โBlack is a color; ask Crayola.โ
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 couldnโt help but
grin. โBlack is the opposite of color. It's depressing, and besides, you look
terrible in black.โ
โListen, woman, no need for insults.โ Nick turned the hose on Becca, spraying
her once, before holding the sprayer up like a gun. โSay you're sorry.โ
She glared at him with the intensity of a raging fire. โHit me with that again
and you're dead, Hamilton. Dead.โ
โYou and what army? I've got a foot on you, plus all these muscles.โ 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. โYou spray me and Iโll
dump this on you.โ
He grinned. โThen it's a good thing I took off my shirt. But I donโt have a
change of clothes, so unless you want to see the full frontal, I suggest you
not.โ 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 sheโd 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, โYou can just call
this lesson one of scuba diving: remember to breathe.โ
โWhat theโ?โ
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.
โI didn't think you would do it!โ Nick removed his glasses and shook out his hair.
โI told you I would. Dammit, I'm drenched.โ 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. โDon't you dare.โ 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 familyโs pride and joy. But theyโve got plenty of
passion to spareโฆ
Nick Hamilton has always known heโd take the reins of the family business
when his father died, but that doesnโt 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 Starkโand finds her suddenly grown-up beauty
ignites brand-new confusion, and crystal clear desireโฆ
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 doesnโt see her
as anything but the tomboy she used to beโor does he? As she helps him untangle
his feelings about the ranchโs future, the familiar bond between them heats into
an explosive attractionโand the kind of love that just might take the leadโฆ
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