βBlack is a color; ask Crayola.β
At that, Becca rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips in that sassy
way she did when she was about to lecture him. He loved it and couldnβt help but
grin. βBlack is the opposite of color. It's depressing, and besides, you look
terrible in black.β
βListen, woman, no need for insults.β Nick turned the hose on Becca, spraying
her once, before holding the sprayer up like a gun. βSay you're sorry.β
She glared at him with the intensity of a raging fire. βHit me with that again
and you're dead, Hamilton. Dead.β
βYou and what army? I've got a foot on you, plus all these muscles.β He tugged
off his shirt and flexed dramatically, laughing, until he caught Becca's
expression as she took him in. Her eyes widened a touch and she swallowed, her
clenched fists relaxing as a brief flicker of something that looked a lot like
attraction crossed her face.
But then she cleared her throat and looked away, and before Nick could process
what had just happened, she dashed for the soap bucket. βYou spray me and Iβll
dump this on you.β
He grinned. βThen it's a good thing I took off my shirt. But I donβt have a
change of clothes, so unless you want to see the full frontal, I suggest you
not.β He knew she would redden at his words, but he didn't expect her gaze to
flicker down and then back up to his face, her eyes darkening. God, was it
possible she'd had the same thoughts he'd had about them? Surely not. He flirted
with her all the time, but she never hinted at anything more, never said
anything to suggest sheβd thought about him as more than her best friend. So
what was with all these looks?
Sure he needed to do something or else they might not survive the tension
building between them, he flashed her one more grin and said, βYou can just call
this lesson one of scuba diving: remember to breathe.β
βWhat theβ?β
But before she could finish, he turned the sprayer on her, drenching her from
head to toes and, good as her word, she tossed the bucket of soapy water at him,
the suds hitting him square in the face and then sopping down his chest and shorts.
βI didn't think you would do it!β Nick removed his glasses and shook out his hair.
βI told you I would. Dammit, I'm drenched.β She stomped her foot, but all she
managed to do was splash herself from the puddle that had collected at her feet.
Nick cracked a smile and she pointed at him. βDon't you dare.β Surrendering, he
held up his hands, his eyes on her, covered in water, her hair hanging in
drenched waves around her shoulders, and her hands on her hips in aggravation,
and he thought she might just be the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
The Hamilton brothers have horse racing in their blood, and their
sprawling Kentucky farm is the familyβs pride and joy. But theyβve got plenty of
passion to spareβ¦
Nick Hamilton has always known heβd take the reins of the family business
when his father died, but that doesnβt make it any easier when the time comes.
Especially with his two siblings tempted by a shrewd offer from a huge
corporation to buy Hamilton Industries. Needing advice, Nick turns to his
sensible childhood friend, Becca Starkβand finds her suddenly grown-up beauty
ignites brand-new confusion, and crystal clear desireβ¦
Becca has loved Nick for as far back as she can remember, but she decided long
ago that telling him would be a mistake. Stubborn, strong Nick doesnβt see her
as anything but the tomboy she used to beβor does he? As she helps him untangle
his feelings about the ranchβs future, the familiar bond between them heats into
an explosive attractionβand the kind of love that just might take the leadβ¦
© 2003-2026