The Rancher's Cinderella Bride

by Sara Orwig

  As he talked, he caressed her nape with his other hand, kissed her ear, brushed her lips with his and then paused to look at her. There was enough light that he could see her eyes were heavy lidded, her focus on his mouth. He leaned close to kiss her, pulling her tightly against him.

  She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him in return, and he wanted her more than he had earlier. He picked her up and moved to a chaise longue and stretched out with her beside him, holding her close the whole time while he kissed her.

  Lying beside her was an irresistible temptation. He tried to take time, to not push her, although at the moment she seemed as eager as he was. He ran his hand beneath her shirt, then shifted her slightly to unfasten the front catch to her lacy bra and pushed it away, pulling her shirt high to allow him to hold and caress her breasts.

  She gasped with pleasure. “We weren’t going to do this tonight,” she whispered as she showered kisses on his jaw, his throat, his shoulder, unbuttoning his shirt and running her hand over his chest. In minutes she leaned away to look at him. “I need to catch my breath.”

  He nodded. He stood and took her hand. “Come on. We’ll go inside.”

  “Inside and upstairs to our own suites,” she added. “That’s the safest plan. Tomorrow it’s church and then the drive to your ranch.”

  “Whatever the lady wants,” he said.

  It wasn’t what he wanted. Not by a long shot.

  * * *

  At the door to her suite, Meg turned and slipped her arms around his neck, leaning close to kiss him. Then she stepped back and opened her door. “This has been a wonderful evening, Gabe. Thank you.”

  He shook his head at her. “Darlin’, you are a bundle of mixed signals. One minute you want to kiss me and the next minute you don’t.”

  “Not so mixed. I want to kiss, but common sense takes over now and then.”

  He took a deep breath. “I don’t recall you being this much trouble when we were kids.”

  “We had a simpler life when we were kids. You’re a year older and could usually get your way or beat me in games so you didn’t view me as trouble. I still don’t see you as trouble.” She glanced down at his hands, which were reaching out to pull her close. She grinned and said, “Well, maybe some trouble.” She partially closed the door, needing that physical barrier between them.

  “Still, Gabe, I’m so grateful to you for getting me out of the situation with my family and Justin. Remember,” she said, “I’ll do some big favor for you someday if you need me to help with a problem.”

  She smiled as she entered her suite, closing the door and letting out her breath. “If you only knew how much trouble you really are,” she whispered.

  She wanted to be in his arms, wanted his loving, wanted to be in his bed right now.

  She decided to take her own advice and at least take tonight to think about her future and what she wanted to do. If she slept with Gabe—and supposing the sex was super—would she be able to walk away with her heart intact? Or would it be broken?

  There would be no long-term relationship, no future with Gabe, so she needed to come to a firm decision. Did she want to miss this chance to make love with him?

  She wondered if she could sleep at all. Could Gabe sleep or was he going to lie awake and think about making love?

  * * *

  Sunday after church they got into Gabe’s black sports car. He knew he would have to stay at the speed limit or lower or his passenger would be unhappy and let him know it.

  She had come downstairs this morning, dressed in a tailored summer suit of pale-blue-and-white-striped cotton with a pale blue blouse and high-heeled blue sandals. Her hair was still in spiral curls and fell freely on both sides of her face, so she hadn’t reverted to her old hairstyle. And even in the tailored clothes that covered her, she took his breath away.

  They went to church together and sat far from her family, but she left Gabe to talk to them after the service was over. As he headed toward his car, he stopped to talk to friends while the church crowd thinned. Each time he glanced at Meg, she was talking to her mother, and both of them looked engrossed in their conversation.

  He hoped she was getting across to her mother her feelings about Justin and he might escape this month-long fake engagement, but he suspected that was highly unlikely.

  “Gabe, wait up,” a man called, and he turned to see his friend Marc Medina so he stopped and smiled.

  * * *

  “Megan, I see you’re with Gabe Callahan this morning,” her mother said as Meg walked up. Her father was talking to a friend and farther away from them.

  “Yes, I am. We went out together last night and today he’s taking me to see his ranch. Where are Lolo and Grandpa Harry?”

  “They left for Colorado already. So Justin really is out of your life.”

  “Yes, he is. He never really was in my life as far as I was concerned.”

  Her mother frowned. “Megan, please think about what you’re doing by going with Gabe Callahan. You know how the family feels about the Callahans.”

  “Mom, that is your generation. My generation has no problem with the younger Callahans. Gabe and I have been friends forever, as you know, and it’s fun to be with him.”

  Her mother frowned as she stared at Meg. “I hope we didn’t push you into doing something foolish.”

  “I assume you mean pushing me into going out with Gabe. We’ve been friends almost since we were toddlers. I like being with him,” she said, glancing around to see Gabe standing in the shade of a tree, talking to a friend.

  “Gabe is waiting. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Take care. I love you.”

  She hugged her mother. “I love you, too.” She looked at her mother. “I know you mean well and want me to be happy.”

  “That’s what’s important.”

