Page 3 of The Rancher’s Ecstasy

“Welcome to our home.” He reluctantly turned back to Daisy. “Do you have her key?”

Daisy handed it to him and bit the inside of her cheek as if to keep from laughing out loud.

“There you go, Cole. She’s all signed in.”

“Excellent. I’ll show you to your cab—”

“No,” Emily burst out.

Daisy and Cole both froze in curiosity.

“Excuse me?” Cole’s mouth twitched, but his voice stayed smooth and curious.

Emily swallowed several times, her fist clenched on top of the counter, and a blush spread across her cheeks.

“God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say it that way.”

“Say no, you mean?” Cole asked quietly.

Emily tore her eyes away from his and stared at the papers on the counter.

“No ... I mean, yes. I mean, I can find my own way if you’ll just point me in the right direction. There’s no need to t-take you away from your w-work. If I could just have the key,” she stuttered and tentatively held out her hand, still not able to look at him.

The way he made her feel was scaring her. She’d never felt such an overwhelming sense that she recognized this man, but knew she’d never met him before.

Her eyes slid to Daisy’s when no one said anything. Daisy still stood there frozen but with an unusual mix of shock, humor, and hopefulness in her eyes that didn’t make sense to Emily. Emily started to fidget and bite her lower lip, afraid she’d hurt his feelings.

Emily’s body jolted, and she took a hasty step back when he came around the counter and wrapped a large hand around her upper arm and nudged her toward the door.

“No worries. I insist,” Cole said.

It looked like he was trying not to laugh at the conflicted expressions chasing across her face and the deep red blush that spread across her cheeks.

Emily didn’t say anything, couldn’t say anything if she had tried. The second he touched her, sparks raced through her veins, which made it hard for her to breathe and caused her body to shake uncontrollably. She took a quick look up at him. Oh, god, what a fool I’m being. This man could be in GQ magazine, and I’m standing here acting like a love-sick teenager. He must think I’m an idiot.

“Emily?”

A man like this wouldn’t look twice at a woman like me. Hell, if he didn’t have to talk to me now, he probably wouldn’t see me at all. I’ll just not make a fool of myself again and pretend this never hap—

“Emily!” Cole called a little louder.

Emily valiantly tried to bring her mind back to the present. She looked up at him and wanted to sink into the ground. She’d never been this embarrassed this many times in just a few minutes in her whole life. They had been standing by her car for who knows how long, with him trying to get her attention. She cleared her throat and refused to look at him again. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

Cole chuckled. “I said, let’s get your bags out, and I’ll help...”

Emily tried without success to pull her arm from his hand. “No, really. Please. I can do this by myself. Please...”

“Emily.” The firm sound of his voice stopped her instantly. “I am going to help you, and you are going to let me. You look dead on your feet, and I want to make sure you’re in your cabin safely. Okay?”

Emily’s wide eyes flew to his. Her stomach flipped crazily at the thread of authority that roughened his voice. She nodded, unable to form a word at that moment even if she could find one. His scent and the heat from his body went to her head, causing a dizzy spell that shook her knees.

“Good.” He picked up all the bags, giving her a stern look when she exclaimed it was too much and tried to take one from him.

She followed him meekly across the gravel parking lot. She stopped and let him open the cabin and carry all the bags in, setting them down inside the door. Emily moved toward the fireplace and away from Cole.

“Come here. There’s one more thing.”

Emily tensed. “What is it?” But her feet carried her to him before she could make a conscious decision. She stood a few feet in front of him, mutely staring at his chest.