THE COWBOY SHE COULDN'T FORGET by Patricia Thayer Page B

it comes to love there are always chances things won’t work. You have to decide if you’re willing to take it.”
    * * *
    Ana never was one to take risks. She was the oldest, the sensible daughter. She always tried to do the right thing. So why was she walking across the compound to Vance’s house just before dawn?
    She was afraid to answer that question. She was shaking as she walked up the steps, but before she could chicken out, she knocked on the door. She stood there a few minutes and almost felt relieved when there wasn’t an answer. Just as she started to leave, the door opened and Vance stood there, wearing only a pair of jeans and a towel draped around his neck.
    Oh, God. She loved looking at this man. She met his eyes and tried desperately to speak, but nothing came out of her mouth.
    “What the hell.” He reached for her, pulled her into the house and closed the door, pushing her back against it. A soft light came from over the stove in the kitchen, letting her see the look of desire in his eyes.
    “What are you doing here?”
    “I didn’t like how we left things last night.”
    “So you thought coming here before dawn was a wise thing to do?”
    “I couldn’t sleep.”
    “Join the club, lady. You’ve kept invading my dreams since you’ve come home.”
    His honesty shocked her. “Really?”
    In answer, he lowered his head and covered her mouth with his. With a soft moan, she gripped his bare arms, feeling his strength. Yet he held her with tenderness as he placed teasing kisses against her lips.
    “We could bring my dreams to life if you like,” he told her before he gave her another sample. He captured her mouth in a deep kiss, causing her knees to give out.
    He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “I got you,” he whispered.
    She laid her head against his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat. “I want you, Vance,” she breathed.
    He pulled back and looked down at her. A slow smile crossed his face. “That’s nice to know, but your timing is rotten. I promised Garrett I’d help him out this morning.”
    “Oh...” What should she do now? She pulled away. “Okay. Sure. I should leave and let you get going.”
    “Wait.” Vance tugged her back into his arms. His gaze moved over her face as his hand cupped her cheek. “I’m just as disappointed as you are. When I make love to you, Ana, I don’t want to rush it. I want to take hours,” he breathed as his lips brushed over her ear. “I want to spend all night making slow sweet love to you.” He raised his head and covered her mouth again. He was breathing hard when he drew back. “I don’t want to leave you right now.”
    She shivered, her own breathing rapid and her imagination running wild. “I don’t want to go, either,” she admitted. Suddenly she didn’t have any pride when it came to this man.
    “Tonight. Come to dinner with me, tonight?”
    “A date?”
    His smile faded. “Is there a problem with going out with me?”
    “No. It’s just...that I promised Colt I’d drop by tonight.”
    “I should be back from Garrett’s by three. I can go with you, then we could have dinner.”
    She suddenly brightened. “I’d like that.”
    “Okay, it’s a date, ” he said, leaving no doubt that he wanted to spend time with her.
    “A date.” She started for the door, but he quickly pulled her back and covered her mouth again. By the time the kiss ended she was light-headed. “I’ll see you later.”
    She managed to walk out the door, but she wasn’t sure if her feet ever touched the ground as she made her way back to the house.
    * * *
    Ana hadn’t been out on a date in so long she was having trouble deciding what to wear. She settled for white linen trousers and a sleeveless, peach-colored blouse and heeled sandals.
    When she came down the steps, Vance was waiting for her. He was dressed in black Wrangler jeans, a slate-gray Western shirt and shiny boots, and had his black Stetson in his hand.
    His smile sent a