  “I better run,” she said, turning to hurry across the lot to Gabe. He stood alone in the shade now, his arms folded as he waited. Her heart beat faster when she looked at him. He was dressed for church in a charcoal Western-style suit, his black boots and black Stetson. They had already planned to drive back to his house to change clothes and get some of her things before leaving for his ranch.

  “Thank you for waiting so patiently,” she said. “Wait until we’re at your house. I’m going to give you a giant hug and jump up and down for joy. My mom finally gets it that I do not want to date Justin, much less marry him.”

  Gabe laughed. “Whoa, slow down. I got what you said, but you sound like Horace Grayson when he’s auctioning cattle.”

  Feeling giddy, she laughed. “I’m just so happy. She finally understands.”

  Gabe held the car door open and she stepped forward to get in, but paused in front of him, with only inches between them.

  “You handsome devil. You are the greatest friend ever and if we weren’t on the church grounds, I’d hug you right now. You did it. See? Taking me out started opening the doors to my freedom. Hooray!”

  She saw him glance around and then he ushered her into the car. “Get in before someone else comes over to talk and we never get out of here.”

  Smiling at him, she slid into the seat and he closed the door. She watched him walk around the car, something she enjoyed doing because he was so handsome in his Sunday outfit. He would be handsome out of his Sunday outfit, too, she was sure.

  He sat behind the wheel, buckled his seat belt and started the car, driving slowly out of the lot.

  Meg turned toward him as much as she could with a seat belt on. “I’m so happy, I can’t sit still. I’m free. I owe it all to you. What a friend you are.”

  “You just keep those thoughts in your pretty head until we get to my house.”

  “I couldn’t get rid of these thoughts right now if I tried. I feel as if I could fly o
ut of this car.”

  “While you’re on this high, is there any chance you’d like a real thrill and would let me fly you to the ranch?”

  “Whoa, you know how to kill the moment, too, Gabe,” she said. “No, I haven’t changed my mind about flying in one of those little planes. I don’t care how fancy or expensive it is. I don’t like to fly in the big ones either, for that matter. I don’t go anywhere so it isn’t an issue. I’ll drive to the ranch with or without you.”

  “I’ll take you,” he said, patting her leg. “I just gave it a shot. You’re so exuberant, I thought I might get you in a plane.”

  “Sorry, not today.” As euphoric as she was, nothing would get her in a plane.

  “Want to get brunch now at someplace nice, or would you rather change, head for the ranch and eat a burger on the way?” Gabe asked as he drove. “Personally, I vote for the Sunday brunch at my favorite restaurant.”

  “I agree,” she said. “And I’ll try to control my gratitude and my excitement.”

  “You can bottle up all that gratitude and excitement while we eat and then uncork it when we’re in the privacy of my house.”

  * * *

  It was two hours later when they left the restaurant and he drove them to his Dallas home in a gated community.

  Turning to go through the big gate that opened automatically for his car, he entered the subdivision. In minutes he went through another gate that surrounded his place. Finally, he slowed and stopped at the back of his house and went around to open her door. Before he could, she hopped out and kissed his cheek.

  “Thanks a million, my friend. Don’t forget my offer. I’m ready, willing and able to do something for you.”

  She instantly regretted her words when she saw the flare of desire in his blue eyes. She felt heat climb into her cheeks at her unwitting innuendo. Which was so unlike her. She’d never been embarrassed in front of Gabe.

  “Besides going to bed, I mean,” she clarified, smiling at him.

  He laughed. “Meg, in some ways you haven’t changed at all. At the same time, you have changed in the most delightful fashion possible. Darlin’, I’m glad to be of help to you. Even though you’ve made a wreck out of me, I wouldn’t have missed this week for the world.”

  “I’m so happy, I can’t be still.”

  He reached out to draw her into his embrace, leaning close to kiss her, a possessive, demanding kiss that made her forget her resolution to avoid kisses and sex. Gabe held her close, kissing her into scalding desire.

  She wanted more, so much more.

  Did she want to keep saying no and maybe miss the most dazzling sex ever?

  What they did to each other was amazing—she wanted to pursue that and make love with him because it had to be fabulous. But if it was that awesome, could she keep from giving him her heart, her love, along with her body? Could she make love with him and then just walk away, heart intact, the way he would?

  That was the big question she faced and she didn’t have an answer.

  “Gabe, I’m still thinking about this,” she whispered. “I can’t resist kissing you but I’m not ready to go to bed with you. That’s just the way I am. It’ll be complicated if I make love with you.”

  “Will it ever, darlin’,” he said, his gaze roaming over her.

  “Let’s go change. I’ll get the rest of my things I want to take and we can leave for the ranch,” she said.

  Together they went upstairs and then parted, each to their suites.

  She entered hers, closed the door and saw the vivid reflection of her eyes in the mirror. Could Gabe see what she detected so clearly there? Desire.

  It was no secret that she wanted him. Whether she should act on it was the real issue.

