Page 51 of The Playboy Meets His Match
Almost seven feet tall and thick through the shoulders and chest, Dusty Grant strode over to him.
“I want you to handle this sale tomorrow.”
“Sure,” the blond giant replied, taking off his hat and wiping sweat from his forehead and neck with a red bandana.
“I’d like to take a few days off. I’ll be around the house if you need me, but I want some time off.”
“Sure, boss. It’s fine. Day after tomorrow you were going to that horse sale.”
“I can do that, but you take over the rest.”
“Will do,” he said. “Men are standing watch around the clock.”
“Until we find out who planted that bomb, keep a watch going. I don’t want anything else to happen. Thanks, Dusty. I asked Henry to fly us to Houston tonight, and we’ll be back sometime tomorrow.”
“Sure thing.”
Jason turned and headed for the house. He was flying Merry to Houston to dinner tonight and they’d return home tomorrow. His pulse speeded in anticipation. She knew they were going out to dinner, but he wanted the flight to be a surprise, so he hadn’t told her.
He stretched out his stride, hurrying to the guest house, wanting to be with her, something he had yearned for since he’d told her goodbye this morning.
He crossed the porch and reached for the door as she stepped outside and into his arms. He caught her up and embraced her tightly, kissing her as he walked them both inside and kicked the door closed. Reaching behind him, he turned the lock. He wanted her desperately. “I’m dusty and hot—”
“I don’t care,” she whispered, and his pulse soared. She was cool, smelling sweet and enticing, so soft in his arms. He couldn’t wait, peeling away her clothes and shedding his. His hands shook with haste and need. She was soft, wild, magical. In minutes he lifted her off the floor and she locked her legs around him while he entered her. Urgency drove them, and he felt as if it were the first time all over again.
“Merry! I love you. My love, my woman,” he whispered, wondering how long it would take to convince her of the depth of his feelings.
Thoughts vanished as he relished loving her, swept into ecstasy with her and wanting it never to end.
Later, after they had showered, he carried her to bed to hold her close in his arms until they had to dress to leave for dinner.
He waited in the small living room, finally hearing her heels clicking, and then she walked through the door. Sexy and beautiful, she paused, her gaze warm enough to melt him as he drank in the sight of her in a clinging red dress with her hair looped and pinned on top of her head. Stray tendrils hung down, framing her face. As always, he was tempted to forget dinner and just go back to bed. But he wanted to court her and win her over, and taking her out was part of that.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice husky. He couldn’t keep his reactions to her from showing. Nor did he really want to.
“You look very handsome, too,” she said breathlessly. “Sure you want to leave?”
“Hell no, I don’t want to do anything except make love to you, but I want you to have some special moments besides when we’re in bed. So let’s go.”
She took his arm and it wasn’t until they turned and drove up to the small jet waiting at the Royal airport that she raised her eyebrows. “So what’s this?”
“We’re going to Houston for dinner and dancing.”
She smiled and leaned close to kiss him. “Sounds great. Another very special evening with you.”
“Let’s see how special we can make it,” he said quietly, wishing she would come home wearing his engagement ring.
Jason tried to be his charming best through a lobster dinner with glasses of chablis and a flaming dessert. The restaurant had an indoor waterfall and a pond with blooming lilies. There was a deserted dance floor because the combo would not commence playing for another hour. In the meantime, soft piano music added to the cozy atmosphere. Their table had candlelight, white linen and a vase of pink tulips and daisies.
His appetite had diminished since he’d met her, and it wasn’t any stronger tonight.
“Jason, this is exciting and wonderful, but life goes on. Monday, I have an appointment with Keith. Whatever I do, I need to move out of your house.”
“Merry—”
“Wait and let me finish,” she said firmly. “I will either go back home to Dallas or I’ll accept Keith’s offer and move into the apartment I rented here in Royal.”
“I don’t want you to go.”
