The Rancher's Seduction

by Catherine Mann

  Felicity’s cape fell open, revealing the red dress that hugged her curves. Her emerald green wrap brought out the golden flecks in her eyes. Dark hair swept up into a chic updo of some sort, feathery wisps framing her elegant face and calling to his hands to cup her cheeks, to taste her mouth.

  But he could see the reserve in her eyes still.

  He was a patient man. So he simply allowed himself to enjoy the view.

  Tonight had given him the time with her he’d hoped for when he’d offered the extra ticket to Tally. No doubt about it, he’d wanted to ask Felicity out since the day he met her, but she hadn’t looked open to passing out her phone number when he’d helped her get her car out of the snow. So he’d begun planning the right time and approach to woo this fascinating woman. Somehow, he didn’t think she would be won over by grand gestures of wealth. But she had appeared to enjoy the ballet.

  His desire for her ramped up. Already he could imagine the affair they could have. No strings. Short-term. Just two professionals enjoying explosive chemistry.

  Conrad peeled off his gloves and stretched an arm along the back of the seat, Christmas lights outside twinkling as they drove through the capital city. “Would you like some sparkling water? Or champagne?”

  She swept back a stray lock. “Water, please, thank you.”

  Did she know she was playing with her hair? Given her career skills reading body language, she had to know she was sending off sensual vibes.

  Conrad reached into the mini fridge and selected sparkling water for Felicity before sitting beside her again.

  She smiled, looking through her lashes at him. “I hear I owe you a thanks for the amazing seat and intermission party tonight.”

  “You owe me nothing.” He passed her the small bottle of sparkling water as the limo pulled away from the theater. Their hands brushed, heat rising between them. “Attending The Nutcracker is a family tradition.”

  “And you always have the intermission party?” She sipped slowly, her lips a pale pink that drew his gaze.

  He focused his attention back on her eyes. “That was my gift to the family this year, expanding the experience. You may have noticed that our family is large and growing fast. It would take just about all year to shop for everyone. So I planned this instead.”

  And yes, he’d had to pay a small fortune to purchase the extra seat with theirs, but it had been worth it to have her join them tonight.

  Her eyes flickered over him, assessing. “Sounds to me like you’re downplaying your role in orchestrating this. It’s an incredibly thoughtful thing to do for your relatives.”

  He stayed silent. He wanted to pull his weight being a part of the family, but was also aware this was his brother’s family. Conrad had been married briefly, and almost married once. He’d thought he might one day have kids of his own when he was engaged. After his engagement had ended just shy of the altar, he’d opted to stay single and enjoy being an involved uncle. All of which was too much to tell this woman he wanted an affair with. She was sexy as hell.

  Which also didn’t sound like the right angle for a pickup line.

  The driver maneuvered through the well-lit town. Conrad had grown up here, and somehow the lights in the main square never ceased to fill him with something that felt a lot like hope. His mother and father had taken their family to the annual lighting ceremony every year. Always dressed in a puffy black parka, his mother had instructed him and Jack to make a wish the moment the lights powered on.

  While he hadn’t made it to the lighting ceremony this year, he still found a wish on the tip of his tongue as they passed holiday lampposts.

  His eyes flickered from the scene outside, back into another source of light. Felicity leaned forward, a question forming on her lips. He touched the furrow in her brow lightly, the dim lights of the car casting a warm glow across her face. “What?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing important.”

  “Try me.”

  She narrowed her eyes, a smile playing with her lips. Those eyes sparkling. “I’m wondering whose idea it was for me to come—in the interest of thanking the right person.”

  The more truthful the better. He had a feeling if she sensed he was playing with the truth, then he wouldn’t stand a chance. “I offered the extra ticket to Tallulah, hoping she would ask you.”

  “Hoping, huh?”

  The limousine turned, the bumps in the road causing them to jostle closer together. “You make quite an impact, lady.”

  “Are you flirting with me?” Sipping her water, she watched him through her eyelashes.

  “Absolutely.” And he could see he’d made progress with her, but she wasn’t at the point where she would accept. The chase was on. “Go out with me.”

  She gave a low laugh. “With an eloquent request like that, I’m amazed you’re still single.”

  A light chuckle escaped him. A genuine one. “I’m known for being one of the more charming members of my family. Yet you have me at a loss for words.”

  “I think there may be a compliment in there somewhere.”

  “I hope so.”

  She turned from him, eyes focused outside the window to the falling snow. “Thank you for the request, but I’m taking a break from dating to concentrate on my recent promotion.”

  “Congratulations,” he said before pressing on, “Then let me bring lunch to your office. You have to eat.”

  Her mouth twitched as she faced him again. “I eat in my car driving to and from home visits or on my way to the hospital.”

  That half smile playing at her lips spoke to him louder than her words. “You’re playing hard to get.”

  Her chin tipped. “I don’t play at anything.”

  His arm along the seat, he traced over the back of her neck, her silky hair catching on his calloused fingertips. “If you’re not interested, then I’ll take you at your word.”

  She hesitated an instant too long.

  “So you’re interested.” He smiled inside as well as outside.

