Back to the Heart

by Sky Corgan

  They loved each other’s mouths until they were both out of breath. By the time Ana pulled away, she was all bleary-eyed. The expression on Ryan’s face was much darker, though it softened when he regained awareness of their surroundings. This was not the place for a necking session.

  “So.” He turned back to the ice cream, picking up his spoon to scrape the bottom of the waffle bowl. “Your mother tells me there’s going to be a county fair this weekend.”

  “There is.” Ana nodded, her cheeks flushing with the realization that several people in the restaurant were staring at them—people who would no doubt gossip about the kiss. “I had almost forgotten about it.”

  “Do you have a date yet?”

  The question was so blunt that it made Ana grin. “Nope. Not many gentlemen are interested in taking a girl who is pregnant with someone else’s child.” Her fingers splayed across the swell of her stomach, and she could have sworn she felt the baby kick.

  “They don’t know what they’re missing out on.” He broke off a piece of the waffle bowl and fed it to her. “I bet you can guess my next question.”

  Ana’s heart skipped a beat. “No clue,” she lied.

  “Will you be my date for the county fair this weekend?”

  “A date.” As far as she was concerned, they had been on plenty of dates already. Wasn’t this a date right now? But hearing confirmation that he wanted to take her on an actual date made butterflies flutter in Ana’s stomach.

  “A date, Miss White. You know, when two people who are romantically interested in each other get together and have a good time.”

  And are seen together by everyone in town. If he upped and disappeared after that, it would make her look like a complete fool. As happy as she was that he had asked her, perhaps they should just go as friends. After all, weren’t they supposed to be trying to go slow until he came back from the trip?

  “You’re thinking too hard.”

  “I’m worrying again,” she confessed.

  “About what?”

  “About the fact that I’m falling for you way too fast. I know we keep going over this, but I still don’t know you very well.” She gave him an apologetic look.

  Ryan placed his hand on top of hers and gave it a squeeze. “Then get to know me better. Go out on this date with me. It would make your mother happy.”

  “Are you playing the guilt card now?” She quirked an eyebrow at him.

  “I’ll play my entire hand if it will get you to say yes.”

  How could she possibly say no when he was being so adorable? Trust him, Ana. He’s a good man. If your mother thinks so, then it will be all right.

  “I think it’s a date.” She nodded.

  “You think?”

  “It’s a date.” A smile broke out across Ana’s lips, and it was matched by Ryan’s excitement. If a man had ever been so happy to have his invitation accepted, Ana had only seen it in the movies.

  Ana wanted a dress that would blow Ryan’s mind, one that she’d look so gorgeous in he couldn’t stand the thought of not coming back to her. That dress was not in her closet, and while she didn’t have a whole lot of money left after the move, she figured it wouldn’t hurt to splurge a little.

  After she finished her chores on Friday, Ana sneaked away to San Antonio for a shopping spree. Unfortunately, Bandera just didn’t have the selection she wanted, especially since she was pregnant. But once she got into town and hit the maternity section of every store in the mall, she realized that neither did San Antonio.

  They just don’t make nice dresses for pregnant women. Most just looked like a sheet you threw over yourself. Ana was about to give up when her eyes landed on a white chiffon summer dress with a gold sequined collar. It still wasn’t as sexy as she would have liked, but Ana shrugged and took it into the dressing room anyway.

  When she slid it over her head, she was impressed by how slim it made her look. From the front, you couldn’t tell she was pregnant at all, and from the side, it wasn’t too noticeable. Not to mention the dress was short enough to show off her long legs. Ana liked the dress even more when she looked at the price tag. Well within her budget.

  “It will do,” she told herself as she pulled it off and put her clothes back on, preparing to head to the register.

  As she was walking toward the counter, one of the sales ladies came to greet her. “Buying a dress for a special event?” she asked.

