Chapter Ten

Luke

Jed Wilson was a grouchy bastard, but Luke knew for certain that Jed was smart. Shrewd. If there was one thing the old man hated, it was spending money, but somewhere along the line he’d parted with a little cash and bought a fire-proof filing cabinet.

The morning after the fire, Luke discovered the filing cabinet in the middle of the ashes and charred timbers. He was relieved to find all the ranch and estate paperwork unharmed. He almost forgave Jed for leaving Rachel a house that turned out to be such a firetrap. He told the men to clean the filing cabinet up, take it to his cabin and leave it on the porch.

He and Rachel could go through the documents together.

When he’d left that morning, she was sleeping peacefully. He’d dressed and watched her as the first light of dawn lit the bedroom. She looked so small and vulnerable and he thanked God she was safe. When he’d searched the burning house, looking for her, he’d been wild with fear that she was hurt.

Or worse.

He returned to the cabin to tell Rachel he’d found the files. She wasn’t in the den or kitchen, and she wasn’t in his bed, which meant she could only be in the bathroom. He paused to listen and heard water splashing. His cock hardened. She was in the bathtub. Bathing.

Damn…

Having her in his home and trying to keep his distance was torture. He leaned against the doorframe and listened some more, imagining her sitting in the tub, rubbing soap over her arms and full, lush breasts.

She was wary. He saw that. She thought he wanted the land and only eyed her as a casual, possible hook-up. He’d never wanted anything more than Rachel by his side. He didn’t do anything casually. Not anymore. He might have played the field when he was younger, but one-night stands had lost their appeal long ago.

Now he wanted forever. A wife. A home. Children. He wanted it all and not with just anyone, but with the aggravating, beautiful, strong and fragile woman bathing in his tub. His too-young, innocent bride. What would she say if he opened the door and strolled into the bathroom. He smiled, but resisted the urge. In his heart, he was a gentleman and he didn’t want to intrude on a lady’s bath, even if the lady was his wife.

“Rachel,” he said softly, tapping on the door.

There was a sharp intake of breath. “Yes…?”

“Can I open the door?” Maybe he wasn’t a complete gentleman.

“Okay, but don’t come in. Stay there.”

He pushed the door open and leaned against the doorframe. Rachel sat in the tub, only visible from the shoulders up. Her hair, most of it piled on top of her head, was a gorgeous mess. A few strands had escaped and clung to her back.

“You’re taking a bath,” he said, like it wasn’t completely obvious.

An impish grin curved her sweet lips. “Why Thirty-three… they told me you were the smartest foreman in these parts, but I didn’t believe it until now. Yes, that’s what this is called. Taking a bath.”

“You going to put your nightie back on?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t have any clothes.”

“I’ve thought about that a time or two.”

“I need to get some.”

“You reckon?”

She frowned. “I can’t live in a nightie.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I can’t even leave the cabin in a nightie.”

He shook his head. “I don’t think you should.”

“You’re not being much of a gentleman,” she said with a frown.

He scoffed. “I’m being a total gentleman.”

“Can you go to town?” she asked, her tone soft. “And buy me a few things.”

“Maybe.”

“I have to ask you. I don’t have a choice. I can’t send one of the men to shop for a bra and panties.”

His cock throbbed. This woman was going to make him lose his mind, sitting in a bathtub talking about unmentionables.

“I don’t want the men to even think about your bras or panties.”

“So you’ll go?”

“Eventually. How are you feeling today? Sore?”

“A little. The bath helps. What do you mean eventually?”

“I figured I need to go get you a wedding band.”

“I need something to wear. That’s my main problem right now.”

A waft of floral scent hit him. Delicate and feminine, it fanned the lust that clawed inside him. It would be so simple to cross the room and lift her from the water. He’d carry her to his bed and keep her there for days.

“Tell me your sizes, and I’ll go pick up a few things.”

“I wrote them down. They’re on the breakfast table.”

“Everything? Shoe size too?”

She tipped her head back and closed her eyes. “Oh, my gosh, my life. I can’t believe you’re going shopping for me. I forgot the shoe size. Five. Don’t buy me heels, okay?”

“I’m buying you boots. You’re a rancher now, not some sorority girl… Twenty-one.”

He pushed off the doorframe and crossed the bathroom. She watched his approach with dismay and threw her hands up as if trying to fend him off.

“Go away. I have scars. You know I don’t want you to see them.”

Leaning down, he clasped her hair. “I don’t give a damn about scars. You think you’re the only one walking around with a few scars? Kiss me or I’m buying you granny underwear. Swear to God.”

Tipping her head, he lowered to brush a kiss across her lips. “Kiss me, Rachel.”

She let out a soft moan and softened her lips, allowing the kiss at first and after a long, tantalizing moment, welcoming his kiss.

“Good girl,” he murmured. “In exchange for a kiss like that, from my virgin bride, I’ll buy you pretty panties.”

With extreme effort, he kept his gaze from drifting down to her naked body. Instead he held her eyes with his and smiled. “You can wear my bathrobe while I’m gone. Make yourself at home. Get on my laptop and order anything you want. I’ll leave a credit card on the breakfast table.”

She smiled. “You’re not afraid of me seeing what you’re doing online?”

He grimaced. “Ah, shit. All those ranches I’ve been checking out. Now you’re going to know. All the land-porn I’ve been looking at that’s giving me a hard-on.”

“Is that all?” she asked, clearly skeptical.

“I’m not that complicated, Rachel, and right now, I have everything I want.”

He let his hand dip into the water and splashed. “Don’t let your bath water get cold, sweetheart.”