“Thanks, Tony. That was nice of you,” she said, running her fingers over the dark stubble on his jaw. “I have to say, I didn’t know I could ever be quite so fascinated by a cowboy’s body.”
“I guarantee you, I’m totally fascinated by a cowgirl’s body,” he said, trailing his fingers lightly over her breasts. Even though she had a sheet pulled up over her, she felt his feathery caresses, and her rapidly heating body responded to them.
“A beautiful blonde cowgirl,” he continued, as his eyes seemed to feast on her. “I want you here with me as long as possible.”
She felt the same way and had no desire to get up and leave him. Though her heart wished the night could go on forever, she couldn’t get her head around the fact that she was in Tony Milan’s bed. “My family would never believe we’re together tonight. No one would.”
“All those people who heard what you paid for a night with me will believe it.”
She laughed. “I suppose you’re right.” She rolled over and sat up slightly to look down at him. “You’re really amazing, you know that? Tonight is astonishing. I never dreamed it would be like this.”
“I promise you that I didn’t, either.” His face took on a sheepish look. “When I stepped out on that auction stage earlier, I didn’t really think anyone would bid for me.”
“Now that is ridiculous.”
“I’m just a cowboy.”
“A cowboy named Milan—a name that’s well known in these parts. And a very wealthy rancher,” she remarked. “With all the ranches and businesses owned by your family, I think you could count on someone bidding for an evening with you.”
“Who bid against you? I couldn’t see either one of you because of the lights in my eyes, not until you stood to come to the stageand a spotlight picked you out. As soon as I laid eyes on you, my attitude about the evening did an immediate reversal.”
She smiled at him. “I don’t know who bid against me. There were people from Dallas and Lubbock there, and from other places, as well. Probably one of your old girlfriends who wasn’t ready to say goodbye,” she said.
“Let’s not discuss my old girlfriends,” he said through a grin. “I’d much rather talk about you anyway. I still say if you’d wear a dress to town, you’d have a slew of guys asking you out.”
“I don’t want a ‘slew’ of locals asking me out, thank you very much.”
“Why not? There are nice guys out there.”
“Sure there are, but they’re ranchers and cowboys. I don’t want to go out with ranchers or cowboys.”
“You could’ve fooled me. You paid a small fortune to go out with a rancher tonight, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“I won’t ever forget you,” she said, hoping she kept her voice light, but a shiver slithered down her spine because she suspected she had spoken the absolute truth. This had turned into the best night of her life because of Tony. He’d charmed her, seduced her and become the most appealing man she had ever known—as long as she didn’t think about him as a rancher.
He didn’t let the subject drop. Instead, he questioned her. “Why don’t you want to go out with ranchers or cowboys? We’re nice guys.”
“I know you guys are nice. It’s just that—” She stopped, hesitating to tell him the truth. But Tony deserved an answer to his question. “I’m a ranch owner, remember? I’m not a party girl out for fun. I’m also not a sweetie who’ll go dancing and come home and cook and have a family and kiss a cowboy goodbye every morning while he goes out to work and listen politely to him at night while he tells me bits and pieces about what hehad to do at work. Even worse, I don’t want to fall for another rancher and have him tell me how to run my ranch.”
“I should have guessed. Two bosses can’t run a ranch.”
“Not my ranch,” she said.
“If you don’t marry a rancher or a cowboy, the guy is going to want to move you to the city.”
“Now you’re beginning to get the picture—the complete picture—of why I never wear dresses. I can’t imagine marrying a city guy, either, so there you are.” She gave a nod of her head, then shrugged. “I have a nice life. I have my nephew, Scotty, who stays with me a lot, and soon there will be another baby in Mike’s family.”
“But, Lindsay, you were meant for marriage in so many ways. I hope some guy comes along and sweeps you off your feet and you can’t say no. Rancher or city guy.”
She giggled. “My, oh, my. Is this a sideways proposal?”
He grinned. “You know better than that. We’re doing well together tonight, but for a lifetime...? Would you want that?”
She studied him, knowing she had to make light of his question, but another shiver ran down her spine and she couldn’t explain why. She squeezed his biceps. “Mmm, you do make good husband material. You have all your teeth and they look in good shape and you’re healthy and strong and light on your feet. And you’re incredibly sexy.” She gave an exaggerated sigh. “Given our past and probably our future, I think I have to answer...no.”
“Incredibly sexy? Oh, darlin’, come here.” He drew her closer, but she resisted and placed her hand against his chest.
“Whoa, cowboy. Don’t let that compliment go to your head...or other parts,” she said, and he grinned.