Downhome Darlin' & The Best Man Switch Read Online Free PDF Page B

didn’t seem to be understanding that she hadn’t been herself if and when she’d promised anything.
    â€œWhat I’m trying to say is that I don’t know what I might have led you to believe about me last night...or what I might have led you to believe would happen this morning...but...well—”
    â€œYou’re just not that kind of girl,” he finished for her.
    â€œSomething like that,” she admitted reluctantly, feeling like a fool and thinking Bill Snodgrass must have been right about her after all.
    â€œSo if you’re not that kind of girl, what were you doin’ sayin’ you were last night?”
    She grimaced at the thought. “It’s a long story. I guess you could say I was pretending. To prove a point.” The admission made her cheeks heat up.
    Cal’s handsome face erupted in a full-fledged grin. “So what you’re tellin’ me is that you aren’t a dyed-in-the-wool wild woman? I never would have guessed,” he said facetiously.
    Light finally dawned for her. “Oh, I get it—you’re putting me on.”
    â€œDon’t tempt me, honey, I’m tryin’ to keep off you.”
    â€œI meant teasing. You were teasing me.”
    â€œStill am,” he said with a laugh.
    She was out of her league with this man in more ways than one and she knew it. But she was still worried about what had gone on the evening before. “So what really happened last night?”
    â€œReally?” The lascivious tone was back.
    â€œCome on. Give me a break.”
    â€œA break isn’t all I’d like to give you.”
    She rolled her eyes at him.
    Rather than being chagrined, he only laughed at her. Then he said, “I was takin’ you home, but you fell asleep in my car before tellin’ me where home is. So I brought you here, carried you up to bed and tucked you in.”
    Relief helped her headache. Partial relief, anyway.
    â€œWhere did you sleep?”
    He arched an insinuative eyebrow at her again, but this time she didn’t buy it.
    â€œNot here,” she guessed.
    â€œTo my everlastin’ regret.”
    â€œYou know what I think? I think you’re just a sheep in wolf’s clothing.”
    â€œOr maybe not,” he said with enough of a sexy rumble to his voice to disabuse her of the notion.
    â€œOkay. So you were a gentleman, but it goes against the grain. Thank you anyway.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    â€œNow, where exactly am I?”
    â€œIn my bed. In my house. If you’ve lived around these parts for any time at all—”
    â€œI was born and raised here.”
    â€œThen you probably know this place better as the old Peterson spread—now in the city registry as the Lucky Seven ranch. I believe it started out as a workin’ ranch, got sold off about seventeen years ago and turned into a dude ranch that didn’t catch on, and has been left to rot for the past fifteen-plus years. Or have I been misinformed?”
    â€œRipped off maybe, but not misinformed. I hope you didn’t pay too much or buy it blind.”
    â€œEyes wide-open.”
    But those eyes didn’t seem to be seeing anything but her at that moment. The intensity of his gaze reminded her that they were not having a plain conversation on a street corner. They were essentially in bed together.
    â€œDid I hear you say it’s nearly noon?” she asked.
    â€œYou did.”
    â€œI’m surprised my sisters haven’t sent the sheriff looking for me. I don’t suppose I could impose on you to take me home?”
    â€œNow? When we’re just gettin’ to know each other?”
    The man was a terrible tease.
    â€œPlease.”
    â€œDo I have another choice?”
    â€œYou could make me walk, but it’s kind of far for that.”
    â€œThat wasn’t the other option I had in mind.”
    She didn’t think she was up to knowing what he did