The Lone Rancher - By Carol Finch Page 0,72
helter-skelter in incredible sensations. Pleasure burst inside her like fireworks on the Fourth of July and she nearly passed out from the overwhelming pleasure of it all.
Adrianna held him close until they could breathe normally again. She thought their first night together had been nothing short of phenomenal but tonight defied description. She wondered what it would be like to make love with him for the rest of her life….
When he pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, then eased down beside her, she tossed aside her whimsical thoughts and snuggled up beside him. She knew he’d be gone by first light to keep up appearances in the household.
At least she had the rest of the night. Adrianna didn’t care how much—or how little—sleep she got because she could catch up during the lonely nights ahead. With that in mind, she kissed Quin and let go of every inhibition. She showed him without words that she was helplessly, madly in love with him….
The next morning Quin was sitting at the dining table, sampling Elda’s special-brewed coffee, when Boston ambled into the room. He wanted to draw her down on his lap and hold her possessively. Unfortunately, Elda whizzed through the door, carrying a stack of pancakes and bacon that made his mouth water. When she set the plates on the table, then turned away, Quin reached out impulsively to give Boston a pat on the derriere when she walked by.
She arched a brow and looked down at him, surprised.
No more surprised by that display than I am, thought Quin. He wasn’t one for affectionate gestures, but with Boston, it was different. He was different….
And she was leaving him…. Gawd, he hated the thought.
“Did you sleep well, Boston?” he asked teasingly.
She peered at him over the rim of her coffee cup. “Well enough, I suppose.” Her green eyes sparkled with playful mischief. “I don’t recall that much about last night. I must have been tired after the long, hectic day.”
He pulled a face and she snickered impishly. “How did you sleep, Cahill?”
“Not well. I woke up several times.” He stared meaningfully at her while she hid her grin behind her cup.
“Really? What kept you up?”
She knew perfectly well that she had kept him up in every way imaginable. Not that he was complaining, mind you. She could disturb him every night the rest of his life if she were so inclined. Last night was the best night without sleep he’d ever had. He wanted to tell her so but Butler entered the room to cast him a frown and a knowing stare. Quin returned it full force. Butler couldn’t lecture him without sounding like a hypocrite.
“I’m still planning on moving our belongings home this morning, but not until after we canvass Phantom Springs with Lucas and Dog,” Boston informed Butler.
Butler’s hazel eyes widened in surprise, then he resumed his expressionless stare. The man was a master at it. “We will be packed and ready, Addie K.” He glanced at Quin. “I will need to remove several items from your safe before I go.”
Quin nodded agreeably, then settled down to eat with his new family—who would be gone by noon. Aw, hell! He would be greeted again by deafening silence and he’d rattle around the oversize house like a ghost looking for his lost soul. Maybe he could borrow Dog for a companion, he mused.
After all, Lucas had a wife and Quin had none.
If that didn’t work, he supposed he could try to lure Bea and Butler away since they were a matched set. Let Boston see how she liked being alone all the blessed time.
The sudden rap at the door brought Quin to his feet. He rounded the corner to the foyer to see Lucas Burnett, dressed in black as usual, and Dog standing on the stoop.
“Too early?” Burnett asked.
“Not if you want a stack of melt-in-your-mouth pancakes.”
Burnett grinned in anticipation. “I hear Elda is a gourmet cook. I suppose I should see for myself.”
Dog followed Burnett inside and Quin looked at Dog and said, “What? No bow tie this morning?”
“Not while he’s working,” Burnett replied, straight-faced.
Quin reached down to pat the oversize animal. “I’ll trade Dog for flapjacks and a dozen head of my best longhorns.”
“No deal,” said Burnett.
“Boston is leaving and I’m stuck with my own company.”
Burnett shot Quin a pensive glance on his way through the door. Quin glanced down to note the wolf dog had plopped down in the opening to the dining room, as if he