Cougar in Texas: 3 (Rugged and Risque) by Calista Fox Read Free Book Online Page A

ensnared by a woman. That it had happened almost instantaneously meant even more to him. He’d kept his guard up since he’d been a teen, having learned at a very early age what the opposite sex typically wanted from him. His family name on Forbes billionaires’ list was a guarantee he’d never be lonely. But that was not the kind of companionship he sought.
    The woman sitting next to him hadn’t even asked where he’d come up with the money to bankroll the rescue operation, nor had she been quick to snatch his credit card for the room and board. While he had a well-padded trust fund, he hadn’t needed to dip into it for the animal shelter. His grandfather had taught him about the stock market when he was in high school, and he’d invested his graduation money in several sweet spots that had helped him to make even bigger investments later on. He’d also saved his money from birthdays and Christmases, knowing someday it would be better spent on his dream than a collection of comic books or a video gaming system or some other expensive, though inconsequential toy.
    He wouldn’t say he’d made his money all on his own. His family had too much of it for the cash not to flow in his direction. But he’d more than stepped up to the plate to reach this point—a necessary tactic in order to justify his need for independence. He didn’t want to be a drain on the Bennett finances any more than he wanted to be a slave to them.
    Pulling into the drive of the B&B, he wondered about the current course of action to take with Reese. While his libido was in high gear, he also knew any sort of involvement with her would not be strictly physical. He wasn’t the love ‘em and leave ‘em type.
    He cut the engine and she attempted to release the seatbelt again.
    “You’ve got to get this thing fixed.”
    “Already planned to trade the SUV in for a truck next week. But in the meantime, you’re my captive audience.”
    She sucked in a breath, audible over the chirping of crickets and the rustle of leaves that blew in the gentle breeze, which filtered in with her window still cracked.
    “You have another point to make?” she asked, her brow lifting.
    “Yeah. I’m not looking for romantic complications any more than you are. We both have our issues to work through. But…” He shook his head. “Sometimes you have to step off a cliff. Otherwise you stay stagnant. And potentially miss out on something worthwhile.”
    “Meaning?”
    His chest pulled tight. He had plenty of dilemmas to wade through, but something drove him to say, “I’m going to kiss you again. If you decide you want me to do more than that, just nod your head.”
    She did before he even leaned in. “I already know. Not sure how it’s gonna go, but… I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want one night with you. I swear I thought I’d never be attracted to anyone ever again. I don’t want to ignore it.”
    His eyes narrowed on her. “One night?”
    With another nod, she said, “You were right. Neither one of us is interested in emotional entanglements.”
    Rubbing his thumb against his jaw helped to loosen it. “I’m not into that, Reese. If this spark between us is real, I’m not going to pretend it isn’t. And I’m sure as hell not going to use you to scratch an itch.”
    She frowned. “But you said we both have issues to work through and—”
    “I also said sometimes you have to jump off a cliff. It’s entirely possible there’s a reason we responded so quickly and easily to each other.”
    Shaking her head, she said, “I can’t travel that path with you, Caleb. I know what it’s like to be emotionally devastated and I can’t take that chance again.”
    Clearly, she had no idea that she’d already started down the path with him. She’d shared the humiliation of her divorce and he’d told her of his dream. He’d been introduced to her friends. They’d danced together, holding each other intimately. And their kisses… They hadn’t