That Night With the Rich Rancher (2 page)

“You’re wrong. Not the way you look tonight,” he said in a husky voice. “With you in that red dress, there’s nothing that would cause me to turn down an evening with you.”

When had he reacted like this to a woman? He escorted beautiful women, was friends with them, had them continually around in his life and yet never had he been dazzled senseless as he was tonight. He wouldn’t ever have guessed Lindsay could generate such attraction and make him overlook all their battles.

It had to be the shock of who she was that was setting him ablaze. He’d better get a grip on reality and see her as the person he knew her to be. But that wasn’t going to happen tonight. His thought processes worked clearly enough to know that.

She smiled sweetly. “Penny for your thoughts.”

“I’m wondering why I haven’t ever heard from anyone about how gorgeous you can be.”

“I suppose because I rarely go out on dates and never with anyone in these parts.”

“Why not?”

She shrugged. “I’ve just never met anyone around here I wanted to go out with very much. And there’s nowhere close by here to go dressed up.”

“There’s Dallas.”

With a twinkle in her blue eyes, she answered, “In Dallas, our paths probably wouldn’t cross.”

“I’ve known you all my life and I know your family well. Tonight I feel as if I’m spending the evening with a complete stranger I’ve just met.”

She looked amused. “In some ways, Tony, we are strangers. There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” she said in the breathless, sultry voice that made the temperature in the limo climb again.

“I should have asked you out long ago,” he said.

“You know how likely that was to have happened, and what my response would have been.”

He nodded. “Our past is better left alone and forgotten tonight.”

“We fully agree on that one,” she answered as the limo slowed. “Tonight is filled with illusions.”

“The way you look is no illusion. You’re gorgeous,” he said, and was rewarded with another coaxing smile.

The limo turned into the airport and in minutes they slowed to a stop. While the chauffeur held the door, Tony took her arm to escort her to the waiting private jet. The moment he touched her, awareness burned in a fiery current. Her arm was warm, her skin silky smooth. He caught another whiff of her exotic perfume, and he couldn’t wait to get her to their destination so he could ask her to dance and have an excuse to hold her in his arms.

In the plane he was aware of how close she sat. It was difficult to keep from staring because her red dress had fallen open, revealing those beautiful, long shapely legs. He took a deep breath.

“I need to keep pinching myself to make sure this is actually happening,” he said. “And I keep reminding myself you’re the same neighbor I see across the fence with your horses.”

“I love my horses. You should come visit and really look at them sometime. I have some fine horses.”

“I’ve seen them across the fence. Everyone in the county knows you have some of the finest horses.”

“They’re working horses or horses for my riding. I like to ride.”

“We have that in common, Lindsay.”

“I’ve never seen you riding just for pleasure.”

“If it’s for pleasure, I don’t ride in the direction of your ranch.” He smiled sheepishly. “I figure we’re both better off that way.”

“We’re in agreement there, too,” she remarked in a tone that was light and held no rancor.

“Have you attended one of these charity bachelor auctions before?”

“Sure, because it’s a good cause.” She held up a hand but stopped before it touched his arm. “I don’t need to ask, I know you haven’t. What prompted you to agree to participate in the auction tonight? You seem to be more the type to just donate the money.”

“I lost a bet with Wyatt over bronc riding in an Abilene rodeo.”

She laughed. “So because of your brother you’re trapped into a night with me now.”

“I was filled with thoughts of revenge until you stood up to walk to the stage. Since then, this night has taken the best possible turn.”

She smiled. “I must admit I’m pleasantly surprised by your reaction. I never, ever thought I’d hear you say that. But you know, underneath this red dress, I’m still me.”

He inhaled deeply, his temperature spiking at her mention of what was beneath the red dress, even though she had intended a different meaning.

He cleared his throat. “I have a feeling I better not say anything about what’s underneath your red dress.”

She looked as if she held back a laugh. “I knew there had to be another side to you besides the one I always see. I’ve wondered how the evening would go and so far, so good. I think, Tony, we’ve set a record already for the length of time we’ve been civil to each other.”

