In the Arms of the Rancher: In the Arms of the Rancher / His Vienna Christmas Bride

She had no choice but to smile, and it did feel good, dammit. And she couldn’t resist, didn’t want to resist, even though she feared she’d regret it.

“I’ve got to stop by my apartment to change. Do you want to meet me there?”

“Sure. What time?”

Kate glanced at her wristwatch, noting it was not quite twelve-thirty. “Would forty-five minutes work? You realize I’m not going to even ask whether Vic gave you the number.”

He chuckled in reply. “See you then.”

Within fifteen minutes, Kate was entering her apartment. Slipping off her jacket as she went, she headed for her bedroom. She removed the rest of her suit, hung it back in the closet and made a beeline for the bathroom, wanting to wash up before applying fresh makeup.

She smoothed her hair with a brush, giving it a healthy sheen. Makeup was fast and easy. She kept it light, natural looking. Back in the bedroom she was reaching into the closet for one of the outfits she wore only to work when the buzzer sounded on the intercom.

Hawk? Kate shot a look at the bedside clock. Only thirty-five minutes had passed since she’d talked to him. Pulling on a lightweight robe, she went running to the intercom.

“Yes?” she said on a quick breath.

“Ready for lunch?”

A flutter tickled her stomach, clutched at her throat. “Err…” she said, “not quite. Sorry.”

“That’s okay, I’ll wait.”

“You don’t have to wait in the lobby,” she said, feeling uncertain that inviting him up was wise. Still, she did. “I’ll buzz the lock on the lobby door. I’m in the second-floor front apartment. Just walk in. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

“Gotcha.”

That was what she was afraid of, and if he did have her, what did he intend to do with her?

Thinking she must either be nuts or self-destructive, Kate unlocked the front door and, turning, dashed back into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her.

She heard the front door open and Hawk call out, “I’m here, Kate. Take your time. I’m in no hurry.”

In the process of fastening her belt, Kate had to smile. Hawk was—or at least appeared to be—so nice, pleasant. But then appearances, she reminded herself, were deceiving. She sighed, fully aware that she knew that better than most.

When she entered the living room, Hawk was standing with his back to her, perusing the books on her five-shelf bookcase. He looked gorgeous from the rear.

“See something you like?” she asked, her face growing warm from merely thinking about his tight rear.

He turned to smile at her before replying. “Now I do.” He ran a slow look over her, which parched her throat and moistened other places she didn’t care to think about at the moment.

“Ready to go?” she asked brightly, perhaps a bit too brightly.

“Ready for anything,” he said in a tone that was darn close to a purr. “What about you?”

So am I. The thought zapped into her mind and she immediately zapped it back out. “Uhh…” She stalled, trying to think of a reply, then improvised. “Well, if you don’t mind, I’m not ready for lunch…at least not in a restaurant.” She dragged up a facsimile of a smile. “I’ll be spending most of the rest of the day in a restaurant.”

He shrugged. “Okay, what would you rather do?”

She didn’t have to think about that one. “It’s such a mild and beautiful day. “I’d like to spend some time outside. What do you think?” Kate watched as he pondered her suggestion for all of a few seconds.

“I think it’s a great idea,” he said and arched one brow. “Do you like hot dogs?”

Kate had to smile. “I love hot dogs, especially dogs loaded with chili.”

“Well…” he said slowly, “how about we drive to town, park and stroll around the outside of the casino hotels. Some of the grounds are beautiful. When we’re ready, we can go into one of the hotel food courts, have our dogs and, if we still have time, maybe check out some of the upscale shops.”

Kate came to a halt, staring at him as if he had two heads.

“What?” Hawk said, frowning.

“You like to shop?” She managed a fake note of awe.

His frown turned into a wry expression. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say I like it, but I don’t mind shopping occasionally…like two or three times a year.” He grinned at her.

Even as she shook her head in despair at him, Kate grinned back. “Okay. Let’s roll before you change your mind.”

“Good idea.” As if unconscious of his move,

Hawk curled his hand around hers, laced their fingers together and led them out the door.

Kate’s hand tingled with warmth as they rode the elevator to the ground floor. When the doors slid apart, she immediately felt both chilled and angry all over at the sight that met her eyes.

Jeff…What was he doing there? Her earlier fear coursed back. She could hardly miss his hand reaching for the buzzer to one of the apartments. She felt Hawk stiffen beside her, as if readying for a fight, either verbal or physical.

