Long, Tall Texan Match by Diana Palmer

Author:Diana Palmer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mills & Boon Special Release
Published: 2017-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Tess asked softly.

His hands contracted on her waist for an instant before he suddenly came to his senses and realized what he was thinking and how impossible it was. He closed his eyes and breathed slowly, until he got back the control he’d almost lost.

He put her away from him with an odd tenderness. “You’re very young,” he said. “I only meant to comfort you. Things just…got out of hand. I’m sorry.”

She searched his eyes and knew that what they’d shared hadn’t made a whit of difference to their turbulent relationship. He wanted her, all right, but there was guilt in his face. He thought she was too young for anything permanent. Or perhaps that was the excuse he had to use to conceal the real one—that he was afraid to get involved with a woman again because he’d been so badly hurt by one.

She dropped her gaze to his broad chest, watching its jerky rise and fall curiously. He wasn’t unaffected by her. That was oddly comforting.

“Thanks for getting rid of the bad memory, anyway,” she said in a subdued tone.

He hesitated before he spoke, choosing his words. “Tess, it wasn’t only that,” he said softly. “But you have to realize how things are. I’ve been alone for a long time. I let you go to my head.” He took a long, harsh breath. “I’m not a marrying man. Not anymore. But you’re a marrying woman.”

She ground her teeth together. Well, that was plain enough. She looked up at him, red-cheeked. “I didn’t propose! And don’t get your hopes up, because I won’t. Ever. So there.”

He cocked his head, and for an instant something twinkled deep in his eyes. “Never? I’m devastated.”

The humor was unexpected and it eased the pain of the awkward situation a little. She peeked up at him. “You’re very attractive,” she continued, “but it takes more than looks to make a marriage. You can’t cook and you don’t know which end of a broom to use. Besides that, you throw cakes at people.”

He couldn’t deny that. His firm mouth, still swollen from the hot kisses they’d shared, tugged up at the corners. “I missed you by a mile. In fact,” he reminded her, “you weren’t even in the room when I threw it.”

She held up a hand. “I’m sorry. It’s too late for excuses. You’re right off my list of marriage prospects. I hope you can stand the shock.”

He chuckled softly. “So do I.” She was still flushed, but she looked less tormented than she had. “Are you all right now?” he asked gently.

She nodded and then said, “Yes. Thank you,” she added, her voice softer then she intended it to be.

He only smiled. “He won’t be back, in case you’re worried about that,” he added. “I fired him on the spot.”

She drew in a breath. “I can’t say I’m sorry about that. He wasn’t what he seemed.”

“Most men aren’t. And the next time you accept a date, I want to know first.

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