The Best Blind Date In Texas

“I don’t date all that much,” he defended, “and yes, I’m definitely single—and planning on staying that way.”

“Mmm. Messy divorce?”

“Messy marriage.”

“Oops. Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m better off now than ever. But the experience did leave me with a rather bitter taste for tying the knot again.”

“I understand. I’m certainly not ready to rush into anything either. I’m going to have my hands full getting the clinic back to full speed as quickly as possible.”

Gray hesitated, but Amy had left the perfect opening for him to explain something. One of his rules. He liked her, more than anyone he’d met recently, but she needed to understand how he operated so she wouldn’t be hurt.

“Amy, I’ve really had a great time tonight, and I think you’re a wonderful person. I don’t usually say this outright, but I’m going to in this case.” He drew in a fortifying breath. “I don’t know what you’ve heard about me around town, but I have an unspoken rule.”

“About dating?”

“Yes. You see, I never have a second date with anyone.”

She sat up, her eyes showing surprise. “Never?”

“Not since I moved to Ranger Springs.”

“So that’s why you’ve dated so many different women.”

“Whatever Thelma and Joyce arrange,” he said, taking another sip of his drink.

“Thelma and Joyce? But I thought my father arranged this evening.”

Gray shrugged. “Maybe he did, through my unofficial personal dating service.”

“He’s in cahoots with those two women.”

Gray smiled at Amy’s accusing words, softened by the love shining from her eyes and the fondness evident in her voice. She’d complained earlier about her father’s meddling, but she obviously cared for him very much. “Perhaps.”

“I’m going to have a serious talk with the man.”

Gray shook his head. “Not on my account. Like I said, I’ve really enjoyed this evening.” He certainly didn’t want to be the cause of any problems between Amy and her father.

“But you want me to know there won’t be a repeat.”

He jerked his thoughts away from Amy’s relationship with her father to the one she’d never have with him. “Yes. You see, I realized early on that if I dated any woman more than once, the gossipmongers would jump on the news. And then if I didn’t date another one but once, some perfectly nice woman would get her feelings hurt.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you,” Amy said carefully, “but doesn’t having only one date with any woman cramp your style?”

Gray laughed. “Not really. Like I said, I’m busy with the move of my company, hiring and training employees and expanding our markets. I don’t have that much time for a social life.”

He hadn’t had one in so long, as a matter of fact, he rarely missed the quiet, shared evenings, dinner conversations with someone well known, the feel of a woman’s warm flesh after making love. At least he told himself he didn’t miss those things. If he thought about how long he’d been abstinent—nearly two years—he might not be as cheerful.

His last relationship, a comfortable, no-pressure affair with an equally career-minded lawyer he’d known socially for years, had ended before he’d decided to move from Dallas. He hadn’t been serious about the woman; he’d just fallen into the mutually satisfying affair after his divorce.

Strange, but Amy’s assertions she wasn’t looking for a long-term relationship, especially one with a husband and children, echoed his own position now. He wasn’t looking for the complications a family would bring…and yet, the longer he lived in this close-knit community, the less objectionable he found the idea…in theory.

Gray mentally shook his head. He had no business thinking along those lines. Especially not while he was out on his one date with Amy Wheatley.

“So what do you do when Thelma and Joyce fix you up? Do you turn them down?”

“Well, I haven’t so far, but I may have to start. They do seem to be getting a little persistent in their efforts.”

“Poor Gray,” Amy said with a smile. “So many women, so little time.”

A problem many men would gladly accept, he knew. And yet he found the process tedious. Boring. All those words some men applied to their permanent relationship. To married life.

He had to stop thinking along those lines. He was still in performance mode, still giving yet another woman a perfect date.

Gray grabbed her glass and gave his best effort at acting the role, a ferociously teasing frown. “One more remark like that and you won’t get another drink.”

“One more outrageous revelation from you and I’m going to need another drink.” She held up her hand. “Seriously, a soft drink would be great.”

He laughed as he left the booth, but sobered upon approaching the bar. Amy was a unique woman. He’d really enjoyed this evening, despite the fact he’d started thinking about certain taboo subjects. Despite the fact she made him want things that weren’t in his immediate future.

Perhaps it was best that they wouldn’t be repeating the experience.

“ONE MORE DANCE TO close out the evening?” he asked as she listened to the soulful sounds.

One more chance to stand close to this one-date bachelor, to tempt herself with what couldn’t happen? They’d danced at the fund-raiser, but in a more structured setting and style. Here, on the minuscule dance floor, Amy had a feeling Gray would let his guard down just a little.

One more chance to tempt herself? “Why not?”

He led her onto the parquet floor, pulling her closer than he had at the fancy hotel. One hand closed warmly over hers, while the other slid down her back to rest low on her waist. She felt the heat and imprint of his fingers through the silk of her dress, just as she felt his chest brush against hers. Their legs moved in rhythm, with only his pants and her skirt touching.

For just a moment, she longed for him to pull her close, until there was no polite distance between them. Until she could feel the beating of his heart against her breast and experience the sensation of his hot breath on her neck.

But such romantic, physical contact would be ludicrous. She wasn’t into one-night stands, and Gray had been honest about his dating rules.

When the song ended, she let out a sigh. Someone slowly turned up the lights until she could see Gray’s pensive expression. But then, as he always seemed to do, he schooled his features into a neutral, pleasant expression as he gazed down at her.

Then her stomach rumbled.

Not just a tiny little sound, but a clearly discernible signal that she was hungry. Starved, in fact.

Gray chuckled. “I did mention earlier that you were eating like a bird.”

“Prime rib isn’t my favorite, and even if it were, I’m not sure I could have forced down another bite of the shoe leather we were served.”

“To tell you the truth, I could use some food myself.” He raised his arm and glanced at his watch. “It’s after midnight, so that means we can officially have breakfast.”

“Officially?”