“You have no idea, Lindsay, how special it has been.”

“Dare I hope,” she gasped, clutching her heart, making him laugh. Shaking her head, she smiled. “There’s no way this truce is going to last.”

“I’ll try if you will,” he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief, and she had to laugh in return.

“I’ll try, I promise.”

“I keep waiting for a pitch from you to get me to agree to something. You all but admitted that was the purpose of your bidding for me tonight at the auction.”

“Maybe I’ve shelved that original agenda,” she said in a sultry voice. “I’m having fun, Tony. Fun that I don’t want to spoil. The night is magical. For a few hours, let’s enjoy it.”

He raised her hand and brushed a light kiss on her knuckles. His breath was warm.

“I’m glad you feel that way,” he said. “I’m not ready to tell you good-night and watch you walk away.”

* * *

That Night with the Rich Rancher is part of the Lone Star Legends series from USA TODAY bestselling author Sara Orwig!

That Night with the Rich Rancher

Sara Orwig

www.millsandboon.co.uk

SARA ORWIG lives in Oklahoma. She has a patient husband who will take her on research trips anywhere, from big cities to old forts. She is an avid collector of Western history books. With a master’s degree in English, Sara has written historical romance, mainstream fiction and contemporary romance. Books are beloved treasures that take Sara to magical worlds, and she loves both reading and writing them.

With many thanks to Stacy Boyd, Senior Editor

Contents

Cover

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Extract

Copyright

One

Tony Milan felt ridiculous. Standing in the wings of the wide stage of the elegant Dallas country club ballroom, he promised himself that next time, he would be more careful making bets with his oldest brother. Losing at saddle bronc riding in a rodeo last April had put him backstage tonight at this gala charity event, which included a dinner dance as well as an auction. One that would auction him off. At least it was all for a good cause, he reminded himself. The funds raised would go to Parkinson’s disease research.

As he’d made his way to the stage earlier, he had seen some of the attendees: beautiful women dressed in designer gowns accompanied by men in tailored tuxedos. The highest bidders would win a night with “Texas’s most desirable bachelors,” according to the brochure that had been mailed to a select group wealthy enough to afford the event. He couldn’t imagine any woman bidding much for an evening out with a guy she won in an auction, but after the opening bid, he realized he was wrong. The Texas ranchers who’d gone before him had stirred up high prices.

Looking out at the latest bachelor who now pranced offstage, Tony could not recall ever feeling more out of place. And then he heard his name called.

Taking a deep breath and forcing himself to smile broadly, he stepped forward, striding out of the darkened shadows into the blinding spotlights in front of a glittering audience. Applause was loud as he waved at the audience, most of which he could no longer clearly see because of the spotlights shining in his eyes.

After a spiel about his bachelor status, the master of ceremonies opened up the bidding. Tony was startled by the number of women who jumped into the bidding, but as the amount climbed, first one and then another dropped out until only three women were left.

Shocked yet pleased by the amount he was going to draw, he grinned and walked around the stage as the bidding climbed.

When a woman in a front table bid, he glanced down and saw it was an ex-girlfriend. He hoped she didn’t win. As far as he was concerned, he’d said a final goodbye to her when she’d started getting serious. No long-term relationships for Tony Milan. He liked to flirt, play the field, just have a good time with no strings attached. Thankfully, after a flurry of bidding, his ex-girlfriend dropped out and only two women were left.

Tony couldn’t see either one of the women, hidden by the blinding lights, but he heard their competitive bids. They were calling outrageous sums of money—all for an evening with him. When one graciously dropped out, the MC brought down the gavel.

“We have a winner,” he said, not able to hide his outright glee at the final amount for the charity. “Would our lucky woman please come up onto the stage?”

Tony couldn’t contain his curiosity. He scanned the audience for a glimpse at her, and then a spotlight found her at a table off to the right. His pulse jumped when a stunning blonde stood up. Her hair was piled atop her head with a few spiral curls falling about her face, and she wore a fiery red dress as she threaded her way to the stage. Even from a distance he could see the dress clung to a breathtaking figure. Jeweled straps glittered on her slender shoulders and her full breasts pillowed above the low-cut neckline.

One of the auction’s ushers took her hand as she climbed the steps to the stage and Tony’s gaze finally swept over her from head to toe, taking in her long, shapely legs revealed by a high slit in the skirt. Instantly Tony began to feel immensely better about the entire auction and the upcoming evening.

As the blonde crossed the stage, his gaze swept over her features. She wasn’t a local resident, he thought, because he didn’t recognize her. But then as she neared center stage to give the MC her name, he had a niggling feeling that he did indeed know her. He looked at her again. Something about her features seemed familiar. Perhaps... There was a faint resemblance to a local—his neighbor and lifetime enemy, Lindsay Calhoun.

He shrugged away that notion. The woman talking to the MC could not be Lindsay Calhoun. For one brief moment, a memory flashed through his mind of Lindsay dressed in skintight jeans and driving her muddy pickup, her long sandy braid bouncing beneath her floppy old hat. That was followed by another memory—Lindsay wagging her finger at him and accusing him of taking her ranch’s water—something unethical he would never do to any neighbor, even Lindsay. She was mule stubborn, never took his advice and wouldn’t agree with him if he said the sun set in the west.

Most of all, she was serious in every way, all business all the time. With their many confrontations, he had wondered if she’d ever had any fun in her life. So there was no way on earth that the vision who had won an evening with him was Lindsay.

Curiosity ran rampant as the MC took the mystery woman’s hand and she turned to the audience, shooting a quick glance at Tony and then smiling at the audience while the MC held her hand high like a boxer at a heavyweight fight.

“Our winner—a beautiful Texan, Miss Lindsay Calhoun!”

