“Ouch!” Zack snapped back and blocked Whitney from dabbing anymore lotion on his face. “That stings.”

“Well of course, it stings, silly.” She poured more ointment on the cotton ball. “That’s what happens when you get a really bad sunburn. Now let me get your nose...”

She dabbed again, but as much as she tried to be careful, it still hurt. Since he didn’t want her to think he was a baby, he gritted his teeth against the pain. Joe had warned him to wear a cowboy hat. Now he knew why. His forehead and nose were burned, along with the tops of his ears.

Not only was his face sore, his legs ached since he’d used different muscles while riding a horse. Apparently, he didn’t take to riding as exceptionally well as he’d thought yesterday. He could hardly walk today.

Taking pity on him, Joe had instructed Zack to use the recliner chair with an ice pack on his thighs. This was the position he was in when Whitney found him this morning. She chuckled for a moment, but then turned into the caring woman he’d seen only a few times. Although he liked that side of her, at this particular moment, he wished she’d stop torturing him with this lotion.

He jerked his head away from her touch. She sighed heavily and frowned.

“Zack, this ointment will take away the burn.”

“I don’t see how,” he whined. “Especially when all it is doing is causing my skin to sting.”

“Well, if you don’t let me rub this on you, you’re going to look like you have a skin disease in a few days when your face dries up and your skin starts peeling. Now, the question is, do you want people to see your handsome face or a dry, scaly one that looks like you’re from zombie land?”

He arched an eyebrow. “You think I’m handsome?”

“Seriously? You really need to ask that?”

He chuckled. “Fine. Administer the ointment, Dr. Whitney.” He held his breath and stayed still as she finished rubbing the lotion on his face. It lasted only a few torturous minutes and then she left his side to dispose of the evidence she’d used to punish him.

As he watched her walk away, his body relaxed. She was pretty today. Instead of wearing one of his mother’s western outfits, the pair of old jeans she wore fit her legs much better, and her blue and green flannel shirt made her look more comfortable. Instead of cowboy boots, she wore white sneakers. He was glad she didn’t pull her hair back into a ponytail, but she didn’t fluff it up, either. Still, she looked sexy with it long and wavy around her shoulders.

When she returned to the living room with a glass of water in one hand and pills in the other, she stopped and gave him a questionable look.

“Why are your eyes glazed over? Have you already taken some pain pills?”

He chuckled. “No. My eyes are probably glazed over because of the pain you just put me through.”

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes and came closer, handing him the glass and pills. “Take these. You’ll feel a little better soon.”

“A little better? That’s not very comforting, you know.”

She knelt beside the chair again, leaning on the armrest of the recliner. He couldn’t tear his gaze from her as he swallowed the pills with the water. He handed her the empty glass.

“I’m sorry that I’m whiney today,” he said sincerely. “I just didn’t expect this to happen to me.”

“The others know you’ve never been on a ranch. It’s understandable.”

“Yeah, but do you understand? You don’t think badly of me, do you?”

“No.” She chuckled softly. “I had done the same thing as you. After I graduated high school and moved away from my mother, I decided to visit Joe for a month before starting college. I hadn’t been on a horse since I was ten. So,” she sighed, “needless to say, I was sunburned and had stiff muscles for a few days, too.”

He smiled. “Did Gladys take care of you like you’re taking care of me?”

“Of course.”

“What else did Gladys do for you?”

“She made me my favorite soup.”

His eyebrows lifted. “My favorite soup is clam chowder.”

She laughed out loud. “I knew that would be coming.”

He placed his hand on her arm and stroked it gently. “What else did she do?”

“She found my favorite movies and I sat in this chair and watched movies all day.”

He shrugged. “I suppose I could do that, as long as you are with me.”

Whitney’s expression softened, and her eyes were greener than before. He couldn’t resist caressing her cheek, even though the muscles in his arms were sore just from the movement.

“That does sound like a stress-free day,” she said quietly.

He studied every inch of her face, starting from her forehead over her cute little nose, to her smooth pink cheeks that grew darker by the second, and lastly to her heart-shaped lips. As he drew his thumb across her bottom lip, his mind replayed their kiss at the airport. Nothing about that first kiss had been serious, but he remembered it had been enjoyable. Since then, he’d thought about kissing her again. He didn’t want to kiss her due to their playacting in front of her family. He wanted her to kiss him because she wanted to.

“Zack? Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.

He smiled. “Forgive me, but I usually like to stare at beautiful women.” He winked. “And I think you look gorgeous today.”

Her cheeks flared a darker pink. “Your pain pills must be kicking in. That’s the only excuse for your fuzzy vision.”

“No. The pills haven’t taken effect yet. I can see just fine.” He cupped her face. Her skin was hot against his palm. “You are really very pretty today.”

Whitney’s breaths came faster, but she stayed by his chair, staring at him with stars in her eyes. “Zack,” she whispered, “you can be yourself when it’s just the two of us. There’s no reason to pretend now. Gladys is in the kitchen and Joe and the other ranchers are outside.”

“I know.” He nodded. “I’m being honest with you. I really think you’re pretty.”

She chuckled and started to pull away, but he grasped her arm, keeping her from leaving. When her gaze locked on his again, there was a little moisture in her eyes.

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” he asked.

“Zack,” she sighed, “I’m not used to men – or anyone – telling me I’m beautiful, so forgive me if I don’t believe you. I’m old enough to know that I’m not a pretty woman, and I’m okay with that.”

