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

Why had he hoped for their aloneness to make things any different?
    The only sounds in the house were the occasional creaks and groans of the wood structure and the constant chirp of a forlorn cricket crying for a mate. From the window came the occasional howl of a lonesome wolf somewhere off in the distance. But the room across the hall was silent.
    Had he looked for Rose to open her door and seduce him into her room? God, he'd only hoped and dreamed she would entice him into her bed and let him lose himself in her soft curves. He'd thought of little else on the ride home. She was a con artist, an experienced woman, and he wanted her to prove him right. Show him she knew how to use her body to please a man. For one night in her arms, he'd gladly volunteer to ease this constant longing.
    Who was he kidding? He was sorely disappointed. She'd turned out the lantern and gone to bed, without even so much as a good-night kiss. She'd shown him that there would be no dance of seduction tonight. She'd closed the door on him, and though he doubted she was asleep, the message was very clear. Tonight was just like any other night.
    No chaperone, no invitation, no Rose. Nothing but a long night ahead of him, while he tried not to think of the woman lying across the hall. Knowing if he was lucky enough to sleep, his dreams would be of a seductive gypsy weaving a spell around him. He blew out the lantern and stared into the darkness, waiting, hoping she'd come.
    ***
    Travis hurried down to breakfast, needing a strong cup of coffee to clear his head this morning. Sleep had been as elusive as rain in the middle of a drought. Every time he'd dozed, all he'd dreamed of was Rose. That sweet, tempting woman that even in his sleep provoked him, aroused him, and left him wanting.
    The urge to get out of this house, get away from the nearness of Rose, away from the temptation she presented, overwhelmed him. The night had been long and suffocating. He had to get away before he acted upon his urges and lost himself in the wonder of her arms.
    He pushed open the door to the kitchen and froze.
    Expecting to see Cook, he came to an abrupt halt at the sight of a short frame and curvaceous bottom bending over the stove. It could only be Rose.
    She turned around to face him, a pan of biscuits in her hand. "Good morning. Take a seat. The eggs are just about ready."
    "What are you doing in the kitchen?" he asked in surprise.
    She turned and glanced at him, "Cooking is what it's usually called."
    He frowned. "Where's Cook?"
    "Leave the poor man alone. He's not feeling very well this morning."
    "Which usually means that he had too much to drink the night before." Travis shook his head. "So why are you fixing my breakfast?"
    She turned and gave him her full attention, her green eyes sparking with irritation. "I thought you would rather eat than go hungry."
    Travis took a step toward her, and when he reached her side, he lifted a loose curl off her shoulder. "That all depends on whether or not you can cook."
    "Well, I guess you're about to find out," she murmured softly, her green eyes soft and luminous in the pre-dawn light.
    Rose turned back to the stove, and he watched her shoulders relax as she flipped a pancake.
    "Your eggs and pancakes will be ready in just a moment. Take a seat and I'll pour you some coffee."
    He glanced around at the semi-dark room and wondered what she was up to. "Why are you up so early this morning? I could have gone to the bunkhouse and ate with the other men."
    She glanced at him. "I came down to get a cup of coffee and discovered Cook not feeling well. I sent him back to bed, and then I took over."
    "Why were you up so early?" he questioned.
    She glared at him, her eyes narrowing. "When would I have a better opportunity to steal the rest of your mother's jewelry than when you're in bed asleep?"
    "That's not what I meant!" he exclaimed.
    "Isn't that your real question? What was I planning on stealing next?"
    "To be honest, I just wondered if you were feeling all right to be up so early. The sun hasn't even risen. Usually I'm not up yet."
    "Sorry. Guess I'm feeling a little jittery this morning. I ... I couldn't sleep."
    The air between them almost crackled and popped, the tension so intense that Travis felt the need to slip away before he did something foolish, like kiss her. She ran her tongue across her full, red-wine lips, and the urge to nibble softly on her bottom lip until she opened her mouth almost overwhelmed