Santa Fe Fortune (18 page)

She also was no longer attracted to a boy. She’d found a mature man, someone who was strong and caring. Dan knew himself and was sure of who he was. Gwen found his self-assurance and masculinity unbearably appealing. Plus, he had those unbelievably gorgeous eyes and that incredibly sexy twist to his lips that he revealed each time he was teasing. Dan lightened Gwen’s heart and made her laugh with joy. She’d never felt so much happiness around a man, nor had been made to feel at greater ease.

Gwen anxiously paced the kitchen, hoping Dan would offer her at least one glass of wine. As much as she wanted him, she couldn’t help the tiny knot that was forming in her stomach. While she was certain that Dan would be gentle and loving, she still experienced some minor nerves about them finally being together. Would he love her body just as much out of clothes as in them? Although she suspected he longed to be with her just as much, would he feel the same about her once it was done? Robert hadn’t done much to inspire her confidence in that department. Just as he’d accused her of failing at everything else, he’d said she hadn’t done much for him in bed either.

Gwen glanced down at her empty ring finger, upset with herself for letting Robert intrude on her life even now. It was high time she fully trusted that Dan and Robert were different. Dan would never say the hurtful things to her that Robert had. He loved her with his whole heart. Dan had said it, and Gwen believed it. From the top of her head to the tips of her toes, Gwen longed to give herself to Dan. She ached to take from him too. She wished to explore every inch of his toned and masculine body, first with her hands and then with her lips. She’d bring her mouth to his and kiss him deeply as he centered his hands on her hips. A brushfire ignited at Gwen’s breasts as she felt the heat spread lower. She had to sleep with Dan or go crazy. She’d never wanted anything more in her life than she wanted him tonight.

Dan entered as Gwen was cleaning up the kitchen.

“You don’t have to do that,” he protested, hanging his coat on the rack.

“I don’t mind, really,” she said with a smile. “Besides, it’s almost done.”

Dan looked around the gleaming kitchen, appreciation settled into the rugged lines of his face. “Thanks, Gwen. That was really nice of you.”

“It was no problem,” she said. “You took care of Rascal; I took care of this.”

He strolled to the center island and pulled two bottles from its built-in rack. “Can I offer you a glass of something? Wine? Whiskey?”

“Whiskey!” she cried with surprise. “I’d better not.” She’d seen the effect the tequila in that avocado margarita had on her. Gwen decided she’d be safer sticking with a lower-alcohol-content drink. “I’ll take some wine, though. Are you offering red or white?”

“Your wish is my command.” Dan gave her a sexy grin that sent her heart
cartwheeling
.

Gwen pursed her lips to stop herself from saying something foolish. She could think of lots of things she’d like to ask him to do, none of which were proper. “Which are you drinking?” she asked.

“Either’s great with me, as long as I can sit down and kick off my boots. Bet you’re ready to get out of yours too.”

Gwen’s heart raced into a gallop as he uncorked the wine. Already he was thinking of undressing her. “My feet are a little sore,” she offered, hearing her own voice squeak.

He raised his brow. “Need some water?”

“Got it,” she said, awkwardly lifting her filled glass from the counter and nearly dousing her shirt. She inhaled a quick breath and set it back down without taking a sip.

Dan eyed her curiously as he poured their wine. Gwen accepted her glass, her hand trembling. Maybe she’d been out in the night air too long. The altitude had gone to her head, then shot straight through to other regions.

“Are you all right?” he asked sincerely. “You look like maybe you should sit down.”

And she felt like it, too. The closer he got to her, the more she thought she would pass out. Faint from the nearness of his hot, masculine self. Gwen didn’t know how she’d make it through but was determined to stay strong. He was so god-awful beautiful there had to be a law against him, maybe even in several states.

“Come on,” he said gently, taking her elbow. “Let’s just ease you down on the sofa, nice and slow.” He held her wine until she settled in, then handed it back to her. “Maybe the horse riding was too much for you. I shouldn’t have kept you out so long.”

