Page 35 of A Rancher's Bride
“Sorry to interrupt.” The older gentleman was mostly serious, but amusement danced in his eyes. No way could he have missed that they’d been fooling around. “I thought I recognized you in the restaurant earlier. Someone suggested I might find you out here.”
Luke held out a hand, reaching around Kelli’s shoulder. “Luke Stone.”
“Timothy Carlyn,” the other man responded.
Holy little cats in the milk jug. That was a name she’d heard mentioned in some big-time circles. Kelli shoved out her hand as well. “Kelli James. It’s a huge honour to meet you, Mr. Carlyn.”
“You as well. I assume you’re here for the Triple Crown Gala?”
Kelli nodded. “Representing Silver Stone ranch. You’ve probably met Luke before at the Calgary Stampede.”
“I don’t know that I’ve had that pleasure, but I’m sure we’ll have time to speak over the coming days.” His gaze was back on her face, and she suddenly wondered if there was a streak of dirt on it, or leftover lunch.
Luke had noticed the intense scrutiny as well, and he laid a hand protectively on her shoulder. “Is there something else you needed, sir?”
Timothy Carlyn seem to blink in surprise then smiled. A hint of a distraction remained as he shook his head. “No, no. Just thought I would be polite and introduce myself. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Looking forward to it,” Luke said, even as his arm slid farther around Kelli, possessive and protective at the same time.
The older man tucked his hands behind his back and looked up into the sky as he wandered off, a slow whistle drifting back.
Inside, Kelli was still vibrating, and when Luke groaned and slowly sat down again, she whirled—
“Careful,” Luke warned, hand held out protectively.
“Shit. I’m so sorry.” She glanced toward the exit, but Mr. Carlyn had disappeared from sight. “What was that all about?”
“I’m not sure, but if he looks at you like that again, I’m giving him a firm talking to.”
That eerie sensation at the back of her neck slid off worrying and back into pleasure. “Eccentric trillionaires who run world-class breeding stables in Kentucky are probably used to staring at whomever they want. Ignore him. Thank you for my kiss.”
His eyes flashed hot before he cringed, lips twisting into a sarcastic smile. “It shouldn’t have happened.”
Oh no he didn’t. “Don’t you start that,” she ordered. “It’s not as if I twisted your arm and forced you to kiss me, so let’s just carry on the way we started.”
“I get it. I hear you,” Luke insisted. He opened his knees, making a face as he moved, but then he caught her by the hand and tugged her to stand between his legs. When he caressed a finger over her cheek, Kelli wanted to nuzzle against him.
June bugs were jumping in her belly.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Luke said. “You’re somebody special, Kelli. I’m not going to fall into bed with you just to scratch an itch. No matter how much you say you’d be okay with it.”
“It’s what I want,” she pointed out.
“So you say, but this isn’t you and me acting in isolation. There are a whole lot of people at Silver Stone who’d be willing to tie me up and let the goats eat me if I treat you badly.”
She’d already thought about this excuse. “We’re adults, and last time I checked, neither of us live our lives by committee. For the duration of our time here, I truly am good with us having a red-hot fling.”
He was shaking his head. Still touching her, but with sadness on his face. “I’m not going to lie and say I didn’t enjoy kissing you. I think it was pretty clear I think you’re an attractive woman, but going forward, we’re not going to do anything. Not anything else, I mean.”
Kelli shrugged. If it was true, she’d accept it, but in the meantime, teasing was in order. “You just keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.”
A laugh escaped him, and he patted her cheek firmly as if he were dismissing one of the horses. “Come on. We should go unpack and figure out what we’re doing this afternoon and evening.”
“We’re going to impress people, that much we know,” Kelli said as she backed up to give him room to stand beside her. She gave him a break and glanced away as he cautiously rearranged himself—guys’ nuts must be a pain and a half.
But she was relentless as they stepped toward the hotel. She slipped her fingers into his, raising a brow pointedly when he would’ve jerked his hand away.
And then damn if he didn’t adjust his grip, flipping their hands over to a more comfortable position. His firm clasp held her just right as they paced back to the gorgeous monstrosity that was their home for the next five days and nights.
