The Reluctant Texas Rancher (Harlequin American Romance) by Cathy Gillen Thacker

lower lip twisted pensively. “Did you give them any illusions about what your family connections might yield, in terms of clients? Or in any way infer that you could convince Hargett to jettison his in-house team and go with you and HB&R?”
    “No.” Travis added the proper amount of water to the coffeemaker and stood back as Liz switched it on. “I made it clear that was not going to be the case, that even if it was offered I would not accept any nepotism.”
    Liz rummaged around in the fridge, finally emerging with the remains of a pecan pie and a can of whipped cream. She got down a couple plates. “Did they believe you?”
    Travis reached for the silverware. “In the final analysis? Probably not. Which is why I had to go all-out to land other big clients, without drawing on the accomplishments of other family members.”
    Liz cut two generous slices and put them on the plates. “And were you successful at that?”
    “I was getting there.” Travis watched as she shook the can and squirted swirls of cream onto each piece.
    He caught her hand in his, scooped off a glob of cream and lifted it to her mouth. “And I thought we weren’t going to talk business tonight.”
    “You said that.” She caught her breath as he smeared whipped cream across her lower lip. “I never agreed.”
    Travis thought about what she would look like covered with the decadent topping. He caught her by the waist and tugged her against him. Lowered his head. “Maybe it’s time you did.”
    With a hint of mischief glimmering in her green eyes, Liz licked the cream off her lip.
    He grinned, nodding toward the aerosol can. “There’s plenty more where that came from.”
    She flushed, her nipples pressing against her shirt. “This is a bad idea,” she told him with a moan. But she didn’t move away.
    Travis took that as an invitation. He caught her chin in his hand, threaded his other through her hair. “I’ve been thinking about it all day,” he murmured. “Wishing I could turn back the clock. Wishing we had never broken up. Wishing I could kiss you, just one more time.”
    So he did.

Chapter Eight
    Travis had often wondered, in retrospect, if the emotional punch of his teenage romance with Liz had been exaggerated.
    He found his memories did not do Liz justice. Making out with her was an amazing experience.
    Everywhere he touched her she was strong and warm and feminine. Her kisses were evocative and intimate, but there was eroticism to the passion now, a woman’s knowledge and desire that had not been there before.
    This was no wary virgin he was kissing now, but an adult who had survived life’s disappointments and triumphed over every professional challenge, with her confidence about the future intact.
    Damned if her enthusiasm wasn’t catching....
    A S RIBBONS OF DESIRE unfurled inside her, a wave of longing swept through Liz. She curled into Travis’s embrace and deepened their kiss, her limbs heavy and weak, her skin tingling.
    She’d never felt like this. Never felt as wanted as she did when she was in Travis’s arms. She’d never had the lusty, physical side of her take control, or dreamed that the two of them might actually get another chance.
    Unable to help herself, she ran her fingers through his hair and rose up on tiptoe. Pressed her breasts against the muscles of his chest, and heard him groan. Damn, but she’d missed him.
    He grasped her closer still and plundered her mouth, dominating and persuasive.
    Liz clutched his shoulders, wanting nothing more than to go to bed with him. But she couldn’t go forward without looking back in time first. She couldn’t be that reckless again. Not without getting hurt.
    She moaned, this time in protest, and pushed him away.
    As much as she wanted him—and she did—she couldn’t let herself be sucked back into the emotional whirlwind of a tryst with him unless she knew what had really happened years ago. And whether it would happen again.
    Breathlessly, she stepped