Tony was stunned. His gaze raked over her again. Why had she done this? Their families had maintained a perpetual feud since the first generation of Milans and Calhouns had settled in Texas, and he and Lindsay kept that feud alive. Besides, she didn’t even date. Nor would she spend a dime for an evening with him. She never even spoke to him unless she was accusing him of something.

He squeezed his eyes shut as if to clear them, and then looked at her again. Actually, he stared, transfixed. Not one inch of her looked like his neighbor.

She turned as another man in a black tux came forward to escort her toward Tony while the MC began to talk about the next bachelor.

“Lindsay?” Tony’s voice came out a croak. The woman he faced was breathtaking. He wouldn’t have guessed all the makeup in Texas could have made such a transformation.

Her huge blue eyes twinkled and she leaned close, giving him a whiff of an exotic perfume—another shock.

“Close your mouth, Tony,” she whispered so only he could hear. “And stop staring.”

The tuxedo-clad man stepped forward. “Lindsay, it seems you’ve already met your bachelor, Tony Milan. Tony, this is Lindsay Calhoun.”

“We know each other.” Tony hoped he said it out loud. His brain felt all jumbled and he couldn’t force his gaze from Lindsay. He still couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He had known her all his life. Not once had she even caused him to take a second glance. Nor had he ever seen her as anything except a colossal pest. Saying she wasn’t his type was an understatement.

But was there another side to her? Why was Lindsay here? Why had she bid a small fortune to get the evening with him? No doubt she wanted something from him— and wanted it badly.

Would she go to this length to get water? He ruled that out instantly, remembering her fury and harsh words when she had accused him of buying bigger pumps for his wells to take more groundwater from the aquifer they shared. He had told her what she should do—dig her wells deeper. She had charged right back, saying she wouldn’t have to go to the added expense if he wasn’t depleting her water with bigger pumps. And there it went. Once again her usual stubborn self refused to take his advice or believe him.

Then she had started calling him devious, a snake and much worse. She pushed him to the edge and he knew he had to just walk away, which he did while she hurled more names at him.

That was the Lindsay Calhoun he knew. This Lindsay tonight had to be up to something, too. Surprisingly, though, he couldn’t bring himself to care much. Thoughts of ranching and feuding fled from his mind. He was too busy enjoying looking at one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen.

How could she possibly look so good? They were being given the details of their evening, beginning with a limousine waiting at the country club entrance to take them to the airport where a private jet would fly them to Houston for dinner. He barely registered a word said to him; he couldn’t focus on anything but the sight of her.

“Excuse me a moment. I’ll be right back,” their host said, leaving them alone momentarily.

“You’ve got to give me a moment to come out of my shock,” Tony said with a shake of his head.

“You take all the time you want. I’ve been waiting for this,” she drawled. “If necessary, I would have paid a lot more to get this night with you.”

“If you’d come over to the ranch dressed the way you are now and just knocked on the door, you could have had my full attention for an evening without paying a nickel, but this is for a good cause.”

“It’s for two good causes,” she said in a sultry voice, and his heartbeat quickened. He still couldn’t quite believe what was happening. Before tonight, he would have bet the ranch he could never be dazzled or even take a second look, let alone willingly go out with his stubborn neighbor.

“Lindsay, I’ve never fainted in my life, but I might in the next thirty seconds, except I don’t want to stop looking at you for anything.”

“When you saw I had won, I was afraid you’d turn down this evening.”

“I wouldn’t turn down tonight if I had to pay twice what you did,” he said without thinking, and her smile widened, a dazzling smile he had never seen in his life.

“If you two will follow me, I can show you to the front entrance,” their host said, returning to join them. “First, Miss Calhoun, you need to step to the desk to make arrangements about payment.”

“Certainly,” she answered. “See you in a few minutes, Tony,” she added in a soft, breathless voice.

Where had that sexy tone come from? He recalled times when he had heard her shout instructions to hands on her ranch. She had a voice that could be heard a long stretch away and an authoritative note that got what she wanted done. As he watched her, she turned to look at him. She smiled at him, another dazzling, knee-weakening smile, and he couldn’t breathe again.

Holy saints, where had Lindsay gotten that enticing smile? It muddled his thoughts, sent his temperature soaring and made him want to please her enough to get another big smile.

He had seen her stomping around horses, yelling instructions and swearing like one of the men, the sandy braid flopping with her steps. He had faced her when she had yelled furious accusations at him about dumping fertilizer. How could that be the breathtaking woman walking away from him? His gaze ran down her bare back to her tiny waist, down over her flared hips that shifted slightly in a provocative walk.

With the tight dress clinging to her every curve, he caught a flash of long legs when she turned and the slit in her skirt parted. That’s when he noticed the stiletto heels. He would have sworn she had never worn heels in her life, yet she moved as gracefully as a dancer. He wiped his heated brow. This was rapidly turning into the most impossible night of his life.

Befuddled, totally dazzled by her, he tried to remind himself she was Lindsay, and he should pull his wits together. That might not be so easy. He would never again view her in the same manner.

Why hadn’t he ever really looked at her before? He knew full well the answer to his question. He had been blinded by their fights over every little thing, from her tree falling on his truck to his fence on her property line. Not to mention her usual raggedy appearance when she worked.

If she had gone to such lengths tonight to wring something she wanted out of him, he had better get a grip, because it was going to be all but impossible to say no to the fantastic woman in red standing only yards away and writing a check for thousands of dollars for an evening with him. Not even a night— just a dinner date and maybe some dancing.

But Lindsay Calhoun wasn’t interested in dinner dates and ballroom dancing, boot scooting or even barn dances. He eyed her skeptically. To what lengths was she prepared to go tonight to get what she wanted?

He gave up trying to figure her out.

Still, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. The skintight red dress left little to the imagination. Why had she hidden her gorgeous figure all these years? Why had she always pulled her hair back in a braid or ponytail? He looked at the beautiful silky blond hair arranged on her head, some strands falling loosely in back. He had never seen her hair falling freely around her face—would he before this night was over?

