You grill every man I date. You wont let me go to New York and find my own way in lifeMatt, Im a grown woman, she said, trying to reason with him. Youre an old bachelor!
His eyebrows lifted as he lit another cigarette. Honey, Im just thirty-one.
And someday youll be fifty-one and all alone, and what will you do then? she asked haughtily.
He smiled slowly. I guess Ill start seducing kids your age.
She opened her mouth, started to speak, thought better of it and closed her mouth with a snap.
My, my, the fish arent biting today, he said conversationally. Boldly, his dark eyes wandered slowly down the length of her slender body, assessing her; then suddenly they shot up to catch her eyes. She stared back, and the world narrowed to Matts face. Cows bellowed all around and cowboys whistled and called, moving them along, but she no longer noticed them. A wild tingling feeling raced through her body as she studied Matt. Never before had she looked at him so intently.
He touched the cigarette to his chiseled mouth, breaking the spell. No comeback, Kit? he murmured dryly.
She sighed. I cant fight you, she muttered. You just laugh at me.
Its less dangerous than doing what Id like, he returned, his dark eyes sparkling.
Try slinging me over your knee, cattle baron, and Ill make you a legend in your own time with that brochure you want drawn up, she threatened.
No you wont. He threw down the cigarette and ground it out. Were buddies, remember?
We used to be. Then you started being so horrible to me, she reminded him. She dusted off her stained jodhpurs. God knows what Ill tell Mama about the way I look, she added, giving him a mischievous glance.
Tell her you tried to seduce me, he suggested with a wicked grin.
Thatll be the day, she said darkly,
turning back toward her horse.
Dont you think you could? he teased.
She mounted, feeling odd at the suggestion, and glanced down at him. Actually, she told him, I dont know how.
No experience? he asked mockingly, but there was a serious note in his deep, drawling voice.
Ive been saving myself for you, didnt you know?
He laughed softly. Have you?
It was new and heady to flirt openly with Matt. Shed never done it before. She wrapped the reins gently around one hand and stilled the nervous little mare, patting her neck as she talked softly to her. Her amused eyes met Matts. Better lock your door at night.
His dark eyes twinkled with new lights. I do. Ive been terrified of you since you graduated from high school.
Have you really? She grinned. I did notice all the women you gathered around you to protect yourself from me.
He didnt smile. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Your suitors have been conspicuous by their absence the past few months, he remarked.
She lifted her shoulders. Jack gave me up in the early summer, she said. He was afraid youd kill him if he tried anything with me. He even said so.
He looked toward the cowboys, who were starting to drive cattle through a nearby opening in the fence. Ive got work to do, honey.
Conference over. She sighed. You never talk to me.
He looked up, and something in his black eyes made her nervous. I may do thatsooner than you think, little Kit. His gaze grew piercing, searching. After all, youre straining at the bonds for the first time. Youll fly away if Im not careful.
Im not a bird, you know, she said pleasantly.
More of a tadpole, he murmured.
You call me a frog again, and Ill tell Hal and Jerry, she threatened.
Tadpole, not frog. Go ahead and tell them, he challenged, smiling. Remember me, Kit? Im the black sheep.
Some black sheep. Youre the one with the brains and the strong back, she had to admit, softening as she looked down at him. His face was creased with harsh lines that neither of his brothers had. It was always Matt whod had the lions share of the responsibility. Hal did what he pleased, and Jerry did what he could, but he didnt have Matts business sense and was intelligent enough to admit it.
Was I asking for a vote of confidence? he asked with mock astonishment.
You never would. But youve got mine, she said with a soft smile.
He seemed to tauten at the softness in her voice. Risky, Kit, looking at me that way, he said with a faint smile. I might go crazy right here.
You, go crazy over a woman? she asked with a laugh. Thatll be the day. Anyway, it would take someone with experience and pizzazz. Im just your pesky stepcousin.
Youre a beauty, young Catherine, he returned, and seemed to really mean it. She colored gently at the masculine appreciation in the look he gave her. Quality, all the way.
Youre not bad yourself, cowboy, she murmured demurely. I have to go home and change. I thought Id go see a movie later.
Did you? What kind of movie?
Theres one of those very adult shows at the drive-in, she confided. I thought Id take Hal and educate him.
His face went hard all at once, and the sudden eclipse of humor surprised her. No, he said quietly. Not Hal. If you go to any drive-ins, Ill take you. And not tonight. Ive got a date already. Ill take you Friday.