One Texas Night...

“So what does that leave?” Jared prompted, his voice becoming deeper and his gaze intensifying, making her breathing difficult.

“That you’re an incredibly sexy, appealing man who might be a bit of a threat to my quiet life. You’re definitely not ready to settle down, whereas I have reached the point in my life where I’m more interested in long-term, serious relationships or none at all. Does that answer your question?” she asked, gazing up at him. Her heartbeat raced as she watched him. Her words should put up a wall between them, make him stop and think before he flirted or touched her.

“After that description, if you expect me to back off and become all business and purely professional—” He paused to shake his head and move still closer, resting one hand lightly on her shoulder, his fingers playing back and forth slowly on her nape, a sensitive, erotic part of her. “It isn’t going to happen,” he finished. She heard his words while his touch immobilized her. “Incredibly sexy,” he repeated in a hushed tone, leaning toward her. “I’m not going away when you tell me that’s how you see me.”

She placed her hand on his chest to stop him from coming any closer. Her heart pounded while she looked up at him and the tension between them heightened. As his gaze lowered to her mouth, it was impossible to draw in enough air to breathe. The urge to lean toward him strengthened, creating another inner battle.

“You may not be going away, but I’m not coming any closer in spite of my description. I’m here to do a job. I intend to do it and then go home and forget all about you again.”

A faint smile tugged up one corner of his mouth as he stepped close and slipped an arm around her waist. “I don’t think you’ve ever forgotten. Right now I think you recall that night as clearly as I do. I remember how soft you are,” he said in a voice that dropped and grew thicker. “I remember how passionate you can be—”

Her heart pounded while desire consumed her even as she placed her fingers on his mouth to stop him from talking. He kissed her fingers, his tongue touching them, and she yanked her hand away and wriggled out of his embrace.

“We get back on an impersonal basis, or I eat dinner elsewhere,” she threatened.

“We can do whatever you want,” he said, stepping away. “But sometime soon we’ll do what I want. We could make a wager on that one. A wager I would win.” He turned to walk toward the bar. “What would you like to drink tonight?” he asked, stepping behind the bar to face her. “We have everything. Fully stocked. What’s your pleasure?”

His transformation had been far swifter than hers. She still burned with desire and struggled to think of business and to get Jared out of her thoughts. She wanted to return to a purely business relationship, wanted to maintain an impersonal one tonight. “I’ll have a piña colada,” she said, naming the first drink that came to mind.

She climbed onto a bar stool to watch him mix drinks. His well-shaped hands moved with efficiency, stirring her memories of his hands on her body, her legs, moving over her, creating magic. Inhaling a shaky breath, she shifted her attention to the swimming pool with a waterfall and three fountains. All except the pool were dry, turned off since the mansion was no longer lived in, she assumed.

“Are you busy with jobs like this one all the time?” he asked.

“Not at all. We have sales. There’s always inventory to keep track of, billing, office stuff. If I have a chance, which is rare, I spend time studying antiques, their history, the different styles of furniture, art history. I’m amazed by how much my dad knows. This is a fascinating field,” she said, thinking the most fascinating thing in her life at the moment was the tall, dark-haired man she faced.

“So you like what you do,” Jared said, coming around the bar to hand her a drink while he held his. “Let’s go sit where it’s a little more comfortable,” he suggested before she could answer him.

“Yes, I love this work. Sloan will never go into this line of work, but I want to help my dad and help grow the business,” she replied as Jared directed her toward a grouping of outdoor furniture. When she sat, he pulled his chair close, turning slightly to face her.

He raised his drink. “Here’s to success,” he said.

She had to smile. “I’ll drink to that,” she said, raising her glass and taking a sip. “Even though you didn’t specify what endeavor you had in mind with this toast.”

“Care to try to guess what’s on my mind?”

She laughed. “I don’t think so. I’ve told you what I want. What do you want in your future?”

“Made you laugh. That’s good,” he said. “What do I want in the future?” he repeated. “In the near future—tomorrow night—I want to take you to dinner.”

“Thank you, that would be nice,” she said, deciding not to fight him at every turn.

“‘Nice’ sounds a little dull.”

“‘Nice’ sounds absolutely perfect to me. A simple dinner out.”

“Good. Half past six. We’ll go early because I’m anxious.”

She had to smile again. “I doubt if you’ve been ‘anxious’ over a woman since you were ten years old.”

“You may have the wrong impression, which hopefully I’ll change.”

“I don’t believe you need to give one second to that endeavor. It’s unnecessary,” she said. Wanting to change the subject, she steered their talk back to their work. “As far as the furnishings are concerned, so far, the oldest piece I’ve found in this house is a sixteenth-century chest.” He evidently caught on to her intention, because he couldn’t hide a smile.

