Part 12 (1/2)

Aha, Lady Luck loves me. Rachael was relieved to see that her hand was very strong. Ryden was in for one big shock. The guy wasn't used to losing.

Carefully schooling her features, she quizzically raised her eyebrows. ”Well?”

”Mmm, I think I'll stay in.” His voice gave nothing away.

”Well, okay. Me, too. Let's see what you've got.” She leaned back confidently.

”Ladies first,” he insisted.

She didn't mind. She had a good hand. Rachael watched his face as she laid down her full house. He remained impa.s.sive, and he continued to stare at her, probably stunned, poor thing. She tried, unsuccessfully, not to grin like the cat that got the cream.

”Oh, don't worry, Joshua,” she said with barely contained glee.

”You'll come to see it as a win-win situation...in the end.”

”Oh, no doubt about that.” He suddenly looked smug as he revealed his hand, a straight flush. Rachael blinked. No, it couldn't be.

”b.u.g.g.e.r me,” she whispered.

93.

”I intend to,” he drawled.

Her eyes popped open wide. She was lost for words.

A small smile tugged at his lips. ”Grab your things. I'm taking you home to Sweet Water. I want to demonstrate my,” he made little quotation marks in the air, ”creative side.”

b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l. She knew that she was in trouble now.

Rachael packed an overnight bag, including a skirt, as instructed by Joshua. She still couldn't quite believe that she had lost the game.

She had to give Ryden his due, though. He was behaving like the perfect gentleman, gracious in his victory. She wasn't sure if she trusted it, like the calm before a storm. Her p.u.s.s.y tingled, but her backside clenched in panic. She had never been fully taken there, just finger play and certainly nothing as large as his c.o.c.k.

She was determined to appear cool and carefree, so when she returned to the living room, she flashed him her brightest smile.

”Ready. I'm all yours.”

”Yes, you are.”

She remembered her screamed declaration earlier, and judging by his expression, he did, too. She cursed her Celtic ancestry as she started to blush bright red.

”Rachael,” he spoke tenderly. ”Never feel embarra.s.sed with me.

It's just us, darlin'. Whatever happens is just between us.”

She held his gaze and her heart flip-flopped. He looked so sincere and utterly doable, and she knew that she was falling hard. He reached out and embraced her, gently raining light kisses on her eyes, nose, cheeks, and finally mouth.

”Come on, let's go home.”

Home? It wasn't her home but she like the way he said it. He picked up her bag, held her hand and walked to the Jeep.

”I'd prefer it if you came with me, but I think that you'd rather take your Jeep.”

He was perceptive. She wanted to have the option to leave at any time without having to rely on anyone else.

94.

”See you soon. No stopping along the way to help an injured fly.”

He looked reluctant to leave her. Maybe he thought that she was going to bolt.

”But they look so helpless on my winds.h.i.+eld.” She chuckled.

”That's what wipers are for.”

”Oh, so cruel, but don't worry, I won't skip out on you. A deal is a deal.”

Seeing Joshua in this unexpectedly caring and charming light, she relaxed but couldn't help wondering what he had planned for the evening. The plans she'd had for him were quite possibly along similar lines. Improbable though it was, she felt aroused again, excited by hinted at dark desires.

Joshua watched her leave and had to remind himself that she was his for the rest of the day and all night if he could help it. He was elated that she had just handed him the golden opportunity to explore her kinky side with fewer inhibitions because she could tell herself it was just part of the game. As he saddled up Star, he'd decided not to do the obvious thing straight away but instead to spend the rest day courting her.

He had liked listening to her tales of life in England. She clearly loved her work and was anxious to be licensed in Texas. Not only could she look after herself, but he also knew from the way she had behaved toward his sister that she cared about others. She was kind to the animals in her care, but not weak. Vets often had to make difficult decisions when it came to dealing with creatures in pain and distress.

Joshua enjoyed the way he didn't have to over-explain things to her. She was a good listener, and he had talked more about himself to her than he had with anyone else outside of his immediate family.

Even so, he had omitted to mention much about their other family business. Sure she knew that the ranch was large and that they