“No! I wanted to stay!” She felt her face flush hot, embarrassed that she’d sounded like a crushed-out teenager. She took a long, steady swallow of wine, then looked up, trapped in his gaze. “That makes two of us,” he said. “Unfortunately, Rascal didn’t agree.”

Dan went to get his own wine, then came and sat beside her, taking her hand.

“Gwen, sweetheart,” he said gently. “You can relax. It’s just the two of us here.”

That’s precisely what she was afraid of. Him… Her…. And, eventually, no clothes between them. Gwen wasn’t sure if she was ready for this.

“Let me help you with those boots,” he said, bending forward and gripping the left one. Gwen squeezed her eyes shut and lifted her leg, letting him take it off. She sighed with relief, realizing how much the boot had been pinching. “Better?” he asked.

Gwen nodded numbly. This was the beginning of the end, and she knew it. First came the boots, then the shirt…next the jeans… Of course, he’d be taking his off too. Gwen felt woozy, the room suddenly whirling around her.

Dan tugged off her other boot, studying her with concern. “I think maybe we’d better nix the wine,” he said, lifting the glass from her hand.

“It’s okay,” she said, grabbing it back. “I like it,”

Dan pushed back against the sofa and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Sweetheart, you mind telling me what’s going on?”

Him calling her sweetheart was one of the nicest things she’d heard. Gwen knew she could get used to it. She could get used to a lot of things with this man. Some of them might take more practice than others. It wasn’t her fault that she was rusty. “Nothing. Nothing at all. I’m just recovering from the ride.”

“Good,” he said, bringing his arms around her and pulling her close. “For a moment there, I was worried you’d grown tired of kissing.”

“I’d never grow tired of that,” she said weakly as his mouth closed in.

He kissed her gently at first and then passionately, pressing his firm chest up against her. Her world spun out of control as her wants fought with her reason. She needed him so desperately, simply had to have him. Yet something deep inside her was just as desperately afraid. If she took this next step and became intimate with Dan, how would she handle it if he somehow went away? Would she someday look back and wish they’d never been together at all? Would that prove one more memory that would simply cause heartache?

Dan paused to stroke her cheek. His gaze was all smoke and fire, sultry and hot like a Santa Fe afternoon. “Honey,” he said, his tone growing gravelly. “You don’t know how much I love you, how much I want to be with you.”

Gwen swallowed hard, steeling her courage. “I want to be with you too.”

“I know you do, cowgirl. Believe me, I can’t wait.” He smiled at her and gently kissed her lips. “But I think that we ought to.”

“What?” she asked with surprise.

Dan took her hand in his. “Listen Gwen, I know this is all moving pretty fast for you. We’ve just admitted how we feel about each other. There are things we need to work out, like when we’ll see each other again and how we plan to manage our relationship.”

Gwen’s heart leapt with joy. This wasn’t only about her trip to Santa Fe. Dan was talking about a
future
. He was so wonderfully understanding and kind, Gwen could scarcely believe she’d been blessed enough to find him. Overcome by emotion, love, and longing, she felt the tears spring from her eyes. “I’d like that very much,” she said, her chin trembling. “I don’t want this to be over.”

Dan steadied her chin in his hand and moved in for another kiss. “Sweetheart,” he said, drawing closer. “We’ve only just started.”

He kissed her then, over and over, with a tender passion that assured Gwen everything would be all right. Here was a man who loved her and would watch over her heart. She didn’t know where the next step would lead, but as long as it was a road that she and Dan could travel together, she was willing to take it.

Hours passed, and their kissing turned to holding, then the holding turned to dozing…at least on Gwen’s part. Dan stared down at her angelic face, cheeks dusted light pink as she slept cradled against his chest. It felt so good to hold her. It was like she belonged here, like she’d always belonged here, with him, in his arms.