She looked seductive, like pure temptation, and he knew he should be on his guard, but there was no way he could be defensive with the woman standing only yards away. He wanted her in his arms. He wanted to kiss her. And, if he was truthful with himself, he wanted to make love to her.

When she finished writing and handing over her check, their host led them to a garden, where they had pictures taken together. As he slipped his arm around her tiny waist while they posed for the camera, the physical contact sizzled. He was so heated he thought he would go up in flames.

He made a mental note to get a picture. His brother-in-law and sister were in the audience, so they had seen her tonight. So was his oldest brother, Wyatt. He was certain Jake Calhoun had seen his sister look this way before, but Wyatt was probably as shocked as he had been.

Talking constantly, their host escorted Lindsay and Tony through the wide front doors of the country club, where a long white limousine waited.

As soon as the door closed on the limo, they were alone, except for the driver on the other side of a partition.

“Maybe you’ve been using the wrong approach,” Tony remarked.

She smiled another full smile that revealed even, white teeth that made him inclined to agree with whatever she said.

“That’s what I decided. So we’ll see how it helps letting my hair down, getting out of my jeans and into a dress, smiling and being friendly. So far, it seems to be working rather well, don’t you think?”

“Absolutely. I don’t know why you waited this long. I keep reminding myself not to give you the deed to my ranch tonight.”

She laughed with a dazzling, irresistible smile on her lips. “The other way is a more direct approach. You know where you stand.”

“And this is a sugarcoated enticement to get what you want?”

“Oh, my, yes. I’m just getting started. When I walked up on stage, I’m sure you wanted to refuse keeping your part of the bargain.”

“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.

Her blue eyes sparkled. “Ah, so I have your attention.”

“You’ve had my full attention since that spotlight revealed you.”

He led her to the dance floor, where he turned to take her into his arms. He was intensely aware of her enticing perfume, of her soft hand in his, of her other hand skimming the back of his neck. She was soft, lithe and a good dancer, one more surprise for the evening.

“You have really hidden yourself away from a lot of fun and a lot of attention.”

“I have a life. Around the ranch and in Verity, I don’t think I’ve missed a thing. You don’t know what I do when I go to Dallas, Houston or New York.”

“No, I don’t, but I’m curious now.”

“I have a lovely time. I have friends in other places besides Verity and the ranch, you know.”

“I’ll bet you do,” he said, smiling at her.

He had seen Lindsay in one of the bars in Verity, playing poker and downing whiskey like one of the men. Now he had a hard time reconciling that image with the woman in his arms. He stared at her, amazed it was her and wondering how long this facade would last.

Even when she returned to her normal self—and she eventually would—he knew he’d never look at her in the same way again. Discovering there was an enticing side to her changed his entire view of the woman who took life too seriously.

For once, she wasn’t so serious and earnest. He knew that was her nature, though, and he warned himself not to have high expectations of partying or lovemaking. She was not the type of woman he wanted to get entangled with, but for tonight he was going to break one of his basic rules of life.

Tonight he was going to stop thinking about the past and their problems. Tonight he was simply going to enjoy being with a stunning woman whose intention was to please him. And he wanted to return the favor.

When the dance ended, he took her hand. “I think our salads have been served. Shall we go back?”

As they ate, he listened attentively while she talked about growing up a Calhoun. She avoided mentioning the family feud or any touchy subject. Instead, she related childhood memories, college incidents and ranch success stories. The whole time she spoke, he couldn’t stop picturing her blond hair long and soft over her shoulders. He wondered if she would let him take it down later. He wanted to run his fingers through the long strands, hold her close and kiss her. He wanted seduction.

Again, he wondered about her plans for the night. She had surprised him constantly since the bidding began back at the auction. In a way she was being her most devious self, but he hoped she never stopped. So far, he had loved every minute of this night since the spotlight first picked her out of the crowd.

Over their dinners, which were a thick, juicy steak cooked to perfection for him and a lobster for her, she asked about his life, and he shared some stories.

Finally, their desserts were brought out, fancy, beautifully crafted dishes that they both ignored because they were more interested in each other.

“Would you like to dance again?” he asked when she sat back.

“Of course.”

The piano player had been joined by four more musicians, and the group played a ballad that allowed him to hold Lindsay close in his arms.

“Remember,” he whispered in her ear, “for tonight, we’ll forget our battles.”

“I already have,” she said, squeezing his hand lightly and making his breath catch.

The band changed to a fast number and he released Lindsay reluctantly. Instead of returning to her seat, she began to dance in front of him, and he followed suit. As he watched her, he could feel his body heat rising. She was like a flame, her hips gyrating sensuously, her blue eyes languid and heated as if thoughts of making love were inspiring her every movement. She was sexy—another shocking discovery. She had to know the effect she was having on him. While her eyes glittered, a faint, satisfied smile hovered on her face. He wanted to yank her into his arms, lean over her until she held him tightly and plunder her soft mouth.

He danced near the wide glass doors overlooking the veranda. He opened the doors and whirled her through them onto the patio, where warm night air enveloped them.

“We can dance out here?”

“The night has cooled enough and we have this to ourselves,” he said, moving to the music that was only slightly muted. He danced out of the light spilling through the glass doors, into the shadows and stopped, looking down at her as she tilted her face up.

She was taller than most women he had gone out with, but still shorter than he was. His eyes adjusted to the August night and he could see her looking up at him as he tightened his arm around her, feeling her softness press against him.

“Ever since you walked across the stage at the country club, I’ve been wanting to do this.” Slowly, inch by inch, he leaned in closer, taking his time to steal the kiss he craved.

He wondered if it would be worth the wait.

