by Reeni Austin
Marcy let out a nervous chuckle and glanced over her shoulder. "Haircut." She cleared her throat. "I gave him a haircut. He's gonna take a shower 'cause there's hair all over him."
"Oh. Okay." Victor sounded skeptical. "Sorry to bother you. Cara had a question for you, so I came up here to find you."
Marcy nodded. "I'll be right down."
Victor walked away and said, "All right."
Marcy turned around to give Ramon one last look up and down, avoiding his eyes. "I gotta go."
She took one step into the hall to see Victor nearing the stairs.
And suddenly, Marcy felt Ramon's palm gently swat her backside, then linger there.
Her heart raced, knowing Victor could turn around and see them. But she let Ramon go on for a while until she heard Victor's feet hit the hardwood floor downstairs.
Over her shoulder, Marcy said to him, "You're gonna get me in trouble."
Ramon chuckled, pulled his hand away, and stepped into the bathroom. He closed the door behind him.
Marcy stayed there, inhaling and exhaling until her breathing returned to normal. Hoping she would find another way to be alone with him. Soon.
CHAPTER 5
Marcy kept herself busy the rest of the day, cleaning the house when she wasn't helping Cara plan her wedding.
But she was distracted. The image of Ramon's nearly-naked body invaded her thoughts, constantly. She couldn't shake that feeling she got as he stood there, dark eyes penetrating hers when he invited her to join him in the shower. And damn it. If it had been any other guy, she would have told Cara all about it.
But she could already hear Cara's lecture about Ramon.
Thankfully, it seemed that Victor had made no mention of seeing Marcy and Ramon together in the bathroom. If he'd said anything to Cara, she didn't act like it.
Ramon was so late for dinner, Marcy was afraid he wouldn't show at all. But finally, as she was pulling Patty's casserole out of the oven, she heard his voice mingle with the others in the kitchen.
Marcy's breath quickened. She set the casserole on the stove and absent-mindedly straightened her blouse before turning around.
Ramon was mid-conversation across the room with Tom, but his eyes flew to hers as soon as she looked at him. He gave her a little nod then turned his attention fully to Tom.
Marcy glanced around the busy kitchen to make sure no one was watching her, then she let her eyes feast for a moment. She had cut so little from his hair, she doubted anyone would notice. There was still more than enough there for her to run her fingers through, and that's what she imagined doing. In her mind she was standing over him as he sat in a chair like he had in the bathroom… one hand in his hair, the other trailing down his smooth, hard chest, then to his washboard abs, then lower…
Then abruptly, Marcy shook out of her five-second fantasy as a bowl of salad plopped down on the kitchen island in front of her.
Patty said, "Would you please take that to the table for me?" as she turned around to the fridge.
Marcy sighed and said, "Sure," and took the bowl to the dining room.
Five minutes later, everyone gathered around the big table to eat. To Marcy's delight, they all sat in the same seats as they had the prior evening, leaving only Ramon and Isaac's chairs empty until they finished washing their hands and came to the dining room. Isaac happily rushed to his seat between Cara and Patty. Ramon casually headed to his seat beside Marcy. His fingertips brushed the outside of her thigh as he pulled his chair closer to the table.
Marcy's skin was hot from his touch. She took a drink of water, feeling her neck and face get red. Thankfully there were enough conversations to keep the others' attention away.
During dinner, Ramon was quiet until a comment from Cara about Isaac's birthday party made him sit up straight and drop his fork.
"What?" Ramon asked. "You're not havin' it here?"
Cara and Victor shared a look. Cara said, "No. Not with the potholes and everything. We thought you didn't want visitors."
Ramon chuckled. "I let you guys in here, didn't I?" He laughed a little more. "I'll get it all fixed. Probably not by this weekend, though. The boys are too busy. But I can definitely put a couple of 'em on it early next week if you wanna have the party next Saturday instead."
Startled, Cara asked, "Are you sure? I don't wanna put you out."
