Page 78 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

It was after midnight when they climbed back into his truck. She turned slightly to watch him drive. “I had fun tonight, Blake. I haven’t been out like that in a long time. And dinner was fabulous.”

“I thought you’d like that barbecue. It was fun. It’s unusual that both my brothers were there. I think they wanted to meet you. They didn’t want to miss the opportunity to meet one of the world’s best interior designers. Particularly the opportunity to dance with you after they found out you are definitely the world’s best-looking interior designer.”

She laughed. “That is all ridiculous, but I was glad to meet them. I’m amazed how much alike all of you look, having different mothers. It’s great you’re so compatible.”

“We weren’t always. Before Cade and I became friends we used to fight. Then we both realized how ridiculous that was, because we really didn’t have any reason to dislike each other. Cade doesn’t have any more control over how our father treats him than I do. He’s just fortunate to be in better favor than I ever was.”

“I’m amazed they’re understanding about your competition with your father in the hotel business. I looked up some information on the web about your hotels and about his. You have more of them, plus they’re bigger, fancier and definitely more luxurious.”

“I intend to run him out of the hotel business,” Blake said in a quiet voice that carried a cold tone. “I told you, Cade, Gabe and Nathan understand, and they don’t object. It won’t really hurt our father, but it’ll annoy the hell out of him because he’s competitive. He doesn’t like me and never has.”

“You said he abandoned you when you were a baby. How could he not like you when you were so young? That doesn’t make sense.”

“It was my mother he didn’t like, and I was part of her,” Blake answered flatly.

She stared at him in the darkened pickup and thought again about how different their lives were. She couldn’t understand his drive to get even for something during his childhood, something that seemed behind him now. All his efforts were such a waste of energy and talent. She couldn’t keep from thinking about all the people he could help if he put that energy and those resources to good use. With the money he used for hotels to compete with his father’s, he could instead build shelters, start reading programs and hire tutors—so many easy, constructive ways to help less fortunate people.

Blake couldn’t understand her way of life, and she couldn’t understand his.

He parked at the rear of his house and stepped out of the pickup to come around and open her door. His hands closed on her waist, and he swung her out of the truck. For an instant he held her up easily as she looked down into his eyes, and the moment changed. Desire ignited, hot and intense, as Blake lowered her, pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her.

They walked into the wide entryway together, moving into a sitting room. Light spilled into the darkened room from the hallway, and through the floor-to-ceiling glass they could see the lighted swimming pool. But all she was aware of was Blake, who drew her closer.

Her heart thudded. Her hands were light on his shoulders as she gazed up at him. She was held by a look that made her pulse race. Locked into another electric moment with him, she wanted his kiss.

“This is crazy, Blake.”

“It’s been a fun night, and it doesn’t have to end yet. There’s more I want, and so do you,” he said softly, his arm circling her waist and pulling her close against him. She slipped her arms around his neck even as she knew she should be pulling away.

All evening Blake had been sexy, fun and appealing. Desire had tugged on her senses for days. Each night their kisses made it impossible to avoid thinking about sleeping with him.

His appeal was physical. They didn’t have an emotional connection. With his drive for revenge, he was a man so much the opposite of all she believed in, she couldn’t imagine an emotional connection forming between them.

She could have this one night and not lose her heart.

Five

Sierra stopped reasoning with herself as she gazed up at him. Desire was blatant in his dark brown eyes, making her pulse jump. Standing in his arms, she trembled with longing. His arm tightened around her and he leaned closer, his lips brushed lightly, and then his mouth settled, his tongue going deep.

With the first brush of his mouth, her heart thudded. Slipping her arm around his neck, she closed her eyes as she returned his kiss. Passion blazed, making her lean closer. She relished his hard body and his solid muscles against her softness. Why was she so responsive to him and him alone? How could he make her melt with only a glance? Or a brush of his fingers on hers?

Wanting him, too aware they’d be parting soon, she tightened her arms around his neck, letting go of restraints and reason. She pressed against him, wanting to seize the moment. They had an electrifying chemistry that made every glance, every moment together breathtaking and exciting.

He was aroused, ready to make love. With one arm he held her close while his hand roamed down her back, over her bottom and along her thigh. She gasped with pleasure as she ran her hands along his back, tugging his shirt out of his jeans to slip her hands over his bare skin.

She shifted to give him access to the buttons on her shirt, and he twisted them free while he kissed her. She returned his kiss equally passionately.

Showering feathery kisses on her throat, he pushed open her blouse to unfasten her bra. He cupped her breasts, which filled his large hands as he rubbed each nipple. She moaned softly with pleasure. Need for more of him built with each touch. Her hands played over him, unfastening his belt, freeing him.

She ran her fingers over his warm belly, touching his manhood. Her first caress, so faint, made him gasp and shake with loss of control.

As his fingers tugged at her jeans, she leaned back to look at him. His dark gaze consumed her with a need so intense that she shivered. His touch was light and tantalizing, making her want him desperately. Swamped by desire, she wanted his kisses on her, his hands on her, his hard body against her, his heat inside her.

“Blake,” she whispered, running her fingers through his hair. “Kiss me,” she whispered again, touching her lips to his jaw, feeling the stubble of his beard. She continued, trailing kisses down his chest as her hands moved lower, grasping him to stroke and tease.

“Blake, I’m not protected.”

“I’ll take care of you,” he answered, kissing away her words while he stroked her, his hand caressing her breasts.