Two

As Lindsay gazed into Tony’s eyes, her heart thudded—and not just from desire. Wanting his kiss disturbed her because it was not part of her plans for enticing him. Still, there was no denying it. Some crazy chemistry burned between them. Actually being attracted to Tony Milan had not even occurred to her as a remote possibility when she’d initially come up with her plan to get him to be friendly and to influence him to stop overpumping his groundwater, which was taking water from her wells. Somewhere in the back of her mind, a question formed in the sultry haze. Could he have been truthful when he said he wasn’t using bigger water pumps?

From the first encounter they were at odds. The initial confrontation was over the boundary between their neighboring ranches. Each had come armed with over a century’s worth of documents to prove their property lines. Tony had been the condescending Mr. Know-It-All, telling her she was wrong and how to run her ranch. He’d changed little since that first meeting. He was still a classic alpha male who had to control everything and when it came to ranching, that attitude was annoying. Tonight, though, was a whole different matter.

She was in control.

Or so she planned.

Right now she had to admit she was nearly speechless, because she had never planned or considered an attraction to Tony. She thought she could have a fun, pleasant evening and get on better footing with him. He had lots of friends, so she figured he had to have a nice side and that’s what she hoped to get to know tonight with her bachelor-auction ploy.

She had hoped to entice him, make him see her as a desirable woman, have fun and maybe even share some kisses with him so their battles would not be so bitter and he would stop doing annoying things. Instead, she was breathless around him. An attraction between them that she had not expected had flared to life.

How could he be so attractive to her? She knew already that it was because of his charm, his seductive ways, his same alpha male that annoyed her with his know-it-all, take-charge attitude, but now it thrilled her. It was aimed at her, like a missile locked on its target, and, incredibly, she found it appealing...and sexy. She was definitely seeing him in a whole new way tonight.

Still, she couldn’t help feeling her carefully laid-out plan was going off the rails a bit. Now wasn’t the time to analyze her feelings, though. Not while she was in his arms. She knew this could never continue past tonight. Feelings for Tony Milan could complicate her life big-time. But for one night only, she would go where her heart and body led her. She could only tilt her head back and go with them. And right now they were taking her closer and closer to Tony. She wanted his kiss.

Her heartbeat raced as her gaze lowered to Tony’s mouth, and she closed her eyes when his lips finally touched hers.

All thoughts fled and her heart slammed against her ribs as Tony’s warm mouth moved on hers. His lips brushed hers lightly, a tantalizing touch that heightened her need for his kiss. Every inch of her tingled as desire electrified her nerves, hot and intense.

Another warm brush of his lips and she tightened her arm around his waist, sliding her hand behind his neck to wind her fingers in his thick, short hair. Every contact was unique, special, something she’d never expected and would never forget.

His mouth settled on hers, parting her lips as his tongue thrust deep and stroked hers, slowly. It was a kiss to make her moan and cling to him, to make her want him more than was sensible and beyond what she had set as limits for tonight’s “date.” His kiss set her ablaze with desire, making her quiver for his touch and dare to touch him in kind. How could Tony’s kisses do this to her? How could he cause responses that no other man ever had?

Her knees felt weak while desire was too strong. Her heart pounded and she moaned softly against his lips. She felt as if she could kiss him for hours and still want so much more from him. As her hand slipped down over his arm, she felt the hard bulge of solid muscle even through the sleeves of his tux and shirt. The feel of that strength, that powerful maleness, rocked her. She felt as if she was hanging on to her senses by a thread.

What she was doing? Somewhere in her mind the question formed, but her thoughts were too scrambled and hungry with need to articulate an answer.

Nearby voices dimly reached her ears, barely registering in her thought processes. Tony released her slightly and for a few seconds they stared at each other. He looked as dazed as she felt, his half-lidded eyes smoky and dark, his lips wet and smeared with her lip gloss.

His voice was thick and deep when he finally spoke. “Damn, Lindsay, there’s another side to you I never knew. You’re a stranger that I’ve never met before tonight.”

“I think I can say the same thing about you,” she whispered. “All I hoped was to get you to talk to me.”

He dragged his eyes away from hers and cast a glance to the side of the veranda. He frowned slightly as voices grew louder.

“We’re not alone out here anymore,” he whispered, still studying her solemnly as if she were the first woman he had ever kissed. But she knew better than that.

“Logic says we should go inside,” she replied without moving. For seconds they continued to stare at each other until Tony took her arm and led her silently back inside. The small band was playing another fast number and they moved to the dance floor, stepping out in time to the throbbing beat. Still stunned by his kiss, she watched him dance, his black tux jacket swinging open as he moved with a masculine grace that was sensual, sexy, his hips gyrating and making her think of being in bed with him.

She felt her cheeks flame and looked up to meet his gaze. It was as if he read her mind. Desire was blatant in his eyes.

The band slipped into a slow ballad and Tony took her hand, drawing her into his arms to dance close. Their bodies were pressed together, his hardness against her curves, and she didn’t know how long she’d be able to stay in his arms like this before she would combust. He pulled back ever so slightly to look down at her, and she was caught in his solemn gaze. For the first time, she realized his eyes were blue, with green flecks in their depths. He had thick dark brown eyelashes, straight brown hair that was neatly cut and short.

Tony Milan was handsome.

Down deep she had always thought that, in spite of how annoyed she had usually been with him. But up close like this now, she could no longer view him in any such detached manner. Not after that kiss. Tony Milan wasn’t dime a dozen “handsome.” No. He was drop-dead gorgeous.

And she wanted him to kiss her again.

The realization surprised her on top of the other jolting shocks of this night. Was she going to regret her decision to see if she could win him over with enticement and sweetness? It wasn’t sweetness Tony was bringing out in her tonight. It was desire. She wanted to be alone with him and she wanted him to kiss her again. She wanted to kiss and hold him, to run her hands over him. There was no way she was going to bed with him—she’d established that boundary from the start—but she wanted more than she’d originally planned.

