Nearly two hours later, when twilight had given way to the thickening darkness of night and the reception was in full swing, Josh got tired of watching Eliana smile for and dance with everyone but him. She was doing a helluva job of convincing everyone they hadn't really come together and it was seriously starting to irritate him.

He got the feeling she was running scared - scared of what she wanted from him and afraid if she wanted too much, he'd be hightailing it away from her faster than she could blink. He wasn't too sure he wouldn't. But if she didn't give him a chance, neither of them would ever know what they might be together.

When Lee walked up to her with a smile that said he intended to get her in his arms on the dance floor, Josh had had enough. Shoving his untouched shot glass back on the bar, he strode over to her, slipping his hands around her waist from behind and leaned in close. "You're not wearin' that name tag."

Eliana started and twisted to look at him. His used her surprise to his advantage, sliding an arm around her and turning her toward the dance floor in one smooth motion. "Excuse us," he told Lee over his shoulder. "The lady owes me a dance."

He was congratulating himself on getting her to himself again when she suddenly stopped short and wriggled out his hold to face him, fire in her eyes. "Let's get one thing straight. I agreed to come with you tonight but it doesn't mean I owe you something."

"Come on, Ellie," he said, trying on his best placating smile, "you know what I meant."

"No, I don't. But if you meant to brand me as another of Josh Garrett's women then you can turn around and go find yourself one who's willing to take the iron."

"You aren't just another woman, and you know it."

"All I know is you're acting like I am. And we both know that's about as likely as me winning yesterday's lottery."

"Check your ticket yet, sweetheart?" he flipped back and then, deciding to bet the house, pulled her close and kissed her.

She pushed him back hard and for moment, they held a staring contest, with Josh sure he'd just lost it all.

Then she blindsided him by grabbing his shirtfront with both hands and this time she was the one pulling him close, kissing him back. Everything, everyone around them except her disappeared. All he could think was this felt too good, the feeling shooting through him as electric as the high he got when he was in chute, they flung open the gate and the world exploded and for those few seconds he owned it.

Except this was longer, deeper and when they finally stopped because neither of them could breathe, it stayed with him, potent and leaving him wanting more.

For a man used to talking his way out of anything, her habit of doing things that left him speechless was messing with his head. Not that he was sure he could have said anything that would have made sense but he'd have liked to have a fighting chance. But it wasn't gonna happen, so he gave up, gently tugged her into the midst of the dancers and just held her.

From the book "The Cowboy's Lady"
By Nicole Foster
Silhouette Special Edition
July 2008
Copyright © July 2008
by Danette Thompson and Annette Chartier
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher.
The edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S. A.
For more romance information surf to: http://www.eHarlequin.com

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