TexasKnightsBundle Read online

  Smiling, she shook her head. “Hardly. I’m twenty-six. They wanted to meet you.”

  “Like hell. He wanted to keep me away from you. Will your uncle be back in about an hour? Or at ten o’clock? Or midnight?”

  She shook her head. “No, he won’t. He’s being friendly. You’ll see.” She stood and headed toward the kitchen. “I’ll help with dinner.”

  Boone caught her arm as his eyebrow arched. “Sit down. I’ll bring drinks. What would you like? Wine, cocktail, pop, tea, beer?”

  “Iced tea, please. I’ll go with you to get it.”

  “I won’t argue that one,” he said, putting his arm around her and pulling her close against his side.

  “Tell me more about your family,” she said. “With all those brothers and sisters, which ones were you closest to?”

  When they entered the kitchen, he released her to get her a glass of tea and a beer for himself. “I’m closest to my brother Zach. And I’m close to my sister Isabella.”

  “Isabella is next?”

  “Nope,” he said, carrying the tea and beer. “Let’s sit outside, and I’ll put dinner on shortly.”

  As they strolled back to the patio, he said, “My brother Ken is one year younger than I am—actually fifteen months younger. But Ken and I fought and he’s irresponsible to this day and never did anything to help Mom—or me, for that matter.”

  “Where is he now?” she asked while Boone took her hand and led her to a cushioned glider. They sat close, and he put one arm behind her, wrapping his fingers lightly in her hair.

  “Ken lives the life of a king in the mountains of Colorado. He married a wealthy woman who is a successful interior decorator and he helps her, I suppose. He doesn’t have any other employment that I know of. Actually, I haven’t seen him since Mom died four years ago, but that’s what I’m told.”

  “So who’s the next sibling?”

  “Zach who’s single and a navy SEAL.”

  “Another daredevil.”

  Boone shrugged. “I don’t think either of us thought about our careers that way. I wanted to fly and to get away from home. Finding a way to do that in the military was a bonus.” He paused to take a long drink of his beer.

  Erin watched him, her pulse still skipping. Each brush of his fingers against her nape was electrifying and his kisses hadn’t been long ago. In spite of trying to appear nonchalant about them, she was excited, fighting desire that burned in her like a banked fire.

  His thick hair was temptation, and she wanted to comb her fingers through it as he was doing with hers. Instead, she sipped her iced tea and wished it would cool her down a degree.

  “Where does Zach live?”

  “The last I heard from him he was in Jordan, but that could have changed by this time.”

  “So where does Isabella fall in this line of siblings?”

  “She’s next. She’s in California, dating a guy she wants me to come out and meet.”

  “So why don’t you go?”

  “I will,” he said, smiling at her. “Don’t sound so anxious to see me leave.”

  “I’m not. You just said you were close with her.”

  “I’m teasing. And I will go see her. Why don’t you come with me and meet her?”

  “We’ll see,” Erin replied, her pulse taking another leap at the thought of traveling with him. Anything with him played havoc with her pulse. “So, what does Isabella do?”

  “She’s a photographer. She was the first girl in our family and she became a little mother when the twins were born when she was two. She would help Mom in all sorts of ways, and we figured it was the female in her that made her want to play dolls with the new siblings. The rest of my siblings I’m not as close to and the youngest ones I really barely know. They were babies when I was a teen and trying to help support the family. A lot of the time I was gone or busy, and left their actual care to Isabella and Zach while I tried to earn some money.”

  “Do you have a picture?”

  “No, I don’t carry pictures of my siblings,” he replied.

  “Then tell me their names. After Isabella, who were the twins?”

  “Vince and Jake, who are now twenty-five. Next Emily and Cathy and finally, Gregg who’s twenty and in college at Texas University. Mom was pregnant with Gregg when Dad died. I left home after college at twenty-three.”

  “If you’ve been away that long, I’m surprised you’re so opposed to marriage.”

  “I had twelve years of taking care of kids when I was growing up myself,” he said quickly, remembering too many nights of walking a crying baby. “Dad was sick before he died, and Mom worked one job and tried to run the farm, and all of us who were old enough had to help with the farm. It was impossible and we moved away from there the next year.

  “I was the oldest and was up at night with sick babies and had to coach my little brothers’ soccer and had to take them with me hours on end. I’ve been a daddy and don’t want that again. I don’t want to marry and go through all that again,” he said forcefully, and then looked at her. “I don’t want to be tied down like I have been all of my life until I got into the military. I want freedom.”

  “Freedom might be lonely,” she said.

  “So far it hasn’t been lonely,” he replied and drew his fingers along her arm. “I used to dream of all the things I would do, places I would go. Frankly, marriage is prison.”

  “I don’t think it would be prison with the right person,” she said, thinking he had a cynical, harsh outlook on commitment. She knew she was forewarned. If she went into a relationship with him, it would not be lasting and he would never fall in love. “I think marriage with the right person would be the most wonderful thing possible.”

  “So why haven’t you gotten out and dated more?”

  “There’s time for the right person to come along.”

  “You’re a hopeless romantic.”

