Don't Tell Me You Love Me (Destiny Bay Romances~The Ranchers Book 6) by Helen Conrad

married to another man.”
    His head went back. “You’re not married yet.”
    She turned and looked at him. His hair was a wild bramble, with some strands falling down over his eyes, and his tan flesh was slick and shiny and inviting. He could have been a Greek statue come to life. Had there ever been a sexier man?  
    Unconsciously, she put her hand over her heart, as though she could keep it from beating so fast that way. “No, I’m not quite married yet,” she told him firmly. “But I’m promised.”  
    He grunted and his mouth turned down at the corners. “You sound like something out of a Victorian novel,” he said. “Promised. What does that mean?”
    “It means I’ve given my word.”
    He stared at her for a moment, then groaned and turned away. “You and your promises. Haven’t you ever broken a promise?”
    “No. Not that I know of.”
    He turned back and looked at her, his silver eyes smoldering. “You should try it sometime. It would give you a whole new outlook on life.”
    She turned away without answering, and he said softly, “I called you once from a pay phone in Hong Kong.”  
    She looked back at him in surprise. “You did?”
    He nodded. “It was New Year’s Eve.”
    She shrugged, palms open. “I didn’t know.”
    “No. Frank answered and I hung up.” He took a deep breath and looked out the kitchen window at the breeze in the tops of the trees at the curve in the road. “I lost my nerve. I really didn’t have anything to say anyway.” He looked back at her and added softly, ”It was like I didn’t know English anymore when he answered.”
    She wanted to touch him so badly, it ached inside her. “I wish I’d known. I wish you’d said something.”
    He was quiet for a moment, contemplating the wall. “Has he been living here with you?” He turned his head back and met her gaze, waiting for her answer.  
    She shook her head and didn’t waver. “No,” she said, firmly and clearly.  
    He looked away again. He couldn’t let her see how relieved he was to hear that. After all, it was none of his business. None of his business. Not his affair. But deep inside, he rejoiced.  
    The kitchen door opened and Zachary came in, trailing a determined looking Gina.  
    “We need a bathroom break,” she told Cheyenne as they swept through. “I think he said he needs to find his elephant—but maybe he meant something else.” She shrugged and smiled as they left the room. “I guess I’ll find out what it is when we get there,” she called back over her shoulder as she disappeared through the doorway.  
    Johnny turned and met her eyes. “Did you see that?” he demanded. “Did you see the way he looked at me as he went through? He hates me.”
    She didn’t deny it this time. She’d seen the look in Zach’s baby-blue eyes. Where in the world could it have come from? She’d never known him to do anything like this before. Could she have communicated something to him subconsciously? She was sure she’d never said anything against Johnny in Zach’s hearing. But what if he could sense something?  
    “I’d better go,” she murmured, moving toward the doorway herself. “I think I know what he means by his ‘elephant’. I’ll be right back.”
    He watched her leave the room. He could enjoy watching her do just about anything. But she’d barely disappeared when the kitchen door opened again and Frank walked into the room. Johnny straightened from where he’d been leaning against the counter. It was the first time the two of them had actually come face to face since he’d come back. There was no telling how this was going to go.

Chapter Six

    Their gazes locked and for just a moment, Johnny could have sworn he saw panic in the other man’s eyes. He looked back, as though to make sure the way out was still clear, should he need it. Then he tried to smile. Johnny had to make a decision. He made it with Cheyenne in mind. What he wanted most of all was to make things