The Bachelor’s Surrender (14 page)

A faint, proprietary light entered his gaze, and Lauren’s heart gave a distinct thump in her chest. Then, abruptly, he let her go and stood, breaking the seductive spell that had gripped them both. “I’ve got paperwork to do,” he said, not looking at her. “Thank you for lunch.”

Lauren watched Rafe walk away, toward the stables, a withering sensation settling in her belly. Stubborn man. Just as he refused to deal with his past, he was equally unwilling to acknowledge the growing feelings between them.

R
afe’s stomach tumbled with nerves and anticipation. No matter how many times he tried to tell himself the gift he was about to give Lauren was out of concern for her soft, smooth skin getting burned, his heart wasn’t fully convinced of his noble gesture. The women’s Stetson he’d bought for her served a dual purpose, and a selfish one at that. Ultimately, he wanted to see that radiant smile of hers that never failed to warm that cold, lonely part of his soul, and he enjoyed witnessing her unabashed delight, and the way her blue eyes lit up with pleasure over the simplest things.

A tiny frown formed on his brow as he headed through the living room to the front porch, where he knew Lauren was enjoying her morning cup of coffee. He wasn’t sure when her vibrancy and capricious nature had become such an important part of his day, yet every morning when he woke, she was the first thing he thought of. And during the day, she consumed his thoughts, too. The nights were the worst, because he’d remember her kisses, her gentle touch, and his desire for her would keep him tossing and turning until dawn.

The woman tied him up in knots like nobody ever had, and though he knew what he was beginning to feel for this woman treaded into dangerous territory, he craved everything about her: her generosity, her warmth, and her beauty that went deeper than just her features.

Stopping at the screen door, he indulged in a quiet, private moment of just looking at her, enjoying the gentle serenity that claimed her expression as she sipped from the mug in her hands and gazed out at the horses in the pasture. She stood by the porch railing, wearing a pink t-shirt and a pair of jeans that molded to her sleek curves and long legs. Today, she wore her hair down, and the ends curled ever-so-slightly along her shoulders.

Desire and longing rumbled through him before he could stop the reaction. She looked like she belonged here, on his ranch, and in his life. Realizing the impossibility of those thoughts, he firmly banned them from his mind, along with the feelings she evoked in him. Lauren didn’t belong in the country, but led a fast-paced life in the city working a job she loved. Three more days, and she’d be gone from Cedar Creek and his life, and he’d have nothing but memories to remember her by.

Pushing open the screen door, he stepped out onto the porch. She turned around at the sound of his booted steps, greeting him with one of her breath-stealing smiles.

“I just love it here,” she said on a soft sigh of breath. “It’s so quiet and peaceful and gorgeous. Especially in the morning.”

Moving closer to her, he slid his fingers over the brim of the hat he held in his hands. “I’m sure your favorable impression of Wyoming would change come winter. They can be pretty long and harsh, not to mention dealing with a whole lot of confinement during blizzards and storms.”

“Depends on who and what you’re confined with,” she said with a whole lot of sass and enough sensual insinuation to make his blood heat at the possibilities. She took another drink of coffee, her gaze dropping to the beige Stetson he held. “Did you get yourself a new hat?”

Suddenly feeling awkward, he thrust the gift toward her. “No, I bought it for you.”

She glanced from the hat, to his face, but didn’t take the present he offered. “You did?” Her voice was breathless with expectation.

He nodded jerkily and affected concern. “That delicate skin of yours is going to turn to leather if you’re not careful about protecting it.”

That lovely smile he’d hoped for made its appearance, making his insides tighten and his heart hammer in his chest. She set her cup of coffee on the railing, and took the hat, sliding her fingers over the soft beaver pelt. “Wow, my very own Stetson. Does this make me a genuine cowgirl?”

“At least for three more days.”

