Chapter 9

If only he didn't worry so much that his plan would backfire on him. As she headed for the restroom, he took out his cell and punched in a number.

"Are you crazy?" his friend Arnie asked. "I need more than five minutes to prepare for what you want."

"Pretend I'm helping you prepare for the Valentine's Day thing you always do. Don't you need some practice?"

"No," Arnie snapped. "Not as long as we've been doing it."

"Then it should be easy," Max told him. "I have faith, my man. Just ask Josie to help."

Arnie laughed. "My wife will do it if only to get a peek at a woman who has you obviously outside your comfort zone."

"Whatever. As long as you get it done. Okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

"Did you call your office?" he asked when they were back in his car.

"Yes. When I went to the ladies room." She gave an unsteady little laugh. "They think I'm crazy. I never take off in the middle of the day."

"Then maybe it's time you did. If none of those idiots you hung out with talked you into it, then they really are assholes."

"They have obligations," she protested. "The same as I do."

"Your obligation today is to yourself."

He reached for one of her hands and folded his around it. The campaign had changed in tenor, becoming more about winning her for himself than making others jealous. Yes, he wanted her to feel special. Because she was special. To him. And he was finally having to admit what he'd kept hidden all this time. That he wanted something strong with her. Something in the forever category.

He definitely had his work cut out for him.

"Where are we going?" She stared out the windshield as he turned off the highway onto a country road.

"You'll see. It's a surprise."

Surprisingly, she didn't pull her hand away from his. Instead, she let him continue holding it all the way down the road. It felt so good against his skin. It would feel even better wrapped around his cock. Maybe stroking up and down.

He swallowed a groan. The imagery wasn't doing much for his self-control. Neither was his desire to strip her clothes off and lick every inch of her delicious-looking body. He could imagine her sweet ass beneath that flirty red skirt, his hands itching to cup its roundness. And the jacket barely counteracted the swelling of her breasts peeking over the top of the cami.

Jesus! I'm driving myself nuts.

He shifted in his seat, trying to ease the pressure in his groin.

"Are you okay?" Her voice was edged with concern. "Why are you twitching around like that?"

"What? I'm not. I mean, I'm fine." He slid a glance in her direction and caught her frowning at him. "No scowling. Only fun today."

He made a turn into a long driveway, and Stacy leaned forward in her seat.

"A ranch?" She almost squeaked. "You took me to a ranch?"

He laughed. "With horses and everything."

"Max, I'm hardly dressed for the country," she protested.

"You'll be fine. They won't expect you to muck out the stalls or stuff like that. I promise."

She looked at him as if he was speaking a strange language. Nevertheless, she let him help her from the car and lead her toward the barn.

"I don't think these shoes are made for walking on gravel." She wobbled on her high heels.

"No problem. I can fix that."

Without giving her a chance to protest, he swept her up into his arms. The feel of her soft body against his was nearly his undoing. Her breasts were warm and full, even through her jacket, and her ass fit so nicely in his hand.

"Max?" she prompted.

He realized he had stopped and just stood there, holding her. Shifting her slightly, he carried her through the open doorway of the barn. Arnie was giving a final check to the bridle of the horse hitched to the old-fashioned cab. Beside him, his wife, Josie, grinned from ear to ear.

"Usually it's the women trying to seduce you, Max," she chuckled.

Stacy tensed in his arms. "You can put me down," she said, pushing against his chest.

"Who said anything about seducing?" He stole a quick kiss then set her on her feet before she could object.

"What are we doing here, anyway?"

"Stacy Halligan, meet Arnie and Josie Durand."

"Nice to meet you." Stacy shook hands with them. He could hear the confusion in her voice. "Wait. Arnie Durand. Didn't you use to play—?"

"With the Warriors." He nodded. "That's where the stud here and I got to be friends."

"The stud?" She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Have you been keeping interesting details from me all this time?

Max could feel the red creeping up his face. "Pay no attention to him. Please. Cut it out, Arnie, okay?"

Around any other female, he would have reveled in the nickname, but not with Stacy. He had avoided discussing his sexual exploits with her, not always proud of the way he behaved. Now, it was even more important for her to get the right impression of him.

"Can I tell her you helped me get the ranch going after I blew out my knee and couldn't play anymore?" Arnie asked.

This time when Stacy faced him, admiration shone in her eyes. Damn. Better, only he didn't want hero worship, either. He wanted her to…to want him. As a man.

"He's kind of kept an eye on us," Josie added. "Even passed the word with all the stud muffins about our Valentine's Day deal. The publicity helps promote the ranch."

"What kind of deal?" Stacy wanted to know.

Max would have given her the abbreviated version, anxious to get going, but there was no stopping Josie.

"We mostly breed and train cutting horses," the woman said. "Then we got involved with a rescue group. That led to buying these old-fashioned buggies and—"

"They do special rides for Valentine's Day," Max cut in. "And if they'll shut up, I can show you what they're talking about. Open that door, Arnie."

Arnie opened the door to the cab and offered Stacy his hand. She hesitated a moment before stepping up to the running board.

"Just go with the flow, okay?" Max said. "I promise you'll have a good time." He followed her inside and sat next to her, his arm pulling her against him.

She inhaled the tantalizing aroma of his aftershave mixed with his clean male scent and every erogenous zone pounded with desire.

"I think she's a keeper, stud." Josie chuckled before the woman closed the door.

"We're good to go," he called to Arnie. Then he reached down and pressed a button beneath the seat.

Music began to play softly around them, mingling with the clopping of the horse's hooves on the barn floor and the buggy began to move forward.

Well, he promised me an adventure, and I guess I'm getting one.

She hoped it involved more of those drugging kisses.