Page 47 of Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire

“Is this your home?” Willow looked out the window at the stately building.

“Yes, I wanted to see if you like it.”

She laughed. “If it’s anything like the ranch in Montana, I’m sure I’ll love it.”

“It’s not. Different decorators, but I still think it’s nice inside.”

He helped her from the car and held her hand as they meandered up the walkway to the large, covered porch.

“I love these porches. I was so glad you had one on the ranch house. I can see us sitting out here with a glass of wine in the evening during the summer and early fall.”

“I can see that, too. Come on inside.” He unlocked the door and held it open for her to enter.

The decorator had tiled the foyer with white marble with silver streaks running through it. From the ceiling hung a crystal chandelier, which caught the light and sparkled in moving circles on the walls.

“Let me take your wrap and I’ll give you the grand tour.” He slid the lace from her shoulders, his fingers sliding over the sensitive area of her neck before he grasped the stole. As he hung her wrap and his cape in the hidden closet, he cleared his throat. “The house has five bedrooms, seven bathrooms. It has a formal dining room, formal living room, and a family room, which is where I spend most of my free time. I also have an office here. Behind the living room and dining room is the kitchen with two bedrooms off of it. One for the cook and one for the housekeeper. So, I guess the house has seven bedrooms.”

He took her hand, and they walked down a hall. On the right side was the large formal living room with two sofas that faced each other and a Queen Anne chair on each end of the couches. The arrangement formed a lovely conversation area.

Travis continued to speak as they walked. “Across from the living room is the formal dining room. It’s open to the kitchen, but a wall separates it from the hallway. The room has a long, rectangular mahogany table with twelve chairs. A matching buffet and china hutch has my grandmother’s china on display.

“The kitchen opposite the dining room is absolutely amazing, in my opinion. It boasts white granite countertops with black appliances, including a trash compactor. The refrigerator is faced with wood to match the cupboards, which have frosted glass in the doors.”

Willow was agog and knew her mouth hung open, but every time she closed it, he said something else that amazed her.

The stove had a microwave above it. Willow had never seen so much counter space.

“The sink, dishwasher and trash compactor are in the island and hidden from view. The island’s size accommodates the six mahogany stools that match the dining table,” said Travis.

He walked on holding her hand all the time, like he expected her to bolt at any minute. “Beyond the dining room and on the other side of the kitchen from the living room is the family room. An eighty-inch TV is the centerpiece of the room with sofas and chairs placed around the room, so everyone has a superb view of the TV.”

“Travis, this is fantastic. Though, you must have several people come in to clean.”

“Mrs. Murray, my housekeeper, has a company that comes in once a week and before special occasions to clean.”

“Thank goodness. I can’t imagine trying to keep this house clean by myself. Where is Mrs. Murray now? Oh, never mind. It’s so late. She’s probably in bed.”

“No. I gave her the weekend off. She went to visit her sister.”

“Oh.” Considering how much I want him, having the house to ourselves isn’t a good idea.

Travis came closer and wrapped her in his arms. Then he captured her lips with his. “I want you and Mindy to come here for a few days. I have plenty of bedrooms. And then we can go riding anytime and swim when we want. I have a sauna, a steam room, and a hot tub. Please say you’ll come.”

Willow wrapped her arms around his neck. “We’d love to come.” She kissed him. It was the first kiss she had initiated with him. “Mindy will be so excited. She won’t want to wait for breakfast tomorrow.”

“Good. I’ll pick you up early. We’ll go for breakfast, then go to the stable and ride for a while. She’ll like that, and so will you. Make sure you both dress for the occasion.”

“You know, if you’re picking us up early, you should probably take me home.” She lifted up on tiptoe and kissed him again. “I need some sleep.”

His eyes were about half mast, and he ran a thumb over her cheek. “I wish you didn’t have to go home, that this was your home. Do you think you could live here?”

She hugged him tighter. “I could, but I prefer Montana. Even with everything that happened, my favorite memories are there. I miss Claudia, Dan, Jason, Roy and all the cowboys. The ranch felt more like home. This place is beautiful, don’t misunderstand, and it will be great for a couple of weeks at a time. But I don’t want to live here permanently.” I know I sound like I’m ready to marry soon...and maybe I am. Maybe I don’t want to wait for him to tell me?

He kissed her. His hands cupped her face and then tangled in her hair as he loved her with his mouth.

She answered his call. Her heart beat a rapid staccato and her pulse raced.

When he pulled back, she followed him, not ready for the kiss to end, and when it did, she felt bereft.