Page 84 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

“Are you sure Bert isn’t a relative of yours? He quizzed me about how long you’ll have to be in Texas, that sort of thing.”

“Bert worries and he hovers, but his intentions are good.”

“I don’t think his intentions toward me are so good,” Blake remarked.

She smiled at his joke. “He worries about me. He worries about Nan. He’s a good guy. You don’t have to go with all of us to church tomorrow if you’d rather not.”

“I’ll go and see what life is like for you,” he replied.

“That will please Dad. He is always happy to have someone come hear him preach,” she said quietly, looking up at Blake. Beard stubble shadowed his jaw, and his black hair was tousled. Her heart drummed because she wanted to be in his arms, wanted his kisses. She had seen another side to him today, a really good side. His helping her family, caring about people and kids, particularly William, drew her to him in ways that were even stronger than their physical attraction.

This one weekend wouldn’t make him a different man. He was still bent on revenge. But it had changed the way she saw him. There was so much to him that was good.

She would soon have to tell him goodbye. She suspected it would take a long time to forget him, but the sooner they parted, the sooner she would start.

On Sunday Blake joined Sierra and her family for church and another delicious meal with so many people that he marveled at how well her mother handled everything. After dinner a lot of her family played volleyball, and he joined them, laughing and helping the little kids who joined in.

It was sundown when he told everyone goodbye. Sierra drove as they headed for the airport and his private jet. Relaxed and friendly, he occasionally brushed her fingers lightly, or her nape, or moved a lock of her hair—tiny touches that shouldn’t have even been noticeable, but instead steadily built a longing in her for more.

When they landed, a limo waited to take them to his Dallas home. Following the winding drive, the car stopped in front of a palatial three-story home with lighted grounds. Inside, as soon as he switched off an alarm, closed the door and locked it, he turned to embrace her.

Surprised, Sierra looked up into midnight eyes that conveyed his intent. Her heart thudded.

Six

“This is Sunday night, and we haven’t kissed since Friday,” he said in a husky voice as his arm circled her waist and held her against him.

While her heartbeat raced, she gazed at him in silence. She had always wanted a marriage like her parents’ because they truly loved each other and their family. That seemed the best possible situation to her. There was no hope of that if she fell in love with Blake. He didn’t know what a loving relationship was. He had no role models, no examples. He didn’t even seem to want that in his life. Right now his goal was revenge—a chilling ambition.

Blake was a solitary person and probably had been for so long that he didn’t even realize he was different from a lot of people. She had seen a good side to him this weekend, but it would be foolish of her to expect him to give up his drive for revenge or his lifelong feelings of resentment about his father. The sooner she and Blake said farewell and parted ways, the better off she would be. She had to cut ties with him...

But it would be after tonight.

Even as she reminded herself of all these things, she was mesmerized by Blake’s brown eyes, breathless because of the intent they conveyed.

Wisdom whispered to walk away while desire shouted to put her arms around him and kiss him in return.

She followed the longings of her body, of her heart. Tomorrow she would be in another state, away from Blake. She would no longer have temptation to struggle with. She’d go on with her life and let Blake Callahan become a memory.

She wrapped her arms around him, winding her fingers in the hair at the back of his head. Holding him tightly, she kissed him, wanting to excite him as he did her, to rock his world as much as he had rocked hers.

While he continued kissing her, Blake swung her up in his arms and headed for a bedroom. As he did, her heart drummed and she clung to him tightly.

Tonight, she wouldn’t think about tomorrow. Tonight she wanted to make love. Would she ever be able to forget him?

Hours later, she sat with her back against him in a large tub. His arms were around her while he showered light kisses on her neck. She was warm and satisfied. For the moment, happiness filled her. She thought about the weekend and William.

Had Blake really been interested in William, or had his attention to the boy been meant to impress her? She didn’t know Blake well enough to know what he truly felt about William. No matter what the motive, he had helped the boy, and for a short time at least, thanks to Blake, William had broken out of his shell, enjoying life and the kids around him.

“This is perfect, Sierra.”

“I have to agree. I’m glad you went home with me. You may have made a big difference in William’s life. Sometimes kids, even adults we work with, think they’re the only one something has happened to, and William may be one of those. Although he knows there are other kids at the shelter who don’t have anyone.”

“How does he do in school?” Blake asked. He massaged her shoulders, rubbing lightly, his hands warm and soothing.

“I have no idea, but I can find out. My guess is average, or I would have heard otherwise,” she answered quietly, scared to hope that Blake would really get involved in William’s life.

“Check and see. Too bad they don’t have a ranch for some of those kids who are old enough. They could learn to care for a horse, to ride, to help out and do chores. It’s a good life for a kid who is willing to work.”