Changing Fate (Book 3) (Piper Anderson Series)
Page 24
Sarah crossed her arms with a bit of a huff. “It had to be said or things could get awkward.”
“You mean more than this?” His grin was unrepentant.
Imagining the evening through his eyes, Sarah groaned. He was probably hoping she would talk less, eat more, and get out of there quickly. “I do appreciate you not calling the police when you found me here.”
“The sheriff would have loved that. Best break-in story ever.”
“I didn’t break in—” she started to say, but stopped when suddenly all of the emotions of the day rushed in and, adding to her fatigue, brought an embarrassing sheen of tears to her eyes.
All humor left Tony’s face. He looked at the door quickly as if that would somehow conjure up his housekeeper. “Don’t cry . . .”
“I’m not crying,” Sarah denied hotly and sniffed. Great, I bet my nose is turning red. A man like Tony probably dated sophisticated women: women who would know exactly how to flirt with him. They’d entice rather than entertain him.
What do I do when I’m given an evening alone with the sexiest man I’ve ever met? Sarah sniffed again and looked around for a tissue. Nothing worth documenting unless I decide to write an article about how to make an idiot of myself in ten easy steps.
He stood abruptly; his chair teetered and almost toppled behind him. “You should try calling your friends again.”
Party’s over.
Get out.
Sarah stood and followed him back to the living room and the phone.
Hey Texas, so far you’re not that good for my ego.
“Thanks, but it’s probably best if I just load Scooter and go. Sounds like I have a night of driving ahead of me.”
He stopped and turned so abruptly that she walked straight into him. Everything she’d admired earlier was acutely more amazing pressed up against her. He steadied her with a hand on either arm and eased her back, but not before she’d experienced her first dose of gut-clenching lust that tempted her to launch herself back into his arms.
Although that would make a good story to tell my friends.
I thought you said he didn’t call the sheriff when you broke into his house, so how did you end up arrested?
Oh, that happened when I mauled him even after he kept asking me to leave. You would have, too. He was gorgeous.
His hands dropped away and for a moment Sarah forgot why she’d followed him to the room. You know, besides wanting to stare up at him speechlessly and drool for one last time before I leave.
“I can’t let you go . . .,” he said.
Thank God.
“. . . until you contact someone. No telling where you’d end up on your own.”
Okay, that last part killed the mood a bit.
Now I remember why I want to write. Reality sucks. Watch out, Mister Cowboy. When I put you in a book, you’re going to be kissing my feet and begging me to stay. Sarah raised her chin with renewed pride and said, “I’ll call them one more time, but I’m leaving even if they don’t answer. Where I end up is none of your concern.”
Now I sound like a heroine in a romance novel.
Take that Mr. Sexy Cowboy.
Tony looped his thumbs through the belt on his jeans and said, “In Texas, if you find someone in your shower, you’re responsible for their welfare for at least twenty-four hours.”
Sarah opened her mouth to argue the point, then cocked her head to the side and asked, “Did you just make another joke?”
The corners of his eyes crinkled ever so slightly. Note to self, dry humor in an otherwise stern character is intriguing—would be even sexier if I wasn’t the butt of his joke.
She defended her arrival. “I wouldn’t be here if all the damn ranches in Texas didn’t have the same name.”
A hint of a smile curled one side of his mouth. “Yes ma’am.”
“Just give me the phone,” Sarah said and stepped past him.
He caught her mid-step, spun her and held her just in front of him by her arms. The hot look in his eyes sent another rush of desire through Sarah. He wants me. Her mouth went dry and she flicked her tongue over her bottom lip.
The move caught his eye, but instead of crushing her to him with the kiss she anticipated, he set her back from him again and said, “My number is near the phone if you want your friends to call you back here.”
With that, he turned on his heel and left.
Fanning her face, Sarah picked up the nondescript, black phone and reluctantly dialed her friend’s number. Lucy was probably frantic by now. The phone rang once. Then twice.
Or not.
A machine picked up after the fifth ring. “Hi, Lucy. It’s Sarah. I had a little trouble finding your place so I am at—I’m at a friend’s house. Anyway, when you get this message please call me.” She left Tony’s number and hung up the phone.
He wanted me.
I know he did.
Or I’m desperate enough to see only what I want to see . . . like a cattle ranch where there are only horses.
End of Chapter Two
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Table of Contents
Dedication
Piper
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty- Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Epilogue
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