O'Brien's Lady - By Marsha Doss Page 0,32

all about horses. You are just like my father. They are the most important things to you."

Michael backed away from her bed, and started for the door. Suddenly, he turned back. The darkness was gone from his eyes and he looked at her with remorse. "Maybe I am just a hired hand, Sonny, but when i take a woman to dinner, I don't need a limo or a fancy suit, or fingernails that shine with polish.

Sonny realized now that Michael was upset because Pierre had taken her away, just when he had been enjoying telling her what to do and where to go. He was losing control over her. And that is something that should make her feel good. Why didn't she feel like she was winning this battle with the arrogant Irishman.

Michael saw the look on Sonny's face and for a moment his knees felt week. She had lost her anger. Those large eyes were softening, and he knew that he should leave before his emotions took over and he did something he would regret. He moved slowly to the bed, and he reached down, grasping both her shoulders and pulling him closer.

Before Sonny could react, she was just inches from his face, and his kissed her on the lips. She felt the raw emotion in him. Sonny's mind was whirling about, and this moment could go on forever.

For the instant she felt safe in Michaels arms. But, she could not succumb to this kiss that held such promise. Her heart was full of unspoken words and love that only Michael could unleash.

The ringing of her cell phone startled her and she broke away, reaching for it.

She listened for a moment, then put it back on the table. "Will needs you come back down" she said, her words coming slowly. "He has to leave"

Michael's broad chest rose and fell with breathing that seemed heavy, He looked at her through dark eyes filled with passion, He suddenly cupped her face in his rough hands and kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose.

"Michael..,stop" she protested weakly.

"I never take what doesn't belong to me" he said softly.

Sonny had expected him to pursue the intense kiss that had experienced just moments before.

Instead, he picked up the comforter and laid it on her bed. Her heart was beating unevenly and she watched him walk away. The room felt cold now and empty. Michael had left was a resigned look in his eyes that she had never before seen. That frightened her and she wondered why. She was anxious to get her life back together and very little was left on her contract. Why didn't that thought ease her mind? What was it about Michael that filled her head with indecision and confusion?

Michael could still feel the softness of her skin and her mouth. Those moments had made everything about their arranged time together feel unimportant. She was filled with the same passion and attraction that he felt, and in any other circumstance with any other woman, he would have pursued the opportunity. Sonny was different. There was no mistaking that she wanted him as much as he wanted her, but not for the moment. He needed to feel her love and that was something that was not going to happen. Pierre was in town and he had lost her to the Frenchman.

When Michael reach the barns, his father walked over and then smiled, a little twinkle in his eyes.

"So, how are things going with you two?" he asked.

"I'll be glad when it is over and she leaves".

"You were taught not to lie to your father, son/'

"This situation is near to impossible, Dad. She has her own life and we can't expect her to step in and make ours her home. It will never happen/'

"Horsemen learn to be steadfast, No hurdle is to big, and maybe there are down times here and there, but it always works out for the best."

"So, you realize we will be forced to come up with the money to buy her out?"

"Now, did I say that?" Will smiled, then walked past Michael, whistling a familiar tune.

Will O'Brien was a quiet man, going about his work with a steadiness that Michael had always admired.

He knew his father had not taken this arrangement with much seriousness. Will had said many times that watching Sonny grow into her boots was something short of a miracle. Even he had thought that her interest were elsewhere and that she might possibly give up