The night had lost its sense of reality and become a moment out of time. Everything had changed. Desire was hot, constant. Tony was sexy, virile, charming, appealing, and tonight he was the most desirable man she had ever known.

She had never expected or planned on a night like this one. Since she had decided to own a ranch, she had never wanted to date other ranchers or cowboys. She knew them too well and she didn’t want them telling her how to conduct her business on the Rocking L Ranch. She loved her ranch—it was her whole life. No one had the right to come along and tell her how to run it. How many times had Tony done exactly that?

Tonight was different, though. Tony was different. How much would tonight change their relationship as neighboring ranchers? Or would they go back home with the same attitudes they had always had?

She knew she wouldn’t and she didn’t think he would, either.

And then she couldn’t think anymore. Tony moved her hand against his chest and covered it with his own, pulling her even closer, as if wrapping their joined hands in the heat from their bodies. She inhaled the scent of his woodsy aftershave, a musky scent that was all male. She gave herself over to him and let him lead her with his sure steps. They were totally in sync as they moved, their long legs pressed against each other’s. The contact was electrifying. She wanted to keep dancing with him for hours, almost as much as she wanted to be alone with him, in his arms and kissing him. Was that where the evening would lead, or would he follow the auction itinerary and go back to the Dallas country club, kiss her good-night and each of them drive away? To her surprise, that wasn’t the way she wanted to end the evening.

For the next hour they danced and she realized Tony was fun to be with when he wanted to be. He had her laughing over things he had done with her brothers over the years. She knew he was friends with them even though they were older. She was the only Calhoun who actively fought with him, but she had always blamed Tony for being such a know-it-all and so uncooperative as a neighbor. For tonight, though, she saw none of that. Far from it. He looked as if he was having a wonderful time and he helped her to have a wonderful time.

There was one rational part of her that cried out a warning: she needed to remember why she bid on him. She couldn’t let her plan backfire on her. When this night was over, she’d still need what she came here for—and that wasn’t a relationship with Tony Milan. A relationship was the one thing she needed to avoid at all costs, because it would vastly complicate her life. She was here only to win his friendship so he would discuss their problems with her. If possible, even talk about their water situation.

From her earliest memories she had been taught by her grandparents not to trust Milans. Now her brother had married one and he was blissfully happy. She had to admit that she liked and trusted her sister-in-law Madison. And a distant Calhoun cousin—Destiny—had married a Milan—Wyatt, who was sheriff of Verity. Wyatt had been a shock because he proved untrue everything Lindsay had been taught by her grandparents and mother about Milans. In all her dealings with Wyatt, she had found him to be honest, friendly, fair and definitely trustworthy.

She gazed at Tony’s handsome features and wondered if he could be trusted, as well. As they danced, he constantly touched her, looked intently at her. He paid her compliments, got her whatever refreshment she wanted. All his attention, his casual touches, increased her awareness of him, as well as her desire for him. She fought the temptation to tell him that she wanted to go someplace where they could be alone. She had a hotel room in Dallas for the night provided by the auction board. She could invite him back for a drink.

As much as she told herself she wanted to kiss him again, she knew where the kissing might lead. And she couldn’t make love with Tony. Difficult as it was to curb her desire, she had no other choice.

Finally, as the band took a break, Tony turned to her. “It’s time for us to meet our chauffeur so we can take the plane back to Dallas. It’s all arranged to get us back by midnight, so we should go now.”

“Let me pick up my purse,” she said.

On their flight home, Tony embodied the perfect gentleman, continuing to surprise her. She’d known he had to have a good side to him, but she’d never expected to be charmed by him or even find him such enjoyable company. Certainly not once had she thought she would be attracted to him or see him as a sexy, exciting man whose kiss set her heart pounding.

As they flew back to Dallas, Tony reached for her hand, holding it in his. “The evening will still be young when we get home. We can go dancing or just go have a drink and talk. Better yet, I have a condo in Dallas. Come back with me. I’ll take you to your hotel whenever you want. We can have the place to ourselves.”

Eagerness to draw out the evening made it easy to answer. “Let’s go to your place,” she said. “I don’t want tonight to end yet. It’s been fun, Tony. I know things will go back somewhat to the way they were because that’s reality, but this has been a special night.”

“You have no idea how special it has been. Things may go back to sort of like they were, but they won’t ever again be the same as before. You’ll no longer have an antagonistic neighbor. I promise.”

“Dare I hope,” she gasped, clutching her heart, making him laugh. Shaking her head, she smiled. “There’s no way this truce is going to last.”

“I’ll try if you will,” he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief, and she had to laugh in return.

“I promise I’ll try, too,” she said, looking into his eyes and again feeling an electrifying current spark between them.

“I keep waiting for a pitch from you to get me to agree to something. You all but admitted that’s the purpose of your bidding for me tonight.”

“Maybe I’ve delayed that original agenda,” she said in a sultry voice. “I’m having fun, Tony. Fun that I don’t want to spoil. The night is magical, a trip into a world that doesn’t really exist. But for a few hours, we can pretend it does and enjoy it.”

He raised her hand and brushed a light kiss on her knuckles, his breath warm on her hand.

“I’m glad,” he said. “I’m not ready to tell you good- night and watch you walk away.” He placed his hands on the arms of her seat, facing her and leaning close, his voice dropping to a whisper as he said, “I want to hold you and kiss you again.”

Her heart thudded and for the first time she realized she might be in trouble. Was Tony the one who would get what he wanted out of tonight instead of her? She’d planned to wring concessions from him, but now it seemed he was once again in control and she was under his spell. Not once had it crossed her mind that she could be so beguiled by him.

And she was powerless to stop it.

His gaze lowered to her mouth and suddenly she couldn’t get her breath. She tingled, feeling as if she strained to lean closer to him while she actually didn’t move at all. He moved closer, until his mouth settled on hers. He kissed her, another kiss that set her heart racing and made her want to move into his lap, wrap her arms around him and kiss for the rest of the flight.