Her smile faltered just a bit at his reminder of how soon she’d be leaving, making him wonder if she dreaded Sunday’s arrival as much as he was beginning to. She’d not only captivated him, but she’d charmed the residents of Cedar Creek as well with her sunny disposition and generous heart. When he’d gone into town yesterday afternoon to purchase her Stetson while she and Chad were visiting with Kristin, Sally, and Randy, quite a few people had approached him to comment on Lauren, and how much they liked her. From there, conversations evolved to his participation in Chad’s wish, and admiration for his unselfish gesture, as well.

Though it had been difficult to accept that particular praise after everything he’d been through the past year, and everything he’d put the townsfolk of Cedar Creek through, he felt as though a fragile truce had developed between him, and the town he’d alienated with his gruff temperament and unsociable mood.

This woman was the sole reason for the drastic change in his attitude. She knew every contemptible thing about him, yet refused to believe the worst. Somehow, she managed to turn every argument he issued on his dark reputation against him, until he’d begun to believe that maybe he’d judged himself, and his actions, too harshly.

“So, what do you think?”

The sound of Lauren’s voice pulled Rafe’s insightful musings back to the woman standing in front of him, now wearing the beige Stetson he’d bought for her. He thought she looked incredibly beautiful, achingly so.

“It’s a perfect fit,” he said, pushing the brim back so he could see her sparkling eyes and put this moment to memory.

“Thank you for the hat,” she said, and tentatively stepped toward him. With one hand resting on his chest, she kissed him lightly on the cheek.

A shaft of heat and awareness zinged through his veins, making him remember the words she’d spoken two days ago that were never far from his mind
. I like the way kissing you makes me feel. Warm. Excited. Eager for more. Do you feel something, too?

He hadn’t issued a reply to her question because his answer had scared the hell out of him. Oh, yeah, he felt something, too—that same excitement and eagerness she’d mentioned, and a need that transcended physical desires. He wanted Lauren Richmond, but the emotional hunger he felt for her couldn’t be appeased with a mere kiss. That particular craving went deeper than anything he’d ever experienced for a woman.

Yet he knew if they pursued the mutual desire growing between them, it would only complicate matters. Three more days, and she’d be gone from his life, back to California where she belonged. She’d move on to her next foster case, date one of the eligible, more qualified men her mother set her up with, and forget all about him, as it should be.

The lecture, as sound as it was, did nothing to diminish how badly he wanted to carry this woman off to his bed and make love to her until he had her out of his system. Except he suspected a few quick tumbles wouldn’t be enough—he feared once he had her in that sensual, all-consuming way, he’d be forever addicted to her brand of loving.

And he’d never be the same again.

“Hey, Rafe,” Chad said as he came out onto the porch, wearing the new leather pair of chaps Kristin and James had bought for him at the Cody Rodeo. “You promised to show me how to rope just like the cowboys do it at the Cody Rodeo. Can we do that this morning?”

Grateful for the interruption, Rafe addressed Chad. “Yep, I did make that promise, didn’t I?” He inclined his head toward Lauren. “You up for a roping lesson?”

“Absolutely,” she said, giving Chad a wink.

They all headed down to an empty paddock, and Rafe retrieved two coiled ropes from the tack room on the way. He met his avid students out in the warm sunshine, and handed one of the lengths of rope to Chad.

“Kinda hard to rope a calf when you don’t have any,” Lauren teased dubiously, sliding her hands into the back pocket of her jeans.

His mouth twitched with the humor he was hard-pressed to hold back lately. “We can use that empty barrel over there, and other props. Trust me,” he drawled lazily, “You’re gonna have hard enough time roping something that’s stationary.”

Rafe spent the next hour patiently teaching Chad and Lauren how to build a small loop, then keep it circling and steady enough to toss out over the barrel. Before long, Chad managed to make a few attempts that landed short of its mark.

“Good try,” Rafe said, praising the young boy so intent on roping the barrel. “It’s all in your wrist. Just keep it relaxed and let the rope out a little at a time until you feel comfortable throwing it.”

