Diana Palmer - Darling Enemy

She couldn’t hold that dark gaze. “I did once,” she reminded him bitterly.

“Yes, I know,” he replied. His eyes sketched her profile narrowly. “I left scars, didn’t I?”

She shifted her thin shoulders uncomfortably, wishing she’d never said anything in the first place. “Everyone’s entitled to be foolish once or twice.”

“I’ve wondered a lot since then what might have happened if I’d laid down with you in that soft hay,” he said quietly, deliberately slowing his pace as they approached the rest of his family.

Her heart pounded erratically. “I’d have fought you,” she said, her tone soft and challenging.

He looked down at her and a strange smile turned up his chiseled mouth at one corner. “Would you?” he asked in a deep, silky voice. “Do you have enough experience to know what it does to a man when a desirable woman fights him?”

“You seem to think I’ve slept with half the men in New York, so you tell me,” she shot back.

He cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t know what to think about you,” he admitted. “Just when I’m sure I’ve got you figured out, you throw me another curve. I’m beginning to think I need to take a much closer look at you, Teddi bear.”

She glared up at him. “Don’t call me that.”

“Don’t you like it?” he taunted. “You’re small and soft and cuddly.”

She blushed like a teenager, and hated her helpless reaction to his teasing. It was just like before. All he wanted was to make her crawl. Well, he wasn’t going to do it this trip.

“Don’t think you’ll ever get to cuddle me,” she said shortly.

“And I wouldn’t bet on that, if I were you.” He pulled a cigarette from his shirt pocket and lit it while he watched her. “You were begging me for it in the barn that morning.”

She shivered at the memory of her weakness and her eyes closed briefly. “You know a lot,” she countered.

“What did you expect, that I spent all my time with the cattle?” he taunted. “I know what to do with a woman, young Teddi, as you damned near found out. I can lose my head, if I’m tempted enough. You brought that about, and we both know it. Those eye-catching little glances, those low-cut dresses, those come-and-kiss-me looks you were giving me—”

“I can’t possibly tell you how sorry I am about the whole thing,” she ground out. “Could we please just forget it? You’re safe from me this trip, I wouldn’t flirt with you if my life depended on it.”

“That might be better,” he murmured dryly. “I live in constant fear of being seduced by one of you wild city girls.”

Now that did sound like flirting, but before she could be sure, they were within earshot of the others.

“The end of the world must be near,” Mary Devereaux laughed. “Are my eyes going bad, or are you two actually not arguing for once?” She eyed her son closely. “And did I actually see you smile at her?”

King cocked an eyebrow at her. “Muscle spasm,” he replied without cracking a smile.

“Sure,” Mary laughed. She reached out and hugged Teddi affectionately. “It’s so good to have you here, Teddi. What with King away most of the time, and Jenna’s sudden interest in ranch management,” she added with a pointed glance at her daughter, “I’ve been looking forward to a very lonely summer.” She stared at the young girl. “Teddi, you aren’t suddenly going to develop an interest in ranch management, are you?”

Teddi burst out laughing. “Oh, no, I don’t think so.”

“Thank goodness,” Mary sighed. “Shall we go? I could use a cup of coffee. King, I suppose you’ll drive?”

“When was the last time I let you drive me anywhere?” he mused, leading the way to the car.

“Let me think.” His parent frowned. “You were six and I had to take you to the dentist when you got into it with little Sammy Blain...”

Teddi hid a smile. She linked her arm with Jenna’s and brought up the rear. It was nice to be part of a family, even for a little while.

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