Cathy Thacker - The Texas Rancher's Family

Then, going on instinct, he slowly lowered his head.

* * *

ERIN HAD KNOWN this kiss was coming. Known it long enough to avoid being alone with him. But she hadn’t.

Instead, she had invited it.

Why?

Because something about him attracted her and made her want to lose herself in him. In this.

And lose herself she did, as she opened her mouth to the inviting pressure of his.

He tasted so good. So dark and male. The strength of his chest pressed against hers. His thighs were rock hard, the rest of him just as impatient for more.

And that, above anything, told Erin she needed to stop this. Now.

Only she couldn’t.

This was the most alive she had felt in a very long time.

And had it not been for a sudden beam of light flashing across their bodies, who knew how long it would have gone on?

* * *

THE LAST THING MAC EXPECTED when he took Erin in his arms was to be busted by the intrusive beam of a flashlight.

But that was what happened as Gavin walked into the kitchen and caught them pressed up against each other in a steamy lip-lock.

Reluctantly, Mac broke off the kiss and lifted his head from hers.

Dropping her hands from his chest, Erin stepped away.

Gavin looked at his sister, his brow lifted in silent inquiry.

She gazed back, angry and defiant. Not to mention embarrassed.

“Everything okay here?” Gavin asked finally, shifting the plastic casing so the flashlight became a lantern.

It was a minute ago, Mac wanted to say.

Figuring this was family business—and he should stay out of it—he remained silent.

“Do you know where the rest of the flashlights are?” Erin asked, her gaze averted from Gavin’s probing look.

His body tense with a disapproval mostly directed at Mac, he nodded. “There are two in the cabinet above the washing machine. The rest are upstairs in the boys’ rooms, next to their beds.”

Erin disappeared into the laundry room, then returned with two flashlights in hand. She handed one to Mac.

“Are all the kids still asleep?” she asked Gavin.

“So far. I even looked in on Nicholas. He’s snoozing away.”

“Well...” Erin inhaled deeply, then turned and looked at Mac. “I’m going to call it a night.”

He nodded. “See you tomorrow.”

After she headed up the stairs, Gavin continued staring at him. “I gather you’ve got something to say?” Mac asked.

“You guessed right.” A muscle worked in his cheek. “My sister’s been through enough. The last thing she needs in her life is another guy who’s not going to be around for the long haul.”

Much as he hated to admit it, Mac knew Gavin had a point.

“It was just a kiss.”

Gavin’s jaw tightened. “Maybe to you. She hasn’t given any guy the time of day since her ex left.”

Mac hadn’t dated in a very long time, either. And he sure as hell hadn’t taken any woman in his arms and kissed her soundly.

He swallowed. “It’s not my intention to hurt your sister.”

Gavin shook his head. “Then I suggest you stick to business, and leave it at that.”

Reluctantly, Mac gave ground. “You’re right. No sense starting something that can’t go anywhere. So maybe it’s best we get down to business.” Mac looked at Gavin, man to man, figuring the sooner he achieved his goals, the better. “Hopefully, you can help me with that.”

* * *

ERIN STARED AT GAVIN just after eight the next morning. She’d been out taking care of the horses. By the time she got back to the house, Mac and his daughter had already left. They’d gotten directions back to town via an alternate route that avoided any flooded crossings. Erin’s boys were upstairs brushing their teeth.

Nicholas had gone on to school.

Erin wasn’t sure how she felt about missing Mac’s departure. Seeing him probably would have been awkward after the sizzling kiss they had shared. Especially since she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it all night. Even when she’d finally closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, she had woken up reliving the emotion of that moment.

She hadn’t felt so aroused in what seemed like forever. Hadn’t even been sure she could feel desire like that again.

Now she knew.

She still had plenty of untapped passion, ready and raring to go. And now Mac Wheeler knew it, too. As did her brother Gavin.

Erin went to the sink to wash her hands. “What did you and Mac talk about last night?” She had heard them conversing long after she had turned in. Their tone had been cordial, matter-of-fact, whereas she had still been in turmoil.

“I told him to stay away from you.”

Erin squirmed. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“Noted.”

Erin folded her arms. “What did Mac say?”

“He agreed kissing you was a bad idea.”

Her lips quirked. “Let me guess... And promised not to do it again?”

“We agreed, since he’ll be leaving soon, and you have enough on your plate, that the two of you should stick to business. Which is why we have a family meeting tonight. Adults only, so you’ll need to get a sitter for your boys, and it’d be nice if Mac’s daughter could hang out with them, too.”

Not sure she liked the idea of the two men joining forces, Erin asked, “Why is Mac going to be at our family meeting?”

Gavin filled his travel mug with coffee. “He wants to talk to us all about putting a wind farm on our ranch. He wanted to do it over dinner at one of the restaurants in town, but I said that wasn’t necessary. So we’re going to meet at Travis Anderson’s law office instead.”

Erin blinked. As the oldest, she considered herself the head of the family. And therefore used to calling the shots. “You asked our family attorney to sit in on this?”

“Travis is an expert in energy and property law.”

Erin wasn’t arguing that. She just didn’t see the necessity of any of this, whether Mac Wheeler wanted it or not. “I’m not interested in selling the ranch.”

“Well, the rest of us are, which means you owe us the courtesy of hearing Mac out.”

* * *

ERIN CAUGHT UP WITH MAC early that afternoon, when she saw him coming out of the Wagon Wheel Restaurant with four of the county commissioners.

The two women and two men were deep in conversation with him, and appeared to be listening intently to what he had to say. All were smiling when they shook hands and parted ways. Mac was really making inroads, even in khakis, a button-down oxford-cloth shirt and loafers.

Not wanting to think what he could accomplish if he ever fully assimilated into a bona fide Texan, Erin continued down the sidewalk toward him. She inhaled a jerky breath, trying not to self-combust. Not easy, when all she could seem to do, now that they were within touching distance, was remember their kiss.

She couldn’t help wondering if he was thinking the same thing.

She lifted her chin. “Got a minute?”

He favored her with a half smile. “Actually, you’re just the lady I was hoping to see. I was headed to the store to give you a check for the down payment on the boots.”

Erin glanced across the street. Some roughnecks from Prairie Natural Gas, the company that supplied gas to the power plant, were standing in front of several beat-up trucks, talking and looking their way. Not surprisingly, they seemed as interested in Mac as everyone else in the area was. Probably because their company would expand their business in Laramie County if he failed, and lose ground if he was successful. Aware that none of the men looked familiar, Erin turned back to Mac with a cool smile. “I’d rather talk privately.”

He shrugged, his manner not nearly as businesslike. “You want to sit in my SUV?”