Convincing the Rancher

“I don’t want you gone.” There, he’d said it, and the shock on her face might well be worth the embarrassment of putting his feelings right out there. “That’s not my intention. Tess, I’m apologizing—for forcing you to stay in the first place and for my behavior since. I’m trying to correct my wrongs.”

She stared at him warily. “That’s nice of you. But like I said before, I don’t need apologies. We’re on opposite sides of this issue—that’s just the way it is. We have to agree to do our work and not take anything personally.”

He’d have to remember those last few words next time he was distracted by her beauty or memories of what they’d shared. None of this was personal. Even the sex hadn’t been personal for her. “I’ll just say good-night, then.”

“Good night,” she said calmly, and went to the door, opening it for him, signaling that their conversation was over.

Slaid clapped his hat on his head and walked out, the shreds of his dignity trailing behind him. He thought back to Jack’s warning earlier today. His friend had cautioned that Tess was hard to get to know, but he hadn’t mentioned that she was a cat, with sharp claws hidden beneath her sleek form. Claws that could softly and easily slice a man’s confidence into bits.

* * *

TESS CLOSED THE door behind Slaid and leaned against it, letting out the breath she’d been holding. She prided herself on anticipating all obstacles, but she couldn’t have predicted this one. An entire town going solar? It was brilliant. She had no idea if they’d be able to pull it off, but it was a truly inspired move.

Unfortunately, she was on the receiving end of their inspiration. She would call Ed tomorrow and tell him about this new development, and then wait to hear what Renewable Reliance wanted to do about it. And in the meantime, she would have to come up with something good, something fabulous, to convince the people of Benson that solar wasn’t the way to go.

I don’t want you gone. His words were pulsing neon in her brain, emanating fear and desire that sent a shiver up her spine. He made her crazy, angry and frustrated. He was her enemy in what was going to be a very tough fight. But in those few moments since she’d arrived when they hadn’t been arguing, when they’d shared a spark of humor or a smile, she hadn’t wanted to be gone, either. And those moments troubled her.

She wandered over to the flowers Slaid had brought—white roses, some pink carnations and a whole bunch of baby’s breath. A standard supermarket offering. She trailed her fingers over the soft rose petals anyway. No guy had ever brought her flowers before. Probably because she rarely told them her name or where she lived. And because women like her, who were so clearly out for just a one-night stand, didn’t inspire the traditional thank-you bouquet after a night of sex, no matter how good.

It was kind of sweet that he’d brought them. Totally inappropriate, of course, but sweet. And yet she’d been hard on him—she’d had to be. Seeing him at her door, totally gorgeous and all hopeful, flowers in one hand, his leather cowboy hat in the other, had just about taken her legs out from under her. And there was no way she could let that happen. She needed them strong and steady and completely reliable if she hoped to win this fight.