Reckless Heart by Barbara McMahon Page B

growled.
    “Out,” she replied, marching up the steps and into the kitchen. Not pausing a beat, she continued toward the stairs and her room.
    “Where?”
    “Not that it is any of your business—we went to The Last Roundup. Where I met a lot of nice people and had a grand time.” She ended almost shouting.
    He wasn’t the only one to get angry. Who did he think he was? Her father?
    “Not that it’s any of your business. I didn’t ask about your date.”
    “It wasn’t a date. Was that what you and Lance had, a date?”
    “Define date. If you pick up some woman and take her to a party, then bring her home, isn’t that a date?”
    “I told you to stay away from Lance!”
    “What, stay home like a dutiful daughter while you’re out carousing? I think not.”
    He exhaled deeply.
    “Is that what this is about? You’re jealous of me taking Gillian to that party? She asked me to go with her several weeks ago. Long before I even met you.”
    She shrugged and continued toward the stairs. “I don’t need any explanations. Your life is yours to lead as you wish. As is mine.”
    “While you work for me you'll do as you’re told. Stay away from Lance and the other men on this ranch.”
    “Or?” She turned and glared at him.
    “Or you’re fired.”
    She held his gaze, seeing the implacable determination in it.
    So mad she wanted to burst, Molly took a deep breath. She wouldn't lose her job over a man who meant nothing to her beyond friendship, yet she refused to let Josh run roughshod over her like this. It reminded her too much of her father. She was her own person and would fight to retain that.
    “Who died and left you in charge?” she said between clenched teeth. “I’ll see whomever I wish on my free time. Where do you come off dictating to me? Do you do that with everyone on the ranch? It’s a wonder you can keep anyone.”
    He ran his hands through his hair and the anger seemed to dissipate. He lowered his hands and stared at her.
    “You’re right. I apologize. It is none of my business. You’d think I’d learn.”
    Dumbfounded, Molly’s own anger evaporated. Was this a trick? “What do you mean?”
    He turned and walked slowly across the kitchen to close the back door.
    “What you do with your life is your business. I have no right to tell you to stay away from Lance. I tried interfering before with disastrous results. I told my brother-in-law to stay away from my sister. She found that hard to forgive. I thought I’d learned a lesson from that. You can see whomever you wish, of course, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your work or his.” His back still turned toward her, he fiddled with the key in the door.
    Knowing they never locked the place, Molly recognized a stalling tactic when she saw one.
    “Go to bed, Molly,” he said.
    She didn’t want to leave. Something blossomed in her heart as she watched him fiddle with the door, unwilling to turn and face her. And she remembered his offer on the porch.
    “Aren’t you going to kiss me good-night?”
    He whirled, his eyes blazing.
    “So you thought about my offer?”
    She nodded. She wouldn't tell him she'd thought about it almost nonstop since he'd suggested it.
    “And?”
    “I’m still not sure.” She wanted guarantees and knew there'd be none. Except when she left, she'd never see Josh again.
    “Then we’ll wait on any kisses until you are.”
    She licked her lips wishing she were brave enough to fling caution to the wind and commit.
    “We’ll only go as far as you want.”
    She nodded, her skin feeling too tight for her body. He looked at her and she almost flung herself against him to assuage the longings that rose so fiercely. She wanted to feel his kisses, to feel the length of his hard body pressed against her softer one. But she was afraid. Would her emotions get out of control? Could she play at love and then walk away unscathed?
     
     

Chapter Seven
     
     
    “Go to bed,” he said softly.
    Still she hesitated.