Instead, in seconds—or was it minutes?—she shifted away. “This plane isn’t the place,” she whispered reluctantly. She had to keep her wits about her. Had to mind her goal of working out her water problem, at least partially. Still, her breath came quick and shallow, matching his own.

Looking at her mouth, he didn’t move for a moment and her heart continued to drum a frantic rhythm. He leaned closer to whisper in her ear, “I want to kiss you for hours.” His words caused a tremor to rock her. Another shock added to the continual shocks of the night. She had no choice but to admit the truth—she wanted him to kiss her for hours.

As his gaze met hers, he scooted back into his seat and buckled his seat belt again.

When her breathing returned to normal, she tried for conversation.

“Why do you have a condo in Dallas? I thought you were as much into ranching as my brother Mike, that both of you had devoted your lives solely to ranching.”

“I’m on two boards that meet in Dallas—for my brothers. Wyatt has recently acquired a bank and I’m on that board. Nick recently became owner of a trucking company with two close friends and I’m on that board, too. In Dallas, I have a small condo and I like having a place of my own I can go relax when I’m in the city. It’s convenient even though I don’t spend a lot of time there. I don’t have a regular staff in Dallas unless I plan to stay a long time, which rarely happens. Then I hire from a local agency to cook and clean.”

“That makes sense.”

“I spend most of my time on my ranch. When we’re back in our regular routines, I’d like for you to come over to the MH Ranch sometime. I have a new horse and I’m boarding a new quarter horse that Josh bought. You’re welcome to come see them, ride them and tell me what you think.”

“Sure,” she said. “I suspect you better let all the guys who work for you know that you invited me or they’ll tell me I’m trespassing and toss me off your ranch.”

He laughed. “I’ll tell them. Now if you’ll come wearing a dress with your hair down, they’ll be so dazzled, there’s no way they’ll mention trespassing. Far from it. We’ll all welcome you with open arms.”

Smiling, she shook her head. “Nice try, but I don’t wear a dress to ride a horse.” She shrugged. “In fact, I don’t wear a dress anywhere around home. But you can tell them I’m coming.”

“Sure. Better yet, let me know beforehand and I’ll pick you up. I probably should do that anyway, so they all know we have a truce of sorts.” He turned more so that he faced her in his seat. “And it is a truce, Lindsay. Definite and permanent. I’ll never again be able to fight with you.”

“Don’t say things you don’t mean, Tony. Your intentions might be good, but there is no way this side of hell that you’ll be able to stick by that statement.”

Once again he leaned in closer and her heartbeat quickened as it had before. “Yes, there is definitely a way that I can be influenced to stick by that statement. You can wind me around your little finger if you really want to.”

“I don’t believe that one.”

“You should,” he said, settling back in his seat again. “Before tonight, did you ever think we would get along as well as we have?”

“Of course not.” She tilted her head to study him. “In some ways, we’re strangers. There’s a lot I don’t know about you.”

“That’s true and a lot I don’t know about you. But strangers? No way, Lindsay. There is much I want to explore and discover about you and I intend to do that tonight,” he said in a husky voice that made her heartbeat jump again.

Cutting into their conversation, their pilot announced descent into Dallas, and in a short time Lindsay looked out at the twinkling city lights spread far into the distance.

“Do you have your car at the club?” Tony asked.

“No. I left it at the hotel and took a cab.”

“Good thinking,” he said.

Once they arrived back at the country club, a valet brought Tony’s car around and in minutes they drove through the iron gates to his condo complex.

As soon as Lindsay entered his unit, she walked through his entry hall to cross the spacious living room and look out over the sparkling lights of downtown Dallas.

“You have a gorgeous view.”

“Do I ever,” he said, and she smiled when she turned to see him looking at her.

“I meant the city lights,” she explained, knowing he understood exactly what she had referred to.

“Want a drink?” he asked.

“Yes. White wine, please.”

He removed his jacket and tie, dropping them on a chair, and walked to a bar in a corner of the room.

“This is a large living area. It’s very nice,” she said, looking at comfortable brown leather chairs and a long leather sofa.

“It’s convenient when I’m here, which is not too often. A few days here and I’m ready for the ranch.”

“That I understand,” she said, crossing to the bar to perch on a stool and watch him pour her wine.

“I have a full bar if you prefer something else.”

“The wine is good.”

He handed her the glass and picked up a cold beer. “I figured you for a cold brew,” he said, smiling at her. He set his bottle on the counter, his gaze skimming over her legs when her skirt fell open just above her knees. “Lindsay, it’s a crime to hide legs like yours all the time.”

“You have no idea what I do all the time. We see each other about once every four or five months at best.”

“That I intend to change.”

She shook her head. “You know as well as I do that we’ll go right back to our usual way of life when the sun rises in the morning.”

“I hope to hell not,” he said, holding up his bottle of beer in a toast. “Here’s to the most beautiful neighbor I’ll ever have and to a night I’ll never forget.”

Laughing softly, she touched his bottle with her wineglass and sipped her wine.

“Here’s to the day we can both be civil to each other,” she said.

“I’ll drink to that.” He touched her glass, took a sip of beer and set his bottle on the bar. “But we’re going to be much more than civil to each other,” he said, the amusement no longer visible in his expression. With his deep blue eyes gazing intently at her, he took her drink from her hand and placed it on the bar. Her heartbeat quickened in anticipation while desire burned in the depths of his eyes.

“I’ve waited all evening for this moment—to be alone with you,” he said, stepping closer. His arm circled her waist and he lifted her off the bar stool easily, standing her on her feet and drawing her into his embrace as his gaze lowered to her mouth.

Desire made her draw a deep breath as he leaned closer, and then she closed her eyes, winding her arms around his neck, surrendering to his kiss.