  If she refused to sleep with him and they parted, would she always feel she had missed something special? Would she regret not making love with him?

  Someday she hoped she would fall in love and marry a man who was similar to her, who wanted what she wanted. Someone who led a regular life and didn’t raise bulls and ride them, fly his own small plane, do all the wild things Gabe did. But for now...was she about to pass up something special that she would always remember?

  Would she fall in love if she went to bed with him tonight at his ranch? She had to be able to answer no to that question or else say no to him. She’d have to lock her heart away and enjoy a physical time with him and then leave him the way he would leave her. No strings, no ties, no commitment, no love. Could she do that, especially when it was with her best friend and the sexiest man she knew? Or would she open herself up for heartbreak?

  Eight

  It was late afternoon when his ranch house came into view. She looked at the long, one-story stacked-stone house with rustic wood columns along the wraparound porch and a large porte cochere to the east of the building. She admired the landscaped, fenced-in front yard with berms of mature oak trees.

  “You have a beautiful place,” she said. “Great landscaping with your berms.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” He parked in the shade beneath the porte cochere and walked around to hold the car door open for her. Desire kept her acutely aware of him and her gaze raked over his broad shoulders covered with a navy cotton shirt that was tucked into jeans and one of his wide, hand-tooled leather belts, complete with a big silver belt buckle she assumed he had won riding a bull or accomplishing some other rodeo achievement. Ironically, they had both changed into jeans and navy shirts, and they had laughed about dressing alike.

  “Come in and let me show you around,” he said when she stepped out of his car. He picked up her bag and retrieved her carry-on and as they walked in, she was aware of him beside her.

  She entered into the kitchen, well equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and a tan-and-white decor. As they walked farther into the house, she glanced at rooms off the wide main hall, and finally he showed her to the suite where she would stay. It had a separate sitting room with a wall of glass and sliding glass doors that opened onto the back porch. A few steps led down to a wide patio with an outdoor carpet, cushioned chairs and sofas, tables, a fire pit, a large television and an outdoor kitchen. Beyond it was a curving swimming pool with a waterfall and two slides.

  “This is beautiful, Gabe,” she said as she looked outside. “You have everything the way you like it.”

  But when she turned around, the picturesque sight of his backyard paled in comparison to Gabe. He was hefting her bags onto a luggage stand, his shirt pulled across his broad shoulders and his biceps flexed. Memories of their kisses before they left Dallas were still vivid in her mind, and she felt desire once again flooding her.

  “Do you—” He set down her bags and glanced at her, and whatever he was about to ask her died on his lips.

  She no longer had to wonder, as she had back in Dallas hours ago, whether he could see the desire in her eyes. Clearly he did.

  His gaze locked with hers as he strode across to her. He wrapped his arms around her and tilted her chin up. She looked into his eyes, the blue darkened by passion—eyes that mirrored the desire she felt.

  “Ah, darlin’,” he said as he leaned down to kiss her.

  Letting go of her usual caution, doubts and worries, she clung to him as eagerness filled her. Making her decision, she expected she could live with it and hoped she had made the right choice.

  His scalding kiss was possessive and passionate, making her feel as if she belonged in his arms. She experienced a bond of friendship with him that she didn’t have with any other man she had ever known. Because of that and his kisses that set her ablaze with an incredibly intense longing, she wanted his loving, his hands and mouth on her, his body available for her to touch and kiss. Most of all, she wanted to pleasure him, to caress and kiss him. She longed to pour out some of what she felt for him, trying to convey
how happy she was to have him in her life again, even if it would be brief.

  “You’re so good to me,” she whispered, thinking he truly was her best friend and had stuck by her when she needed him, both as a child and now as an adult. Their kisses were stupendous. Were they so great because it was Gabe? Because friendship made it more intense? Or was it some other chemistry they conjured up when they were together? She didn’t know. At the moment she only knew she wanted him, needed to draw him closer, keep him close. She longed to love him and his awesome male body that made her tremble with desire.

  She was about to make a commitment when she knew there would be no commitment from him. But he would always be honest and up front with her. She had already decided to live with that and, hopefully, to walk away without leaving behind her heart. This time in his arms, in his bed, couldn’t change her life unless she let it. She knew his feelings and understood them. They were close, and this intimacy would be one more link in their chain of timeless friendship.

  She stopped thinking about it. She was with Gabe and she wanted to make love with him.

  Holding her, he leaned back slightly to look at her, a piercing look filled with unspoken questions. “You know what you want. This is a turnaround.”

  “Not really. We’re friends. The closest of friends, which changes everything and makes intimacy something special. I can guard my heart as you will yours, and at the same time, that friendship will shine through and become special.”

  He drew her close to kiss her again, a slow, tantalizing kiss as his tongue thrust deep, stroked hers, touched the corners of her mouth and moved so lightly over her lower lip. All teasing strokes that built a physical need to kiss even more passionately.

  She drew his head down and stood on tiptoe to kiss him, tangling her tongue with his, wanting to bind him to her for the next hour, to be as close as they could.