  “Maybe you’re a hopeless cynic—except I don’t think you are. You put your family first for years. There’s some part of you deep down that likes a family.”

  “Well, it’s pretty deep right now.”

  “You don’t want children of your own?”

  He shook his head. “I feel like I have children of my own. I’m sure you want a family.”

  “Yes, I do. As a matter of fact, I hope I have a big family. I think that would be wonderful. I love babies and little children.”

  “I’m sure you’ll have that family, Erin,” he said quietly and she knew it would never be with him.

  “I’m sorry your mother didn’t live long enough to enjoy your inheritance.”

  “I regret it, too,” he said solemnly, and Erin reached up to give his wrist a squeeze. Instantly, his other hand covered hers and she gazed into his eyes that blazed with desire.

  She placed her hand against his chest as he leaned toward her. “Just wait, Boone,” she whispered, losing her voice and knowing she had no force in her statement at all.

  He gave her a long, searching look and must have seen her sincerity because he sat back. “There are moments when I think you don’t even like me, but then I remember last night and decide that you do.”

  “I like you!” she exclaimed, laughing at him. “I told you that you’re going too fast for me.”

  “Give life a whirl, darlin’. You’ve been cooped up out here not really living for too long a time.”

  “I’m thinking about us, but I want to be sure before I let go again. I want to be sure of you.”

  “Oh, damn,” he said softly, moving closer to her and wrapping an arm around her waist while the other was around her shoulders.

  She placed her hand against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

  “I am slowing to a crawl and about to disintegrate with wanting you.”

  “No one disintegrates from that, least of all you,” she remarked, still struggling to hang on to her resolve. “You’ll forget me as soon as you leave here.”

  “That’s abso
lutely impossible,” he told her solemnly.

  As if he could read her mind, he placed his fingers along her throat and she realized that he was feeling her pulse. His eyebrows arched. “You’re not quite as cool as you’re acting,” he said quietly in a huskier voice.

  “Maybe not, but I meant what I said. Give me time and space.”

  “Sure thing, darlin’. But I don’t know what’s worrying you.”

  “Boone, how many women have you walked out on and left broken hearts behind? You can’t tell me none. Not if you’re truthful.”

  “I don’t keep score, Erin. I can’t tell you a number.”

  “I can imagine,” she said dryly, standing up and picking up her iced tea. “Let’s get dinner on to cook. I can help.”

  Disgruntled, Boone stood and caught up with her, keeping his hands to himself. All through grilling steaks and getting dinner on the table and over hot buttery rolls, thick, juicy steaks and fluffy, cheese-covered baked potatoes, he kept his hands to himself.

  It wasn’t until an hour after dinner that he slipped his arm around her waist and lifted her onto his lap while they sat on the glider on the patio. Only a few of the lights burned, leaving the patio in semidarkness.

  He turned her to face him, reaching behind her to slide his fingers through her hair.

  Erin wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to kiss him and his pulse soared.

  Eventually, Erin ended their kisses as he had suspected she would. Boone raised his head. “Stop before you go too far to stop,” she whispered.

  “You’re sure?” he asked, and her hand slipped down over his chest and she could feel his pounding heartbeat.

  “Yes,” she whispered. “For tonight, I’m positive.”

  “You won’t stay with me?” he asked. “Ah, darlin’, I need you.” He sighed and shifted away, watching her as she sat up.

  “Boone, there is no one woman you need or want that badly to settle down with.” She straightened her clothing and turned to face him. “I should go home now.”

  “You misjudge me, darlin’.”

  “No, I don’t think so,” she replied.

  He stood, draping his arm around her as they went through the house and across the yard to her house.

  “Want a tour of my house?” she offered as they crossed her porch.

  “Sure thing,” he replied, taking her key and unlocking her door. Looking down at her with an arched eyebrow, he said, “If it were any other woman, I’d think you were asking me in to continue what we stopped. With you, I suspect it’s to tour the house, but I’ll do anything to stay with you longer.”

  “That’s sweet.”

  “Erin, no one has ever accused me of being sweet,” he said through clenched teeth.

  She shrugged. “Seemed sweet to me. And my invitation really is to tour the house like I told you,” she said. He stepped inside to hold the door for her.

  “You have an alarm. You don’t use it?” Boone demanded.

  “Not unless I leave town. I feel safe here on the ranch.”

  “I suppose. There are so many treasures in that palace I’ve inherited, I probably should turn the alarm on, but it does seem needless out here.”

  “Those are your treasures now, Boone. You can take care of them however you want to. First on the tour of my home is the formal living room.” She took his hand and he fell into step beside her.

  “I’d rather have you back in my arms.”

  “Pay attention to my house. I like it.”

  “The least you can do is let me put my arm around you while I look.”

  She had him off balance tonight as much as she’d had him uncertain last night. To add to it, now he was uncertain about his future, yet the thought of packing and going back to Kansas City was totally unappealing. Last night he had seduced her, gotten her into his bed willingly and eagerly and had a wild, incredible night of passion.

  He couldn’t imagine that it wouldn’t happen again, but he suspected he was going to have to dredge up patience, something he wasn’t accustomed to doing and did not enjoy. He slid close to pull her against his side. She was warm, soft and sweet-smelling and he wondered how he could concentrate on her house or even notice it when all his attention was on her.

