Page 81 of Texas Honor

“You took my blouse off,” she countered. “Women have equal rights.”

“I took more than your blouse off, actually,” he mused, staring at her breasts. “The ancient Greek women used to go bare-breasted, did you know? You’d have knocked the competition dead.”

And she’d always thought of herself as too small to appeal to a man. Her fascinated gaze held his. “Do you really think so?”

He laughed softly. “Yes, I really think so. Go to bed, damn it. How long do you think I can sit here calmly talking about your breasts without stripping you and throwing you down on the carpet?”

“How uncivilized,” she commented haughtily.

“Exciting.” His eyes glittered wickedly. “Your bare back on that rug, and my body grinding you down into it with the door unlocked....”

She turned, catching her breath. “I’m going to bed.”

“I wish I was going with you,” he sighed, reaching for his brandy snifter. “Maggie...”

She paused, her hand on the doorknob. “Yes?”

“I want a few days to see how Becky adjusts. Then, if she likes it, you and I will talk and come to a decision about what needs doing.”

She stared into his narrowed, quiet eyes. “I don’t understand.”

“Oh, I think you do,” he said, and held her gaze until her heartbeat shook her. “I think you know exactly what I mean, after tonight.”

She held on to her nerves with shaky control. “I may not be able to give you what you want,” she said. “Dennis...changed me. What we’ve done is sweet, and I like it. But...”

“But you aren’t certain you can give yourself to me, is that it?” he asked with quiet perception.

“That’s it exactly,” she said miserably.

He pursed his lips to search her eyes. “Maggie, if it helps, I’m not insensitive to what you must feel about intimacy. But I think you’re overlooking one important factor.”

“What?”

“I’m not your ex-husband,” he said. “I’ve never hurt a woman deliberately. I’m not a sadistic man.”

“Oh, I know that,” she told him. “I’ve always known that.”

“Then give me credit for a little sensitivity,” he replied. “Trust me.”

“Trust is hard.”

“Tell me about it.” He chuckled darkly. “Or have you forgotten that I’ve had some hard knocks of my own in that department? Mother told you that I got hurt, but I’m the only one who knows how badly. I loved her. Or thought I did,” he added, and for the first time he wasn’t really sure. It all seemed very far away now, with Maggie here, lovely and tempting.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“I’m sorry about your rough time, too, honey,” he said softly. “But that’s in the past. You and I have Becky to think about. If we don’t do something, you may lose her.”

“I know,” she murmured.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “He’ll have to go through me to get her, court or no court. But maybe there’s an easier way. I’ve got an idea. I’ll tell you if it pans out. Good night.”

“I haven’t even thanked you,” she said suddenly, “for all you’ve done.”

His eyes traveled slowly to her mouth. “Haven’t you?” He raised the snifter, smiling as she turned, flustered, and left him there.

CHAPTER SIX

BECKYSEEMEDLIKEa different child on the big ranch. Despite the demands of his position, and his sore arm, Gabe found time to help her get used to her new environment.