“What are you doing here, Jeff?” she said, trying to tell Hawk to keep his cool by squeezing his hand.

Without taking his hard-eyed gaze off Jeff, Hawk tightened his grip on her fingers.

“I came to invite you to brunch,” Jeff answered, his tone of voice demeaning. “But I see you obviously have already eaten.”

Steel infused Kate’s back and her head lifted, propelled by pride and anger at the insult in his double entendre. A low, almost growling sound in his throat, Hawk took a step forward.

“Don’t,” she said, yanking his hand to hold him back. “He’s not worth your time and energy.” She looked at Jeff with distaste. “I saw a lawyer today. He is going to swear out an order of restraint against you.”

“You bitch,” Jeff snarled. “And you think that should worry me?” His laugh was harsh, demeaning. “I should have taught you who’s boss long ago.”

Kate felt the simmering anger inside Hawk with the tremor that flashed through him from his rough hand in hers.

“You gutless bastard.” Hawk’s voice was very soft, controlled and somehow terrifying. He again took a step forward, loosening his fingers to draw his hand away from hers.

Kate clasped his arm with her free hand, holding him in place next to her.

“I’d advise you to leave, Jeff, while you are still in one piece,” Hawk growled.

Though Jeff sneered and put on an act of bravado, as if unimpressed with the six-foot-six-inch Hawk, he cast a disparaging look at Kate as he turned, yanked open the lobby door, then paused to glance back this time in clear fear and anger. He glared at Hawk. “You have no idea the trouble you’re going to be in.” He sneered. “I have friends in this town.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Hawk drawled, obviously neither impressed nor intimidated. “And all of them in low places, I’m sure. You know what you can do with your threats and your friends. Get lost.”

His face looking like it was about to cave in on itself, Jeff tore out of the lobby. The swiftness of his steps as he headed for his car was proof that the bigger man had more than intimidated him. He had scared the hell out of him.

“Son of a bitch,” Hawk said softly between his teeth, harsh anger in his voice. Tension hummed through his taut body. He made another move, as if to follow after Jeff.

“Hawk, please don’t,” Kate said, tugging his hand.

He paused, but his hard-eyed gaze remained fixed on the other man until he drove away. Only then did he shift his gaze to her. “I’m not a violent man, Kate,” he said, his voice still threaded with anger. “But I’ll take only so much, be pushed only so far…”

“Not today,” she said, smiling in hopes of cooling his temper.

“No?” Hawk raised one brow. “Says who?” The tension and anger were gone; his eyes teased her.

“Me…I…” She shook her head. “Whatever. I’m ready for a walk in the sunshine…I need a breath of fresh air after that nasty encounter.”

Hawk’s expression was sober, but his eyes continued to tease. “Okay, but this jaunt better be good.”

“Or?” Kate asked in challenge.

“Or it won’t be,” he said, grinning, an invitation for her to join him.

Her relief palpable, Kate laughed.

The tension gone, they had a brief tug-of-war over whose car they were going to use. Hawk won with the simple offer to drop Kate off at work afterward.

The hours they spent together seemed to fly by. They talked practically the entire time, except while they were devouring the chili dogs, sharing one order of French fries and sipping on iced tea.

In a boutique in the Forum Shops at Caesars, they discussed the array of colorful cashmere scarves since Hawk was considering giving one as a Christmas gift to his sister, Catriona. Kate didn’t hesitate giving him her opinion.

“This is beautiful. Perfect for winter,” she said, holding up a scarf in swirling shades of forest green, russet and antique gold.

His lean fingers lightly stroked the length of the soft material.

As if he were touching her, a tingle slid the length of Kate’s spine in time with the stroking of his fingers. She drew a quick breath before asking, “Yes? No?”

He nodded. “I think you’re right. “It’s perfect. Is there anything else you want to look at?”

“No.” She shook her head.

“You wouldn’t like one of these scarves for yourself?”

“I’d love one,” she said ruefully. “But my clothing budget doesn’t stretch to cashmere anything.”

From the expression that flittered over his face, Kate was afraid for a moment that he was going to offer to buy her one of the gorgeous scarves. She softly sighed with relief when he shrugged.

“Are you ready to go, then?”

