Page 26 of Summer on the Ranch (Royally Wed #1)

H e was certainly direct, Alex thought in numb disbelief as she tried to figure out if Mitch had really said he wanted to make love with her or if she’d imagined it.

She prayed it was the former, rather than the latter, because the thought of him wanting her that much made her want to throw herself at him and beg him to show her exactly what happened between a man and a woman.

‘‘At least you didn’t hit me,’’ he said, then cast her a sideways glance. ‘‘I probably shouldn’t have said that, but you were pushing me for an answer, and that’s the only one I could think of.’’

Her excitement faded as quickly as it had flared. ‘‘It was just a line?’’ she asked, trying hard to keep the disappointment from her voice.

He sat up straight. ‘‘Of course not. What kind of jerk do you think I am?’’

‘‘I don’t think you’re a jerk at all. I just wasn’t sure what you meant.’’ She had the uncomfortable feeling that their conversation had just taken a turn for the worse.

‘‘I meant—’’ he shook his head ‘‘—hell, I don’t know what I meant. The truth is you tie me up in knots. You have from the first moment you sashayed onto this ranch, looking like a million bucks in your city clothes and that pitiful excuse for a car.’’

She bristled. The Jaguar had been a reckless purchase—one of the few she’d ever allowed herself in her life. ‘‘What’s wrong with my car?’’

‘‘Nothing. It’s beautiful and impractical and has no business being here.’’ He reached out and stroked her cheek. ‘‘Just like you, princess. Just like you.’’

‘‘Oh, Mitch.’’ She felt herself leaning toward him. ‘‘Is this crazy?’’

‘‘Only if you want me as much as I want you.’’

Wanting. What did it feel like exactly? Alex wasn’t sure she knew.

She’d never talked about the sensation with anyone before, mostly because it had never been an issue in her life.

She’d been so sure she would be married by now and that she would experience whatever passion was to be in her life as a married woman.

But she hadn’t married, and so far her parents showed no signs of finding her a husband. Were they waiting for her?

The thought that she might have some control over her own destiny was so startling that she very nearly forgot about the tender touch of Mitch’s fingers against her cheek.

Except the tingling reminded her. As did the ache in her breasts and the strong pulsing low in her stomach.

Was this passion? The need to be very close to a specific man.

The desire for him to hold her close and touch all of her, to teach her about lovemaking and let her explore him?

Because if that was wanting, then she wanted Mitch very much.

She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life.

‘‘It’s crazy,’’ she whispered, telling herself that she was nearly thirty and she’d been a virgin plenty long enough.

He cupped her face. She saw him swallow and felt the fire leap from him. It circled her body, then ignited more flames within her body. She trembled and felt an answering shudder from him.

‘‘I want you so bad, I can’t figure out if I’m in heaven or hell,’’ he told her. ‘‘But you’re not an ordinary woman.’’

When she would have spoken, he touched a finger to her mouth.

‘‘I’m not just talking about the whole princess thing,’’ he said.

‘‘You’re very special. We haven’t gone into details about our past love lives, but I suspect you’ve been real particular about who you’ve let in your bed.

’’ His brown eyes darkened. ‘‘I respect that, Alex. I respect you.’’

The realization that they might actually do this…

this…act together sent more heat flooding her.

It also unleashed an entire herd of nerves.

She couldn’t, could she? What if he figured out she was a virgin?

Here Mitch was telling her that he would respect her in the morning, but that was based on his assumption that she’d been with other men.

Or at least one other man. Thank goodness he didn’t consider her wildly experienced.

Oh, why hadn’t she asked her mother more questions about sex?

Make that any questions. Alex suddenly remembered she didn’t know much more than she’d read or that she and her sisters had speculated about years before when they’d all been innocent teenagers.

For all she knew each of her sisters kept a stable of lovers and she was the only ignorant one in the bunch.

‘‘You’re awfully quiet,’’ he said. ‘‘Having a change of heart?’’

He kept his tone light, but she read the tension in his body.

She knew Mitch well enough to believe that if she said she didn’t want to go through with this, he would understand completely.

He would never pressure her or say anything unkind.

But what about after? What if he figured out about her lack of experience? Would he think less of her?

‘‘I’m just thinking,’’ she told him. ‘‘I’m not having second thoughts, at least not in the way you’re thinking. I’m less worried about your respect than our friendship. Will we still be friends in the morning?’’