  Ana squinted at her name tag, which said “Rhonda.” “Trying to get something that will knock a guy’s socks off, but that’s kind of hard to do when you’re pregnant.” She frowned.

  “Well, you made a good selection. Can I suggest a few things though?” The woman stepped up to her, and Ana leaned back a bit when Rhonda started messing with her hair. “You’re going to want to pull your hair up into a high ponytail with this one. Do you have any red shoes?”

  “Red shoes?”

  “Yes. We have the best red shoes to go with that, and a matching clutch. And some pearls. You’ve got to have pearls.”

  “I don’t really like pearls.” Ana wrinkled her nose.

  “Trust me on this.” Rhonda grabbed her arm and pulled her over to the shoe section.

  Ana felt like she had been caught up in a whirlwind as the lady sat her down and went around the store grabbing up shoes and accessories to go with the dress. It was a bit overwhelming and more than she wanted to deal with. But as she looked at the woman, Ana realized how exquisitely she was dressed. Maybe she did know about fashion after all.

  “Are you sure these will match?” Ana asked hesitantly as Rhonda held up a pair of bright-red pumps.

  “Go put the dress on, then try the shoes on. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

  Reluctantly, Ana headed into the dressing room with the dress. After she came back out, Rhonda added all the accessories. When she finally released Ana to go step in front of the mirror, Ana was blown away. The pearl necklace Rhonda had placed around her neck looked elegant, and the flower ring and bracelet she was wearing gave the dress a more wholesome appearance, which Ana knew her mother would like. It was the perfect combination of sophisticated and sweet. And Ana knew that she had to buy everything.

  “Just pull your hair back, put on some nude lipstick, and you’ll be good to go,” Rhonda said from behind her with a smile.

  “Wow. You really know your stuff. I thought the red shoes and clutch would be too much, but it gives the dress flair.”

  “I wanted to be a fashion designer when I grew up.”

  “And now you’re a master accessorizer. I’ll take it all.”

  “Want some lingerie to go with that?” Rhonda perked up again at the thought of selling Ana more stuff.

  It was an enticing idea. If anyone knew how to pick good lingerie for a pregnant woman, this woman was it. Still, Ana had already gone way over budget.

  “Maybe next time.” She cringed at her own words.

  By the time Ana finally made it to the register, Rhonda was holding up a set of lingerie. “How about this?”

  Ana stared at it longingly, thinking of how Ryan would react seeing her so scantily clad. She could imagine the hungry look in his eyes, the way his hands would feel as they moved over her body, exploring and disrobing. The very thought of him taking the lingerie off her made her heat up inside. Maybe she wouldn’t be able to wait until he came back from his business trip.

  She swallowed, certain of what it would mean if she wore the lingerie for him the day of the fair. They would have alone time afterward, she was sure of it. Did she want to tease him like that? Would he really be able to resist if he saw her looking so seductive and wanton?

  Ana took a deep breath, then she shyly said, “I’ll take it.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Every day Ana was more and more beautiful to Ryan, but she had never looked as stunning as she did right now. The breath left his lungs in a rush as she walked down the stairs, one long leg at a time, the white dress swishing around her thigh
s. It was hard to believe she came from a small country town. She was one hundred percent New York, high fashion, and exquisitely put together. Not to mention sexy as hell.

  He could see her fitting into his world, picture her on his arm at the charity parties he attended. It made his heart soar.

  This was just another step to getting there. But it was hard not to want it all now, and even harder to keep his hands off her.

  Ana’s mother was standing at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes shimmering. She was watching Ryan too, though, and for that reason, he needed to be a gentleman.

  “You look gorgeous.” He offered Ana his hand when she reached the bottom of the stairs, and she took it with a smile that made his heart skip a beat. Good Lord, how was he going to resist kissing her?

  “You look quite dapper yourself.” She cast an appreciative glance at the faded blue jeans and black polo shirt he was wearing. Looking up at her, Ryan felt underdressed.

