Santa Fe Fortune & How to Marry a Matador

now. With Robert, she’d in many ways been a girl, a college kid engaged to her first love. Tonight, she was a woman with the accumulated experiences that had made her both jaded and wise.
    She also was no longer attracted to a boy. She’d found a mature man, someone who was strong and caring. Dan knew himself and was sure of who he was. Gwen found his self-assurance and masculinity unbearably appealing. Plus, he had those unbelievably gorgeous eyes and that incredibly sexy twist to his lips that he revealed each time he was teasing. Dan lightened Gwen’s heart and made her laugh with joy. She’d never felt so much happiness around a man, nor had been made to feel at greater ease.
    Gwen anxiously paced the kitchen, hoping Dan would offer her at least one glass of wine. As much as she wanted him, she couldn’t help the tiny knot that was forming in her stomach. While she was certain that Dan would be gentle and loving, she still experienced some minor nerves about them finally being together. Would he love her body just as much out of clothes as in them? Although she suspected he longed to be with her just as much, would he feel the same about her once it was done? Robert hadn’t done much to inspire her confidence in that department. Just as he’d accused her of failing at everything else, he’d said she hadn’t done much for him in bed either.
    Gwen glanced down at her empty ring finger, upset with herself for letting Robert intrude on her life even now. It was high time she fully trusted that Dan and Robert were different. Dan would never say the hurtful things to her that Robert had. He loved her with his whole heart. Dan had said it, and Gwen believed it. From the top of her head to the tips of her toes, Gwen longed to give herself to Dan. She ached to take from him too. She wished to explore every inch of his toned and masculine body, first with her hands and then with her lips. She’d bring her mouth to his and kiss him deeply as he centered his hands on her hips. A brushfire ignited at Gwen’s breasts as she felt the heat spread lower. She had to sleep with Dan or go crazy. She’d never wanted anything more in her life than she wanted him tonight.

    Dan entered as Gwen was cleaning up the kitchen.
    “You don’t have to do that,” he protested, hanging his coat on the rack.
    “I don’t mind, really,” she said with a smile. “Besides, it’s almost done.”
    Dan looked around the gleaming kitchen, appreciation settled into the rugged lines of his face. “Thanks, Gwen. That was really nice of you.”
    “It was no problem,” she said. “You took care of Rascal; I took care of this.”
    He strolled to the center island and pulled two bottles from its built-in rack. “Can I offer you a glass of something? Wine? Whiskey?”
    “Whiskey!” she cried with surprise. “I’d better not.” She’d seen the effect the tequila in that avocado margarita had on her. Gwen decided she’d be safer sticking with a lower-alcohol-content drink. “I’ll take some wine, though. Are you offering red or white?”
    “Your wish is my command.” Dan gave her a sexy grin that sent her heart cartwheeling.
    Gwen pursed her lips to stop herself from saying something foolish. She could think of lots of things she’d like to ask him to do, none of which were proper. “Which are you drinking?” she asked.
    “Either’s great with me, as long as I can sit down and kick off my boots. Bet you’re ready to get out of yours too.”
    Gwen’s heart raced into a gallop as he uncorked the wine. Already he was thinking of undressing her. “My feet are a little sore,” she offered, hearing her own voice squeak.
    He raised his brow. “Need some water?”
    “Got it,” she said, awkwardly lifting her filled glass from the counter and nearly dousing her shirt. She inhaled a quick breath and set it back down without taking a sip.
    Dan eyed her curiously as he poured their wine. Gwen accepted her glass, her hand trembling. Maybe she’d been out in the night air too long. The altitude had gone to her head, then shot straight through to other regions.
    “Are you all right?” he asked sincerely. “You look like maybe you should sit down.”
    And she felt like it, too. The closer he got to her, the more she thought she would pass out. Faint from the nearness of his hot, masculine self. Gwen didn’t know how she’d make it through but was determined to stay strong. He was so god-awful beautiful there had to be a law