Logan tossedand turned all night. He couldn’t stop picturing the look on her face when he’d refused her offer. He couldn’t take something so precious from her knowing that it wouldn’t mean anything. She deserved to give her virginity to someone who loved her, not just someone who lusted after her. She wasn’t the kind of woman he usuallypursued.
Women like Kate were the marrying kind, not the kind you have hot, sweaty, rough sex with before sneaking away in the middle of the night. None of this would be happening if he’d kept his damn hands to himself in the firstplace.
Now he knew how delicate and feminine she felt in his arms. He knew the taste of her skin and could still hear the sounds she’d made when she came beneathhislips.
Although he’d offered to help rebuild the ranch today, he knew it would be hell on earth. To know that she wanted him as much as he wanted her made him rock-hard. His bear was restless, but he’d given her his word and he damn well wasn’t going to renege onitnow.
After shoveling breakfast into his face, he pulled on his jacket and placed his Stetson on his head. He tried not to run to her house, but he wanted to see her more than anything in the world. Maybe he was being too noble by trying to keep his hands to himself for once, but he respected her and wanted to treat herright.
He found her by the barn, struggling to haul a huge sheet of glass across the road. He jogged over and took the sheet from her. “Goodmorning.”
“Thanks. It was heavier than itlooked.”
“I’ll do all the lifting, you just tell me where to go,”hesaid.
“I wanted to start on the windows since it’s drafty as heck in there right now. I boarded them up, but it still gets really cold atnight.”
Since she wasn’t bringing up their conversation from the night before, he followed her lead and kept the banter light. They measured, cut and replaced three windows in the span of a couple of hours. He smiled at her as she handed himanothernail.
“You’re good with a hammer,”shesaid.
“Thanks.” He bit back all the dirty innuendoes he could make. His bear wanted to hammer her into the bed with his cock, but that wasn’t going to happen. Too bad his bear didn’tagree.
“When should we break for lunch?” sheasked.
“Wheneveryouwant.”
“I actually ran up to the store before you got here,” she said. “I’ve got chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, and cheesecake fordessert.”
“You’reamazing.”
He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her mouth. He didn’t think first—he’d just reacted—and he was glad he did. Her supple lips parted as he slid his tongue against hers. Sharing the same breath, he pulled her closer, loving the way she meltedagainsthim.
As the kiss heated up, he reconsidered his attempt at chivalry. Maybe he should just carry her off to bed and deal with the consequenceslater.
He dropped his hands to her butt and lifted her into his arms. He’d taken two steps toward the front door when a black SUV rumbled onto the property. After setting her down, he turned to glare as Mr. Milton approached. He was the only asshole who’d be driving around in a car like that in the middle of winter. The bastard had terribletiming.
“I’ll handle this,” Logan snapped. He strode over to the truck and waited for Milton to get out. “What doyouwant?”
“I’m here to talk to theownerof the property,”Miltonsaid.
“She’s not available, so you’ll just have to talktome.”
“It’s okay, I can handle this.” Kate looped her arm through Logan’s before addressing Milton. “As I said the other day, I’ll contact you when I’m ready to discuss the possibility of selling theranch.”
Possibility?Huh? She’d been going on and on about how badly she’d wanted to sell the ranch from the moment she’d set foot on it. Was she saying this just to get Milton off her back, or was she actually considering keeping theplace?
“I’ve made you a generous offer. I suggest you consider it before you make a…mistake,”Miltonsaid.
“Are you threatening her?” Logan’s bear roared in hischest.
“No. Merely pointing out the futility of waiting for another offer. No one will be able to match ours. So it would be in her best interest to sell it whileshecan.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” sheasked.
“Read into it whatever you like. I’m here to make a simple business proposition. If you think I’m here with nefarious intent, then you have quite the imagination, Mr. Grant. Good day.” Milton spun on his Italian-loafer-covered heel and climbed back intotheSUV.
As soon as he’d turned the SUV around, Logan spit on the ground. “If he steps on your property one more time, call me. I’ll make sure that he never comes near youagain.”