“Yes,” she said, glad he hadn’t made an offer she would have to refuse, even one involving a simple, if very expensive item.

Kate was happy to get outside again and barely noticed where they were walking until they were in sight of where Hawk had parked the car. It was only then that she glanced at her watch for the first time since they had left her apartment complex.

An odd sensation, almost like sadness, settled on her as they drove to Vic’s restaurant. Their day together was almost over. Kate doubted there would ever be another one, as he would soon be leaving for his ranch, his vacation over.

“I had a lovely day, Hawk. Thank you,” she said when he brought the car to a stop in the restaurant lot. This time she waited until he opened the car door for her.

“You’re welcome, Kate.” His hand on the door handle, Hawk looked at her as she emerged from the car, an endearingly soft smile curving his tempting mouth. He leaned toward her. Without a thought, she met him halfway.

Hawk’s kiss was as soft as his smile and gentle, with no sudden hungry pressure or demand.

Naturally, Kate wanted more, a lot more. Obviously, Hawk did, too. A low groan of protest slipped into her mouth as he reluctantly drew away.

Moving back, away from her, he dragged a deep breath into his body. Looking her straight in the eyes, he said, simply, “When?”

Kate didn’t need to question him. She knew exactly what he meant. The heat radiating through her body was a dead giveaway. He wanted her. Always honest with herself, she acknowledged she wanted him just as badly. But…Why did there always have to be a but? Nevertheless, there it was. Feeling she had known him forever didn’t change the fact that she had met Hawk less than a week ago, and she didn’t really know the inner man, the unvarnished person.

Oh, Kate was well aware that there were women who “hooked up” with a man the same day or night of meeting him. Yet as hackneyed as it sounded, she was not one of those women.

“Kate?”

At the soft sound of his voice, Kate blinked to meet his direct stare.

“I’m sorry, Hawk,” she said, disappointment tingeing her tone. “I…I’m just not sure…I…”

“Shh,” he soothed, raising a hand to glide a finger along the curve of her cheek. “It’s all right. I can wait.” A self-deprecating smile played over his lips. “Well, I think I can wait.” His smile turned teasing as he added, “I’ll suffer in silent agony.”

Kate had to laugh, but she felt like crying. “You really don’t need to come back for me tonight. Vic will drive me home.”

There it was, her feeble declaration of independence. Hawk stared at her for a moment, but she knew he had understood. She was feeling pressured and was asking him to give her some room.

He gave her a wry smile and circled the car to the driver’s side. “May I call you tonight, after you get home from work?”

“Yes, of course.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to go, Hawk, or I’ll be late.”

“Tonight,” he said, standing by the open car door.

“Tonight,” she echoed, softly sighing as he slid behind the wheel and swung the door shut.

Kate made it to Vic’s just in time, not that Vic would have said anything if she had been a few minutes late. While he was easygoing—the employees didn’t even have to clock in—she was a nut about punctuality. Although she admitted she had plenty of human flaws, being late wasn’t one of them.

Big deal, Kate thought, hanging her jacket on the coat rack in the employees’ break room. So she was never, or hardly ever, late for anything. What was so great about that? She would be better served by being tough rather than prompt. If she were tough, she would have had Jeff hauled into court for abuse and harassment long ago.

But, no, she hadn’t done that. She had tried reasoning with him. Ha! A lot that had got her. She should have realized early on that there was simply no reasoning with the self-indulgent, narcissistic jerk.

And Kate knew Jeff would ignore any restraining order and would do exactly as he pleased, which meant the continued harassment of her, especially after Hawk returned home.

There was only one thing she could do. Though Kate had thought of it many times, she now felt certain she had to leave Vegas. She had put off the decision because she liked it here, liked her job and the people she worked with. And she loved Vic, Lisa and Bella like family.

No, as much as she wanted to stay, she couldn’t take a chance of putting her friends in danger. Kate heaved a sigh of regret and hurried to the hostess station to relieve the older woman who worked part-time handling the lunch patrons.

She was afraid the day would drag by. It didn’t. The restaurant was so busy, time just flew. Kate also expected Hawk to amble in for dinner. He didn’t. So, of course, not only was she disappointed, but she couldn’t help but wonder where and with whom he might be spending his evening.

After they closed the restaurant, Vic walked Kate to his car. “Are you all right, Kate?” he asked, sounding concerned. “You’ve been awful quiet tonight.”