“I intend to be more than ‘civil to each other.’ We’re just getting started,” he said. “Frankly, Lindsay, it’s damn difficult to remember that you’re the same woman whose ranch adjoins mine. I feel as if I’m with a beautiful woman I’ve just met,” he said softly, taking her hand in his and rubbing her knuckles lightly with his thumb. His brows arched and he turned her hand over to open her palm, looking up at her.

“You have soft hands. I know how you work with the cowboys. You should have hands like mine—with scars, calluses and crooked bones from breaks. How did you get these?” he asked, running his thumb lightly over her palm.

“I wear gloves most of the time,” she said. “And I haven’t been out working quite as much for the past two weeks because I was shopping for a dress and getting ready for tonight.”

Her voice had changed, becoming throaty, losing the humor, and he wondered if she had a reaction to his touch. That idea made the temperature in the limo climb again. He gazed into her big blue eyes. “I hope tonight will be far better than you dreamed possible and worth all the effort you put into it,” he said softly, and raised her hand to brush her palm with his lips.

His thumb brushed across her wrist and he felt her racing pulse, making his own pulse jump again in response. As he looked into Lindsay’s eyes, he wanted to pull her close and kiss her. He couldn’t help the thought that came to mind. How much was this night going to complicate his life?

He couldn’t answer his question, but he was glad for the auction and thankful she hoped to win him over with sweet talk. It was a dazzling prospect.

He tried to pour on the charm and avoid any topics about the ranch, their relationship or their families. The feud between their families had been far stronger when they had been children and their grandparents had influenced the families. As a small child, Tony was taught to avoid speaking to any Calhoun, and she’d been taught the same about the Milans. In fact, they hadn’t spoken to each other until they became neighboring ranchers and had their first dispute over her tree falling on his fence and hitting his truck.

The plane ride seemed to take mere minutes. Before he knew it, they touched down in Houston and were ushered to another waiting limo. A short while later, they pulled into a circular drive lined by manicured shrubs strung with tiny white lights and stopped in front of a sprawling stone building he recognized as an exclusive club.

When they stepped out of the limo, Tony took her arm to walk through the canopied entrance. Inside, when he told the maître d’ they were from the Dallas auction, they were welcomed and led to a linen-covered table by a window overlooking the wide patio that held hundreds more twinkling lights and a splashing water fountain.

A piano player sang as he played a familiar old ballad and several couples danced on a small dance floor.

In minutes they were presented a bottle of Dom Pérignon champagne. As soon as they were alone with drinks poured, Tony raised his glass in a toast. “Here’s to the most beautiful woman in Texas.”

She smiled. “A very nice exaggeration, Tony,” she said, touching his glass lightly with hers and taking a sip. “Actually, you look rather handsome yourself.”

He smiled and wondered if she felt any real attraction. “Lindsay, I can’t imagine why you’ve been hiding that beauty all these years.”

She laughed. “Not so many years, Tony. And thank you. I’m far from the most beautiful woman in Texas, but it’s nice to hear.”

“You could have had most of the single guys in the county asking you out if you’d wanted,” he said.

“Actually, that’s not my aim in life,” she remarked. “And I do get asked out.”

“To talk about someone’s horses. If they could see you tonight, though, horses wouldn’t come up in the conversation.” He waited a second and then asked the question that flitted into his mind. “Speaking of which, Lindsay, will you go to dinner with me next Friday night?”

She grinned at him. “Aren’t you jumping the gun? You don’t know if we can make it through tonight and get along the entire time.”

He leaned across the table to take her hand again. “I promise you, we’re going to get along tonight,” he said, his tone lowering as it did when he was aroused. “A lot of people saw you at the auction tonight. I think you’ll be inundated with invitations from guys when you get home. I want you to myself,” he added softly, and something flickered in the depths of her eyes as her smile vanished and she gazed at him solemnly. Electricity flashed between them, and he wanted to be alone with her and kiss her more than ever.

As their waiter appeared, Tony released her hand and leaned back in his chair, listening to a menu recited by the waiter. When they were alone again, Tony raised his flute of champagne. “Here’s to a fabulous evening that we’ll both remember and want to repeat.”