“This is hard work,” Lauren grumbled good-naturedly, shaking out her tired arm. Perspiration put a sheen on her flushed face and made her eyes appear deep blue. “I think I need a break. How about a cool drink you two?”

“I’ll take a lemonade, please,” Chad said, his gaze narrowed on his target as he concentrated on roping the barrel. The boy looked tired, but too determined to quit.

Rafe took the rope from her. “Quitting already?” he taunted, wanting to see the sassy side of this woman.

On cue, she appeared, thrusting her chin out with a mixture of stubbornness and feminine pride. “Hey, this Stetson only gives me the appearance of a cowgirl. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have any magical powers to
make
me one.” She wrinkled her nose at him. “Now refreshments, I can handle.” With a grin, she headed toward the gate leading out of the paddock.

Rafe began building himself a loop, letting out rope until it made a nice sized circle. “Before you go, would you mind up-righting that hay bale over there?” he asked pleasantly.

She stopped in her tracks and glanced to where he motioned with his head. Seeing that both Chad and Rafe had their hands full, she nodded. “Oh, Sure.”

Rafe watched her head toward the far side of the paddock, enjoying the gentle, natural sway of her hips as she walked. Out of the corner of his mouth, he whispered to Chad, “What do you say we rope ourselves a filly?”

Understanding dawned as Chad followed Rafe’s line of vision to Lauren, who was bending over and repositioning the hay bale. A huge grin transformed Chad’s expression, and his eyes lit up with mischief. “Yeah,” he whispered, lowering his own cord to watch Rafe’s roping skills.

“How’s that?” Lauren asked, turning around to face the two of them.

“Perfect,” he said, moving slowly closer. “Now just stand real still and be good . . .”

He didn’t expect her to obey, and she didn’t. For every step he took forward, she took two to the side, her gaze filling with instant suspicion. “Rafe, what do you think you’re doing?”

The rope whirled in a growing loop at his side, rising higher and higher. “Why, I’m gonna lasso myself a spirited filly.”

She gasped indignantly, though the playful twinkle in her eyes told him she’d be a good sport. “You wouldn’t!”

He lifted a dark brow. “Wouldn’t I?” he challenged mildly.

“Well don’t expect me to stand still and make it easy on you!” She darted across the paddock in an attempt to thwart him.

“Nope, that wouldn’t be any fun at all.” He kept his stride deceptively lazy and non-threatening, which only served to heighten the anticipation of what was to come—Lauren’s capture.

“Pay attention, Chad,” he directed in a low, soothing tone. “Keep your eyes on your quarry, and try to calculate their next move. Watch their legs to get a feel for which way they plan to sprint. . .” His gaze dropped to those long, sexy limbs. Her booted feet were braced apart, but her left knee, bent very slightly, gave away her next advance, which he easily countered.

She let out a sound of frustration and waggled a finger at him. “I’m gonna get even with you for this, Dalton.”

His loop continued to twirl as he let the anticipation of being caught intensify. “Oh, I sure do hope so, Ms. Richmond,” he drawled, imagining the different ways she’d take retribution.

Gradually, he maneuvered her into a fenced-in corner. Though a good ten yards separated them, he had her trapped, and she knew it, too. Awareness made her breathing quicken and heated excitement flare in her eyes as they searched for a means of escape. Her full breasts rose and fell enticingly, instinctively drawing his gaze to the arousing sight.

His own breathing grew a little deeper, too, and his belly tightened with irrepressible need and desire for this feisty woman.

“Lasso her, Rafe!” Chad urged gleefully, reminding Rafe that he and Lauren weren’t alone as he suddenly wished they were. Somehow, what had started as an amusing game had become a slow, tantalizing seduction . . . one he wanted to take to its inevitable conclusion.

Easing closer, he flicked his wrist to steady the loop, ready to claim his prize. “Easy now,” he murmured in the low, husky voice that never failed to calm a skittish horse. Lauren, however, knew better than to trust him.