“I’m fine,” she answered, managing a smile for him. “At least I will be after tomorrow.”

Vic frowned, opening the car door for her. “What’s happening then?”

Kate sighed. “Jeff’s been bothering me again,” she said, touching his arm reassuringly when she saw him grow stiff. “It’s all right, Vic. Nothing happened. Hawk was with me at the time.”

Vic cocked an eyebrow. “And nothing happened? Hawk didn’t do anything?”

She smiled, if faintly, looking at her hand on his arm. “He couldn’t. I held him back.”

Vic actually laughed. “Yeah, right. Honey, if Hawk wanted to go for him, you wouldn’t have been able to hold him back.”

“I said please.” She gave him a sweet smile and fluttered her eyelashes at him.

“Yeah.” Vic nodded. “I can see that would have stopped even Hawk.” Shaking his head, he ushered her into the car. Although she knew he was bursting with questions, Vic didn’t voice even one as he drove her home.

She had no sooner entered her apartment than the phone rang. Hawk. Dropping her purse onto a chair, she hurried to the phone and snatched it up.

Chapter Six

“Hello?” Somehow she managed to keep her voice calm, concealing the eagerness she felt.

“I’m sorry, Kate.”

She froze, hand gripping the receiver. “I won’t speak to you, Jeff.”

Before she could hang up on him, he went on. “Please, Kate, listen. I mean it. I’m so sorry for what I said to you today in the lobby. I was just so shocked to see you step out of the elevator with that man, I…” He paused as if to catch his breath.

Kate frowned. He had made an odd noise. Was he crying? Jeff? Ha! Was she crazy?

He babbled on. “Baby, I can’t—”

“I told you before, over and over again, not to call me that,” she said, cutting him off.

“I know, and I’m sorry. I forgot. Geez, Kate, I love you so much, I can’t stand it.”

“Jeff. Restraining order,” she said, striving for patience. “I have nothing to say to you except leave me alone.”

“Damn you, Kate!”

The call waiting signal beeped. Relief washed through her.

Hawk.

She had to get rid of Jeff. “I have another call. I’m going to hang up.”

“Kate, you will be very sor—” Kate pressed the flashing button. Drawing a quick steadying breath, she said, “Hello?”

“Hi.” His voice was soft, intimate.

Shivering in reaction to the nasty note in Jeff’s voice, Kate dropped onto the chair beside the phone table and curled into herself, trying to contain the shakes. “Hi, yourself,” she said as calmly as possible. “Have a nice evening?”

“You want the polite answer or the truth?”

She dredged up a quivering smile. “The truth.” Or maybe not, she thought, but it was too late to change her mind.

“Well…” He exhaled a very long sigh. “I ate dinner…alone. I went to the pool…alone. I played some poker. I won…alone.” He sighed again, so sad and forlorn. “I took a nap…alone.” That last comment was followed by a groan.

Kate was holding her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing—or was it sobbing?—out loud.

He went on. “I had a late snack…alone. I played blackjack…alone.” Now, as if he was having difficulty controlling his voice, a sliver of humor broke through. He cleared his throat. “I won again…alone. You get the picture?”

She opened her mouth.

He didn’t wait for an answer. “Dammit, Kate, I was missing you like hell the whole time.”

Kate couldn’t hold it in any longer; instead of sobs, laughter poured out of her.

“Sure, you can laugh,” Hawk groused, very close to chuckling. “You had friends and customers around all day and evening to talk to. You were probably even flirting with some of those nice old gentlemen I’ve noticed watching you as you walk away from the tables.”

“What?” Kate blinked. Confusion overrode a lingering fear. “What are you talking about?” She drew an easier breath. “What nice old gentlemen?”

“The ones with the nice old ladies who aren’t paying attention,” he shot back at her, pausing before clarifying. “I mean, those regular patrons I’ve seen there every time I’ve been there.”

“The regular old gentlemen customers watch me walk away from their tables?” How funny, she mused. She really hadn’t known.

“Sure they do,” he answered. “The younger men do, too, when their dates or wives aren’t paying attention.” He gave a short laugh. “I’ve been sending quite a few glares their way.”

“Really?” she asked, pleased and surprised. “Why?”

“I had rather hoped I was the only one watching the gentle, sensuous sway of your hips,” he murmured.