He’d seen the relief wash over her when he’d told her they wouldn’t sleep together. He repressed a chuckle at the irony that she was now sleeping on him. “My dear, sweet woman,” he whispered to her. “I’ve waited a lifetime for you. Did you think I couldn’t wait one more night?” She stirred slightly, and he held her more tightly, sensing in his heart he’d never want to let her go.

The truth was waiting one more night had been difficult for him. It was painful in more than just a physical way. Every one of his manly urges had insisted they be together. Reason had said waiting until Gwen was completely sure would make things that much more wonderful for both of them. Dan would never do anything to hurt Gwen or cause her regret. He needed her to trust him with her heart and soul. Once she did that, he had faith she’d trust him with that beautiful body too. Until then, he had to act like the mature individual he’d always told himself he was. For the moment, he was just happy to have her close.

His heart thumped in his chest at the recognition that he might have never met her. Serendipity was a funny thing, and a happy coincidence had placed Gwen in his path. Had Nancy not gone to France on her honeymoon, Dan wouldn’t have been overseeing the gallery. Hell, if Nancy hadn’t gotten engaged, she would have never left town. Love was unusually cryptic in how it brought people together. It was like a huge jigsaw puzzle filled with blotches of color that didn’t make sense until the individual pieces fit together and you saw the big picture.

Dan looked down at the incredible woman resting in his arms, knowing this was the portrait he wanted. He tried to paint it in his mind’s eye lest he forget. Dan shook off the feeling of panic that swelled his throat. Forgetting Gwen would mean that she’d be out of his life, and he absolutely couldn’t have that.

“Dan…?” she called drowsily, raising her head. “What time is it?” Gorgeous dark eyes peered up at him.

“Nearly three a.m., sweetheart,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Perhaps we should call it a night?”

She gazed up at him dreamily and smiled. “Will we both still be here in the morning?”

“You bet your boots, missy,” he said with a grin.

Dan helped her to her feet and walked her to her bedroom.

“Would you like water? A glass of juice? Anything else before heading to bed?”

“I want you!” she said, standing up on tiptoes and smooching his lips.

Dan didn’t know whether she was still under the influence of the wine or suffering from pure exhaustion, but he opted not to take advantage of the situation.

“And I want you too, baby,” he said fondly, patting her on the rump.

She released a little squeak. “Oh! Do that again!”

Yep. Definitely the wine. Dan should have made sure it was paired with something to eat.

“Not right now, sugar,” he said, calmly leading her into her room. “Maybe tomorrow.”

“Really?” she said, looking woozy.

“Why don’t we get a good night’s sleep first?”

“All right,” she said as he deposited her inside the threshold.

“Sleep tight, cowgirl,” he said, backing away. “See you in the morning.”

She bit into her bottom lip and, for the life of him, looked as if she were entertaining very naughty thoughts.

“Is that a promise, Mr. Holbrook?” she said with a giggle.

“That’s a promise, Ms. Marsh,” he said with a wink.

She lunged forward on her feet and grabbed him by his shirt at his chest, dead-center.

Dan stared down at her in surprise.

“Kiss me good night?” she said, tilting her succulent mouths toward his.

This bit Dan couldn’t resist. He was only human.

Dan took her in his arms and gave it to her with everything he had. She was soft and warm and wonderful and, good God almighty, smelled of fresh jasmine blooms. Their mouths blended hungrily, tongues tangling and lips on fire. Her breasts were pressed against him, her hips angling up toward his. Dan released an unintentional groan as he struggled to keep himself under control.

The weight of her collapsed into his arms, and he tightened his grip to hold her.

“Had enough?” he asked, his voice raspy.

In answer, she kissed him again, pressing her fingers under his shirt and up the length of his chest. Heat rushed through him, tightening his thighs and firing his groin. Her hands seized his waist, then slid south, thumbs hitching on either side of his belt. He had to stop this. Dan had to stop this now, or there’d be no turning back.