by Judy Duarte
“No, she hasn’t.”
“Don’t let that stop you,” Galen said. “Look at her. She’s smoking hot.”
His oldest brother certainly had that right. Toby studied the lovely brunette crossing the lawn in that white sundress. She had on the denim jacket now, as well as those cowboy boots. So she’d covered up her arms and shoulders. But she still looked good.
In fact, she looked amazing in whatever she wore—especially a wet yoga outfit.
“Let me know if you’re not interested in her,” Galen added. “If that’s the case, I might ask her out myself.”
Just the thought of Galen moving in on Angie sent Toby’s senses reeling.
“All right, I’m interested,” he admitted. “So back off.”
Before his brothers could tease him further, he headed for the tables and found seats for him, Angie and the kids.
As was typical of a Fortune Jones dinner, everyone ate their fill, including the variety of desserts. All the while, they told stories about growing up together, sometimes teasing, usually smiling or laughing.
When Toby could finally call it a day, he rounded up the kids and told them it was time to head home.
“Why don’t you let Brian and Justin spend the night here,” Galen said. “I think I’ll camp out in that tree house for old times’ sake. And it would be nice if the boys kept me company.”
Before Toby could respond, Stacey chimed in. “And Piper would like to have her very first sleepover. Why don’t you let Colton and me take Kylie home with us?”
“A sleepover?” Toby asked. “Piper is only nine months old.”
Stacey smiled. “You’re right. She doesn’t stay up past seven. But then I’ll get a chance to play with Kylie.”
What was going on? Galen and Stacey were offering to keep the kids?
“I don’t know about that,” Toby said. “They don’t have their pajamas or toothbrushes.”
Galen elbowed him. “Come on, Toby. Real cowboys don’t sleep in jammies. They sleep in their boots and clothes. What’s the matter with you?”
Stacey edged forward. “Kylie can sleep in one of my old T-shirts. I also have a brand-new toothbrush she can use. What do you say?”
He didn’t know what to say. The offer stole the words right out of him.
“Come on, Toby.” His little sister gave him a wink. “You deserve a good night’s sleep.”
It took him a moment to realize what his crazy family was up to. And he didn’t know if he should kill them or kiss them. But when he took a look at Angie, when he spotted the wide-eyed wonder, the look of surprise...
Well, it wasn’t just the kids who were whooping it up and begging for the night to come.
Toby’s hormones were right there with them.
Chapter Nine
As Toby’s pickup headed down the county road that led to the Double H Ranch, Angie bit down on her bottom lip and stared out the windshield. It was the first time they’d actually been alone, and for some reason they both seemed to be at a loss for words.
Sure, they’d had a few stolen moments before, but this was different. There were no children to worry about walking in on them, no job to hustle out to, no errands to run.
It was just the two of them.
The silence in the cab was almost overwhelming, and if that weren’t enough, Angie’s heart was zipping through her chest, racing around as if it wanted to beat her and Toby back to his place.
But then what? Things were sure to be more awkward there.
Would he tell her good-night the minute they got out of the truck? Or would he invite her into the house?
He hadn’t uttered a word since they’d left, so she had no idea what he was thinking. But whenever she stole a glance across the seat, the expression he wore suggested that he felt just as on edge and nervous as she did.
She’d like to put him—or rather both of them—at ease, but she was so far out of her element that she didn’t know where to begin.
What she could really use was an icebreaker, but she couldn’t seem to come up with anything clever to say or do. So she just sank into the leather passenger seat, trying to keep her eyes off the handsome rancher who’d been captivating her thoughts more and more each day.
When they finally turned down his drive and neared the ranch house, she spotted her car parked right where she’d left it. The old Toyota looked a little sad and lonely sitting there, and Angie was going to feel the same way if she drove off in it.
Think, girl. Say something.
“So,” she finally said, the sound of her voice breaking into the silence. “What are you going to do with an evening all to yourself?”
At that, Toby turned, glanced across the seat at her and smiled. “It’s been so long since I’ve had a night without the kids that I have no idea.”
Angie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and tossed him a carefree grin. “Then if I were you, I’d turn on the TV, choose a channel that doesn’t play cartoons and eat ice cream straight from the container.”
Toby shut off the ignition. In the dim light of the cab, she caught a glimmer in his eyes and a flirtatious tilt in his smile.
Now there went a definite zing.
He stretched his arm across the seat, and his smile deepened. “If you were me, would you invite someone in to watch television and help you eat the rest of the chocolate ice cream?”
“Actually, that’s exactly what I’d do. But instead of the ice cream, I’d offer her wine because she probably avoided anything alcoholic at the barbecue for fear she’d slip and say something that your sisters might misconstrue. But I’d also promise to let her control the remote.”
Toby laughed. “The wine, I can do. But I’m pretty territorial about my remote.”
Not bad for an icebreaker, huh?
