Free The Reluctant Texas Rancher (Harlequin American Romance) by Cathy Gillen Thacker Page B

doesn’t get that fiery very often, but when she does it is best to hear her out.”
    Liz stormed outside. Aware they still had an audience, she kept right on going, all the way to the homestead. Jet and Mud were lying on the front porch, waiting for the day’s work to begin. Despite herself, Liz could not pass a dog without pausing to pet it so she bent to quickly give each a scratch behind the ears, then continued on into the cabin.
    She made it as far as the table, then spun around, pulse racing. “You must have better things to do than torment me.”
    “I can’t think of any.”
    He was teasing her, but when she met his gaze he wasn’t smiling.
    Her stomach dropped. “Have you hired another lawyer?”
    Something flickered in his expression at that. Annoyance at having to explain himself, probably. “Nope.”
    Liz huffed in frustration. “Tell me you’re not going to represent yourself.”
    He stared at her. “I don’t have plans to, no.”
    Liz had seen clients self-destruct before. It was never a pleasant experience.
    “You have until three this afternoon to respond to their assertions,” the advocate in her forced to point out. “Or they are going to file that amended lawsuit with the court.”
    He flexed his brawny shoulders, the motion as careless as his attitude. “Let ’em file.”
    “That’s terrible legal strategy.”
    He stood, legs braced apart, arms folded in front of him. Showered but unshaved, and wearing a washed-’til-it-was-soft blue chambray shirt and faded jeans, Travis was every inch an indomitable Texan.
    His gaze drifted over her, taking in her black sheath dress, pale pink cardigan and heels. Ever so slowly, he returned to her eyes. “Why do you care?”
    Liz lifted her chin. “Because what is happening to you is an injustice.”
    He sent her a level look. “And injustice happens all the time.”
    “Not on my watch.”
    He came closer, appearing ready to show her the door. To what had until recently been her private domain!
    Gently, he spun her around and directed her forward. “As you pointed out,” he said, his warm breath brushing her ear, “I’m not on your watch.” He dropped his hand and moved back. “Not any longer.”
    Feeling as if she had been burned, Liz turned right back around. Determined to get through to him, for both their sakes, she spread her hands wide. “Look,” she said in a much more cajoling voice, “sleeping with Olympia Herndon…sleeping with any client…was obviously a mistake.” Just like my taking on your case was. But that didn’t mean they couldn’t remedy the situation.
    Not that Travis looked in any way ready to cooperate with her, she realized in aggravation.
    He lifted an eyebrow. “A mistake you would never make. Right?”
    His sarcasm stung, even if it was on point.
    Liz nodded, keeping her gaze level with his. “Right,” she drawled, her voice every bit as goading as his had been.
    Travis came closer, his expression like that of a lion stalking his prey. Slowly, deliberately, he grasped her elbows. “Sure about that?” he asked in a low, silky voice.
    Liz swallowed, every inch of her going on white-hot alert. “Wh-what are you doing?” She stepped away, aware she was holding her breath.
    He slowly danced her backward, toward the wall. “Putting your willpower and integrity to the test.”
    The feel of his tall, muscular frame pressed up against her trembling body sent a shimmer of need sifting through her. “Travis…”
    He brushed his thumb along her jaw, then her lips, the soft pressure encouraging them to part. “I’m not your client anymore, Liz.” He touched his mouth to hers, all too briefly. “I’m not even your friend.”
    He bent his head and kissed her again, his lips tenderly coaxing and recklessly taking, his sensual mouth moving over hers, until she wreathed her arms about his neck and kissed him back every bit as passionately as he was kissing her.
    When he finally lifted his head, she asked