The moment his mouth settled on hers, her heart slammed against her ribs as passion ignited and desire overwhelmed her. Tony was hard, his chest sculpted with muscles, his biceps like rocks from constant ranch work. She breathed in his scent and knew she would remember it forever. She wound her fingers through his short hair and returned his kiss, wanting to stir him as much as he did her. She tightened her arms around him without having to stand on tiptoe to kiss him because her heels added inches to her height.

As Tony drew her more tightly against him, his warm hand played over her bare back and then up to her shoulders. Dimly she felt him push away her straps as they slipped down on her arms. In seconds she was aware of slight tugs to her scalp when he removed the pins and her hair fell over her shoulders and down on her back.

Slowly, while he kissed her senseless, he drew away each pin until finally her hair framed her face.

He raised his head to look at her, running his fingers slowly through the long locks. “You’re so beautiful. You take my breath away, Lindsay,” he whispered, sounding as if he meant every word. How could she find this pleasure with Tony? Or want him so desperately?

She had meant this night to be lighthearted, friendly, seductive, so afterward he would be civil to her and try to cooperate with her. She hadn’t considered there could be this unbelievable, fiery attraction that he seemed to feel as much as she did.

No matter what he said, they’d go back to their old ways after tonight, though maybe not as contentious. This blazing attraction was for one night only. Tonight she wanted this time with him because she had never before desired or reacted to a man the way she did Tony.

His gaze shifted to her mouth and he leaned down to kiss her again. How long they stood kissing, she didn’t know, but at some point, Tony picked her up to carry her to the sofa, switching off the overhead lighting, leaving only the bar light glowing softly.

She planned on some kisses and caresses and then she’d stop. Truthfully, she had never even planned on this much. Dancing, some laughs, a good time, maybe some flirting as she tried to soften him up so he would be more receptive to what she wanted.

She had never dreamed it was possible for Tony’s kisses to turn her world upside down, to make her heartbeat race and cause her to desire him more than any other man. She was on fire. As if of their own accord, her hips shifted slightly against him, pressing tightly and feeling his hardness. He was ready for her.

Astounded by the need she felt for him and the response his kisses evoked in her, she kissed him wildly, her fingers unfastening the studs on his shirt, finally pushing away the fabric. Wanting to touch him, she ran her hands over his warm, rock-hard chest, growing bolder when she heard him take a deep, trembling breath. He set her on her feet while he continued to kiss her.

She felt his fingers at her waist at the back of her dress and then felt him tug down the zipper. He ran his hand lightly over her bottom and she moaned softly as her desire intensified.

While he kissed her, his hands slipped lightly up her back and across her shoulders and then came down to push her red dress over her hips so it fell softly around her ankles.

Tony stepped back to look at her. She wore only lacy bikini panties.

His eyes had darkened to a stormy blue-green and he let out a ragged breath. “I’ll never forget this moment,” he whispered, and stepped to her to crush her against him, kissing her deeply, a kiss that made her feel wanted and loved. She knew she wasn’t loved by him, but he made her feel that way, as if he needed her more than he had ever needed any other woman.

He showered kisses on her throat while his hands cupped her full breasts and his thumbs circled their tips. His kisses moved lower until his lips met one breast while his hands caressed the other.

Running her fingers in his hair, she gasped with pleasure when his tongue circled her nipple. She was awash in desire, wanting him more than she had ever dreamed possible. She wanted his loving; she wanted all of him.

She had made a decision much earlier to end this night before it led to lovemaking, and she’d stuck with it even as they flew back to Dallas. But now desire forced her to rethink her decision, instinctively feeling that this moment would not come again.

Common sense told her that, come morning, they would go back, at least partially, to the arguments they had had all their adult lives. Tonight was special, a once-in-a-lifetime magical night that would never come again, and what they did tonight, all their loving, would carry no ties after dawn.

Tony was incredible. No man had ever excited her the way he had, and no man would ever make love to her the way she knew he would. Beyond that, she was unable to think when his hands and mouth were on her. But she was able to make a decision. She pulled back and looked into his eyes.

“Tony, I’m not protected.”

He raised his head, kissing her lightly. “I’ll take care of it,” he whispered, and leaned down to kiss and fondle her other breast.

She wanted him with all her being, wanted to make love with him for the rest of the night. With deliberation her fingers unfastened his trousers. He grasped her wrist and she paused as he released her to yank off his boots and then his socks. He dropped them carelessly to the floor and returned to kissing her while she pushed down his trousers and then peeled away his briefs.

Her heartbeat raced as her gaze swept over his muscled body. His manhood was thick and hard, ready to love. Stepping closer, she caressed him while he stroked and showered her with kisses.

He picked her up again, kissing her when he carried her through his condo. She clung to him with her eyes closed as they kissed. He touched a light and she glanced quickly to see they were in a bedroom. She returned to kissing him until he stood her on her feet. He reached down to yank away the comforter covering his high, king-size bed.

Watching him, she felt her heart drum in anticipation of the pleasure he would give her. As her gaze swept over his muscled body, she trembled. He stepped back, looking at her in a slow, thorough study that made her tingle as much as if his fingers had moved over her in feathery caresses.

“So beautiful, so perfect,” he whispered, drawing her into his embrace as he leaned over her to kiss her hungrily. His hard erection pressed against her, his hard body hot and solid against her.

Why did she want him so desperately and respond to him so intensely? His slightest touch set her quivering and his kisses rocked her, building in her a need unlike she had ever felt before. How could she have found this with Tony?

She couldn’t answer her question. Nor did she care. She just wanted Tony and his loving for the rest of the night.

He lifted her into his arms again and placed her on the white sheets, kneeling beside her, his knees lightly pressing against her thighs. Then, as if in a dream—or a fantasy—he rained kisses from her ankles to her mouth.

