Page 137 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

Jared felt a knot of heat tighten within him. The power she had over him stunned him. Just the sight of her lying in bed caused him to ache. Her caramel hair curled about her face in wild disarray and her lips looked kissably full, but it was her enormous eyes that were his undoing. They whispered the words that she would not say.

With a fierce growl, he dropped the bag and approached the bed. He hauled her naked body up against him, and his lips flattened hers in a kiss that was hot, wet and utterly possessive. When Cat went limp against him, he released her mouth and smiled in approval.

She was his. She belonged to him as no one else ever had, as no one else ever would. But Jared knew better than to try to rein her in too soon. She was running like a mare feeling freedom for the first time. She needed to tire herself out before he could claim her. Jared was patient. He could give her all the time she needed. But she would come to him, she would marry him, and they would be together.

He let her sink into the mattress, while bracing his hands on each side of her head. The desire to strip and crawl into the bed with her was overwhelming, but he resisted. She had to be tired from the previous night, and he’d be damned if he’d take advantage of her. Besides, he feared if he was with her now, he might never let her go.

In a husky voice that reeked of sexual promise, he crooned, “If you want breakfast, be dressed and in the kitchen in ten minutes.” With another swift kiss, he stalked out of the bedroom, leaving a bemused Cat sighing after him.

Breakfast consisted of pancakes, bacon, juice and coffee. Cat was pleased to discover that Jared was quite a cook. He’d also been a very busy man. Not only had he gone grocery shopping, but he’d also unpacked and cleaned the van. He’d left piles of boxes for her to sort through in the guest room, the den, and the living room.

Cat was disgruntled to have him doing all of her chores for her. The man was too competent by far. She supposed she should tell him just that, but one look at his broad shoulders, strong hands and devilish dimples, and she was rendered speechless.

The man was perfect. There was no other fit description for him. And she was going to miss him terribly.

“I suppose we should turn the van in,” she said, trying not to sound depressed and failing miserably. “And I should take you home.”

She turned from the sink to find Jared grinning at her. Great, all she had to do was mention home, and the man became deliriously happy. He probably couldn’t wait to be rid of her. She turned back to the sink and began to exorcise her temper on the dishes.

“Uh, Cat.” Jared’s deep voice tickled her ear as he leaned his large frame against her back, propping his chin on her shoulder. “I think that’s the plate’s pattern you’re trying to scrub away.”

Cat stared at the sparkling dish in her hand. “I knew that,” she snapped.

“I’m going to miss you, too,” he said, sounding pleased and not bothering to suppress his laughter.

They spent the day returning the van and driving all over Copper Creek in Sally’s SUV. Jared dragged her about town, introducing her to people he knew and pointing out things he thought she should know – the bank, the route she should take to school, the local grocery store, even the garage to take her car to if she had any trouble. And if that wasn’t enough, they stopped at the town hall to pick up information pamphlets about Copper Creek and the surrounding area.

When Cat protested, Jared said, “I just don’t want you to miss anything.”

“In a town with only four main roads, that would be difficult even for me,” she retorted. The dubious look he sent her would have been insulting if it hadn’t been so funny.

It was late afternoon before she finally convinced him it was time to head home. Jared resisted, but when she threatened to pull over and make him walk, he relented.

They returned to the house to pack up Jared’s belongings. After taking Lucy for a long walk, they left for the ranch. West of town, they turned off the main road and traveled down a dirt strip for several miles before it came into sight.

An enormous two-story stucco mansion dominated the view, and Cat found herself gaping at it in wonder. Several large buildings were spread out behind it, but it was the main house that captivated her.

“It’s like something out of a novel,” she said. “It’s beautiful.”

“My father built it for my mother,” Jared told her. “It’s too big for my taste. I want my sister to have it.”

“That’s generous of you,” Cat observed, turning off the dirt road and onto the gravel driveway. Huge cottonwoods lined the drive which swept in a circle in front of the house.

Cat pulled the car to a stop and turned to face Jared. “I want to thank you for traveling with me.”

“Not necessary,” Jared answered as he opened his door and stepped out. No goodbye kiss? Cat frowned when he slammed the door shut.

She watched him walk around the front of the car. He opened the door, giving her no choice but to get out. “I want you to meet my family,” he explained.

“I can’t,” she said, scrambling to straighten her wayward hair.

Jared grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her seat. “Of course you can.”

“But...” She began to protest when the sound of horse hooves pounding the earth brought her attention up short.

The woman galloping toward them was one of the most beautiful women Cat had ever seen. She was lithe and lovely, her hair was a thick raven mane that flowed behind her like a banner. She and the dark brown mare beneath her moved in perfect rhythm, as if they were extensions of each other.

Just scant feet away from them, she brought her horse to a halt with a spray of gravel and gracefully leapt to the ground. She was taller than Cat, and her curves were a nauseatingly perfect hourglass.

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