He laughed. ‘‘Darlin’, if it’s as good as I think it’s going to be between us, I might want to be your lapdog more than your friend, but yes, we’ll still be fine.’’

‘‘Prove it,’’ she said.

‘‘What? How?’’

She thought quickly. Whatever happened between them tonight, she didn’t want to lose Mitch. He treated her like a regular person and liked her for her. In her world, that was a special gift she intended to keep as long as possible.

‘‘Come with me on Saturday.’’

His gaze narrowed. ‘‘Where are you going?’’

‘‘Los Angeles. I have to attend a charity fund-raiser for a cancer hospital.’’ She started speaking more quickly. ‘‘I’m only asking you to go with me. You wouldn’t have to say anything or even talk to anyone if you didn’t want to.’’

He dropped his hands to his lap. ‘‘Let me see if I have this straight. You want me to come with you to some fancy-pants shindig this Saturday. You want me to face reporters and those rich city folk, not to mention a plane ride, all so that you’ll know that whatever happens between us tonight, we’re still friends? ’’

She lowered her gaze. When he said it like that, she didn’t know how to respond.

‘‘I see your point,’’ she murmured. ‘‘I didn’t mean to make such a big deal about it. I just…’’ She’d just wanted the fantasy, she realized.

She’d wanted her handsome lover at her side on Saturday.

She’d wanted to show him off and know that he was nearby.

Selfishly she’d wanted someone to lean on.

She who had never wanted to lean on anyone before.

She didn’t just like and trust Mitch, Alex thought. She needed him. Somehow he’d become important to her, more important than she’d known until that very moment.

‘‘Alex? Look at me.’’

Slowly she raised her head until she stared at his face. He leaned forward and kissed her. ‘‘Yes, I’ll come to the fund-raiser.’’

She wasn’t sure which had caught her attention more, his announcement or the hard, hot pressure of his mouth against hers. ‘‘You will?’’

‘‘Of course. I want to be with you, to spend time with you. If promising you this relaxes you, then I’m happy to do it. I’ll do it even if you don’t want to make love, although I’ll probably be more grumpy.

’’ He stood up and pulled her to her feet.

‘‘I’ll smile for the reporters, I’ll make polite conversation with the society crowd, I’ll even dance. ’’

He drew her close and took her in his arms, then demonstrated with a couple of steps. ‘‘Are you impressed?’’

Her heart thundered inside her chest, and she thought her knees were going to fail her. ‘‘More than you know.’’

‘‘I care about you,’’ he said, wrapping his arms around her waist. ‘‘You’re my favorite princess in the whole world.’’

She laughed. ‘‘I’m the only princess you know.’’

He winked. ‘‘That will be our little secret.’’ He stepped back and held out his hand. ‘‘Join me?’’

He was nothing that she’d expected in her life, but then the best things were often those found when people weren’t looking.

She’d thought her first experience with a man would be different, as well.

But as she stepped toward him and placed her fingers on his palm, she knew that no other moment would ever feel so incredibly right.

‘‘I’m scared,’’ she said as he led her down the hall.

‘‘You’re scared? If I mess up, you can have me beheaded. Talk about performance pressure.’’

Despite her attempts to convince him that she was nervous, he had her laughing by the time they walked into his bedroom. Then, as she took in the large four-poster bed and the stone fireplace in the corner, she froze.

Mitch drew her to him instantly. ‘‘Don’t start thinking about all those doubts and questions. It all comes down to two things—do you want to do this and do you trust me?’’

She tried to speak, but her throat was too tight. Yet she needed him to know the truth. So instead of words, she tried actions. Her wool shirtwaist dress fastened in the front. She reached up and unfastened the top button of her dress.

Mitch swallowed hard and told himself he had to be dreaming. No way was he really standing in his bedroom with a beautiful, sassy, funny woman who was going out of her way to tell him that she wanted him. This wasn’t happening. He’d had a good life, but he’d never had this kind of luck.

‘‘Alex,’’ he breathed, and stilled her fingers with his.

He searched her face, first with his gaze, then with his fingers, gently tracing her perfect features.

He wanted her to be sure. He’d always tried to do the right thing, but this time he was determined to get it right, no matter what that cost him.

Her blue eyes flashed with passion and nervousness, but no regrets. He kissed her softly and nearly lost it as her lips clung to his in unmistakable need.

‘‘Why me?’’ he asked.

The question made her smile. ‘‘Why not you?’’

‘‘But I’m just a—’’