“I intend to be more than ‘civil to each other.’ We’re just getting started,” he said. “Frankly, Lindsay, it’s damn difficult to remember that you’re the same woman whose ranch adjoins mine. I feel as if I’m with a beautiful woman I’ve just met,” he said softly, taking her hand in his and rubbing her knuckles lightly with his thumb. His brows arched and he turned her hand over to open her palm, looking up at her.
“You have soft hands. I know how you work with the cowboys. You should have hands like mine—with scars, calluses and crooked bones from breaks. How did you get these?” he asked, running his thumb lightly over her palm.
“I wear gloves most of the time,” she said. “And I haven’t been out working quite as much for the past two weeks because I was shopping for a dress and getting ready for tonight.”
Her voice had changed, becoming throaty, losing the humor, and he wondered if she had a reaction to his touch. That idea made the temperature in the limo climb again. He gazed into her big blue eyes. “I hope tonight will be far better than you dreamed possible and worth all the effort you put into it,” he said softly, and raised her hand to brush her palm with his lips.
His thumb brushed across her wrist and he felt her racing pulse, making his own pulse jump again in response. As he looked into Lindsay’s eyes, he wanted to pull her close and kiss her. He couldn’t help the thought that came to mind. How much was this night going to complicate his life?
He couldn’t answer his question, but he was glad for the auction and thankful she hoped to win him over with sweet talk. It was a dazzling prospect.
He tried to pour on the charm and avoid any topics about the ranch, their relationship or their families. The feud between their families had been far stronger when they had been children and their grandparents had influenced the families. As a small child, Tony was taught to avoid speaking to any Calhoun, and she’d been taught the same about the Milans. In fact, they hadn’t spoken to each other until they became neighboring ranchers and had their first dispute over her tree falling on his fence and hitting his truck.
The plane ride seemed to take mere minutes. Before he knew it, they touched down in Houston and were ushered to another waiting limo. A short while later, they pulled into a circular drive lined by manicured shrubs strung with tiny white lights and stopped in front of a sprawling stone building he recognized as an exclusive club.
When they stepped out of the limo, Tony took her arm to walk through the canopied entrance. Inside, when he told the maître d’ they were from the Dallas auction, they were welcomed and led to a linen-covered table by a window overlooking the wide patio that held hundreds more twinkling lights and a splashing water fountain.
A piano player sang as he played a familiar old ballad and several couples danced on a small dance floor.
In minutes they were presented a bottle of Dom Pérignon champagne. As soon as they were alone with drinks poured, Tony raised his glass in a toast. “Here’s to the most beautiful woman in Texas.”
She smiled. “A very nice exaggeration, Tony,” she said, touching his glass lightly with hers and taking a sip. “Actually, you look rather handsome yourself.”
He smiled and wondered if she felt any real attraction. “Lindsay, I can’t imagine why you’ve been hiding that beauty all these years.”
She laughed. “Not so many years, Tony. And thank you. I’m far from the most beautiful woman in Texas, but it’s nice to hear.”
“You could have had most of the single guys in the county asking you out if you’d wanted,” he said.
“Actually, that’s not my aim in life,” she remarked. “And I do get asked out.”
“To talk about someone’s horses. If they could see you tonight, though, horses wouldn’t come up in the conversation.” He waited a second and then asked the question that flitted into his mind. “Speaking of which, Lindsay, will you go to dinner with me next Friday night?”
She grinned at him. “Aren’t you jumping the gun? You don’t know if we can make it through tonight and get along the entire time.”
He leaned across the table to take her hand again. “I promise you, we’re going to get along tonight,” he said, his tone lowering as it did when he was aroused. “A lot of people saw you at the auction tonight. I think you’ll be inundated with invitations from guys when you get home. I want you to myself,” he added softly, and something flickered in the depths of her eyes as her smile vanished and she gazed at him solemnly. Electricity flashed between them, and he wanted to be alone with her and kiss her more than ever.
As their waiter appeared, Tony released her hand and leaned back in his chair, listening to a menu recited by the waiter. When they were alone again, Tony raised his flute of champagne. “Here’s to a fabulous evening that we’ll both remember and want to repeat.”
With a seductive smile, she touched his glass with hers lightly, causing a faint clink, and sipped again, watching him the whole time with a look that made him want to forget dinner and find somewhere to be alone with her.
“I’m beginning to see that you have a sensual side you’ve kept well hidden.”
“Well, yes, Tony. I’ve kept it hidden from you,” she said with good humor, and he laughed.
“I suppose I brought that on,” he said, wondering whom she had allowed to see this aspect of herself. He sat back to study her. “As well as I know your family, I really don’t know much about you. You went to Texas Tech, didn’t you? And you were an agriculture major?”
“Yes, with a minor in business. I knew I’d come home to run a ranch.”
“Good background. Do you ever feel overwhelmed with the ranch?”
“Sometimes the problems seem a little overwhelming, but I love the ranch too much to feel at odds with it. It’s my life.”
“I agree, but it’s different for you. Don’t you want a family someday?”
“Owning the ranch doesn’t mean I can’t have a family,” she retorted.
“I suppose.” He nodded as he considered her remark. “Everyone in the county knows you work as hard as the guys who work for you. It’s difficult to look at you now and remember how tough and resilient you are.”
“Did you know my big brother came out to the ranch, sat me down and lectured me to try to get me to be nicer to you?”
“The hell you say. Is that why you’re here tonight?” he asked. Still, he couldn’t believe that the gorgeous creature flirting with him now was only here to make nice.
She leaned over the table, reaching out to take his hand in hers, and his heart jumped again. Every touch, her flirting, the looks she was giving him, all stirred responses that shocked him. No other woman had ever had the same instant effect on him from the slightest contact.
“No,” she replied, her voice lowering. “Before the night is over, you’ll know this was all my idea and not one of my brothers had anything to do with my plans for tonight.”
Her plans? His mind began to race with the possibilities and they were all X-rated. His blood pulsed hot through his veins. “I’m beginning to wish we were alone right now.”
With a satisfied expression, she sat back. “Mike and Josh weren’t at the auction and I haven’t talked to them lately. They have no idea what I’m doing tonight. Jake was in the audience, with Madison, but across the room from me. Otherwise, I’m sure he would have tried to stop my bidding because he would have suspected my motives. But he more than any of my brothers should know you can take care of yourself.”
Tony nodded. “I’ll bet it was Jake who tried to talk you into being nicer. Mike has had his own problems with losing his first wife, caring for four-year-old Scotty and getting married to Savannah. And Josh is too busy making money with his hotels.”