Ann Roth - A Rancher's Christmas

She was definitely unhappy about her uncle’s filing system. A lock of hair had fallen over her eyes, but she didn’t seem to notice.

“I wish I’d started earlier,” she said. “I’m not going to have time to look through everything, so I guess I’ll bring all these folders with me. Thanks for stopping what you were doing and showing me the safe, Zach. I don’t know what I’d have done otherwise.”

“Helping you out is part of my job.”

She tugged at her sweater, drawing his gaze to her breasts. “I’ve been thinking about how we left things this morning. You meant a lot to Lucky, and he obviously trusted you. You’re important to this ranch. My family and I need you here, Zach. You’re not going to quit, are you?”

“I wouldn’t do that. But you should know that I intend to honor my promise to Lucky. I’ll do what I can to change your mind.”

“Try away. It won’t work.”

With her chin up and the confident smile on her mouth, she was irresistible.

“That sounds like a challenge—and I always like challenges,” he said, advancing toward her. “Did you mean that?”

“I... Did I mean what?”

“About me trying to convince you.” Her eyes were the prettiest color, green with little flecks of brown and gold. “Did you?”

He brushed the silky lock back from her face and tucked it behind her ear. Her pupils dilated and he knew she felt some of what he did. She touched her lips with the tip of her tongue in what he recognized as a nervous gesture.

“I—”

He laid his finger over her soft lips. “Shhh.” Tipping up her chin, he kissed her.

* * *

ZACH’S HANDS WERE cold from being outside, but his lips were warm. And very good at their job. Gina hadn’t kissed anyone since she and Wayne had parted ways in June. Even in their first few months together, when there was some degree of passion between them, Wayne had never kissed her like this.

The kiss was firm, yet sweet and gentle, and something more she couldn’t define. Whatever it was, she liked it. A lot. Zach smelled of fresh air and man and was every bit as hard and muscled as he looked.

His arms tightened around her, and she willingly sank against him. Another kiss followed, and another. Shifting so that she was even closer, he slid his tongue over hers. Gina felt his arousal against her stomach. Her nipples tingled and her panties were instantly damp.

She wanted to go on kissing him forever. Instead she pushed him away.

He looked every bit as stunned by the heat between them as she was. “You better go or you’ll be even later for your meeting,” he said, his eyes hot as he straightened her sweater.

“Right.” She managed to close the safe and hang the painting with barely a tremble.

“You’re a very convincing man,” she murmured on the way to the kitchen. “But—”

“You’re still going to sell.”

She nodded.

By the time they reached the back door, she felt reasonably normal again. “Thanks,” she said as she opened the door for him.

The corner of his mouth lifted. “For showing you the safe, or for those kisses?”

Both. “I’ll see you later.”

“No doubt. Have fun with the lawyer.”

* * *

IN A DAZE, Gina drove down the highway in Uncle Lucky’s hulking truck. Traffic was light, but then in Saddlers Prairie it always was. Her mind wandered. She couldn’t get over Zach’s kissing her and how much she’d enjoyed it. In Uncle Lucky’s office of all places.

Her uncle had only been gone a few days. They hadn’t even held the funeral yet, and here she was fantasizing about the hunky foreman. What was she thinking?

That was the trouble—she hadn’t thought at all. She’d simply reacted. Boy, had she.

Up in rancher heaven, Uncle Lucky was probably shaking his head, wondering if she’d lost her mind.

She had—temporarily. Zach Horton wasn’t her type. Besides, she wouldn’t be here long. Getting involved with him was a bad idea.

Involved? Gina frowned. Just where had that idea come from? So they’d shared a few kisses. Fabulous, bone-melting kisses, the thought of which, even now, made her lips tingle and her stomach flutter. They didn’t mean anything and wouldn’t happen again.

Though if Zach did kiss her again, she wasn’t at all sure she’d stop him.

Her cell phone rang. Grateful for the interruption and eager to get her mind off Zach and his kisses, she set her phone on speaker mode and picked up.

“It’s Carrie,” her assistant said.

Gina started guiltily. She hadn’t thought about work or Carrie since early this morning. “It’s about time you called me back,” she chided. “Where have you been all day?”

“Where do you think I’ve been?” Carrie sounded defensive.

“I called you early this morning—hours ago.”

“The note from Marsha didn’t say it was urgent. Did she tell you that I was at the office until almost nine-thirty last night? I was up before dawn this morning and worked from home. Then I stopped in at a few of the Grant stores so that I could get a visual to go with the numbers they’ve been sharing.” She filled Gina in on what she’d observed. “I sent you an email with all the details. Did you see it?”

“Not yet, but I’ll be checking soon.” On the way back from the attorney’s office.

Things seemed to be going well, and Gina smiled. “That sounds good, Carrie. I’m impressed with what you’ve done. I thought you were supposed to have dinner last night with that guy you met at the bar.”

“Chad. Yeah, but it was too late for dinner, so we had drinks instead. We made a dinner date for this weekend.”

Been there, done that. Getting ahead sometimes meant putting your personal life on hold. “I’m glad he’s flexible,” Gina said.

“Chad’s an attorney—he understands long hours. That’s one of the many things we have in common.”

Everything Carrie said reminded Gina of herself and Wayne. When they’d first started dating they’d both thought they shared a number of interests. But after a few months, they’d realized that the only thing they really had in common was the desire to climb the corporate ladder. Neither of them had been upset when they’d parted ways.

“Have you had a chance to work on any of our other campaigns?” Gina asked. “Is there anything I should know about?”

She heard the sound of papers shuffling. “Oh, you know—the usual reports and phone calls. All the companies are anxious about their holiday campaigns.”

Something in her voice put Gina on alert. “Is everything okay? If you need help, tell me now.”

“I don’t! It’s super busy, but I’m handling it,” Carrie assured, sounding extra perky.

Too perky. Gina’s worry radar kicked up again. But then, like herself, her assistant thrived on deadlines and stress, so maybe the bubbly enthusiasm was for real.

“Look for an updated report on the Grant stores tomorrow,” Carrie added.

“Do you think you could send it this afternoon? With the funeral tomorrow, I doubt I’ll be checking email until the following day.”

“I’ll try. How are you?”

Gina didn’t have to think long about that. She’d just been kissed more thoroughly than she could ever remember, by a man she had no business kissing, and already she wanted more. She was a confused wreck.

She shook her head. “At the moment, I’m driving my uncle’s old four-speed truck down an all-but-deserted two-lane highway to his attorney’s office.”

“That doesn’t sound fun. You take care of yourself and your family, and don’t worry about me or work. Things are great here.”

Gina disconnected, dismissed her concerns and went right back to thinking of Zach’s kisses.