  “Another time in my life, perhaps,” she conceded, eyes turning wistful. Distant. As if she was analyzing something far away from the limo, the backdrop of Christmas lights.

  Somehow that concession gave him pause more than if she’d said no flat-out. “You’re really that focused on your job?”

  “I have the opportunity to help so many more children.”

  The passion in her voice was so intense it took his breath away.

  “You’re making me like you even better.” He ached to kiss her, and more.

  The limo pulled up outside her town house, and he couldn’t help fantasizing about how this evening could have ended. Perhaps could end someday in the future.

  The chauffeur opened her door. She started to step out, then looked over her shoulder. “Meet me in the cafeteria tomorrow at noon. I have a half hour free.”

  Victory pulsed through him. “I’ll strive to make it a memorable thirty minutes.”

  She raised a delicately arched brow. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

  * * *

  Tally wanted to hold on to this magical night until the very last second.

  Her weather-resistant, heeled black boots crunched in the new-fallen snow as she followed Marshall along the covered walkway up to the ranch house—his garage was full. The familiar constellations were covered by thick clouds. Snowflakes tumbled through the air, collecting in her hair, melting on her cheeks.

  Marshall opened the door, warm yellow light beckoning them inside. Stepping out of the cold, she crossed the threshold. Nugget wriggled and jumped, a furry bundle of frenetic excitement. The little dog let out a bark that sounded a lot like hello.

  She shrugged out of her cape, the holiday glow of the night still lingering. Riding back together had been so...intimate, somehow. Like they were a couple. She searched for a safe t
opic. “You have an amazing family. You’re so incredibly lucky.”

  “You fit right in.” He took her wrap, his hands brushing hers as she passed it to him, leaving a tingling trail.

  “It was an idyllic Christmas outing.”

  “And the season’s just beginning.” He draped her cape over the back of the sofa and crossed to the fireplace. “Is there some holiday tradition you would like to include? I hate to think we’re hijacking your whole Christmas.”

  The last thing she wanted was to talk about the holidays she’d had with her father passed out on the sofa. “I don’t have traditions other than shopping for ornaments with my mom, so it’s fun seeing yours.”

  He started a fire and then adjusted the flames. “If my arm weren’t broken, we would have a lot more outings here to enjoy.”

  “Such as?”

  He gestured to the two chairs bracketing the fireplace. “Other than horseback riding? Snowmobiling, skiing, ice-skating.”

  “Those sound fun.” She sank into the overstuffed seat, tugged off her boots, then wriggled her toes in front of the fire.

  “You should take your pick of any of those things. I can sideline coach if you need help.”

  How was his glance over her feet so sexy?

  “Thank you, but I’m not here for a vacation.” She straightened. “I’m here to work.”

  “That’s between you and my stepmother.” He sat across from her, leaning forward.

  The flames cast shadows across his face, but the heat in his eyes was unmistakable.

  She ached to angle forward and meet him halfway. He stirred something inside her that no one else had. And during the holiday season, it was tougher than ever to be alone.

  But she couldn’t afford to succumb to temptation. She needed this job...and she was keeping secrets, too.

  * * *

  Watching Tally walk away the night before had sucker punched Marshall. He’d felt it too deeply in his gut, wanted her too much. So much so, he’d come to his senses and realized he needed help.

  He’d called his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, then he’d gone to an early-morning meeting.

  Now, full of coffee and resolve, he found himself driving to see his oldest brother. Broderick, his wife and their daughter lived at the family compound in a large suite in the mansion Jack Steele had built when they’d outgrown the ranch house.

  Set on a lake, the massive Steele family compound was picturesque. The bulk of Marshall’s family lived here now, but he’d never felt like it was home. Not like the ranch, where his family had been whole. Except he wasn’t ready to go back there and spend more time with Tally until he had his head on straight.

  Marshall was struck again by how much his older brother, Broderick, resembled their father. Stetson tipped forward, he looked every bit the cowboy. Classic dark looks for a classic man. Turning the corner from the stables, Broderick made his way toward him. Christmas lights glowed in the dark Alaskan winter morning. His brother waved and shouted a greeting.

  Marshall met him halfway. “Do you have time for a walk before you head off to work?”

  “Of course. Glenna and I are working from home today, so my schedule’s flexible.”

  They moved toward the water, picking their way around a tall, skinny pine tree. Boots crunched into the freshly fallen snow. Marshall wished they could ride instead. The weeks couldn’t fly by fast enough until his cast was off and he could de-stress with a day in the saddle. Although that would also mark Tally’s departure from his life.

  Or maybe uncomplicate things?

  Hell, he didn’t know.

  He glanced at his brother, the dock lights illuminating their path. “How’s it going with building the new house? I’ve been meaning to stop by to see the progress.”

  “Slow but steady. Even though this place is as big as a castle, it’ll be nice to have our own home.” There was an edge to his voice. He scrubbed a gloved hand along his jaw, then said wryly, “Although we’ll sure miss all the on-site babysitting for Fleur. She’s a precious handful.”

