Cash said with a grin, “One, two, three.”
His bourbon went down smoothly. Tracy coughed, her eyes watered, and he patted her on the back. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her off the sofa and trailed her behind him into the hallway. At the top of the staircase was a large, decorated landing leading to the five bedrooms. There was a laundry room furnished not only with a brand-new washer and dryer but also with a walk-in linen closet, a marble sink, and racks on which to hang clothes.
“How convenient to have a laundry room up here where the clothes are,” Tracy said.
“There’s a laundry chute over there.” He pointed. “Before the remodel up here, all the laundry went downstairs to another washer and dryer that comes in handy at times.”
The four guest bedrooms were tastefully furnished with dressers, nightstands, armoires, overstuffed chairs, and a footrest or two. A couple of the bedrooms boasted queen beds, one with a canopy, and the other two bedrooms offered two full-size beds. Each bedroom came with its own private, full bath.
“My grandmother and Winston could have their pick of beautiful rooms that would certainly work for whatever their sleeping arrangement is,” Tracy admitted.
“Yeah, and you can sleep with me,” Cash said, back in the middle of the landing.
“Cash!” she gasped, but her lips spread into a delicious grin.
“It wouldn’t be the first night we spent together,” he said referring to the previous night in the tent. He winked to let her know there was absolutely no obligation on her part. “I’m teasing you. Kind of.”
“Let’s see this balcony of yours.”
“We’re almost there.”
Cash snared her hand and tugged her to him. When he lowered his head, she tilted up her chin. His eyes closed and his mouth touched her silky soft lips. Making it a short kiss,he raised his head and keeping hold of her hand, trailed her behind him into the master suite.
Stepping aside he brought her into the room. His king-size bed was dead ahead flanked by marble-topped nightstands in front of wide windows with room-darkening shades. There was a sitting area off to the left with a fireplace, built-in bookshelves, and a minibar. Across from a couple of wingback chairs in front of the hearth, there was an enormous walk-in closet. Also on the right, a master bath consisted of a long granite counter with double sinks and framed mirrors. The tiled shower was a walk-in type for two. Perhaps the most unusual thing about the bathroom was the bathtub.
“Is that a horse trough?” Tracy asked. “Because Ikind oflove it.”
“Yeah,” Cash said with a chuckle. “It was original to the house and I liked it, too, so I left it. Stainless steel, I guess it was Uncle Clarence’s version of a hot tub. Takes forever to fill it.”
“I’ll bet it drains your hot water tank.”
“I’ve got a couple tanks.” Cash led her to the French doors on the opposite side of the bedroom. Opening both doors led them onto a balcony made private with solid, chest-high walls. On the floor of the balcony was waterproof flooring that drained water into downspouts. Greenery in huge ceramic planters decorated all four corners. A bistro table for two and reclining lounge chairs provided places to sit and view Pikes Peak in the distance. He swept his hand toward the rock-look casing surrounding the ultimate spa tub filled with water that would foam and soak away every ache and care. With a waterfall at one end and two captain’s chairs with rollover neck and shoulder jets, LED lighting, and a Bluetooth sound system, it was the definitive body lounger.
“Wow, Cash.”
“This is my version of a hot tub and you’re the first, besides the installers, to see it.”
Cash wondered if she would have the interest to enjoy it with him. Would she be brave enough to hop in if it were just the two of them? “What do you think?”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Ithink it’s a party on the top floor,” Tracy said.
Cash grinned. “Damn, I like you.”
He backed into the privacy of his bedroom and pulled her into his arms. This man was so hot, Tracy thought she might melt into him. She not only found Cash to be the most physically handsome man she’d ever met, she connected with him mentally. She really liked who he was.
Reminding herself she was on a job, her hands flattened to his muscular chest. Way too late at this point she told herself it wasn’t professional to kiss the cowboy starring in her story as she trailed her fingers up his body and twined them around his neck. When Cash’s hands slid down her back to her fanny, Tracy stood on tiptoes. Every part of her body responded to Cash. Never had she been attracted to any man as she was to this one. When his hands roamed to her waist and up her ribs to her breasts, she leaned away just enough to give him access to do what he pleased. She was a red-blooded female, and she wanted this red-blooded rancher.
“If only I had my bikini with me,” she flirted daringly between kisses.
“If only.” Cash began popping open the snaps on the front of her dress.
Tracy shivered with desire. As Cash’s lips met hers again, throwing all caution to the wind, she let Cash proceed. Nothing and no one could have convinced her otherwise. When he raised his head, his blue eyes smoldered with desire. Placing his hands on the shoulders of her dress, he paused, giving her time to change her mind. She licked her upper lip and smiled. He pulled the dress off and let it fall to the thick rug under their feet. She stood before him in a white satin bra and white satin panties. As nervous as she was excited, she suddenly wondered how she measured up to the women he’d had before her. Not in a jealous way because she knew he was a man with experience. But she prayed Cash didn’t find her lacking.
Placing her hands to his waist, she pulled his shirttails out of his jeans. What was she doing? Where had that move come from? From being with Cash Cooper, she guessed. From liking him. From wanting him. Maybe even from trusting him? He unbuttoned his shirt as she tried to unfasten the silver buckle on his belt. She couldn’t figure out how it worked and he winked at her just before he unfastened it. His shirt joined hers on the floor. Still in his jeans with his belt undone, he scooped her up in his arms. She twined her arms around his neck and he carried her out of the bedroom through the French doors. With the balcony on the west side of his house that put the view of Pikes Peak directly in front of them. The cabins and outdoor dining area lay to the north, but it was dark now and the guests were in their quarters. The barn-like doors of the stables were closed, and the wranglers had taken off to the bunkhouse or other places. No one was in sight.
“Hot tub in my underwear?” Tracy asked.