He shook his head. “You’re wrong. You are a pretty woman.”

“You’re a flirt, Zack, so it’s hard for me to believe you.”

“Is there anything I can say or do to make you believe?”

“Probably not.”

She stood this time, but he held onto her arm loosely, waiting for the right moment to make his move. As she started to turn, he pulled on her arm hard enough to make her stumble toward him. Although it strained his already sore muscles, he reached out and grasped her hips, pulling her down to his lap. When her bottom landed on his sore thighs, he gritted his teeth against the pain as he wrapped his arms around her waist to keep her in place.

“Zack!” she gasped. Her eyes were wide with surprise. “What are you doing?”

“I thought it would be better to show you that I’m being sincere.”

“Seriously, Zack. Let me up. I’m sure my weight on your achy legs is killing you right now.”

“You’re as light as a feather.”

Huffing, she scowled. “What do you want?” she whispered. “Why are you acting this way? I told you that it’s okay to be yourself when we’re alone.”

“I heard you the first time. And this is my true self.”

“Then why are you being so cuddly?”

He grinned. “I love cuddling, and I’m going to show you how much fun it can be.”

She snorted a laugh. “Zack, what has come over you?”

“You have come over me, love.” He winked.

“I’m really not comfortable like this.”

“Then do what you can to make yourself comfortable.” He cupped her cheek. “Because Whitney, I know you enjoy being in my arms. I’ve held you enough times already to realize how much you melt when you’re in my embrace.”

“You’re impossible.” She shook her head.

“Quit fighting it, love. I know you really like me.”

She stared at him for several seconds before she released a defeated sigh. “I’ll admit, I like you more now than I did when we first met.”

“And I feel the same about you.”

“But that doesn’t mean I’m going to fall head-over-heels in love with you.” She arched an eyebrow. “And I know that once this is all over with and the senator’s trial has ended, you’ll go your merry way and I’ll go mine. So let’s not make this more complicated than two friends hiding out at a ranch.”

“But what if,” he said seductively as he rubbed beneath her lower lip with his thumb, “there is more between us? Don’t you think we should try to find out exactly what is between us?”

Her breathing turned ragged. His heartbeat was already knocking in an unsteady rhythm because of her nearness.

“Let me guess,” Whitney ran her fingers through his hair, being careful not to touch his sunburned ear, “the billionaire playboy is lonely for a woman’s touch?”

He loved how gentle she was with him, and he closed his eyes and smiled. “I’m lonely for your touch.”

For the next few moments, the only sound he heard was her ragged breaths, and her occasional hard swallow. Soon her hand moved from his hair and dropped to his shoulder before it slowly slid down his chest. He released a light groan and looked at her. No longer was she staring at his face, but at his chest. Her eyes followed the path her hand was taking. At least she appeared more relaxed than she’d been earlier when he first pulled her to his lap.

“Whitney,” he sighed, making her gaze jump up and meet his. “Kiss me.”

Her breath caught in her throat and her lips parted. Passion lit her eyes, making them greener.

She licked her lips. “If I kiss you, will you let this matter drop?”

“It’ll depend on the kiss.” His heartbeat kicked up a notch.

He waited for her to make the first move. He prayed she’d have the courage to go with her feelings this time and listen to her heart.

Slowly, her face moved closer, and just as she neared his mouth, she closed her eyes. He cupped her head, holding her in place as their lips moved together. At first, she was hesitant in the way she kissed, but he allowed her to take charge. After all, this experiment was to prove to Whitney that she enjoyed kissing him.

The kiss was simple – and almost too sweet. But he didn’t want to push her against her will. But when she started to pull away, disappointment filled him. He met her wondering gaze as she hesitated, shifting her focus between his eyes and his mouth. He stroked her silky hair, silently encouraging her to continue.

“Zack,” she whispered, “I’m not as experienced at this as you are.”

“You’re doing just fine.” He offered her a smile as he silently pleaded with her to continue.

Her eyes twinkled, and she lowered her head again. This time when her mouth met his, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her fully against him. She tilted her head and her lips parted. This was all the invitation he needed to take over.

As he deepened the kiss, his heart soared with excitement. She may not be as experienced, but her kisses were making his head swim with pleasure. And when she stroked his beard, he nearly lost his breath. Instead, he groaned passionately.

“Now, now, you two.” A female voice broke the silence in the room. “You’re starting to fog up the windows in here.”

Whitney jerked away. Zack panicked, not wanting her to feel ashamed of their kiss, so he quickly cupped her face which made her look at him again. He smiled, pulled her face back to his mouth for a brief kiss before finally ending it. This time when she met his gaze, she smiled and sighed.

Knowing that she was happy with their kiss, he dragged his attention to the housekeeper who was opening up the window shades. “Sorry for fogging up the windows.”

Gladys’ round body jiggled as she moved from window to window. “It’s just nice to see love in the air again, especially in this house.”

Whitney chuckled and moved off his lap. Once she was on her feet, she rubbed her butt and then looked at his lap. “No wonder I felt cold. I was sitting on your ice-pack.”

He laughed and lifted the ice-pack up to show Gladys. “I think I need to replace this now. The heated kiss Whitney and I just shared melted the ice.”

Whitney quickly snatched the pack from him. Her cheeks were darkened with a blush.

“You’re just awful, do you know that?” she told him before going into the kitchen.

Satisfaction filled him and he sighed. Love was definitely in the air.