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.I'm their boss.They're not going to say anything.""No.I'm not staying." A hint of steel sounded."Maybe you're more worried about your own precious reputation," she said sulkily, moving away from him, angry he didn't want to stay when she wanted him to so badly."What do you mean by that?" His tone became razor sharp."Wouldn't want to jeopardize your lone-wolf reputation, the one where everyone thinks you don't want nor need a woman.Leave then, and show everyone how tough you are."His hard hand gripped her shoulder, pulling her to face him, pressing her hard into the mattress."What the hell does that mean?""You're a loner and you love it.You don't want anyone to think you need a woman.You don't date.You don't do anything as far as I can tell but work on your ranch and covet mine.So I figure even though you're onehundred percent red hot male, you cling to that reputation.And letting it be known you spent the night with a woman would tarnish it beyond repair.We wouldn't want that, now, would we? Gosh, somebody might think it would compromise you.""What are you pushing for, Kalli? A commitment? Marriage? Hell, I was married.I won't go that route again.""Well, I haven't been married and maybe I want to be.But not with someone who doesn't like me.All I wanted tonight was for you to sleep over.We've made love twice now.Maybe we could again.But it would be nice after becoming so close, being so intimate, just to sleep together."He stared into her eyes, trying to see her clearly in the darkness, trying to read the emotions that filled her.His eyes revealed nothing."Tell me why you don't want to get married again," she said boldly, holding his gaze in the moonlight.He scowled, pushing away from her, lying back on the bed, his eyes staring blindly at the ceiling.The night air swirled around him, brushing against his chest, cooling his anger.For a long moment he thought back to the years of his marriage, and a different anger built."I'm not going to get myself tied up in knots over a woman again." Like I'm feeling with you."Only to have her destroy everything by walking away.It was something I would never deliberately put myself through again."Kalli propped herself on one elbow and leaned toward him, trying to see his expression in the faint moonlight."I thought you said you didn't love her," she said softly, soothingly.She longed to hug him, bring him some measure of comfort.But she wanted to hear this.Wanted to understand."You don't live with someone for a couple of years, don't have a kid with her, without some feelings.I cared for her.I thought we'd were committed to build a life together.Then she left, without a word.Just up and left.Left me.Left Becky.I was twenty-two years old.My grandfather owned the ranch.I had nothing.I didn't know anything but ranching and rodeoing.And then I had a baby to care for – alone."There was bewilderment as well as pain in his voice.Kalli's heart contracted.She ached for the young man he'd been, left alone with a baby.Whatever dreams he had for the future had gone forever when Alyssa walked out.For a moment she hated the woman.Then reason reasserted itself.If Alyssa hadn't left, Trace wouldn't be free now.And Kalli vowed she would do her best to see he had a happy future.One that included her if at all possible."I'm not going to marry you, Kalli," he said quietly."No one asked you to," she retorted, trying to ignore the piercing hurt that struck her.Stretching out a hand to rub his chest, longing to throw herself into his arms and hold him all night long, she only said, "Go home, Trace.You've spoiled my mood."His head turned on the pillow.She could see the gleam of his eyes."I really was concerned for your reputation," he said."Men get brownie points for sleeping with women.It doesn't work the other way around.""I know.""Do you want me to stay?"She hesitated.She ought to tell him to go.She ought to tell him not to come back.She ought to do a lot of things.But she would cling to this one night with all her might."Yes, I want you to stay.""I'll call Maria to let her know I won't be home."She nodded.Waited patiently as he made the quick call.Then inched across the bed to lie beside him.Relief soaked her when he drew her into his arms and slowly began to stroke her back again.At least she'd have this night with the man she loved.Trace felt her fall asleep.Her breath fanned across his chest, warm and moist.Her cheek pillowed against him, her trust in him while she slept a wondrous thing.He stared in the night, thinking of the handful of woman in his arms.She was an enchanting thing, but such a contrast.He couldn't figure her out.She was too city to stay, yet her determination seemed endless.Her enthusiasm was naive, yet appealing.He gained a fresh perspective on his life through her eyes.He knew ranching, but until recently he hadn't realized how much he really liked it.What would it be like to sleep with her every night? To wake up with her and make love in the early morning before he had to see to the cattle and the business of running his spread? To come home to her at night, to her cooking in the kitchen, maybe wearing those short shorts she favored? To take her to bed and love her until they were exhausted?It was a long time before Trace fell asleep.When Trace awoke the next morning, he was alone in the big bed.Dressing quickly, he found a new razor in the bathroom and used it.His shirt was on a chair.Kalli must have brought it in from the study.He wondered what he'd find when he located her.Would she be clinging and wanting more than he could give her? Or would she be more reserved around him now? God, he hoped she had no regrets.He smelled the coffee and headed for the kitchen.She was making pancakes and the fragrance of warmed syrup and coffee filled the kitchen."Good morning," she said happily, throwing him a quick smile and turning back to the rising pancakes on the griddle."Good morning." He came up to her and tilted her chin to look into her face.Her sunny smile was normal.Her eyes clear and dancing in some kind of amusement.Thank God, he saw no regrets.Trace kissed her.Kissed her again."Do you want pancakes or love?" she asked, flicking a quick glance at the stove.Love? Trace drew back."Food.I'm hungry.I didn't get any dinner last night.""I'd be more concerned if I hadn't seen you scarf down all those brownies before Becky left.How many pancakes can you eat?""A dozen." At her startled look, he ran his gaze up and down her body."How many do you eat, short stuff? One?""Shut up or you can fix your own.Short jokes are out.""Yes, ma'am," he said meekly, his eyes amused.Now he knew what it would be like to wake up with her.She was as happy as a lark, bubbling over with good humor and anticipation for the day.Breakfast was delicious, though he hardly noticed what he ate, he was too enchanted with her to care about the food."You didn't tell me about the hay," she said as she poured herself a second cup of coffee.She had finished eating, but continued to watch Trace put it away.No wonder he was so big, he ate as much as her brother Tony.Trace paused and looked at her."What hay?""I understand I have a few acres planted in alfalfa hay.It needs to be cut in summer and baled for use in the winter.I can even sell some of it, if I get a good crop."He nodded
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