“Unbutton that undergarment,” he said, smiling a dare. “I think we could call that a start.”
She sat perfectly straight and unbuttoned her camisole. Her gaze never left his eyes.
“Now pull it apart, darling, if you don’t mind.” His voice was lower.
She tugged the thin layer of cotton open an inch at a time and saw only pleasure in his dark gaze.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “Beautiful.”
She closed her eyes as he raised his hand and covered one breast. His other hand slid to the back of her neck as he gently laid her down on the straw bed. When his fingers closed around her and tightened, she let out a cry of joy. He lowered his mouth over hers and caught her next moan of pleasure.
“This is how we’ll start tonight,” he whispered. “Only the door will be locked and we’ll have all night. I don’t want to hurry loving you. We need to take our time getting to know each other.” He kissed his way down her throat without turning loose of her breast.
When all thought but what he was doing to her had left her mind, she felt him move away and she protested.
“It’s begun, darling. There’s only one way this is going to end and I plan to make sure you enjoy each step.” He stared at her as if she were a work of art. “We’d better stop now while I can. When I ride tonight I won’t be thinking of the pain. All that I’ll be dreaming of is having you all alone.”
He leaned and kissed the tip of her breast, then pulled the cotton back in place. “You surprise me, Laurel.”
“How?”
“I didn’t think you’d love a man’s touch.”
“I don’t. I love your touch and it is quite possible I may never find another’s of any interest.”
He grinned, satisfied with her answer.
She sat up and buttoned her clothes.
Watching her hands, he thought about how fine and beautiful they were. He liked her hands. Hell, he almost said aloud, he liked everything about her.
Lost in his thoughts he realized she’d been talking. He only hoped he hadn’t missed something important.
“I’ll pack and leave my trunk at the hotel. Bonnie Lynn will watch it for me and tell no one. As soon as you ride, I’ll find the buyer and have him meet us at the hotel. He said he could bring ten percent in cash and have the rest deposited wherever we like.”
He smiled. “You’re sure I’ll win. You’ve planned everything.”
“I’m betting on it.”
“And if I don’t?” He had to know what would remain between them if tonight didn’t go as planned.
“Then I’ll go home as if nothing has changed and pick up the bag when I’m in town alone.” Her blue eyes met his. “It may take me a few hours, but I’ll meet you under the cottonwoods before midnight.”
He knew what she meant. What was going to happen between them would happen. At the hotel, or beneath the stars. It would happen.
He stood. “Until tonight,” he said as he kissed her. The need to whisper that he thought he loved her built inside him, but he couldn’t—wouldn’t love her. Love had killed his father and he’d never allow himself to crumble. Better never to love than to let it eat you away inside if love is lost.
At the door, he stopped her one step before the sun reached their faces. “Tell me you need me,” he whispered against her ear.
“I need you,” she answered.
He brushed a kiss into her hair. “Tonight, wait for me. I’ll be there in time for a late supper.”
He waited for her to answer, then smiled, guessing she wouldn’t say the word until he did and as long as he didn’t use the word love he could walk away if that was still the way she wanted it after their night together.
Chapter 10
Laurel sat in her tiny office and sharpened each of her pencils to a fine point, then lined them up neatly. If Rowdy won tonight, she wouldn’t be coming back. For as long as she could remember this house had been her home. They’d moved here the summer before her father went to New Orleans and brought back a new wife. It had always been a cold house. Her stepmother’s mood swings and her father’s temper made it impossible for any housekeeper to stay more than a few seasons.
All she’d ever felt in this place was alone. She knew she wouldn’t spend one day of her life to