“Yes, of course.”
She shook her head. No way did she want to spend any more time with Ty than was absolutely necessary. “I’ve got a rodeo to put on. I’ll be dead on my feet after I see that the animals are all fed and bedded down for the night. It will be late. Thanks but no thanks.”
She turned to leave and felt Ty’s firm fingers grasp her elbow. “Wait.”
She spun back to look into his eyes. She couldn’t guess what he had to say to her or what he thought would change her mind.
“We’ve got some decisions to make before Tuesday, Mandy. We need time to talk.”
“I already made my decision.” Though she hadn’t been able to rid her mind of the question.
Every time she looked into Ty’s dark, dangerous eyes, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to wed the man. What would it be like to finally feel all the power of his body against hers? Heck, what would it be like just to feel those demanding lips again?
Though he’d only been nineteen during that fateful summer, he’d been far more experienced than she in the loving department. There had been nothing tentative or na?ve about his kisses. Or his touch. And with her, he’d found ample opportunity and an eager partner. But that was then. She was older, and hopefully wiser, and a lot more demanding in her own right.
She just wished she didn’t feel an electric zing ping through her when he was in sight. If there wasn’t that ludicrous provision, and the fact he was ready to sell her company, things might have even happened naturally in the one-night-stand department. But only one night. Just to see.
“There’s no decision until Tuesday. And I think we owe it to JM—and ourselves—to give it the weekend. Once we make a choice, there’s no going back. Don’t tell me you’re afraid to have a drink together.”
She shrugged out of his grasp, hoping to break that potent spell that wrapped around her whenever he was near.
“Not afraid. Just not interested.”
“Most women I know would be interested.”
“I’m not most women.”
“Not often someone offers you a company in return for a six-month relationship.” He stood there, sleeves rolled up, arms crossed over his chest and an amused expression on his face, like this was some game. Fine hair dusted his forearms, and a five o’clock shadow outlined his jaw. She should be appalled at his arrogance, but instead she was rattled by the fact he actually wanted to get married.
“Why do you want to discuss it? To get more company shares? Is that what you want from this?” There had to be a money angle to this self-proclaimed bachelor’s sudden interest in getting married.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead he stared at her as if he expected her to guess the answer to that question and leaned forward so his lips were a whisper from hers. The heat of his breath teased across her mouth, causing a little shiver of recognition. She resisted the urge to step back even as her pulse ticked at her temple like a time bomb’s clock on a short fuse.
“I want you, Mandy. In my bed and happy to be there. That’s what I want.”
He lowered his face, and his lips swept across hers.
Like a match igniting a brush fire, heat zinged through her body in a rush. She felt light headed as his arms encircled her and his hands pressed against her back. His tongue touched the seam of her lips, and they parted like he’d pressed some automated opener. He tasted like coffee and man, and she felt her body melt like she was the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz. If he hadn’t been holding her, she’d be a liquid pool on the dirt floor. His hands rubbed her back, and the hard bulge in his pants rubbed her crotch. His tongue invaded to dance with hers while his warm lips swirled over her mouth, making her give more than she’d intended. Even at nineteen, he’d held a black belt in kissing. Like two people going over the edge, they were free-falling together.
Her mind struggled against the need his wonderful mouth called forth. This wasn’t a dream. This wasn’t a fantasy. This was her life. She needed to stay in control of it.
Summoning all the willpower her weak body could muster, she pushed away. And stared into startled eyes filled with desire, passion, lust. She took a step back, amazed she had brought forth all that. And not at all surprised there was no tenderness, no emotion, no affection to go with it.
“I’ve got to go,” she managed to say. “Parade’s starting. You’ll need to mount up too.”
He took a step toward her, crowding her. “Just promise you’ll keep an open mind, Mandy. Six months. And that kiss was a testament that it would be six very enjoyable months. We’re goddamn combustible.”
Chapter 6