“Let’s forget the inventory and business for the evening,” he said. “In a way, we know each other intimately. In another way, we barely know each other at all. I know your family. Your brother is my best friend, and your dad has worked with me on two projects. But you are a mystery. Besides the business, what do you want in life? You’ve told me that you like the business and want to see it grow, so I assume you’ll stay in it as long as it’s successful.”

“That’s right. At least that’s what I plan now, and Dad needs my help,” she replied, aware Jared gave her his full attention. “I want to marry, have a family, lead the same kind of life I had growing up. Isn’t that what you want?”

“I like life’s challenges. My dad did, and maybe that’s where I got that need. I watched him spend a lifetime putting off the risky things because he was a husband, a dad, a businessman with a growing company. Then when he could retire and do the things he had dreamed of all his life, his health was gone and he couldn’t do any of the adventures he had postponed. It was sad. He was filled with bitterness and regret,” Jared said, his gaze shuttered as if looking back into the past. “I lost Mom two years before Dad. I don’t know if she had things she wanted to do that she’d never done. She never said.”

For the first time Allison didn’t think she had any of his attention. She wanted no part of the lifestyle he craved, but she could understand a little better his reasons for choosing it.

“My brother never felt that way, yet he used to do some of the things you do.”

“Sloan has a zest for life. He did things and satisfied himself about them, and now he doesn’t live that way. He’s settled. His choice. That’s better than the way my dad lived, filled with regret. I don’t want that to happen to me. I want to do all those things while I’m young.”

“Even though it means you’ll stay all alone in life?” she asked. “You might be missing out on the best parts of life and will have as many regrets later as your dad, just different regrets.”

“I don’t intend to be alone all my life. As for a family for me? I see that sometime in the distant future. I have things I want to do, and it’s better to be single to do them. At least that’s what I think. Climb Mount Everest, for one. Look how Sloan’s life has changed since his marriage. Your brother has dropped out of the rodeo circuit. At one time he wanted to climb Everest with me. He’s out of that now. Your brother is a family guy, which is good for him. I’m just not there yet.”

“That’s an honest answer,” she replied.

“And I’d like to do more with salvaging. I’ve already explored two sunken ships and brought up artifacts that are in museums, and some treasures that are in my own collection. I’m sure you know that’s when I worked with your dad. Salvaging is my most fascinating pursuit, and I’d like to spend more time doing it.” He sipped his drink.

“And I’m still riding the rodeo. In fact, I’m riding in one in Ft. Worth soon.” He put his drink down and leaned toward her. “Go to the rodeo with me. You used to go with your family to watch your brother.”

She moved back impulsively. “Thank you, but I’ll be in Dallas and back in my world by then. When I leave here, we won’t see each other again. It’ll be like the past six years. We each have our own lives.”

“It’s just a rodeo, Allison. You weren’t this skittish with me before,” he observed.

“Life’s different now. Before we were at a party. I wasn’t on a job. I worry about my dad and don’t want to be away long periods of time or cause him any worry.”

“Your dad isn’t going to worry because you’re watching me in a rodeo.”

“He might worry because I’m out with you.”

Her words seemed to have no effect on him. He persisted, “I doubt if Sloan has painted such a dark picture of me to your dad.”

“I know he hasn’t, or Dad would have never sent me on this job. My dad thinks you’re a fine person. Sloan keeps those warnings about you for me—only since he found out I’m taking this job.”

“I’ve worked with your dad, too, remember? We got along great.”

“I’m sure you did.”

“Your dad has always been nice to me.” He sat back, his drink in his hand again. “You think about the rodeo. For now, tell me about all the furniture. What happens after you’ve tagged it?”

She went over the process once again, describing their work in detail, all the while conscious of his total focus.

They talked through dinner, through watching the sunset and finally they moved inside to talk more about various topics.

She had relaxed at last, finding him fun to be with, and she could see why her brother was close friends with him.

It was one o’clock in the morning when she finally told him that she had to turn in. He walked her to her suite, pausing outside her door.

“Good night, Jared,” she stated. “Dinner was great, and it’s been a nice evening. You know, I could work in the evenings, too, and get finished sooner.”

“No, no, you should have some time off. There’s no big rush on this. You’ll get it done.” He smiled at her. “I enjoyed tonight, too. I’m looking forward to tomorrow night,” he said in a deeper voice.

Her heart beat faster. He stood close, his gaze drifting slowly over her. She wanted to look at his mouth, to lean closer and press her lips to his. She could all but taste his kiss. “Tonight was enjoyable. I’m sure I’ll see you in the morning,” she said, turning, expecting his hand to touch her any minute. Instead he merely stood there while she entered her suite and closed the door.

Disappointment enveloped her despite knowing it was best they did not kiss. Her lips tingled. Her skin was hot, prickly with wanting him. She should be relieved they were sticking to business. If only her body would get that message.

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