She writhed, her hips moving slightly as blinding need built inside her until she wanted him more than she ever thought possible.

“Tony, make love to me,” she whispered.

“Not so fast, darlin’. We’re going to take our time and love for hours,” he whispered, still showering her with kisses.

His endearment, spoken in a tender voice that she had never heard before from him, was as effective as his caresses.

“Tony,” she gasped, sitting up to grasp his shoulders. “Make love to me. Let me love you.”

“Shh, darlin’,” he said softly while he kissed her breasts between his words. “Lie down and turn over, let me kiss you,” he said, pushing gently.

She rolled onto her stomach and he picked up her foot to kiss her ankle lightly and then brush kisses higher up the back of her leg. He traced circles with his tongue on the back of her knee.

Digging her fingers into the bed, she raised her head slightly to look over her shoulder. “Tony, I can’t touch or kiss you this way.”

“You will soon,” he whispered, and returned to his tender ministrations, trailing his tongue slowly up the back and then along the inside of her thigh.

Aflame with longing, she twisted and rolled over, sitting up to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him, pouring all her hunger for him into her kiss, wanting to drive him as wild as he had her.

They fell back on the bed with Tony over her, his weight welcome against her. While she moved her hips against him, he kissed her as he rolled beside her. “Do you like me to touch you here?” he whispered, fondling her breast. “Do you want me to kiss you here?” he whispered, moving to brush kisses on her inner thigh, watching her as he did. “You’re beautiful.”

His words heightened the moment, making her more aware of him and what he was doing while she was lost in sensation and desire.

While he kissed her, his hand trailed up her leg to the inside of her thighs. When he stroked her she gasped with pleasure.

His hand moved against her, driving her to new heights. She didn’t think she could take more and she reveled in the feelings he evoked in her. Needing him, she reached out and took him in one hand as her other played over his chest.

She wanted him to feel the same heady sensations he was strumming in her, so she caressed him, eliciting a growl deep in his throat. He stopped her, but he continued to love her, driving her to the brink, lifting her to the precipice of release. And then, when she was about to fall over, he pulled his touch away, shifting his hands to caress her breasts as he also showered them with kisses.

Her fingers wound in his hair. “Tony, I want you. I’m ready,” she gasped, moaning with pleasure as he continued to kiss each breast, his tongue drawing lazy circles over each nipple. His fingers dallied on her stomach, but when they slipped lower, she arched against him, thrusting her hips and spreading her legs to give him access.

That was all the urging he needed. Or so she thought. He moved between her legs and she clutched his buttocks, pulling him toward her. “Tony, I want you now,” she whispered. But he didn’t enter her.

The warm, solid weight of him pressed against her as he stretched over her and kissed her with a hunger that made her heart pound even harder. She wrapped her long legs around him, wanting him more with each second that ticked past. Never before had she wanted to make love as much as she did now.

“Tony,” she whispered again, the rest of her words smothered by his mouth covering hers and his tongue entwining with hers.

How could she want him so much? She couldn’t answer her own question, she just knew she did. She ached for him, her pulse pounding. “Tony, I can’t keep waiting...”

“Yes, you can and it’ll be better than ever,” he said. He laved her breasts, teasing her nipples between his teeth, and she felt a tug between her legs. All the while, his hands caressed her, binding them in one night of lovemaking that she would always remember. Though this night could not be repeated, she knew this was the time to make memories she’d carry with her forever.

“I want you now,” she finally gasped, tugging him closer.

He stepped off the bed to open a night table drawer and then he watched her, his eyes burning her, as he stood beside the bed to slowly put on the condom.

As she caressed his thigh, her hips shifted slightly in anticipation. She wished he would hurry. Then, he knelt between her legs, his eyes still on hers, as he finally entered her. She wrapped her legs around him again, caressing his smooth, muscled back and hard buttocks, as he slowly thrust into her. She cried out, arching to meet him, wanting him to move with her to give her release for all the tension that coiled tightly in her.

Hot and hard, his manhood filled her, moving slowly, driving her to greater need as she clung to him and moved beneath him in perfect sync.

“Now,” she cried, running her hands over his muscled thighs. He obeyed her, and her hips moved faster, her head thrashing as she was lost in the throes of passion, until finally he gave one last thrust, deep and hard, and she cried out. Arching under him, her fingers raking his back, her hips thrusting against him, she found that elusive release and he followed her, bursting within her.

“Tony,” she cried.

“Ah, darlin’...” He ground out the words through clenched teeth as his body continued to move over hers.

Finally, satiated, they stilled.

“You’re fantastic in every way,” he whispered, kissing her temple lightly, trailing light kisses down her cheek and sighing as he lowered his weight carefully onto her.

Gasping for breath, she clung to him while her heartbeat and breathing returned to normal. Tony rolled to his side. He kept her with him, his legs entwined with hers.

“I don’t want to let you go.”

“You don’t have to right now. I want to stay here in your arms, against you. Tony, this has been a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime night.”

“I agree,” he said, hugging her lightly and kissing her forehead. “Our lives have changed.”

“Not really. It may not ever again be as bad or as hateful, but tonight doesn’t really change what we’ll face tomorrow. My water problems, you telling me what I should or should not do, not to mention the next thing that’ll come up between us.”

There was silence while he toyed with locks of her hair. It seemed to her that many minutes went by until he finally spoke. “There’s one question I’d like you to answer. Is water what was behind your high bid tonight? You wanted something from me, Lindsay, and I haven’t heard one word about what it is.”

Three

At his question, she felt her very core stiffen. She didn’t want to get into that with him lying beside her and her wrapped in his arms. She didn’t want to say anything that would upset him and break the spell that had been woven around them.

“We’ll talk about that tomorrow. Tonight is special, Tony. I want to keep it magical until the sun rises and brings the reality of our regular lives back to us. Is that okay with you?”

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