use half the land to plant hay and alfalfa.”
Farm equipment would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. “Why go to all the trouble to grow crops when you can buy the feed?” Samantha’s sanctuary ranch was turning into a huge financial commitment that would require her to hire hands to manage.
“Rescued horses need more than hay and grain. They need to graze grass to put on weight.” Her expression softened. “I want the horses that come to my ranch to have the very best.”
The conviction in her voice proved that Wade’s initial impression of Samantha had been off the mark. This wasn’t a pet project she’d tire of after a while. She genuinely cared about rehabilitating horses and providing a safe environment for the animals to recover from the neglect they’d suffered. “You’re a special woman.” His heart thumped hard inside his chest when her gaze dropped to his mouth.
Did she want to kiss him as much as he wanted to kiss her?
He inched forward, tilting his head. Then paused when her breath puffed against his face. He waited for a signal that he should proceed. When her dark lashes fluttered closed, he brushed his lips across hers. Gentle…slow…He tested the waters. Her mouth tasted of tangy barbecue and a heady…dark…erotic flavor. He pressed his lips harder against hers.
“Ouch!”
He jerked upright. “What happened?”
“Your glasses.” She rubbed her cheekbone below her left eye.
He brushed the pad of his thumb across the red mark marring her flawless skin. “Sorry.”
She removed his glasses. “That’s better.”
Says who? Samantha’s image blurred before his eyes.
Clasping his face between her hands, she whispered, “I’ll guide you.” Her lips drew a rumbling groan from his chest as she slid her tongue inside his mouth. Then Samantha shifted toward him and her plate tipped over on his lap.
“Oh!” She jumped off the swing and attempted to remove the pile of baked beans soaking the front of his jeans. Her fingers caused more damage than the spilled food and he brushed her hands away, hoping she hadn’t felt his arousal when she’d pressed the napkin to his crotch.
“I’m so sorry, Wade.” Her face glowed fire-hydrant red.
“That’s okay.” He brushed the beans onto his plate. “Where are my glasses?” She handed them over. “Thanks.” Now that he could see better…jeez. “Looks like I messed my pants.”
Samantha hooted. Not a laugh. Not a giggle. A hoot .
Wade smiled, pleased he’d tickled her funny bone. He glanced at his watch. I want to stay. “I’d better go.” I want to kiss you again. “I’ve got business briefs to work on at home.”
“Really?” She sounded disappointed.
He brushed a strand of loose hair behind her ear,allowing his fingers to linger against her skin a moment before he forced himself to turn away and descend the porch steps. When he reached the car he waved. “See you tomorrow.”
The drive to his condo was the longest of Wade’s life. What had he been thinking—kissing Samantha? She was his client—reason enough to keep his hands off her. Never mind the fact that he hadn’t been truthful about her missing money. If he knew what was good for him he’d steer clear of the cowgirl.
Chapter Eight
Wade was avoiding Samantha.
When she’d arrived at the Peterson homestead earlier in the morning, he’d been helping the cowboys dig a trench that would carry a water pipe from the new well to the paddocks. She’d stopped at his side to say “Good morning” and Wade had uttered a brief “Hi” before moving farther down the line to dig—not the greeting she’d expected after the kiss they’d shared yesterday.
Miffed, Sam had spent the remainder of the morning sulking and contemplating their porch kiss—the one that obviously hadn’t made much of an impact on Wade. He had kissed the boots off her feet—not the kind of smooch she’d expected from Mr. Financial Adviser. Sam believed that buried deep beneath
Farm equipment would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. “Why go to all the trouble to grow crops when you can buy the feed?” Samantha’s sanctuary ranch was turning into a huge financial commitment that would require her to hire hands to manage.
“Rescued horses need more than hay and grain. They need to graze grass to put on weight.” Her expression softened. “I want the horses that come to my ranch to have the very best.”
The conviction in her voice proved that Wade’s initial impression of Samantha had been off the mark. This wasn’t a pet project she’d tire of after a while. She genuinely cared about rehabilitating horses and providing a safe environment for the animals to recover from the neglect they’d suffered. “You’re a special woman.” His heart thumped hard inside his chest when her gaze dropped to his mouth.
Did she want to kiss him as much as he wanted to kiss her?
He inched forward, tilting his head. Then paused when her breath puffed against his face. He waited for a signal that he should proceed. When her dark lashes fluttered closed, he brushed his lips across hers. Gentle…slow…He tested the waters. Her mouth tasted of tangy barbecue and a heady…dark…erotic flavor. He pressed his lips harder against hers.
“Ouch!”
He jerked upright. “What happened?”
“Your glasses.” She rubbed her cheekbone below her left eye.
He brushed the pad of his thumb across the red mark marring her flawless skin. “Sorry.”
She removed his glasses. “That’s better.”
Says who? Samantha’s image blurred before his eyes.
Clasping his face between her hands, she whispered, “I’ll guide you.” Her lips drew a rumbling groan from his chest as she slid her tongue inside his mouth. Then Samantha shifted toward him and her plate tipped over on his lap.
“Oh!” She jumped off the swing and attempted to remove the pile of baked beans soaking the front of his jeans. Her fingers caused more damage than the spilled food and he brushed her hands away, hoping she hadn’t felt his arousal when she’d pressed the napkin to his crotch.
“I’m so sorry, Wade.” Her face glowed fire-hydrant red.
“That’s okay.” He brushed the beans onto his plate. “Where are my glasses?” She handed them over. “Thanks.” Now that he could see better…jeez. “Looks like I messed my pants.”
Samantha hooted. Not a laugh. Not a giggle. A hoot .
Wade smiled, pleased he’d tickled her funny bone. He glanced at his watch. I want to stay. “I’d better go.” I want to kiss you again. “I’ve got business briefs to work on at home.”
“Really?” She sounded disappointed.
He brushed a strand of loose hair behind her ear,allowing his fingers to linger against her skin a moment before he forced himself to turn away and descend the porch steps. When he reached the car he waved. “See you tomorrow.”
The drive to his condo was the longest of Wade’s life. What had he been thinking—kissing Samantha? She was his client—reason enough to keep his hands off her. Never mind the fact that he hadn’t been truthful about her missing money. If he knew what was good for him he’d steer clear of the cowgirl.
Chapter Eight
Wade was avoiding Samantha.
When she’d arrived at the Peterson homestead earlier in the morning, he’d been helping the cowboys dig a trench that would carry a water pipe from the new well to the paddocks. She’d stopped at his side to say “Good morning” and Wade had uttered a brief “Hi” before moving farther down the line to dig—not the greeting she’d expected after the kiss they’d shared yesterday.
Miffed, Sam had spent the remainder of the morning sulking and contemplating their porch kiss—the one that obviously hadn’t made much of an impact on Wade. He had kissed the boots off her feet—not the kind of smooch she’d expected from Mr. Financial Adviser. Sam believed that buried deep beneath
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