The Rancher and the Runaway Bride by Susan Mallery

Author:Susan Mallery [Susan Mallery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Brady paced the length of the kitchen, paused, then walked back. Once there, he glanced at the digital clock on the microwave. It was 3:58. Rita was due downstairs any minute. He’d already started the coffee for her, and he’d rehearsed what he planned to say a thousand times.

At least he hadn’t had to worry about waking up on time. As it was, he’d barely slept last night. Between reliving the powerful kiss they’d shared and wrestling with guilt, there hadn’t been much time for dozing off.

He heard footsteps on the stairs and turned quickly to face the doorway. A shadow moved through the darkness. There was a click and light flooded the kitchen. Rita saw him and jumped back.

She touched a hand to her chest. “Brady! You gave me a start. What are you doing up?”

She was dressed for work, dressed as he always saw her, in jeans and T-shirt. Her hair was neatly braided, her face freshly washed. As he gazed at her, something flickered in her eyes. His heart sank. She was cautious because she expected him to attack her again. How could he have done that to her?

He drew in a deep breath. “About last night,” he began, and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Look. I’m sorry. I feel awful about what happened. You work for me, and as your employer, I shouldn’t have put you in a position that makes you feel uncomfortable. I’ve never done anything like that before. I’ve never said those things. I don’t know what got into me.”

“It’s okay,” she said softly.

“No, it’s not. As I told you from the start, I wanted you to live here in the main house so you would feel safe. And here I am, the first guy to break the rules about leaving you alone.” He cleared his throat. “I want you to know that I was completely in the wrong, and that it will never happen again.”

Her blue eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled. “That was quite an apology. Thank you. I have just one question.”

“What’s that?”

“Were you awake all night beating yourself up about our kiss?”

Embarrassment burned hot. He averted his face and tried to look casual. “Not exactly.”

“Just as I thought. One of the good guys.” She crossed to the coffeepot and poured herself a cup. After taking a sip, she looked at him. “Okay, Brady, if you can bare your soul, I guess I can bare mine. Don’t give this matter another moment’s thought. You didn’t force me to do anything against my will. I liked kissing you. I don’t think it was especially smart, or something we should pursue right now. Neither of us is in a position to deal with the ramifications of taking things further, so it might be better if we just backed off for a while. Sound reasonable?”

He was too shocked to speak, so he just nodded. She flashed him another smile. “Good.”

With that she walked to the back door and left. He stared after her.

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