Leanne Banks - The Fairest of Them All

Russ revved the powerful engine and backed out of the parking space. “I’m sure Bob will be calling you,” he said none too happily, recalling the interested expression on the other man’s face.

“Good. I’ll be that much closer to my goal,” Carly mumbled and closed her eyes.

Russ’s ears pricked up. “What goal?”

Carly sighed again. “I want to buy out my—” She broke off abruptly and sat up straighter.

“Buy out my what?” He looked at her. She was almost squirming in her seat. “Is it a secret?”

A long silence followed. “I guess it is.”

He didn’t push. From past experience, Russ knew that pushing her was a mistake. “If it’s important to you, then I hope it works out.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her relax slightly.

“It is important. Maybe even vital. And I’ll make it happen or die trying.”

Russ steered the car into a vacant parking space in her small apartment complex. He placed a hand on her delicate shoulder, loving the feel of her warmth and softness. “Well, I wouldn’t want you to kill yourself,” he said with a lazy grin. “But let me know if I can help you out.”

She wavered. It was only a few seconds, but he saw it in her eyes before she straightened and set her chin.

“I’ve got to do this myself.” She softened the statement with a smile. “But thanks anyway.”

Russ resisted the urge to pull her into his lap and kiss the resistance out of her. He trailed his fingers down her arm. “Time for all hardworking ladies to get to bed. Will you share yours with me? I’ve got a long drive back to the farm.”

He heard her soft gasp. Then she hooted with laughter.

“Give me a break, Bradford. When it comes to meaningless flirtations, you wrote the book—and sold it to my brothers. A woman would have to be crazy to take you seriously.” Carly smiled and poked his chest. “If you’ve got such a long drive, you’d better get moving.” Then she opened the car door and got out.

Russ watched her long legs and sweet rear end as she edged out. He felt the familiar heat, rubbed his mouth and wondered if a man could die from being too patient.

He narrowed his eyes. His past was coming back to haunt him. He hadn’t counted on Carly not taking him seriously. This wasn’t part of his careful plan.

Now, if he rushed his seduction of her, Carly would think he was treating her like any other woman he’d dated. Which was the furthest thing from the truth. So what he must do, he realized grimly, was take it slow.

Giving a long-suffering groan, he followed her to her door. He watched her turn around to face him. Her hair was soft and feathery-looking. The light played on her skin, making it look like satin. His hands itched to touch her so badly, he stuck them in his pockets.

“I’ll see you Thursday for the Hendersons’ anniversary.”

Russ nodded, studying her carefully. She cleared her throat and backed in the direction of the door. Was she nervous? His chest swelled with pride. He looked at her mouth and thought again about kissing her. Much as he wanted to, the time wasn’t right. He didn’t want to scare her off. When he leaned forward, he saw her eyes flutter in a feminine show of nerves, and he smiled inside. Then he kissed her on the forehead, just as one of her brothers would.

“Good night, Carly,” he murmured in a low voice and turned to leave.

He was almost all the way down the steps before he heard her soft reply. “Good night, Russ.”

It had taken her that long to form a response. Russ smiled on the outside that time.

But he shook his head when he recalled her flat shoes. He had a long way to go.

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