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“Senor Redford! Welcome!”
Bull turned to see a middle-aged man coming forward, dressed in a white linen suit, carrying a dapper gold-handled cane. Taking off his Stetson, he held in at his side. “Don Luis?”
“Si.” The genteel Mexican extended his hand. “I am indeed glad to have you in my hacienda.” Don Luis made an expansive gesture. “I hope you find Terra Dura comfortable during your visit. I look forward to taking you on a tour of the ranch and showing you our fine animals.”
“I can’t wait to see. I’m sure they’re outstanding.”
“Come into my office and let’s celebrate your arrival with a drink.”
The hour was a little early, but Bull wasn’t about to question the judgment of his host. “I am a bit parched.”
As he followed Don Luis across the expansive foyer, Bull was surprised to hear a commotion. To his shock, a small wiener dog dashed in front of him, apparently fleeing some horrible fate.
“Come back here, Lola. We’re in the middle of your bath!”
Bull stopped in his tracks, his attention completely captured by the vision before him. A beautiful young woman was chasing the dripping wet dog. Dressed in knee-length shorts and a white tee, damp enough to qualify her for the world’s finals wet T-shirt contest, she was femininity personified. His jaw almost dropped to the floor and his mouth began to water. Temptation, thy name is woman. Bull tried to contain his reaction, especially in front of his host, but it was hard - literally, he was damn hard.
For the second time in a matter of days, Bull had met a woman who proved his worst fears wrong. There wasn’t a damn thing wrong with his cock. He removed his hat and held it in front of his erection. How could he be so attracted to this woman after what he and Carmen had shared? Hell – maybe he could blame his overactive libido on the months and months of abstinence he’d endured.
“Isabella! Return to your quarters this instant! You are not dressed to entertain!”
Oh, Bull begged to differ, he felt very entertained. And at the same time, he felt…guilty. Even though he wasn’t committed to Carmen, he’d like to be. Still, he couldn’t have kept his eyes off this delicate confection to save his life.
Isabella was so engrossed in her chase to recapture Lola, that it took her a few heartbeats to realize she was standing in front of Benedict Redford.
Her Benedict Redford.
Despite the unexpected circumstances, Isabella’s face broke out in a radiant, welcoming smile. “Hello,” she offered, her voice trembling with excitement, “I’m so glad to see you! I didn’t expect…”
“Isabella!” Don Luis came toward her. “Did I not request that you return to your room? When you are more respectable, I’ll introduce you to our guest.”
Crossing her arms over her breasts, she had to hold herself back from running into Benedict’s arms. Isabella could hear her uncle speaking, but she wasn’t comprehending his directive. She was too surprised and elated to be standing in front of her cowboy to think straight. “How did you find…the ranch?” she stumbled, not really knowing how to proceed without giving herself away to Don Luis.
“How do you do?” He returned the lady’s greeting, albeit a young lady. “Senor Cortez gave me good directions.” After getting a better look at her, the girl was probably no more than eighteen, if she was that old. Despite her killer curves, she had the fresh-faced look of an innocent. Couple the girl’s apparent youth with her relationship to the man he was trying to impress, made this young lady strictly off-limits.
In other words, taboo.
“Since you’re refusing to comply with the simplest of requests, let me do the honors.” Don Luis stepped between them. “Mr. Redford, meet my niece, Isabella Cortez. Isabella, this is Mr. Bull Redford, a man who’s come to view the best Terra Dura has to offer.”
Bowing his head a slight bit, Bull acknowledged the young woman’s rapt stare. He couldn’t help but note Cortez’s comment, Bull knew he was viewing the very best Terra Dura had to offer – right in front of him. “Nice to meet you, Miss Isabella.”
She gazed right into his eyes, searching for some hint of recognition. At first, Isabella thought he might be joking. Surely, he recognized her. She knew there were differences, no makeup to speak of and her hair was a mess, not to mention her casual clothes. Oh, and lack of a mask, that could be a big factor. “Ben…?” she began to venture a query, but was abruptly interrupted by her uncle shouting her name.
“Isabella!”
“I guess you ought to do as your uncle asks and leave us grown-ups to take care of some business,” Bull whispered to his young admirer.
There was no way Isabella could miss the faintly condescending tone on his part. A dart of pain sliced through her. What was going on? He might not recognize her, but he seemed like a different man. “Fine. Excuse me. I did not intend to interrupt such an important discussion.” Ducking her head, she murmured to Lola who was hiding behind a big potted plant. “Come on, girl, let’s go upstairs.”
The truth hit Isabella like a bolt from the blue. Benedict not only didn’t recognize her, he’d just dismissed her as if she were a pesky fly.
Well, she’d just see about that!
“Ah, pardon my young niece, she is a little hard to handle at times,” Don Luis gestured broadly for Bull to follow him to the patio.
If she weren’t jail-bait and there was no Carmen, of course, he’d damn sure like to give handling her a try. “Kids, they’re something else.” Bull felt extremely uncomfortable.
“Do you have any children, Mr. Redford?” Don Luis asked the question while he punched a few numbers into his phone.