Oh my. Kate grew warm—no, hot—all over. She drew a deep, silent breath and let it out softly, all thoughts of Jeff banished.

“Kate?”

“Yes, Hawk?” Her voice was little more than a whisper of air through her suddenly dry lips.

“When?”

She swallowed to moisten her dry throat and took a look at her watch. “Hawk, it’s nearly one o’clock in the morning.”

“Yeah, I know…and I’m starving.”

For you.

He didn’t need to say it. Kate heard it loud and clear. Not allowing herself to hesitate, consider, she murmured, “I am, too, Hawk.” Starving and scared.

“So?” His voice was quiet, calm, without a hint of pressure.

Kate wet her lips, swallowed again and said, “How soon can you get here?”

“Twenty-five minutes or so, maybe less if the traffic has thinned,” he responded at once, sexual electricity sizzling in his tone.

“I’ll be counting the minutes.”

“I’m on my way.” He hung up.

Determined to push Jeff’s not-so-veiled threats from her mind, Kate replaced the receiver and disconnected the phone cord from the wall jack. Digging her cell phone out of her purse, she turned that off, too, before rising to go into her bedroom.

Hawk had said around twenty-five minutes or so. That was just enough time for her to have a quick shower and slip into something a little more comfortable. Simply thinking about that made her smile as she undressed and headed for the bathroom. Tossing off her clothes, she stepped into the shower, careful not to get her hair wet.

Kate was excited but nervous, as well. She hadn’t been with a man in some time, and in all truth, she had never thought the act of sex was the end all and be all it was made out to be.

What if she disappointed Hawk? On the other hand, what if he disappointed her? An image of him swam into her mind. Somehow she doubted he could disappoint any woman.

Why was she taking this course now, with this particular man? She had had offers before, many times. Why Hawk? Oh, sure, he was very attractive, masculine and made her laugh.

He made her feel safe and secure.

Was that enough reason to go to bed with a man? They were practically strangers…and yet. Kate shook the thoughts away as she stepped out of the shower and stuffed the wet towel and her clothing into the wicker laundry basket in the closet.

Why was she analyzing her reasons? She was thirty-one years old; she didn’t need reasons to go to bed with a man. What she needed was the man, this man, simply because he turned her on something fierce.

She opened a dresser drawer and reached for a nightshirt. No. Why bother? she thought, slipping into her silk, wide-sleeved, knee-length robe. If you’re going to do it, do it right, she told herself, staring into the mirror to smooth her hair.

Makeup? Kate shook her head. No. No artifice. This was the way she looked. It was take it or leave it, Mr. Hawk McKenna.

The intercom buzzed. Kate froze, frowning at her reflection. Maybe she should quickly apply a bit of makeup, if only blush.

No. No backing out, she thought, backing away from the dresser and walking to her bedroom doorway. Drawing a deep breath, she rushed to the intercom to buzz Hawk through the lobby door.

The next instant she nearly panicked. Good grief! What if it wasn’t Hawk? What if it was Jeff, coming to back his threats up physically?

The doorbell rang. Standing rigid, Kate said softly, “Hawk?”

His answer came back as softly. “Who were you expecting? The big bad wolf?”

Close, she thought. Dragging a smile to her lips, she unlocked the door and opened it for him, one brow arched. “Aren’t you? The big bad wolf, I mean.” Swinging the door open wide, she moved back.

Stepping inside, he shut the door, locked it, tossed aside the windbreaker he carried and stood there, leaning back against the door frame. His heated gaze took note of every inch of her body. “I wish I were,” he murmured, closing the short distance between them. “You certainly look good enough to eat.”

“Hmm…uh…would you like something to drink?” Her throat was dry; her voice low, raspy.

His mouth took hers, ending her question. His kiss was every bit as soft, gentle and undemanding as before…for a moment. With a soft growl deep in his throat, Hawk parted her lips with his tongue, delving, tasting every part of her mouth before plunging deep inside.

Afraid her legs would fail her, Kate grasped him at the waist, hanging on for dear life. His kiss was hot, devastating. Drowning in sensations, she slid her hands up his chest and curled her arms around his neck.

Without releasing her mouth, Hawk slowly rose to his full height, taking her with him. Her feet dangling a foot or so off the floor, he carried her into the bedroom, closing the door with a backward thrust of one foot.