Angie smiled, then reached for the door handle and let herself out of the truck. They walked together to the porch, and when Toby opened the front door for her and flipped on the light switch, she stepped inside.
The house was quieter than it had ever been, at least since she’d started coming to visit. Only now, the solitude made things awkward again. Without the kids around to act as buffers, she and Toby had to face each other and whatever they were feeling.
He led her to the kitchen, where he opened the fridge and pulled out the bottle of wine for her and a longneck beer for him.
“I had a lot of fun tonight,” she said, as she removed a goblet from the cabinet. “Your family knows how to have a good time. And they’re down-to-earth.”
“If by ‘down-to-earth,’ you mean ‘meddling,’ then, yes. They are.” Toby filled her glass. After popping the top off his drink, he leaned against the counter in a sexy cowboy slant.
“They weren’t meddling,” Angie said. “They were a little curious, maybe. But friendly. And look at how helpful they were, offering to take the kids for the night so that you could have a break.”
Toby chuckled, then lifted the Corona to his lips and took another swig.
Oh, sweet goodness. Those lips. Angie had never been so jealous of a drink container.
When he lowered the bottle, his gaze zeroed in on her. “You know why they offered to keep the kids, don’t you?”
She hadn’t wanted to speculate, but now that he’d brought it up, she supposed, deep down, that she’d known what they’d been up to. They’d wanted to give her and Toby some time alone.
Or rather, a night alone.
Gosh. It was sure getting warm in here. Had someone left the oven on while they’d been gone?
She slipped off her denim jacket and placed it on the back of one of the barstools. All the while, Toby continued to lean against the counter, watching her.
Why was he looking at her like that—as if there was a big ole ele
phant in the room and he was determined to circle around it and come right on over to her?
His gaze was only making her warmer, and if he didn’t stop, she was going to melt into a puddle.
Hoping the wine would help her cool down, she took a gulp.
“Come on.” Toby reached for her hand, his fingers threading through hers and sending a flurry of little zings rushing all the way to her core. Then he led her to the living room.
Thank goodness they were walking. Her knees had turned to rubber, and she wasn’t sure they’d hold her up much longer if she didn’t shake them out and get the blood flowing again.
She could use some cool air, too.
When they reached the living room, he led her to the leather sectional, where she took a seat. Then he sat next to her, even though there’d been plenty of room to spread out.
That was a good sign, yes?
Or was it a bad one?
She wasn’t quite sure. But either way, the heat from the kitchen had followed them into the living room, and she took another swallow of wine.
“My family was definitely meddling,” he said. “They could have kept the kids last night—or the weekend before. But they wanted to spend some time with you first, to see us together, before they made the offer.”
“So they were vetting me?” she asked.
“That’s about the size of it.”
“Hmm.” Angie stared at her chardonnay as if it was the most fascinating wine she’d ever tasted. Then she took another sip. If she continued to drink at this rate, she’d finish what was left in the bottle—and be on the floor soon after that.
“I guess I should be flattered that they approve,” she said.
He placed his arm along the backrest, close enough for her to feel his body heat along her bare shoulders. “How could they not approve of you? You’re bright, funny, sweet and genuine.” He paused, then fingered a strand of her hair. “And you’re so damn beautiful.”
Zing! Zing! Zing!
Now her glass was empty. Where had all that cold wine gone?
“Aw, hell,” he said. “I’d wanted to spend some time with you away from the kids. But now that I’ve finally got you alone...”
When he trailed off, she studied his averted gaze, his pained expression.
What had he been about to say?
That he wasn’t interested in her? That she was nice as far as babysitters went, but there was no point in her being here if the kids weren’t?
“But now what?” she prodded.
Whoa. Where had the double-shot of courage come from? Did she really want to hear what he’d been about to say?
Her heart went haywire while she awaited his answer.
Toby removed his hand from her hair, from the back of the sofa and leaned forward.
Uh-oh. Bad sign?
Then he raked his fingers through his own hair. “It’s just that now it all feels forced. And expected. It’s like every member of my family knows exactly what we’re doing right this second.”
Angie chuckled, the sound coming out in a nervous rush. “But we aren’t doing anything. And even if we do decide to do something, whatever happens or doesn’t happen is our secret. Nobody has to know.”
Toby’s brows furrowed, and a look of annoyance crossed his face. “Of course no one will know. Do I look like the type to kiss and tell?”
“Toby,” Angie said, her tone the same one she used when one of the kids was out of line. “I’m not sure if you’re the type to kiss, let alone talk about it.”
Their eyes met for a moment, and then a slow grin spread across his face. “Oh, I’m the type, all right.” Then he lowered his mouth to hers.
Angie turned into his embrace, eager to kiss him with the passion that had been building over the past week until it threatened to consume her now.
And she wasn’t disappointed.
His lips were soft, yet demanding. And his taste, while cool and refreshing, was hot and arousing.