"Nah, it's fine. It's part of the ranch hands' job description. I just haven't made 'em do it in a long time."
Victor let out a relieved sigh and said, "This is great." He gave Ramon a half-smile. "Saves me the trouble of having it all done without your permission before the wedding."
Ramon rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah." He looked at Cara. "So, how many kids are we talkin' about?"
Isaac's eyes lit up and he yelled, "A hundwed!"
Cara shook her head. "He wants to invite everyone from daycare. I expect about thirty to show."
Ramon asked Isaac, "Do you want pony rides? Or one of those inflatable houses where the kids all jump around inside?"
Isaac's eyes were big. He nodded rapidly. "Uh-huh."
Cara sighed. "I don't know. It's probably too late to rent anything."
"Nah. I know a guy." Ramon shrugged and picked up his fork. "You handle the food. I'll take care of the rest."
Patty's face lit up at the mention of handling the food.
Skeptical, Cara asked, "Are you sure?"
Ramon looked at Cara like she was crazy. "Yeah, I'm sure. I want him to have a good party." He winked at Isaac. "It's not every day a guy turns four." He nodded and shared a look of familiarity with the boy as he added, "Cuatro."
Isaac giggled and softly repeated, "Qua-twoh."
Cara stared earnestly at Ramon. "Okay. Just let me know what to expect in advance. I reserve the right to veto."
"All right," Ramon said. "What time you wanna have it? Afternoon?"
Cara shrugged. "One o'clock?"
Ramon nodded. "Consider it done." Then he picked up his fork and shoved a large bite of mashed potatoes into his mouth.
The rest of the table started talking about preparation for Isaac's party, but Ramon stayed quiet until he finished eating.
Marcy recognized the look on Cara's face as she and Victor whispered to each other, too quiet to be heard over Isaac and Patty's discussion of party foods. She knew Cara was probably worried that Ramon wouldn't live up to his agreement. And she wondered if Cara was right. But there was no doubt Ramon had a bond with Isaac, which Marcy found endearing.
Later, after helping clean up, Marcy started toward the living room to join everyone. As soon as she entered the room, Ramon stood from his chair and walked toward her.
His expression changed when he knew Marcy was the only person who could see him. He flashed her a wicked grin and let his eyes drift up and down her body, stopping her just inside the room. "Hey," he whispered, then glanced quickly over his shoulder to make sure he had drawn no attention. Tom held the remote, flipping through channels as they all discussed what to watch.
"Hey." Marcy felt her breath slip away. She steadied herself, trying to subdue her body's reaction to the intense look in his eyes.
Ramon's grin widened to a smile for the briefest moment, then he looked serious. His voice was soft. "I need your help with something."
Marcy swallowed, then said, "Now?"
He smiled. "No, but soon. Tonight."
She nodded and barely whispered, "Sure."
Without breaking his gaze, he said, "Come to my bedroom at nine." Then he spun around and headed back to his chair.
Marcy's mouth fell open but she quickly closed it as she took a seat on the couch. How in the world was she supposed to sit there enjoying a night of family-friendly television when all she could think about was what might happen at nine o'clock in Ramon's bedroom? And how much she hoped he wasn't leading her on.
* * *
Ramon said, "Good night," and went upstairs at eight-fifteen. Marcy didn't look at him when he left, but he
swore he saw her blush.
Was he making his intentions too obvious? Hell, he didn't know. But he'd rather be honest with her than act like something he wasn't.
He took a quick shower then went to his room, which was messier than he realized. He immediately heaved a pile of dirty clothes from the floor into a hamper. Next, he went to the linen closet for a fresh set of sheets.
At eight-thirty, he smiled when he heard Marcy enter her room, then go across the hall to the shower.
Ramon laughed, practically giddy with excitement. But determined to hide that giddiness. He must act cool around her. And shit, it was gonna be tough. Marcy was the first woman he'd invited to his room since…
Hmm.
Had it happened so long ago, he couldn't remember anymore?
The last girl he tried to seriously date was about a year and a half earlier.
