Pursued by the Rich Rancher

She laughed, the melody of the sound filling the space between them and filling him up, making him want to haul her close. He needed more time with her. He just had to figure out how to balance his grandmother’s request with his wish to be with the woman all week, no interference muddying the waters.

“Nina,” he said, hooking a boot on the rail as he leaned back beside her, “there are all sorts of things going on at this place, including events planned for the camp parents.”

She looked at him through her long eyelashes. “I read every word of the brochures and registration literature.”

He allowed himself the luxury of tugging a curl, testing the softness between her fingers. “You’re not interested in a spa treatment while your son naps? Or a sitter after he goes to sleep?”

Her eyes fluttered closed briefly and then steadied, staying open. “I’m here for Cody. Not for myself. I can’t just turn off that mom switch.”

He got that. And he sure as hell didn’t expect her to neglect her son. He understood how it felt to be a kid shuffled to the side. “What about riding lessons?”

Confusion shifted across her face. “Excuse me?”

“If you want to be a part of your son’s world, how about experience it firsthand? Cody’s sleeping and the stable is next door.” He set aside their half-drunk water bottles on the split-rail fence and called to one of their gentlest mares. A pudgy, warm chocolate–colored horse walked toward them with slow, ambling steps. And sure, Alex knew he was delaying his real purpose for speaking with her today, but he couldn’t resist enjoying what could be his last chance to spend more time with her. “Consider becoming acquainted with one of our horses?”

She looked at the horse and tucked her arms behind her back, shaking her head. “No, thank you. I don’t think so.”

He hadn’t considered that even as a city girl she might not like the ranch. “Are you afraid of horses?”

“Not afraid so much as...uncertain,” she said hesitantly, holding up her hands. “My son is fascinated, so I’m here for him, but I can’t say I share his fascination.”

He didn’t sense a dislike of horses. Just nerves and lack of knowledge. The notion of introducing her stirred him. “We all have preferences. Even if you’re not an equestrian fan, I can see you want to know more about your son’s world. So for his sake, give this a try.” He raised his hands and linked fingers with hers, wondering why he wasn’t telling her about who he was. Instead he was touching her, watching the flicker of the sun in her green eyes, and he couldn’t bring himself to change course, not just yet. “We can take it slow?”

Her throat moved in a gulp. “Meaning what?”

“Just get to know Amber.” He guided her hand along the mare’s neck, Nina’s soft skin making him ache to touch more of her. “Check out the feel of her. She’s a gentle sweetheart.”

Gasping, Nina stroked the horse again, reverently almost. “Wow, I didn’t know. I rode a little as a child, but I only remember how scared I was and how bad it hurt to fall off. I thought she would feel bristly, but her coat is like satin.”

“You’ve truly never been around a horse before?” And yet she’d come here for her son, even though the horse clearly scared her every bit as much as she entranced her.

“I can feel her heartbeat.” Her awe and laughter stoked him.

He kept his hand over hers, his eyes locked on her gaze, watching her entranced by the animal. “She can hear yours.”

Nina turned and met his gaze. She wanted him. He could see that clearly, felt her desire crackling off her skin and into him.

Unable to resist, he dipped his head and kissed her. Just a simple kiss because they were outside and anyone could walk up to them. But damn it, this was his last chance before he would have to tell her about his grandmother’s plan, and then he didn’t know if he would get another opportunity. The thought of never tasting her, never knowing the feel of her was more than he could wrap his brain around.

She tasted like fresh spring water and the fruit salad from lunch. Strawberries and grapes. His hands curled around her shoulders. Soft. Warm. Such a perfect fit. Sparks shot through him, damn near knocking him senseless, as if he’d been tossed from a horse onto his head.