The next six weeks passed in a blur. Ever since she’d had lunch with Mikhail that Tuesday, they’d become an item. They went horseback riding on the weekends, and usually had dinner together as well. During the week, Mikhail took her to lunch, and she’d invited him to dinner at her place. She’d even closed the boutique a little early that day, so she’d have time to cook him beef pot roast with steamed baby vegetables. His praise of the simple but tasty meal had made her blush, but unfortunately the fare hadn’t tempted him to suggest he stay the night.
Each time she saw him their kisses became even hotter, but he’d never once suggested she spend the night with him. Make love with him.
As well as dating Mikhail, Amber made a conscious effort to devote more time with Barney, and to her relief, he hadn’t bitten her again.
Yesterday afternoon, she and Mikhail had ridden the horses through his patch of woodland. Afterwards, they’d had dinner at the farmhouse; Mikhail cooked Beef Stroganoff. And she’d been ready and waiting for him to make a move on her afterward.
Amber frowned, barely noticing the sunny day as she drove to Mikhail’s. She’d been positive that last night would be the night, the night when Mikhail would take her to bed, but once again her hopes had been dashed. She’d even bought pretty silk lingerie from the boutique, grateful for her staff discount, and had worn the matching cream bra and panties set last night, under her horseback riding attire of jeans and a new plum shirt that brought out the green flecks in her hazel eyes.
But after their evening coffee, Mikhail had walked her to the barn, helped her load Barney into the trailer and given her a scorching kiss goodnight. No dragging her off to the bedroom, darn it, or unbuttoning her blouse and being tempted by her new lingerie, or even snuggling together on his comfy leather couch in the living room.
Although he had offered to let Barney stay the night, so she wouldn’t be troubled by unloading her horse from the trailer in the evening gloom when she arrived home.
She nibbled her lip, glad she could see the amusing side of her horse being invited to stay over while she wasn’t.
But while she’d been disappointed as she drove home last night, she had to admit, she felt the tiniest bit relieved.
He hadn’t seen her naked yet.
Perhaps when he did, everything would change. Perhaps he wouldn’t want to see her anymore. She was ordinary Amber Dawson, manager of a little boutique in a small Wyoming town. She also had a bust, hips and a tummy. Curves.
If Mikhail saw her nude, then he might realize that he wasn’t attracted to her after all. He was tall, handsome, sexy, with an exotic Russian accent, a talented horse trainer, and owned his own ranch.
Apart from their love of horses, what did they have in common?
When she’d shyly told her girlfriends that she was dating Mikhail, they’d been happy for her. They’d made her feel that it was entirely natural that a gorgeous man like Mikhail would be attracted to her.
But when she was alone, sometimes she would wake up in the middle of the night, wondering if tomorrow Mikhail would come to his senses and decide he was no longer interested in her.
To her relief, that hadn’t happened - yet. But she knew she had to be prepared in case it did.
Today, she was meeting Mikhail for lunch at the farmhouse. Last night, when she’d been undressing for bed at her cottage - alone - she discovered she’d lost her cute pink bead bracelet. She knew she shouldn’t have worn it out riding yesterday, especially since she suspected the clasp was a little loose, but she’d wanted to look pretty for their date, and had succumbed to temptation. The bracelet hadn’t been expensive, but it was her favorite, and she didn’t want to lose it.
This morning she’d looked in the yard, the garage, the driveway, Barney’s stable and paddock - everywhere, including the cottage - to no avail. She’d called Mikhail early this morning about it, and he’d suggested she come over for lunch and afterwards, they could go for a walk in the woods and see if they could find it. He hadn’t noticed it when he fed the horses at six o’clock that morning.
It was her day off from the boutique, and she hadn’t made any plans. With any luck, they would find it after lunch.
Amber pulled into Mikhail’s driveway, slowing down on the gravel road. She’d left Barney at home today since this would hopefully be a romantic stroll through the woods as well as looking for her bracelet.
After last night, when Mikhail hadn’t suggested she stay overnight, she’d decided not to get her hopes up today. Instead of wearing expensive silk lingerie, she’d opted for her usual good quality but practical underwear. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about him seeing her naked today.
She parked outside the farmhouse and got out of the car. “Hi,” she called out, spying him near the barn.
“Amber.” He smiled, striding toward her.
Butterflies fluttered in her tummy as she watched him come nearer. Was she really dating this gorgeous guy? How did she get so lucky? Resolving to push away the lingering doubts as to why he wasn’t urging to take their relationship to the next level, she decided to just enjoy his company today.