how to react.
Lord, this man has a bewildering effect on me, but why ? Her reaction confused her. She had met handsome men before, but none had ever caused such an immediate response as this annoying, aggravating … attractive Scotsman. She puzzled at her emotions. Angrily she reminded herself that despite his abundant physical attractiveness and smooth dark voice that seemed to twine itself sensuously around her nerves, this man had not only become her father’s partner, but also had the temerity to insult her. The brush strokes came harder and faster as she thought about the gall of that man. How dare he question my ability one minute, while making me so intensely aware of him the next? What am I going to do?
Knowing brushing herself bald would not help, she stopped torturing her hair, leaned forward against the railing, tapping her brush against the wood over and over, and contemplated how to handle Mr. Pryce.
• • •
Across the patio, Hawke watched her. The sleeveless shift gaped from her body; only the dimness of the light protected her modesty.
He couldn’t stop looking at her even though he knew it was ungentlemanly to watch her like some Peeping Tom. Seeing the agitated way she brushed her hair, he knew the brush to be a poor substitute for his head.
Laughing quietly, he wondered what revenge she would try to exact. Oh yes, he knew she would try to get back at him, if not for his remarks, then for his audacity at becoming her father’s partner. He looked forward to her attempts and contemplated the multitude of ways her plans would throw them together. Taking a final drag on the cigar, he ground it out on the railing and withdrew into his room.
• • •
Kara jerked up, the scent of cigar catching her attention. Looking about she found no lights on nor did she see the glow of a cigar. A prickle of apprehension washed over her. Moaning with embarrassment, she knew if anyone had been watching her, it was probably him .
One more reason to prove to the arrogant wretch he didn’t belong on her ranch, she thought. Resolve steeling her spine, she turned back to her room determined to climb in bed and dream of a fitting retribution.
• • •
She was too busy seeing off the guests the next morning to dwell on the evening’s fiasco. Papa, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Pryce, and Mr. MacCairn were in the study talking business. The Roberts were staying over a few more days.
Waving goodbye to the last guest, she and Alicia walked back into the house to see what help they could offer Consuelo and Alicia’s mother. The morning passed quickly. They prepared lunch and gossiped about the party. Kara was careful not to mention her father’s new partner even though Alicia bubbled about his friend.
“I swear, Alicia,” she groused as they walked from the kitchen back outside towards the portals to the corral. “One more word about ‘your Scotsman’ and his broad shoulders and his beautiful teeth and his warm looks and I am going to strangle you and leave you out for the coyotes.”
“My, my, aren’t we just a little touchy about Scotsmen,” Alicia laughed.
• • •
The men were walking out the front door, having quit their business talks for luncheon. Hawke watched the two women. They were dressed simply in straight skirts and shirtwaists. It was strange to see women so plainly dressed. No crinolines, bustles, bows, or other furbelows to hide the female figure. The simplicity of the clothing only emphasized the lush curves he had glimpsed the night before.
“I never thought such simple garments could make a lass so tempting,” Alec voiced Hawke’s thoughts. The gold and red threading through her simple bun made her dark mane glisten in the bright sunlight, sparking an image of her hair wrapped around his naked body. He was so caught up in the fantasy he didn’t notice a rider approaching.
“That must be Austin,” Mr. Roberts said behind him. “He said he’d ride over after he got through with the
Lord, this man has a bewildering effect on me, but why ? Her reaction confused her. She had met handsome men before, but none had ever caused such an immediate response as this annoying, aggravating … attractive Scotsman. She puzzled at her emotions. Angrily she reminded herself that despite his abundant physical attractiveness and smooth dark voice that seemed to twine itself sensuously around her nerves, this man had not only become her father’s partner, but also had the temerity to insult her. The brush strokes came harder and faster as she thought about the gall of that man. How dare he question my ability one minute, while making me so intensely aware of him the next? What am I going to do?
Knowing brushing herself bald would not help, she stopped torturing her hair, leaned forward against the railing, tapping her brush against the wood over and over, and contemplated how to handle Mr. Pryce.
• • •
Across the patio, Hawke watched her. The sleeveless shift gaped from her body; only the dimness of the light protected her modesty.
He couldn’t stop looking at her even though he knew it was ungentlemanly to watch her like some Peeping Tom. Seeing the agitated way she brushed her hair, he knew the brush to be a poor substitute for his head.
Laughing quietly, he wondered what revenge she would try to exact. Oh yes, he knew she would try to get back at him, if not for his remarks, then for his audacity at becoming her father’s partner. He looked forward to her attempts and contemplated the multitude of ways her plans would throw them together. Taking a final drag on the cigar, he ground it out on the railing and withdrew into his room.
• • •
Kara jerked up, the scent of cigar catching her attention. Looking about she found no lights on nor did she see the glow of a cigar. A prickle of apprehension washed over her. Moaning with embarrassment, she knew if anyone had been watching her, it was probably him .
One more reason to prove to the arrogant wretch he didn’t belong on her ranch, she thought. Resolve steeling her spine, she turned back to her room determined to climb in bed and dream of a fitting retribution.
• • •
She was too busy seeing off the guests the next morning to dwell on the evening’s fiasco. Papa, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Pryce, and Mr. MacCairn were in the study talking business. The Roberts were staying over a few more days.
Waving goodbye to the last guest, she and Alicia walked back into the house to see what help they could offer Consuelo and Alicia’s mother. The morning passed quickly. They prepared lunch and gossiped about the party. Kara was careful not to mention her father’s new partner even though Alicia bubbled about his friend.
“I swear, Alicia,” she groused as they walked from the kitchen back outside towards the portals to the corral. “One more word about ‘your Scotsman’ and his broad shoulders and his beautiful teeth and his warm looks and I am going to strangle you and leave you out for the coyotes.”
“My, my, aren’t we just a little touchy about Scotsmen,” Alicia laughed.
• • •
The men were walking out the front door, having quit their business talks for luncheon. Hawke watched the two women. They were dressed simply in straight skirts and shirtwaists. It was strange to see women so plainly dressed. No crinolines, bustles, bows, or other furbelows to hide the female figure. The simplicity of the clothing only emphasized the lush curves he had glimpsed the night before.
“I never thought such simple garments could make a lass so tempting,” Alec voiced Hawke’s thoughts. The gold and red threading through her simple bun made her dark mane glisten in the bright sunlight, sparking an image of her hair wrapped around his naked body. He was so caught up in the fantasy he didn’t notice a rider approaching.
“That must be Austin,” Mr. Roberts said behind him. “He said he’d ride over after he got through with the
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