  “The formal living room is not so formal,” she said, leading him into a light, colorful room with a polished oak floor, white upholstered furniture with bright rainbow colors of pillows, potted plants and a varied collection of framed oils and watercolors on the walls.

  “This looks like you,” Boone said,

  “Probably because I redecorated about five years ago. Now, the informal family room was my dad’s.”

  She led Boone into a rustic room with wood everywhere: in the walls, ceilings, beams and floor. Maroon leather furniture looked as masculine as the antique rifle that hung over the mantel. A glass-fronted gun rack stood on one side of the room. Navaho rugs partially covered the oak floor. Western art decorated three walls while shelves with pictures and books lined another wall. One wall held a large brick fireplace and hearth.

  The room and furnishings appealed to Boone, and he wondered about her father whom she seemed to have been close to. “I wish I could have known your dad,” he remarked. “But then he probably would have viewed me in the same way Perry does and want to run me off the place.”

  “No such thing!” she replied. “And Uncle Perry doesn’t want to run you off, either. Far from it. Neither Uncle Perry nor I want to see the ranch sold.”

  “I hope you’re not spending time with me just for the ranch’s sake,” he said tersely.

  “Of course not,” she replied and gave him a smile.

  Boone raised his brows, but remained silent.

  “The rest are bedrooms and bathrooms and your usual standard bunch of rooms, including a games room and an exercise room and a few things like that.”

  “There’s one room that’s not a standard room and I’d like to see it so I know what to picture in my mind—your bedroom.”

  Six

  “I t’s just a bedroom. You’ll see it another time,” she said, taking his hand and leading him down the hall, back the way they had come until they reached the front door, which she opened.

  “I had a wonderful evening, Boone. And I do have to stop and think things over. You’re moving way too fast.”

  Remaining inside, he shut the door to lean against it, pulling her closer with his hands on her waist. “Don’t you want to talk a little longer? That’s harmless.”

  “It’s been a big day,” she said, gazing at him solemnly, and Boone’s disappointment grew.

  She stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek. Instantly his arm slipped around her waist and he turned his head to kiss her hard. He still leaned against the door and he pulled her up tightly against him, cupping her bottom, and then his hand tugged up her skirt and slipped beneath it, sliding over her bottom.

  “Boone!” she gasped, twisting out of his grasp. His heart thudded when he saw the desire blazing in her green eyes.

  “You want to love me, Erin.”

  “Of course I want to! But I want to wait and think about it.”

  He brushed a kiss on her cheek. “We have a dinner date tomorrow night if Perry doesn’t do something to kill me in the morning.”

  “Uncle Perry will be friendly. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  “Right,” he remarked dryly. “Dinner about seven?”

  “Yes. I had a wonderful time tonight,” she whispered, and he clenched his fists to keep from reaching for her.

  “Think about it, Erin. We’re losing time we could have together. I really want you with me, darlin’. If I get back in time tomorrow, let’s have lunch together.”

  “Fine,” she replied as he stepped outside. She blew him a kiss and closed the door, leaning against it and closing her eyes. She ached for him, wanting him with a desperate need that tore at her, but his remarks about marriage had chilled her.

  If she lived wit
h him, she would be head over heels in love with him, if she wasn’t already. And even if she was falling in love with him, if she lived with him for a time, it would be so much more difficult to separate.

  And separate they would. His feelings on marriage were clear and forceful. When he had talked to her about his life, he had sounded angry and bitter. She ran her fingers across her forehead. Was she that old-fashioned that she couldn’t forget the future and enjoy the present and then kiss him goodbye?

  Her breath caught at the possibilities. Boone was excitement and sex and charm, so many things she had never really had in her life. A virile, handsome male who would keep her heart pounding and would be dazzling every day. And as a couple, they might last a long time.

  For too long she had dreamed of a husband and children—a family like the one she had grown up in. Some of the happiest times she had ever experienced had been with her family, and she had always dreamed of having a family of her own. She sighed and knew she was hopelessly old-fashioned about a lot of things. She was tied to the ranch, she loved the horses and the job of managing the ranch, she did things the way her father had and her grandfather before him, wanting marriage and babies and a routine life on the ranch. Boone didn’t fit into that picture in the least.

  If she kept putting him off, she was certain he would pack and leave. The ranch held little interest for him. Therefore, she knew she should make some decisions quickly. Accept life with Boone on his terms and live with the consequences, or kiss him goodbye. Those were the choices. And if he left, he might sell the Double T. She hated to consider it but she knew she had to prepare for that possibility. She needed a plan.

  Erin spent a sleepless night tossing and turning and wanting to be in Boone’s arms. The next day she hardly saw him, and at four o’clock, the phone rang. Her pulse jumped at the sound of Boone’s voice, but then she realized he sounded annoyed and impatient.

  “Darlin’, I’ll be there for dinner when I can get there.”

  “That’s fine, Boone,” she replied. “Where are you?”

  “Your uncle Perry wanted me to go to a horse sale with him. I’m in El Paso, Texas. We—”