No, that couldn't be right, he thought. It can't be that long since I had a woman in my bedroom…
Ramon rolled his eyes and shrugged it off. Shit, what'd it matter, anyhow? There was a gorgeous lady taking a shower across the hall at this very minute, probably just about to get herself all prettied up and ready for him. All he needed to do was find his new box of condoms and try not to act like a damn dork.
He took a good look at himself in the mirror. Plain white T-shirt and blue cotton shorts—his usual pajamas. Nothing underneath, in the hopes of giving her easier access. He pulled at the neck of his shirt and smelled it to make sure it was clean. For a second he considered cologne or aftershave, but he figured that would be too much. He had already used a scented body wash in the shower.
Soon, Ramon heard Marcy exit the bathroom and go to her room. A minute later he heard a hair dryer. He thought about walking over there, turning off that dryer and throwing her down on the bed.
Of course, he wouldn't do that tonight. He was an animal but he didn't want her to know it just yet.
He pressed his palm against his forehead, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Shit. She was all he'd thought about all day. And those thoughts were a million times stronger after she cut his hair. Those delicate fingers massaging his scalp. And the way she filled out that fucking low-cut shirt.
The woman had to know what she was doing to him. She was a curvy little treat to Ramon. Or at least, that's what he hoped she'd be tonight. Her body had everything in all the right places. The perfect kind of chubby figure that made him wish he could take a vacation just to tie her to his bed for a week.
But wait. Women don't like to be called "chubby." He'd learned that the hard way. No matter if he didn't mean it as an insult.
Damned sensitive females.
The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off but he always had a problem with words flying out of his mouth the wrong way. He wouldn't usually care so much about whom he offended, but she was different. She'd be living on the other side of his wall for the next four weeks. No sense in making life miserable for both of them for so long.
But was that the real reason he didn't want to offend her?
Probably not.
Okay, so maybe Ramon had the tiniest crush on the brunette bombshell. How could he not have a crush on her? She was new and sexy and spunky and…
It'd go away after one night with her. He was sure of it. She was merely something he had to get out of his system. Nothing to worry about.
He was in the midst of tidying his room when he heard her turn off the hair dryer. He rushed to the door, opening it just a crack. Enough that she could knock and it would naturally ease open.
Hmm. But maybe he should act more gentlemanly. Like, open the door after she knocked, letting her into the room all polite and shit.
He pressed his lips together, thinking. Why'd this have to be so damn difficult? It's not like he was trying to seduce her. He just wanted to get her into bed—
Aw, fuck.
Isn't that what "seduce" means?
Suddenly, Ramon wished he'd given this plan some forethought. Shit. She'd gotten into his head and made his thoughts all muddy.
He took a deep breath to clear his mind, then jumped a little when he heard a knock.
"Hello?" Her sultry voice stroked his ears like velvet.
Ramon cleared his throat and sat down on the side of his bed, leaning forward with his elbows against his knees and his pulse racing. "Come in."
CHAPTER 6
Marcy stood outside Ramon's bedroom, tugging unconsciously at the hem of her shorts. Were they too revealing? She opted for a tank top instead of a nightgown because it seemed the more modest option. No reason to put herself out there if he was only teasing her.
Crap. Would he really tease her this way? Cara warned her well in advance that Ramon was an ass. Maybe the signals Marcy thought she received from him weren't really signals, at all.
A small part of her felt guilty about this. Slutty, even. Perhaps she should play hard to get, but she simply didn't want to. The thought of a clandestine sexual escapade with the handsome rancher made her weak in the knees. It was just so damn wrong to want him. He was brash and rude and not her type, at all. Hell, he wore boots and raised cattle for a living.
But he was quite possibly the hottest guy she had ever laid eyes upon.
And it was no wonder he was single. What kind of woman would put up with being compared to a cow?
Marcy chuckled, silently. His crudeness amused her in a way she couldn't explain. He seemed like such a neanderthal, saying whatever he wanted. Doing whatever he wanted.
