back to work.
“Showing off for that man,” she muttered under her breath. “Not likely.”
An accusing voice in her head argued she was doing exactly that, trying to prove to him she was every bit as capable as he had been told. She didn’t know why, but she wanted him to admire and approve of her abilities. Of her. She knew she couldn’t possibly compare to the sophisticated women he was used to. Did she want to compare? Distracted by her thoughts, she had to quickly pull her hand out of the way as a calf hit the end of her rope snapping it tight. Realizing she could get hurt if she didn’t keep her wandering thoughts under control, she forced herself to concentrate on the job before her.
• • •
The day wore on and Hawke spent time questioning the hands about their various jobs and how they contributed to the running of the ranch.
During some slack time, he asked Secondino to teach him how to rope. After several aborted attempts, he finally got a loop going and was aiming the rope at a fence post when he saw Kara watching him from the back of her horse.
Her leg was hooked loosely over the horn, mimicking a sidesaddle, her arms crossed on her knee and she was bent slightly forward watching him. She smiled at his attempts to get control over the wobbly rope.
“Not much use, is there, Mr. Pryce? Knowing how to throw a rope when you return to those fancy parties in London?”
Flashing a grin at her, his gaze raked over her body slowly, seeing the challenge in her eyes.
“Now, I don’t know.” He eyed the rope first, then her, quirking a brow. “It could save some time, should I desire some young lady’s company.” Swinging the rope back and forth, he looked at her again with a mischievous grin. “Kind of like casting a fishing line in a deep stream.”
Kara laughed out loud. “I can see it. A ballroom full of people, then, out of the dark, a rope sails over the glittering party, landing on an unsuspecting proper miss. Some well-dressed young woman bucking and tugging at the end of the rope while you pull her to you. What would you do then? Throw her and hog-tie her so she couldn’t get away?” She threw her head back, the laughter flowing freely.
Hawke was entranced with this new side of her. Gone was the wary, resentful child, replaced by a woman comfortable enough to tease him and laugh with him. She lowered her head and looked at him and he almost forgot to breathe. Her eyes were shining with laughter and her lips were full and soft, her smile showing strong white teeth. Her cheeks were flushed a delicate rose from the laughter and at that moment he couldn’t deny the desire he felt. His heart thudded in his chest and a wave of heat slammed through his body. He barely contained the groan rising from his chest. He didn’t know what it was about her, but God, he wanted this woman in a way he had never felt for another. The urge to possess her and make her completely his overwhelmed him again.
Chapter 12
The laughter died on Kara’s lips. Gone was the easy humor, replaced by a deep smoldering blaze lighting his eyes from within. They were the color of gathering storm clouds and the silver ring around the outside almost glowed. Even from the back of her horse she could feel the raw need emanating from him as he held her with his eyes.
A shiver danced down her spine as her body responded to the desire in his eyes. Her skin became sensitive to every breeze, a jangling in her belly sent waves of tingling heat skittering through her, pooling hotly between her thighs. Her shirt rubbed against too sensitive nipples, making them harden as a pleasurable ache spread through her in a primal response.
Lust. Raw and uncontrolled. She tried to corral her riotous thoughts and cool the heat dancing across her skin. I can’t want this man. He’s everything I’m fighting against.
She closed her eyes, trying to shut out his hypnotic gaze and the sensations swirling around her. She felt a moan rising in
“Showing off for that man,” she muttered under her breath. “Not likely.”
An accusing voice in her head argued she was doing exactly that, trying to prove to him she was every bit as capable as he had been told. She didn’t know why, but she wanted him to admire and approve of her abilities. Of her. She knew she couldn’t possibly compare to the sophisticated women he was used to. Did she want to compare? Distracted by her thoughts, she had to quickly pull her hand out of the way as a calf hit the end of her rope snapping it tight. Realizing she could get hurt if she didn’t keep her wandering thoughts under control, she forced herself to concentrate on the job before her.
• • •
The day wore on and Hawke spent time questioning the hands about their various jobs and how they contributed to the running of the ranch.
During some slack time, he asked Secondino to teach him how to rope. After several aborted attempts, he finally got a loop going and was aiming the rope at a fence post when he saw Kara watching him from the back of her horse.
Her leg was hooked loosely over the horn, mimicking a sidesaddle, her arms crossed on her knee and she was bent slightly forward watching him. She smiled at his attempts to get control over the wobbly rope.
“Not much use, is there, Mr. Pryce? Knowing how to throw a rope when you return to those fancy parties in London?”
Flashing a grin at her, his gaze raked over her body slowly, seeing the challenge in her eyes.
“Now, I don’t know.” He eyed the rope first, then her, quirking a brow. “It could save some time, should I desire some young lady’s company.” Swinging the rope back and forth, he looked at her again with a mischievous grin. “Kind of like casting a fishing line in a deep stream.”
Kara laughed out loud. “I can see it. A ballroom full of people, then, out of the dark, a rope sails over the glittering party, landing on an unsuspecting proper miss. Some well-dressed young woman bucking and tugging at the end of the rope while you pull her to you. What would you do then? Throw her and hog-tie her so she couldn’t get away?” She threw her head back, the laughter flowing freely.
Hawke was entranced with this new side of her. Gone was the wary, resentful child, replaced by a woman comfortable enough to tease him and laugh with him. She lowered her head and looked at him and he almost forgot to breathe. Her eyes were shining with laughter and her lips were full and soft, her smile showing strong white teeth. Her cheeks were flushed a delicate rose from the laughter and at that moment he couldn’t deny the desire he felt. His heart thudded in his chest and a wave of heat slammed through his body. He barely contained the groan rising from his chest. He didn’t know what it was about her, but God, he wanted this woman in a way he had never felt for another. The urge to possess her and make her completely his overwhelmed him again.
Chapter 12
The laughter died on Kara’s lips. Gone was the easy humor, replaced by a deep smoldering blaze lighting his eyes from within. They were the color of gathering storm clouds and the silver ring around the outside almost glowed. Even from the back of her horse she could feel the raw need emanating from him as he held her with his eyes.
A shiver danced down her spine as her body responded to the desire in his eyes. Her skin became sensitive to every breeze, a jangling in her belly sent waves of tingling heat skittering through her, pooling hotly between her thighs. Her shirt rubbed against too sensitive nipples, making them harden as a pleasurable ache spread through her in a primal response.
Lust. Raw and uncontrolled. She tried to corral her riotous thoughts and cool the heat dancing across her skin. I can’t want this man. He’s everything I’m fighting against.
She closed her eyes, trying to shut out his hypnotic gaze and the sensations swirling around her. She felt a moan rising in
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