  “At least you don’t have to parade around in the bachelor auction,” Marshall offered up.

  “True, but I had a near brush with appearing in a Santa suit.”

  Now that was an image Marshall couldn’t envision, not even since his brother had become a father when he’d adopted little Fleur. “Seriously?”

  “Dad vetoed the Santa idea altogether when he heard we were the only two on the ballot to play Saint Nick.”

  “Vetoed how?”

  “He reminded us—insistently—that it’s an adult event, therefore no red suit needed.”

  “Logical argument. Although I think it’s ironic he has been pushing the notion of him and Jeannie stepping out of the leadership roles in the company, but he exerts veto power.” Jack and Jeannie were easing back from running the company to spend time on their new marriage. And that made sense on the one hand, but on the other made total chaos for the family by creating a power vacuum that still hadn’t been settled.

  “I brought that up,” Broderick continued. “He said he and Jeannie plan to keep their focus on the charitable aspects of the family portfolio.”

  “That makes sense...if they’d staged the fund-raiser here instead.”

  “The catering staff would be tripping all over us.” He angled a look at Marshall. “And if the party had been here, you wouldn’t have met Tallulah Benson. I wasn’t mistaken in the sparks between you two.”

  “Let’s talk about the party,” Marshall said quickly, then wondered why. Hadn’t he come here to talk to his brother about her?

  “I thought you hated talking about the party.”

  “I do.” Which was another testament to how much he wasn’t ready to talk about his attraction to Tally.

  Broderick chuckled good-naturedly. “Fair enough, brother. Fair enough. When are you going to get that cast off?”

  “I’m seeing my doctor at the start of the week.”

  “Hopefully you’ll have good news.” Broderick clapped him on the shoulder. “Stick around and join me for something to eat before you go. And maybe you’ll tell me why you really came here.”

  Opening up was easier for the rest of his family. Probably why they all had been able to live in this family compound together and he’d secluded himself at the ranch.

  Alone was easier.

  * * *

  A couple of days without Marshall underfoot should have made her job easier, but there were reminders of him all over his house.

  Like his half-finished glasses of water with lemon. His extra Stetson. And heaven help her when she made his bed and the scent of him engulfed her senses.

  And then there was his little dog, currently trotting along beside her on her way out to the main barn, the older barn tucked in the distance. She wasn’t sure why he’d been keeping to himself, but he had, citing work commitments. Which made sense. He stayed busy overseeing the ranch and livestock.

  Her boots punched through the snow as she strode faster. She knew she might be pushing her luck risking crossing his path, but she had a job to do as well. She reached to slide the barn door, which had an oversize wreath hanging in the middle. Christmas lights framed the rooflines of both barns.

  She’d been touring the place for more ideas for decorating and breakout space for the fund-raiser. The new barn posed an intriguing option. And yes, she’d been keeping herself crazy busy in hopes of working herself into exhaustion.

  Still, thoughts of how close she’d come to kissing Marshall filled her head. Along with a fresh wash of fantasies of what it would feel like to follow through on that impulse. And guilt about how she hadn’t been honest with him about her father.

  As she moved into the barn, a chestnut horse let out a low whinny of acknowledgment, and the scent of clean hay greeted her. She stared at the horse, who bobb
ed his head from side to side. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Marshall emerge from the tack room. The first time she’d seen him in two days.

  Her breath hitched in her throat, and her stomach did a flip. Lord, he was too handsome, so ruggedly appealing it wasn’t fair. Nugget barked a greeting, racing circles around Marshall’s feet before sprinting over to dive into a pile of hay.

  Trailing her fingers down the stalls, she wrestled for professionalism. “How did your doctor visit go?”

  He’d left her a note on the kitchen table about the appointment.

  “My arm is healing on schedule. I may even get the cast off by Christmas Day. Although that feels mighty far away right now.” He looked down at the cast, frustration visible in his cheeks, a line of tension working from jaw to temple.

  “That’s good. But you don’t look happy. What’s wrong?”

  “I was hoping to get rid of the sling—” he lifted his arm slightly “—and go to a smaller cast.”

  “I’m sorry.” She could see how much it bothered him.

  Aggravation radiated from him in waves. He reached into his pocket, fishing out some sugar cubes. “It is what it is. There’s nothing I can do to change it.”

  He moved toward one of the stalls, extending his palm flat to the same chestnut horse who whinnied earlier.

  “You’re a good patient to realize that.”

  The horse ate the sugar cube happily, licking his palm. “Being noncompliant will only make this last longer.” A dry smile played with his lips. “That doesn’t mean I can’t be grouchy about it.”

  He was handsome—and charming.

  And she was susceptible. “Grouch away.”

  Stroking the chestnut’s neck, he seemed to lighten. Such a simple interaction. It was like seeing a whole new side to him. “I wouldn’t want to upset the horses.”

  She found herself drawn by the mesmerizing way his hand glided along the horse’s chest. “They’re that in tune to your mood?”

  “Absolutely,” he said without hesitation. He angled a steady look her way, his brown eyes so full of hidden depths. “How did your volunteering go this morning?”