  “Are we ready to go?” Molly asked, perhaps seeing the intensity with which they were sizing each other up.

  “I think so,” Ana took a deep breath before standing up on tiptoe to give Ryan a peck on the lips. In the heels she was wearing, she didn’t have to reach too far.

  Now was the time to present themselves to the town as a couple. It was an important day for both of them, but especially for Ryan. It was the day Ana accepted that he might someday be a bigger part of her life.

  Ryan wasn’t the only one who thought Ana looked stunning. That was apparent by all the stares she was getting at the fair. And all the while, she seemed oblivious. Did she have any idea what a beautiful woman she was?

  Even though he thought he had a pretty good reign on Ana’s heart, Ryan couldn’t help but feel possessive. It was important to him that every man understood she belonged to him, and so he made sure the second they stepped out of his truck, their hands were clasped together, and he was walking close enough to her that there was no mistake that they were more than friends.

  Thankfully, Molly broke away from them when they got to the fair. While Ryan wouldn’t have minded spending time with them together, he wanted this to feel more like a date. But Molly seemed to understand. She even gave him a little wink and told them to go have fun as they parted ways. Bless that woman. Even though she seems uncertain at times, she’s still on my side.

  And so he whisked Ana away toward some of the craft booths, and they walked together and talked about the things they saw, and he flirted and brushed her hair behind her ear and touched her whenever he had a chance, showing his affection for her, showing the world that she was his.

  “Would you like something to drink?” he asked once they had made the rounds.

  “Sure.” She followed him to a lemonade stand to wait in line. “Nothing changes here,” she said with a sigh, looking around the small fairgrounds.

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  “No. It’s nostalgic, but a bit boring.”

  “Boring?” He laughed. “Are you saying I’m boring you?”

  “No.” She stepped up close to him, tugging on the front of his shirt. “I’m saying that I can think of other things I’d rather be doing.”

  The heat seared through Ryan’s body like a flash of lightning as he caught her meaning. When she looked up at him, her eyes reflected his own desire. Their lips met with all the want they had held back in front of her mother, and they kissed like lovers, not caring who saw.

  All Ryan could think about was how sweet Ana tasted, and how much he longed to have her in his arms, beneath his body, in his bed. His thumb brushed across the sleeve of her dress, and he pictured himself slipping it over her shoulder, exposing her in preparation to savor her fully. When they broke free from each other, they were both breathless.

  “You make it hard to resist you,” he told her, caressing her face.

  “Then don’t. Don’t resist me.” The need in her voice about made Ryan want to take her down right then and there.

  “This isn’t the place for that.”

  “Then take me to the place. I don’t want to wait anymore, Ryan.”

  Just then, Molly came walking up with two bags in her hands and a smile on her face. As much as Ryan was sad the passionate moment was lost, he was also glad. He was two seconds short of dragging Ana off to his truck, and that just wouldn’t be right. He wanted the first time with her to be special, something they’d both remember for the rest of their lives. Having sex in the back of a pickup truck in the parking lot of the county fair—she deserved better than that.

  “Look at you, getting your shopping on,” he teased Molly, looking down at the bags, which were no doubt filled with crafts.

  “Look at you two, sucking face in the middle of the fair,” she quipped back.

  Ryan felt like he should have a witty comeback, or maybe an apology, but he was certain that Molly wasn’t upset with them.

  “What did you buy?” Ana pointed to the bags.

  “Candles and a wreath. They always have such neat things here.”

  “They do.” She nodded with a short laugh.

  “The two of you are causing quite a ruckus.” Molly’s eyebrows lifted.

  “Looks like you’re the talk of the town, Sunshine, sweeping my daughter off her feet. You can’t run away now.” She patted Ryan on the cheek before walking off.

  “Oh my God, that was so awkward.” Ana burst out laughing, and Ryan couldn’t help but join her. He got Molly’s message clearly. Don’t hurt my daughter. You better be sincere, because you’ve taken things too far now.

