Million Dollar Stud

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Sighing, Darcy strolled over to a stone bench and sat down. He patted the seat, inviting Silver to sit next to him. When she didn’t move, he added an incentive. “Afraid?”

Silver stalked over and plunked herself down. “Of you? Hardly.”

“I thought I might make you nervous, is all.”

“Why would you think that?”

Placing his hand on her bare arm, Darcy gently slid his fingers down until they reached the back of her hand. He hid his satisfaction when she jumped, then shivered. “No reason.” As she snatched her hand away, he changed the subject. “What type of flowers are these around the bench here?”

Silver looked up. “I’m not sure. My mother is the gardener, not me.”

“You sure do make great desserts, though.” He needed her to look at him, to reassure himself that she was really as affected by him as he thought, regardless of her attempts to prove otherwise. The truth was always in the eyes, or so books said.

She glanced at him. “Thanks. I’m glad you liked it.”

Her light green gaze seemed darker and more mysterious, or was that just a trick of the fading light? He lowered his voice. “I like a lot about Braybourne Farm.”

Her bottom lip trembled slightly. “Like what?”

“Oh, the location, and the opportunity, and the people…” His finger touched her mouth and moved slowly over her bottom lip until he reached the corner. “You have a pie crumb right here.” He plucked the bit of crust onto his finger, then put his fingertip to his mouth. “Umm, even the leftovers are delicious.”

Silver exhaled. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but—”

“I’m not up to anything, except I’m a man, you’re a woman, it’s a beautiful night….”

“Let’s clear this up right now. I’m not interested in a relationship with you or anyone else.”

He leaned forward. “I’ll bet I can change your mind.”

Silver tried to annihilate him with a look, but her gaze wouldn’t cooperate. Instead there was a hint of longing, overlaid with an edge of excitement. “Oh, now you’ve decided to bet on changing my mind?”

“I like to gamble now and then. What about you?”

“I like to bet on winning propositions.”

Darcy chuckled. “Me, too. That’s why I offered it.”

She gave a flirtatious look, one so instinctively female that Darcy could swear she was unaware she was doing it. “Okay. Say it again.”

“I’ll bet I can change your mind about getting involved with a man.”

Her lashes swept down, then lifted as she smiled, the provocative pout making Darcy itch to possess her. “Not possible.”

“Is that a challenge? I can’t resist a challenge.”

“That wasn’t a challenge.”

Darcy grinned, leaning forward to drop a kiss on the tip of her nose. “No? Who’re you trying to convince? You or me?”

“Getting involved with people you work with can be messy.”

Darcy laughed. “But it could be fun. Don’t forget about fun.”

Her mouth firmed. “There’s more to life than fun, Darcy.”

“Like what?”

“Like love and honor and—”

“Who’s talking about love? I’m just talking about a way for two healthy adults to have a good time for a little while. After all, you said it yourself—I’ll be moving on at some point.”

“That’s the plan.”

“So?”

She shrugged. “So that’s an even better reason not to get involved with you. You don’t have any staying power.”

“You don’t want me to stay?”

Silver shrugged again. “I don’t know. It’s a real Catch-22, isn’t it?”

Darcy drew back and winked. “Don’t worry, Silver. I’m very good at finding my way around obstacles. Especially when the reward is something I want.”

“Set your sights on something else. The only thing I want is to train a championship horse and start winning races.”

Darcy smiled and took the plunge. There was something about this woman that brought out his competitive spirit. “I’ll bet I can help you with that, too.” He’d never done the hands-on training, but one of the top experts in the country worked at his family’s Virginia farm. If needed, he’d call him up and quiz him.

Silver hesitated for a moment before meeting Darcy’s gaze with a cautious one of her own. “That’s a bet I might consider taking you up on. I don’t have a lot of time.”

“I have an idea. If I help you with one, then we automatically put the other to a test, too.” He put every bit of arrogance he could muster into his challenge, positive she had too much spirit not to jump at it, if for no other reason than to take him down a few notches.

Silver stared long and hard. Finally, she nodded and extended her hand. “Let’s see what you’re made of, Rick Darcy.”

Darcy rose from the bench and bent low to capture her hand in his. Jolted at the contact, he impulsively brought her hand to his lips, turning the palm over to press a kiss in the center. Just a quick taste, he promised himself. His lips touched her briefly with a feather-light touch. It wasn’t enough. He looked up at her and was lost as he met the challenging amusement in her eyes. He’d show her. Stepping closer, he dipped his head and licked her bottom lip, her taste melting on his lips like sweet meringue.

“Oh.” Her moan was all he needed to tell him he was on the right track. He licked her top lip, thrilling when she opened her mouth to allow him access. He deepened the kiss as he pushed aside the fabric of her top to caress her shoulder. Her skin had the smoothness of rich cream. He followed this first caress with his lips, working his way toward the tender hollow at the base of her neck. Her head tilted back and she arched into his embrace, her full breasts pressing forward.

He grabbed her waist, lifting her from the bench, pulling her against him. Her hands slipped around his neck, and a small cry of anticipated pleasure escaped her lips. He breathed in the smell of her, spicy perfume mixed with sexual arousal. Her scent surrounded him, invaded him, and he realized he was starving. His lips sought hers again as his hands moved up her body.