With a seductive smile, she touched his glass with hers lightly, causing a faint clink, and sipped again, watching him the whole time with a look that made him want to forget dinner and find somewhere to be alone with her.

“I’m beginning to see that you have a sensual side you’ve kept well hidden.”

“Well, yes, Tony. I’ve kept it hidden from
you
,” she said with good humor, and he laughed.

“I suppose I brought that on,” he said, wondering whom she had allowed to see this aspect of herself. He sat back to study her. “As well as I know your family, I really don’t know much about you. You went to Texas Tech, didn’t you? And you were an agriculture major?”

“Yes, with a minor in business. I knew I’d come home to run a ranch.”

“Good background. Do you ever feel overwhelmed with the ranch?”

“Sometimes the problems seem a little overwhelming, but I love the ranch too much to feel at odds with it. It’s my life.”

“I agree, but it’s different for you. Don’t you want a family someday?”

“Owning the ranch doesn’t mean I can’t have a family,” she retorted.

“I suppose.” He nodded as he considered her remark. “Everyone in the county knows you work as hard as the guys who work for you. It’s difficult to look at you now and remember how tough and resilient you are.”

“Did you know my big brother came out to the ranch, sat me down and lectured me to try to get me to be nicer to you?”

“The hell you say. Is that why you’re here tonight?” he asked. Still, he couldn’t believe that the gorgeous creature flirting with him now was only here to make nice.

She leaned over the table, reaching out to take his hand in hers, and his heart jumped again. Every touch, her flirting, the looks she was giving him, all stirred responses that shocked him. No other woman had ever had the same instant effect on him from the slightest contact.

“No,” she replied, her voice lowering. “Before the night is over, you’ll know this was all my idea and not one of my brothers had anything to do with my plans for tonight.”

Her plans? His mind began to race with the possibilities and they were all X-rated. His blood pulsed hot through his veins. “I’m beginning to wish we were alone right now.”

With a satisfied expression, she sat back. “Mike and Josh weren’t at the auction and I haven’t talked to them lately. They have no idea what I’m doing tonight. Jake was in the audience, with Madison, but across the room from me. Otherwise, I’m sure he would have tried to stop my bidding because he would have suspected my motives. But he more than any of my brothers should know you can take care of yourself.”

Tony nodded. “I’ll bet it was Jake who tried to talk you into being nicer. Mike has had his own problems with losing his first wife, caring for four-year-old Scotty and getting married to Savannah. And Josh is too busy making money with his hotels.”

“You’re right about all three.” She glanced down to their joined hands. “Although I don’t think this was exactly what Jake had in mind when he told me to be civil to you.”

Tony couldn’t help but smile. “I’m sure it wasn’t.” He turned his hand so that his was holding hers and rubbed his thumb across her smooth skin. “You know, I’ve heard little Scotty adores his aunt Lindsay. I’m beginning to see how that’s possible.”

“I don’t think Scotty sees me the way you do.”

He laughed. “No, I’m sure he doesn’t. But you have a whole different side to you that I’m seeing tonight.” And he was still having quite a time wrapping his mind around this Lindsay. If this auction night had happened when she first moved to her ranch, would they have avoided their big clashes? Or would that same stubborn Lindsay still have been lurking beneath this beauty?

“I’ve gotten the same lecture from my brother Wyatt about cooling our fights,” he told her. “As county sheriff, he just wants peace and quiet in his life and he doesn’t want to have to continually deal with our battles—which will be less in the future, I promise you.”

“I hope we can end the clashes altogether.”

“If you’re like this, you’ll have my complete cooperation. You know, I have to tell you. Over the years, some things you’ve wanted or accused me of destroying, I had nothing to do with. Hopefully, after this, you’ll listen to my side a little more. But enough about our past. It doesn’t exist tonight, Lindsay.”

“That suits me fine,” she said softly as she licked her lower lip.

“That does it.” He pushed back his chair and went around to her. “If you do one more sexy thing, I may go up in spontaneous combustion.” He held out his hand to her. “Let’s dance. I don’t want the table between us anymore.” He also needed to move around and cool down.