  Ana and Ryan made their way back to the truck.

  Ryan’s eyes fell to Ana’s stomach as she walked. The dress hid her pregnancy, for the most part, though it wouldn’t be much longer before she wouldn’t be able to hide it, no matter what she wore. He didn’t mind. If anything, it made her glow.

  “Do you want it to be a boy or a girl?” he asked.

  “I want it to be healthy,” she told him with a smile, cradling her stomach. “Gender doesn’t matter.”

  “Most people have a preference.”

  “What would you want? A boy, I bet.” She grinned.

  “What man doesn’t want a son? A daughter would be nice too.”

  “I love the way you talk about the baby like it’s yours.”

  He turned to her, taking both of her hands in his and giving her a sincere look. “I want the baby to be mine.”

  She blushed then, unable to look him in the eye. “You haven’t even gotten me in bed yet, and you’re already talking about adopting my child.”

  “I’ve always looked toward the future. It’s one of the things that has made me so successful.”

  “Successful at fixing fences and barns,” she teased, letting go of one of his hands to continue walking.

  He was just about to counter her statement with something playful when his phone rang.

  “I’ve got to take this,” he said apologetically as he pulled the phone out of his pocket. When Elias’s number flashed across his caller ID, his chest tightened.

  Up until now, Ryan had been able to forget about Ana’s defamation case. Just thinking about what had happened to her made him angry. Rick Fasken had used the woman he loved and discarded her like a piece of trash. A man like that didn’t even deserve to breathe. All he could do was hope Elias would pull through, and that Rick Fasken would never be able to do this to another woman ever again.

  “Hey, Elias.”

  Ryan listened to what Elias had to say, nodding every few seconds, relief rushing through him. By the time he hung up the phone, his serious expression had cracked into a smile.

  “Great news.” Ryan beamed. “Elias got a reply from Rick Fasken. He said he’s willing to settle out of court.”

  Ana’s eyes widened in excitement, and she squealed and jumped up and down. Knowing he had helped her gave Ryan a huge sense of accomplishment, better even than when he had made his first billion dollars. The smallest sign of her contentment could fil
l him with joy.

  “Are you serious? He really didn’t put up a fight?”

  “I’m serious. Rick must have known he was in the wrong, and that he wouldn’t get away with it.”

  “I just can’t believe that he’d lie down so easily. He always seemed so headstrong. Thank you. Thank you so much for everything. My mother was right, you truly are an angel.”

  “Not even close.” Ryan smirked, thinking of all the devilish things he wanted to do to her now that he had ridden in on his white horse and saved the day.

  “I’m not joking. My life was in shambles when I got here. Meeting you, it’s turned things around. Given me some hope.” The earnest way she said it made Ryan feel warm inside. He drew her to him and held her in his arms.

  “I will always do whatever I can to protect you,” he said into her hair. The way she nuzzled against his chest made him feel content. If he could have captured that moment and kept it forever, he would have.

  She pulled away. “I want to go home now. I want to go home and celebrate . . . with you.”

  Ryan knew what that meant, and as much as he thought some sort of celebration was in order, he wasn’t sure if he could hold himself back from giving her the kind of celebration she was silently asking for.

  The electricity between them had been sizzling ever since Ana first came downstairs in the white dress. When her eyes had landed on Ryan in his perfectly fitted outfit, all she’d wanted to do was drag him back upstairs and make love to him. If her mother hadn’t been there, they never would have made it out of the house.

  They were in the barn now, but it didn’t matter. Ana was happy as long as she was in Ryan’s arms. As she gazed up into his eyes, she thought about how lucky she was. She hated how quickly Ryan had gotten to her, but she would be a fool not to love him. He had come to help out her mother on the farm without asking for anything other than a dank barn to sleep in and a few meager meals. He had offered to help her with the defamation case and pay for everything. He was a man worth loving, a man worth trusting, a man worth giving her heart to.