Cooking For Cowboy (Stampede Sizzlers) by Brenda Sinclair Page A

insides did a little flip.
    “Has my mother attempted to worm her way into your kitchen yet?” he asked, gazing into her eyes.
    “Nope. I haven’t seen ‘hide nor wheel’ of her,” answered Sierra, smiling at her own joke.
    Chad chuckled. “Good. I don’t want her bothering you. Remember, you’re in charge.”
    “Thank you. I appreciate having you in my corner. But I still think she could make a valuable contribution, providing she behaved herself.” Sierra’s heart rate increased while Chad played with her fingers. Now he was sensuously stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. She was finding it increasingly difficult to carry on this conversation. Was he even listening to anything she said?
    “How were your first few days here?” he asked, lifting her hand to his mouth. “No regrets?”
    She wondered if he was referring to their evening in the hot tub. Was he finally ready to discuss what had happened? Her heartbeat quickened at the thought. She hadn’t felt embarrassed that night, but now...
    “My time here has been wonderful. I even look forward to crawling out of bed at the crack of dawn. Can you believe I just said that?” She laughed as he kissed each finger one at a time. Why did she enjoy his touch so much?
    “No,” he responded, chuckling. “Judging by your sleepy-eyed appearance that first day, I got the impression you weren’t a morning person.”
    “Certainly not.” She wanted desperately to slip her arms around his neck, to run her fingers through those dark curls; his hair would feel so soft. Maybe she should just nibble on his earlobe. Would she shock him if she did? Ever since that night in the hot tub, she longed for his touch again. And to touch him.
    “You’re becoming a real ranch cook,” he observed, wrapping his arms around her waist.
    Had he been contemplating the same things she had?
    “How so?” she managed to whisper.
    “You’ve got the uncomplaining, easy-going part down pat. Celia tells me she enjoys working with you, sharing a laugh several times a day. I reviewed and paid the invoices for your kitchen orders. I don’t know how you’re doing it, but you’re saving me a lot of money.” Chad pulled her close against his body and her heart almost stopped. A heat wave surged through her when the evidence of his attraction pressed against her.
    “I’ve got a few connections in the food supply industry. No reason why I shouldn’t use them whether I’m ordering for a high-end restaurant or your ranch,” she explained as her heart skipped a beat. She’d wanted to be with him ever since their night in the hot tub. Should she show him she’d welcomed his attention? Oh, to hell with it! Sierra leaned further into his embrace and ran her hands up and down his arms.
    “Well, I appreciate it. Every dollar counts no matter how large or small your ranching operation.” He kissed the end of her nose.
    She smiled while the butterflies in her stomach did acrobatics. “Thank you.”
    He gazed into her eyes for several seconds. “God, you’re beautiful. But I think I’ve told you that before, haven’t I?”
    “A woman can never hear something like that too often,” she replied, leaning closer still. She’d always had a soft spot in her heart for cowboys. The sexier the better, and Chad definitely qualified in that department. “I deserve a reward for all this good work.”
    “A reward? Are you attempting to wangle a raise out of me?”
    “No raise...just a kiss.” Her boldness surprised her, but she felt unbelievably comfortable with him, as if they’d known each other for weeks not days.
    “A kiss?” Chad’s right eyebrow rose.
    “Yep. Kiss me.”
    “Is that a suggestion?”
    “No, no, no. That’s an order. I am in charge of this kitchen, remember,” she answered playfully.
    “Technically, this is the dining room not the kitchen,” said Chad. The expression she’d come to expect crossed his face. That smile should be illegal.
    “Okay, you’re