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“Adding the meat tenderizer to a small amount of water.” She glanced at him, the sight of the big cowboy always made her feel weak. “I hope you don’t mind, I needed a bowl to make the cleaner.”
“No, of course I don’t mind.” Actually, he was mesmerized by the sight of her in his kitchen. She didn’t seem to mind the lack of luxury at all.
“My mother taught me this trick.” She mixed the water and tenderizer together into a paste. “Too much water and it becomes useless. Too little water and the blood won’t absorb it.” She gave it one final stir and then lifted the fork out of the bowl. They both watched the white concoction fall off the end of the fork’s prongs and into the bowl. “There.” She smiled at him. “Perfect.”
Just like those big brown eyes of yours, Bull thought to himself. He was fascinated by what she was doing.
Isabella dipped a finger into the bowl and coated it with the mix. Taking the jeans in hand, she dabbed at the stain, making sure to cover it from edge to edge, rubbing her finger in a circle.
“And this works?” Bull asked.
“Oh yes, of course it does. The meat tenderizer breaks down the protein in the blood.” Suddenly, she felt silly. Benedict lived on a ranch, this was probably nothing new to him. “I’m sure you know all of this.”
“No, I didn’t. It makes sense, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen anyone do it. What’s next?”
She couldn’t help but feel a bit of pride. Somehow, she’d impressed him with this small thing. Isabella, literally, bounced up on the balls of her feet a bit. “We leave it for about half an hour, then rinse the spot with cold water and run the jeans through the laundry on their own. If the stain is still there after it comes out of the wash, we can try more tenderizer.”
“Amazing.” She blushed at the wonder in his voice and Bull reached a hand across and placed it on top of hers. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I guess there’s a lot I don’t know. Sometimes, I’m like a big kid. Cowboys never grow up, do they?”
“You look very grown up to me.”
“Ummmmm,” he mumbled. Isabella had claimed the upper hand again. “Why don’t I show you to your room?”
He gave her a quick tour of his home, nothing too extensive, just letting her know where the important stuff was located. He knew his humble abode must seem tiny compared to the hacienda she called home. “And here is where you’ll sleep.”
He opened the door to reveal a queen size bed sitting in the middle of a room with white wainscoting on the bottom half of the walls and flowery pink wallpaper above it.
“It’s very nice.” Isabella said, taking it all in.
“I guess. Trust me, this isn’t my style. I just didn’t feel like arguing with the person who decorated it.” Carol had gone through a period where she was obsessed with everything French and she’d done the room up in her version of Parisian-chic. Bull had removed the old bicycle and the wrought iron bistro set that she’d bought at a flea market for way more than anyone should ever pay. He remembered well the fight they’d had that day. He’d fussed about the money and Carol had argued how French style was all the rage, so he’d just given in to keep her happy. “I apologize for the room, but it’s the only guest room I have.” There was Luke’s room, but Bull hadn’t touched it, leaving his space exactly how the little boy had left it. He wanted it to be ready for him when he came back, toy soldiers spread out over the floor and all.
Bull placed her luggage on the floor by the dresser. “Ignore all those frilly pillows on the bed, it’s actually pretty comfortable.” He took a seat and the bed springs squeaked. “A bit noisy, aren’t they?”
Isabella opened her mouth to reply, but was struck dumb when she saw the look on Bull’s face. Just like her, he was thinking about fucking her on the bed, imagining the rusty squeal of those springs as he laid on top of her and pounded until the bed broke.
The sexual tension was so thick you could’ve cut it with a chainsaw and Bull needed to get out while he still could. “Well. I guess I’ll leave you to get settled.”
“Thank you, Mr. Redford. I’d like to have a quick shower and freshen up, if you don’t mind.”
“Make yourself at home, you know where the bathroom and towels are. I’ve got some paperwork to do and I’ll start setting up that tour for you. Do whatever you need to do and I’ll meet you downstairs when you’ve finished.”
“Very well.” She nodded her head. “I’d like to thank you for your hospitality. I know you were expecting my uncle. I hope my coming did not disturb you too greatly.”
“Not at all, Miss Cortez.” A lie. She did disturb him. Greatly. “Enjoy your shower.” With that, he rose and left her.
Needing some distance, but feeling compelled to stay close by, Bull gathered several folders from his office and set up a makeshift work area in the living room. Sitting on the couch with his papers spread over the coffee table, he tried his best to concentrate on business - anything to get his mind off the thought of Isabella as she bathed. He found the check he’d written Terra Dura, then tried to focus on the papers in his hands. Invoices. Stock inventory. Blah. Blah. Blah. None of it made sense, all he could see in his mind’s eye was the beautiful woman who was, even now, slick with soap in his shower. When he heard the noise of Isabella leaving the bathroom, he made his escape to the kitchen to wait for her.
A few minutes later, Isabella came bounding down the steps. The shower seemed to have done her a world of good. “Is it working?” Isabella asked enthusiastically when she was in the kitchen.
Bull had been studying the stain on his jeans. “It seems to be. Here’s the payment for Valiente and Feroz, plus the airfare.” He handed her a check.
“Thank you.” Without looking at it, Isabella slipped it into the pocket of the pants she was wearing, a pair of dark, denim jeans that appeared to be painted on her skin.
“Ye gods.” Bull’s tongue nearly fell out of his mouth. This girl had to go before he lost control. If he was smart, he’d show her the door right now. The only thing holding him back was messing up the deal with Don Luis. “Look, Isabella, I got a call while you were in the shower.” It was a total lie, but he needed to get away from her for a while. “I have to tend to some more business.”
“May I join you? If we’re going to be partners, I’d like to see everything.”
“No, no. This is nothing about the stock operation…it’s personal.”
