“Definitely not those,” she laughed. “But those devastating blue eyes and the charming man behind the smile are more than enough to keep me coming back.”
“Dually noted. Follow me.”
Kate followed as Bruce led the way to the stables. She admired the way he navigated so fluidly in his surroundings. He put the horse back in the stable, fed him, and did one last check of the area.
In that moment, watching Bruce do something he knew so well, she found him utterly attractive. Even more so than usual.
“Woman, why are you staring at me like that?”
Kate sucked in her breath. Bruce was turned around, with his back to her. How did he feel her eyes on him?
She was speechless, unsure how to answer. When she sat quietly, he responded for her. Pulling her in to an embrace, Kate was immediately struck by his woodsy scent. His strong body enveloping hers made her soften into his hardness.
“I missed you.”
Just that small confession from Bruce made her day.
“I missed you too. Coming to the ranch was a pleasant surprise.”
“I thought that you would appreciate a home cooked meal. You know, versus the swanky city restaurants with pricey menus.”
She held her arms around him tightly, not wanting to let go.
“Good idea. I could use the time to slow down a bit.”
A light kiss on the lips turned smoldering within seconds. She was unable to think of anything other than Bruce’s touch as his lips locked with hers.
“Stay with me tonight.”
She did not have to think twice. “Of course.”
He backed off just enough, but it was obvious that he could not keep his hands off of her.
“If you don’t watch it, you may have to undress me right here and now.”
“Don’t tease me like that, woman. All of this talk about taking your clothes off, I just may take you up on the offer.”
Kate considered it briefly, her body was hot with desire and she was not sure how she was going to make it through dinner while she pined away for the man across the table from her. Then she thought that it would be just the perfect foreplay and decided that teasing him all night would be a complete turn on.
“Why don’t we get back to the house? I’m sure your mother is ready to serve dinner.”
As they walked toward the house, Bruce came up behind Kate, kissing her on the neck. Why he had to tease her, she was not sure. It was going to make it harder to get through dinner and the rest of the evening, remembering the way his touch felt.
“There the two of you are. I was beginning to think that I had to send out a search party to find you.”
“No, Mother. I was just showing Kate how to get acquainted with Paddington.”
Mrs. Stanger, brow raised, commented. “Why don’t the two of you wash up? I’m putting the food on the table.”
Bruce showed Kate to the powder room and he disappeared down the hallway. Once she washed up, she found Bruce’s parents in the dining room. Bruce came in shortly after her and rushed up to pull out her chair.
His parents looked on, smiling.
“So, city girl. How was your trip outside to the stables?” Mr. Stanger asked.
“I survived.”
Everyone at the table laughed and dinner was served. Over polite conversation, mashed potatoes and pork chops, and a few glasses of wine, Kate enjoyed her evening at the ranch. After dinner was over, she offered to help Mrs. Stanger clear the table.
“Thank you, dear. We really love it when you come out to the ranch.”
“I appreciate it as well, Mrs. Stanger. Dinner was wonderful.”
“Do you cook?” Bruce’s mother was busy at work, washing dishes.
“Not much. I’m always working, so I tend to get my food on the go.”
Kate swore she heard the woman suck her teeth. She sat for a moment, trying to figure out a way to respond.
“Maybe you could teach me some of your best meals? I have recently started thinking that it would be good to learn a few new dishes.”
Mrs. Stanger turned toward her, beaming. “I could certainly do that.” She stacked the plates on the drain.
“It would also be nice to invite your parents out here for a dinner. Since you and Bruce are becoming so close. My husband and I would love to meet your family.”
“That would actually be nice. My parents are retired, so they travel a lot now. I’ll let them know that the invitation has been extended.”
Kate gave Mrs. Stanger a hand with the dishes.
“Do you mind if I ask you a question, dear?”
“Of course.” Kate tried to hide the fact that she was a bit nervous about what the question would be.
“How do you feel about marriage?”
Kate tried to swallow the lump in her throat. It felt like a trick question.
“I think that it’s right when the right people do it.”
Mrs. Stanger looked on, waiting for Kate to continue.
“My parents have been happily married for over thirty years. I look at them and I see what I would like my own life to be like. I would love to model my own relationship after them, but I do understand that each relationship is different. So I want to find what works for me. Ideally, I only want to do it once, so I would like to take my time and do it right the first time around.”
Mrs. Stanger had been listening as she finished wiping down the counters. “You young people have a huge misconception on what it means to be married. It’s not all about love and finding the right one. There is no real fairy tale involved. Just a lot of work. But that work is rewarding when you come home to the person that makes you happy. When you build a life together and have something to show for all of the sacrifice and the days when things weren’t so great. It’s not the good times that make a relationship. It’s the hard time and the way the two of you fight through that make the relationship. Does that make sense?”
“Makes perfect sense.”
“Bruce loves you. I can tell by the way that he looks at you.”