The Rancher Takes A Bride (The Burnett Brides Book 1)

and he'd never forced himself on a woman before. He wasn't about to start now.
    She tugged on the rope, pulling him until they were face to face, eye to eye. A stray lock of hair graced her cheek. The jasmine scent he was beginning to recognize as hers teased him. However, the look in her eyes was anything but pleasant.
    "Just in case you're still thinking of trying anything," he warned, "I'm a light sleeper."
    "Mr. Burnett, someday I hope I have the opportunity to pay you back for this humiliating experience."
    He rolled over onto his back and pulled his hat over his eyes. "Good night, Miss Severin. Sleep well."
    "Go to hell!"
    ***
    Travis awoke feeling something warm and soft against him. For just a moment longer he clung to the dream world, knowing he didn't want to awaken.
    That he wanted to continue experiencing the soft, sweet smell he lay curled around.
    He opened one eye and peered into eyes the color of soft green moss. She lay curled in his arms.
    "About time you woke up," she said.
    "Morning," he said, trying to control his body's reaction to the soft scent of the woman he held in his arms, knowing he was doing a lousy job.
    "Sleep well?"
    "Yeah."
    "Too bad. I dreamed you let me go last night. That you knew I was innocent."
    "It was just a dream."
    "I was afraid you'd say that. Do you ever get tired of being right?"
    "Not when I know I am."
    She shook her head. "So if I think I'm always right, and you think you're always right, where does that leave us?"
    "You're wrong."
    She rose up on her elbow and looked him in the eye. "Okay—hypothetical question. What if I were innocent? What would you do if you were me and I proved my innocence? Don't you think, cowboy, that you'd deserve some kind of punishment for kidnapping and dragging me to Fort Worth? For putting an innocent woman in jail?"
    "Lady, I'd bet the Bar None that you aren't innocent. As for punishing me, just having to spend the entire day with you on horseback is punishment enough. It's not even daylight yet and already you're running your mouth off."
    Rose tried to jump up, but the rope tied around her ankle and wrist held her in place. He pulled on the rope, hauling her against his body once more. She turned her face away from him.
    "I'm tired, cowboy. I didn't sleep real well last night. So I'm warning you, go easy this morning."
    Some of her spunk seemed to have disappeared. Gently he pulled her face around until their eyes met.
    A man could forget she was a thief when he glanced into eyes the same color as the green hills of springtime. A man could forget she made her living cheating people out of their money when he gazed at her full, rosy lips. A man could forget about the number of other men who had probably had her, when he was surrounded by her rounded curves.
    All night she'd invaded his thoughts, his sleep, his dreams, and now she lay beneath him, her soft body pressing into his.
    Her eyes widened and she licked her lips nervously. That simple movement was his undoing. With a groan, his mouth descended onto the velvety softness of her succulent lips. Though the sun barely tinged the eastern sky, her breath was as sweet as honey-suckle. In her surprise, she opened her mouth, giving him access, joining them together in the breath of life. He reached up and grasped her face, pulling her closer. He slanted his mouth over hers, wanting to consume her, as if he couldn't get close enough to her.
    His fingers trailed down her face. The rope that joined them together rubbed against her delicate skin, breaking the sensual cocoon he had wrapped them in.
    She pushed him with all her strength and brought her knee up at the same time. He jumped out of the way, breaking the kiss.
    " Salaud ! What do you think you're doing?"
    Rose yanked on the ropes, pulling at the knots, tugging on him, causing him to bang into her.
    "Slow down a minute," he commanded.
    "For what? So you can finish what you've started? Is this the reason you tied me up?"
    He grabbed both of her wrists in one hand. "Just what do you think I've started?"
    She stopped trying to get away, her breathing harsh and her green eyes clouded with alarm. A fear he had put there. At this moment he didn't want to see her eyes, full of apprehension.
    He wanted to see a passion that would overcome them both, giving him permission to do what he really wanted. But that was impossible, and he would do well to remember that Desirée Severin was no lady.
    Still holding her wrists with his fingers, he