Rich, Rugged Ranchers. Kathie DeNosky

the underside of his chin, contemplating for a second, then gave a sigh before responding. “I hated him.”

      His admission wasn’t a surprise. She’d come to understand a boy’s disillusionment over a man he’d once idolized. She could sympathize with Logan now, and feel the pain he must have endured. Her situation hadn’t been all that different in terms of the pain she’d felt over her father, although Sophia hadn’t known him. She’d been too young, but his betrayal had affected her life regardless. He’d hurt her mother and had abandoned his family. Growing up fatherless, Sophia had lived with the hurt and hatred inside for many years. “I’m sorry.”

      “I’m thinking you really are,” he said, but before their eyes could hold a connection, Logan looked away.

      “Do you still hate him?” Sophia spoke in a hushed tone, hoping to keep this conversation going.

      Logan winced. “What difference does it make now? He’s gone.”

      “Forgiveness heals.”

      Logan began shaking his head. “I’m not there yet, Sophia. Let’s not be spoiling our date with this kind of talk.”

      Sophia didn’t mean to push him, but she was falling deeper and deeper in love with him. She wanted everything out in the open, so they could cut a clear path together without any obstacles getting in their way. He’d asked her to change his mind, but she couldn’t do that unless he was willing to discuss painful memories. But it was obvious, tonight was not the night. “You’re right. We’ll talk of other things.”

      Logan rose from his seat and announced, “We’ll have dessert out on the terrace, if that’s all right with you.”

      Sophia stood. “Yes, I’d like that.”

      “Good. I’m in need of fresh air.”

      Logan put a hand to her waist just as she pivoted and their bodies brushed intimately. She stood inches from him, her face lifted to his. “I’m sorry, Logan. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

      He moved even closer and something intense flared in his eyes. “The only thing upsetting me is not being able to touch you.”

      “You’ve touched me,” she whispered.

      His head angled down and he murmured softly, blowing warm breath over her ear. “Not the way I want. I’m on first-date best behavior.”

      Sophia sucked oxygen into her lungs. “You get an A for effort and a big, gold star.”

      His mouth hovered near hers and their breaths mingled. “I’d rather have a kiss.”

      Surprised, she smiled softly but Logan didn’t wait for her permission. He took her in a leisurely kiss filled with enough delicious promise to break down all of her defenses, all of her firm resolutions.

      Dessert was abandoned and they drove home quietly holding hands and sharing heated glances in the car.

      When Logan escorted her into the house, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind where she would sleep tonight. Whatever this was between them, whatever Logan thought of her and however she was supposed to change his mind, she couldn’t stop the compelling magnetism that linked her to him. She couldn’t deny what seemed like her destiny.

      She placed her faith in him, depending on his sense of fairness and decency. Judging by their personal history it was a giant leap for her to make.

      Logan wouldn’t betray her trust, would he?

      Nine

      Sophia had never slept with a man on a first date, and with wry amusement she decided that waking up in Logan’s bed this morning after an incredible bout of lovemaking was worth the distinction. Making love in the tack room the other night didn’t count. At least in her sleep-groggy mind it didn’t. She rationalized that that had been an impulse born of desire and lust with no promise of the future. She’d been seduced by something far greater than her own willpower. But ever since Logan had sent her flowers and written a note claiming he was going to try, asking her out on a genuine, pull-out-all-stops kind of date, Sophia had come to conclusions that meant lowering her guard and taking a risk.

      The evening had been magical for her. And when Logan actually gave her a chaste good-night kiss, attempting to keep his promise of best first-date behavior, Sophia had put a halt to the charade. She’d taken Logan’s hand and together they walked into his bedroom with no words spoken.

      Now, Sophia lay sprawled out on his bed, a soft cotton sheet covering her naked body and a smile on her lips.

      Logan walked into the room and whipped off her covers. “Wake up, sleepyhead.”

      “Mmm,” she said, grabbing for the covers. “I’m being lazy before I have to go into work.”

      “What? And leave all this?” Logan shook his head. “You’re not going into work today, honey,” he announced. “I have it all arranged.”

      “I wish you weren’t kidding.”

      “I’m not.” He winked and spoke with smug satisfaction. “Your meetings are postponed and Lois Benson will cover for you today. She’s in line for assistant manager and she’s eager to prove herself. Besides, I have the day planned for us.”

      Sophia was beside herself with joy. She didn’t have anything pressing on her schedule today and the idea of spending the entire day with Logan was beyond appealing. “Does it involve more sleeping in this big comfy bed?”

      Logan bent to land a solid kiss on her mouth. “It does involve this bed, sweetheart, I will damn well guarantee you that.”

      Sophia chuckled and laid back on the mattress. But her rest was short-lived before Logan whisked her up into his arms. “First I think you need to try out my shower.”

      “Are you joining me?” she asked, intrigued with the notion, kicking her legs playfully as he carried her toward the bathroom.

      “Sure am. I have to show you what buttons and knobs to turn on.”

      Sophia giggled and just minutes later they were soapy and steamy and covered with moisture. Logan loved her with his mouth until she was adequately tortured and fully spent. Sophia coaxed a similar response from him when she put her lips around the silky skin sheathing his manhood. The intense sound of three showerheads raining down couldn’t drown out Logan’s groans of completion. He held her tight in his arms as the water continued to cleanse them.

      “You’re an amazing man,” Sophia said, her heart bursting. She’d almost told him how much she loved him then but at the last moment she held back, too unsure of his reaction.

      “We are good together, Sophia,” he murmured, sprinkling kisses over her throat, her chin and her lips. She closed her eyes and held on for dear life, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

      The rest of the day was spent riding mares along a stream that ran through the backwoods of Slade property, stopping for a picnic lunch near the trickling waters and making lazy, crazy love in the middle of nowhere on a blanket by the stream’s bank. It was the perfect day and later that evening when they’d returned to Sunset Ranch, they got comfortable in Logan’s bed and watched old classic Westerns. Sophia fell asleep in Logan’s arms never feeling more content.

      The next week was blissful heaven. Sophia shared her mornings and nights with Logan Slade. She’d wake to kisses drizzled on her cheek from a man who was seriously dangerous to her equilibrium. They’d shower and dress, and then eat a light breakfast together before going their separate ways. Sophia poured her concentration into Sunset Lodge, working as hard as she could to prove to herself and Logan that she was capable and deserved the inheritance Randall Slade had bestowed upon her. She beamed inside and that spark kept a smile on her face through every task, every duty she took on.

      Logan seemed happy, too, for the most part. But every once in a while she’d catch him in a moment when his expression would falter, as if something cold and foreboding had