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

got choked."
    As she returned to her chair, he glanced at her over the top of his wineglass and tried not to react. What he wanted to do was pick her up, carry her upstairs, and slowly peel his clothes off that well- curved body, one piece at a time. He ached to strip her naked and bury himself in the soft folds of her flesh.
    But from somewhere down deep he managed a smile. "Losing a button could be dangerous."
    A blush materialized on her high cheekbones. "You're right, a flying button could possibly hit someone or poke an eye out."
    "That's not exactly the kind of danger I was referring to."
    "Oh?"
    "No. I was more concerned about you exposing yourself. But then again, sometimes exposure is good for the soul."
    "Ah, cowboy, I talk to souls, not expose them."
    He took a deep breath and tried to calm his pulsating body, tried not to think about how much he wanted to forget his conscience, forget the fact that she had stolen from his mother. He only wanted to remember the taste of her lips, the feel of her hot, luscious body pressed against his.
    "I think it's time we retired to the parlor, so that I can sip a glass of brandy," he said, jumping up from the table, eager to get away from the candles, the wine, and the cozy atmosphere.
    "But we haven't had dessert."
    He stared at the beautiful woman staring back at him in her delightful pants. If she wasn't careful, she was going to wind up being dessert. "Not now, maybe later."
    ***
    Rose sat in a high-backed chair and stared uncomfortably around the lavishly furnished room. She'd never stayed anywhere as nice as the Burnetts' home. It was a mansion compared to some of her temporary homes.
    She glanced across the room at Travis and sighed. She'd worn the pants to get back at him for his attitude that morning, but somehow the plan had backfired. Now, instead of feeling in control of the situation, she felt uncomfortable in the tight clothes, particularly since they had not had the desired effect on Mr. Burnett.
    Of course, she hadn't really thought of what kind of effect she had expected beyond blustering anger. She'd thought he would come unhinged at the way she had carried out his command. Yes, she had taken needle and thread and sewn, but not a dress. And to be honest, she'd done very little of the sewing. Eugenia had quickly and efficiently altered Travis's old clothes, which the two of them had found in the attic.
    But the conforming clothes hadn't created the desired effect. He wasn't reacting at all as she'd expected. Instead of venting his wrath, all he'd done was stare. And his stare left her feeling flushed and warm. She'd felt almost naked standing in front of him. Naked and more self-conscious than when he'd barged in and found her in her chemise.
    She hadn't planned on feeling so vulnerable when she and Eugenia had come up with this plan.
    Swinging her legs, her feet dangling from the chair like a small child, she watched Travis reading his newspaper, sipping his brandy. The homey atmosphere left her slightly bored and a little anxious. If she sat here one more second thinking about what she was wearing, she would go absolutely mad. He wasn't paying her the least bit of mind, but was completely engrossed in that silly newssheet.
    She ran her fingers across a cherub sitting on a table. "So, you believe in angels?"
    He glanced up and looked at her, his eyes traveling down the front of her shirt. "Don't know. Never gave it much thought."
    He went back to his paper.
    "I believe in angels. I think they carry us to heaven when we die."
    "Hmm." Travis reached across and lifted his brandy snifter to his lips. "You would."
    "Well don't you?'
    "I don't spend much time sitting around thinking about what's going to happen when I die. I guess I'll find out when it happens."
    He set the glass of amber liquid down and went back to his paper.
    Unable to sit a moment longer, Rose stood and wandered to the window. "Look, the moon's as full as a butterball tonight. A sparking moon, my dad would call it."
    "Hmm. What was your father doing sparking?" he asked.
    "Papa was the type of man the ladies loved. He knew how to sweet-talk his way into getting just about anything he wanted. I guess that's why he eventually married my mother."
    Travis lowered the paper and looked at her. "Where are your parents?"
    "My father's dead. My mother died when I was six. I barely remember her. But people still remember Rosalyn Severin." She sighed. "She was a great stage actress. Played Broadway