Breaths mingled, tongues mated and the kiss deepened, intensifying until they were making out on the sofa like a couple of teenagers who had the run of the house for the very first time.
As Toby tugged at the strap of her dress, slipping it off her shoulder, he stroked her skin, igniting a fire and an ache deep in her core. Her breath caught, and her zing meter burst, like a flash of sparklers on a Fourth of July night.
As she leaned back and sucked a gulp of air into her lungs, Toby trailed kisses down her neck, along her shoulder. The warmth of his breath, the skill of his lips, caused her back to arch. And she was...his.
* * *
Toby had wanted to get Angie into his arms ever since the day he’d seen her wearing those cutoff shorts and walking around with bare, freshly painted toes. And judging from the wispy little pants and whimpers coming from her sweet lips, she’d been wanting him just as badly.
At least, she certainly wanted him now.
The ride home from his parents’ house had just about done him in. He’d never been so tense in his life. Not just because the physical attraction between the two of them had built to astronomical proportions, but because they’d soon have a big decision to make.
If they took things to a physical level tonight, there’d be no going back. And he needed to know that they were both on the same page.
As much as it pained him, he pulled his mouth from hers and ended the kiss.
“I...uh...” He cleared his throat. “We...”
Hell, he didn’t even know what to say. Seconds ago, when they’d been kissing, he’d been in complete control of his tongue. But now he could barely form a simple word.
Angie merely looked at him with passion-glazed eyes.
Finally he managed to spell it out. “If you think you might have second thoughts about where this is heading, now would be a good time to say it.”
“If you’re afraid I’ll change my mind or have any regrets,” she said, “don’t be.”
That was the answer he’d wanted to hear. So he captured her mouth in another heart-soaring, star-spinning kiss.
Somehow, without removing her lips from his, she managed to lift a knee, and in one swift movement, she straddled his lap and faced him.
As they continued to kiss, he ran his hands up and down the slope of her back, along her hips, caressing her curves, memorizing them.
The lovely sundress, once so damn sexy, was now in the way. Should he unzip it and do away with it?
As she began to rock back and forth, a movement that was sure to drive them both over the brink, he realized they could very easily make love right on the sofa if he didn’t change tactics. So again he drew his lips from hers.
“Let’s take this into the bedroom,” he whispered. But instead of releasing her, he held her tighter, leaned forward and slowly got to his feet.
She wrapped her legs around his waist, holding on as he carried her to his room. He kissed her along the way, hoping not to step on any of the LEGO pieces or dolls that sometimes littered his hallway.
He meant to hold himself in check, but he couldn’t seem to help himself from tumbling with her onto the bed.
As they stretched out, hands reaching, lips seeking, she sobered and pulled away. “Toby, wait.”
Oh, no. She wasn’t going to stop him now, was she? If so, this was one hell of a time for her to prove everyone right and change her mind.
“I’m not on the pill,” she said. “And I don’t have any...you know...protection with me. I wasn’t really anticipating this.”
Did she think he was?
He couldn’t help but smile, as he rolled to the side, taking her with him. “I hope you don’t think I was expecting this to happen, either, or that I planned to bring you back here and ravish you.” He’d hoped to, yes. But he hadn
’t planned to. “I do happen to have some condoms, though.”
She smiled. “So we have that hurdle covered.”
“And just so you know, I’ve been weighing the pros and cons of where moving forward might take us.”
“Maybe you’re overthinking things,” she said.
Had that come from the woman who seemed to overthink every little decision she’d ever had to make?
“It’s really quite simple,” she added. “Either you want me or you don’t.”
He ran a knuckle along her cheek. “That part is simple. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted another woman in my life.”
Dang. Had he really admitted that to her? And was it actually true?
Yeah, he was afraid that it was.
“But then what?” he asked.
“If you’re sure about what you want, then everything else will fall into place.”
How could he argue with that logic?
Toby chuckled and slowly shook his head. Who would have guessed that Angie would be the one helping him make a decision?
But, in truth, he feared he’d decided he wanted her—and wanted this—long before now. And judging by the way she’d sat up, unzipped her dress and began to lift it over her head, so had she.
Toby reached into his nightstand drawer and pulled out the box of condoms he’d picked up at the pharmacy when he’d been in Lubbock yesterday.
Okay, so maybe he had done a little planning. And after waking up with her on the lawn this morning in a state of arousal, he’d realized that purchase had been a good investment, since he’d thought—or rather, he’d hoped—an occasion like this might arise.
When Angie had completely undressed, she stretched out on the bed, her perfect breasts, her lush curves a tempting sight he’d never forget.
She was beautiful and sweet and, at least for this moment in time, completely his.
She reached for his belt buckle, letting him know that she was ready for him to join her, and he quickly removed his clothing, too.
“You’re so beautiful, Toby. So perfect.”
Him? She thought he was perfect? She was the beautiful one. The perfect one. And as he lay down beside her again, he used his mouth and his body to tell her just that.