Hopefully he wasn't playing games with her.
She straightened her tank top and knocked on the door, which was slightly ajar. "Hello?"
Holding her breath, she waited for a response until he finally said, "Come in."
Marcy gulped, then inhaled deeply and blew it out as quietly. She gave the door a light push and it gently creaked open as she stepped inside.
Ramon sat on the bed, hunched forward. His brown eyes instantly swept up and down her body then locked on hers in an intense stare.
Her mouth fell open slightly but she remained still.
Ramon held her gaze for a moment, then softly said, "Close the door."
Her eyes still on his, she backed against the door until she heard it close.
The corners of Ramon's lips crinkled with a hint of a smile, his eyes twinkling as they floated down her body then back up. He whispered, "Come here."
Marcy trembled slightly under the weight of his gaze. She felt as though she was on display, transfixed by him. Unable to leave even if she wanted. Her legs shuffled numbly beneath her until she stood in front of him, then said, "Here I am."
Ramon peered up at her, a brief grin flashing across his lips. Then his face got serious. "You know why I asked you here tonight?"
She shook her head, hoping she knew the answer but still afraid she was wrong. "No."
Narrowing his eyes, he said, "Remember last night when you said you'd take your clothes off for me if I wasn't so tired?"
Marcy's chest went weak. "Is that what I said?"
His eyes widened with an air of innocence. "Yes, that's what you said."
Marcy swore she detected a hint of mischief in his tone. So, she snapped out of her trance. Either he was messing with her, or he wanted her to make the first move—and there was no way in hell she was doing that. She cocked her head to the side. "Do you really want me to take my clothes off?"
Ramon shrugged. "You offered, didn't you?"
"Yeah." She smirked. "Right after you called me a cow."
Ramon huffed out a grunt and stared off at the wall. "Are we still talkin' about that?"
"Hey, you're the one who brought up last night's conversation."
Mouth gaping, Ramon's eyes darted to hers, pleading. "But we've been through so much since then. You cut my hair. Almost took a shower with me. Kept touchin' my leg at dinner…"
Sensing his mock sincerity, Marcy rolled her eyes. "Yeah. It's been quite a whirlwind courtship, huh?"
&
nbsp; Ramon chuckled for a good while. Then he calmed down and gave her those wide, innocent eyes again as he reached forward to take her hand.
Marcy's skin fluttered all over from the feel of his warmth. His thumb instantly moved to her wrist, surprising her with a gentle massage.
The sweet look on his face accompanied by the unexpected pleasure from his rough fingers made her feel like she could melt into a puddle at his feet.
She closed her eyes, concentrating on the feeling of his hands. She felt them envelop her arm as they slowly glided up to her elbow and back down.
With her eyes still shut, she heard him stand up in front of her. A subtle, masculine fragrance filled her nostrils. He let go of her arm and she felt his palm cup her cheek. His other hand went to the small of her back.
Ramon breathed in her ear before whispering, "You're all I've been able to think about since last night."
"I am?" Marcy asked in a breath, biting her lip and nearly losing her balance.
He moaned, nuzzling her cheek. Then he whispered, "You didn't think you could go around flauntin' all this in front of me without me doin' somethin' about it, did you?"
Marcy smiled, memorizing his words. Loving the way his accent changed to a heavier drawl when he whispered in her ear.
Ramon's hand in the small of her back slid further down, his fingertips lightly grazing her butt through her thin cotton shorts. His other hand moved from her cheek to her hair as the volume of his breathing increased.
She let out a quiet moan. Her body needed more, and he probably knew it. Her intuition told her he was trying to get her worked up enough to make her beg.
And if not for her rebellious nature, she probably would have.
Instead, Marcy simply put her arms around his waist.
Ramon drew closer, gently kissing her cheek, tightening his embrace.
Pressing his erection against her stomach.
Marcy almost laughed out of sheer relief. She convinced herself earlier that his lack of arousal meant he was lying. But there was no mistaking his attraction now.
