Page 64 of Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire

“If you love it, that’s what you should do.”

“I would miss the people I work with and I don’t have anyone special to share the ranch with…yet.”

“I…um…guess that would make it a little lonely.What about the people you have running the ranch now?”

“Oh, they’re there and they’re all wonderful people, as you’ll see.But it’s not the same as having someone special.Like you.”

“Me?I know we’ve spent a lot of time together these last few weeks, but you don’t know me.I could be a bank robber in disguise.Or a money grubbing gold digger, just biding my time.”

He stepped toward her and took her hands in his, pulling her to him and putting her arms around his waist.“Are you a gold digger?”

“Gosh, no.I’m doing well enough with my art, I don’t?—”

His lips crashed onto hers.

She heard herself moan, and she wrapped herself around him until they were as close as they could be without physically becoming the other.

She pulled back for a moment and gazed up into eyes that were almost black with passion.Meri knew enough about men to recognize the look, but darned if she wasn’t pleased.“Chase.”Then she fitted her mouth to his again.

When they finally pulled apart, he kept his arms around her.“Meri, I want you more than I’ve ever wanted a woman in my life.I know we don’t know each other well?—”

“I know, I feel it, too, but I won’t go to bed with you, so please don’t ask me.”

He rested his forehead against hers for a moment.“All right.I won’t ask, but I have to tell you, I want to take you to my bed very much.”

I’d like that, too, but I can’t and won’t be just another notch on his bedpost.Where did that thought come from?He’s never given me one reason to doubt his intentions are honorable.Even now, I know how much it must pain him, but he’s keeping his wants to himself.

“I want that, too, but I can’t.My self-esteem could not handle it when you left me for someone more your type.”

“And that type is the kind of woman you saw when you Googled me, correct?”

Her face heated.“Yes.”

He closed his eyes for a moment.“Come sit on the sofa where we can talk.Just talk.”

She nodded and followed him to the living room, where she sat on one end of the sofa with her arm resting along the back.

He sat on the other end.Then he, too, placed one arm on the back of the sofa and, with his other hand, he crooked his finger.

She grinned and shook her head.

He laughed and scooted over to her, but he took hold of her arm and drew it down to her lap.Then he placed an arm around her shoulders.“If the mountain won’t come to Mohammad, then Mohammad will come to the mountain.

She took advantage of every opportunity to cuddle and leaned back against his chest.“This is nice.”

“It is.Now.I want to talk to you about us.”