia relished the feel of him touching her. She didn’t flinch or budge a muscle when Logan moved his hand in a soft caress that traveled back and forth over her midriff. She closed her eyes, mental goose bumps erupting in her mind. There was a connection between them, something raw and elemental and basic that defied logic or scrutiny. When he touched her, she reacted.

      He made the tug that landed her on his lap and now the lap dance didn’t seem so far off, didn’t seem so outlandish in her mind. She felt the strength of his legs beneath her, the power of the hand that held her in place, while the other hand continued to make her body tingle.

      She knew she shouldn’t allow him this touch. She shouldn’t allow him to get the upper hand again, but she was powerless to stop him. She craved the warmth and the thrill of Logan’s caress. He managed to loosen the knotted fabric at her waist and she waited, filled with unabashed desire. He took a big swallow, his throat working while his hand slid underneath her top. Inch by inch, he moved his palm up her torso. Her nipples puckered in anticipation. The pulse between her legs throbbed. It was exquisite and sensual. She hadn’t been with a man in years, not like this. The idea of Logan taking liberties with her body shocked her mind, but her body gave him all he wanted.

      She arched her back, and wiggled slightly on his lap. His fingers pushed her bra down and her ample breasts spilled out. They were full, sensitized, and she waited for his touch. When it finally came she jerked slightly from the beautiful sensation. He palmed one breast, then the other, and a groan escaped from the depths of his throat. She murmured with pleasure, and squeezed her legs tight when his thumb rubbed over her nipple.

      The pleasure was ripe and fresh and so greatly welcomed, but Sophia had to put a stop to this. She wouldn’t give in to Logan. She couldn’t give in to what they both craved. He would only turn it against her and make her life at Sunset Ranch unbearable. She didn’t trust him. And she owed him for hurting her all those years ago.

      Her breaths coming as heavy as his, she brought her hands to his face and leaned in close. This had to be her idea. When he tried to meet her lips, she pulled back a little, making sure he knew kissing him was her idea. This had to be her choice, her decision and on her terms.

      She waited, and he backed off, then she brought her lips to his to sip first, and then draw out the moment. It was just as good as she’d remembered as an innocent girl of fifteen. Memories rushed forth of the glory and newness of Logan’s kiss. His mouth accommodated hers now, just as before, but this time she was initiating the kiss. She pressed her mouth fully over his lips and deepened the connection. The world went a little fuzzy then. Logan’s breath rushed out and he removed his hand from her breast. The loss was keenly felt. He wrapped his arm around her waist, and brought her up tight against his chest. Sophia took control again. She parted her lips, and slipped her tongue inside his mouth. She tasted him with a sweeping exploration and he joined in, their tongues mating.

      Satisfied that Logan had relinquished control, Sophia couldn’t let things go too far. Up until today, Logan had called all the shots. But putting a stop to Logan Slade’s passion wasn’t as easy as she thought it would be. He was a man who thrilled her and made her dizzy with desire. He, and only he, brought out an incredible, nearly insatiable hunger in her. Ever since the day that he’d first kissed her behind the gym, Sophia had dreamed of him and hated him at the same time for turning a beautiful memory into something sordid and obscene.

      Summoning her willpower and abandoning the innate pleasure, she inched back, slowly pulling away from him until their lips were no longer locked.

      Logan felt the loss, his gaze darting to her lips immediately. His expression changed from desire to determination. He reached for her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Crushing her to his chest, he slid his chair back; the jarring noise echoed against the stone floor. He stood, bringing her up with him. They faced each other now. A blaze of hunger lit his eyes, telling her he would take her here, right now.

      A shocking thrill coursed through her body. Suddenly the battle lines got blurry, and she wondered if she was making a mistake in backing away. Everything fluid and tingling in her body said Yes to this man. Yet her mind told her to resist and not give Logan what he wanted. What she wanted. It would never be right between them.

      “No, Logan,” she whispered, nearly breathless. She put her hands firmly against him and pushed. The solid wall of his chest didn’t budge. Frustrated, she took a step back, needing to create space between them. “We’re not doing this. We can’t.”

      He blinked and looked at her, the fire in his eyes replaced by an intense stare.

      This had been a