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"To do what? Finish e started before my dad interrupted?"

Carter lifted his eyebrows "Don’t pretend it was one-sided"

"I’m not"

"Good But the main reason I want you to come over is because I need you to pose for me"

Not the answer she’d expected "Seriously?"

Carter pulled on his jeans and she couldn’t help but stare at his ripped abs Daers do the walking down that yummy muscled torso and beyond

"Seriously I never kid when it coone from playful to deadly serious "I suppose I’m not scheduled to work today anyway"

"Work here on the Bar 9? That could be fun You andhere on the ranch"

"Then where?"

Would a polite look of distaste cross his face when he discovered she was just a cook? "I took a job as a cook and a waitress at the Last Chance Diner"

Carter’s eyebrows lifted again "When did you do that?"

"The day we met at the rodeo Dad and I stopped for supper and I saw the help wanted sign"

"Ah So are you any good?"

"At what?"

His hot gaze lingered on her mouth before a mischievous smiled curled his lips "At cookin’ of course, what did you think Isuspicious? Especially after all the innuendos dripping froue?"

"Baby, those aren’t innuendos, but the gospel truth And I can’t wait to show you all the tricks ht black T-shirt went over his head, covering up his abs of steel Dressed, he grinned and leaned over her "I’ll be back as quick as I can Be ready"

He brushed his lips across hers and vanished out the door

Carter had to remind himself no matter ent on with Macie, Cash was still essentially his boss Surprisingly enough, he and Cash worked well together--albeit in complete silence They unloaded the new mares and helped Gey The wisps of clouds didn’t stifle the heat Luckily the night’s rainfall kept the dust to ato clean up the broken tree branches By the time they finished, the electricity was back on

After Gemma and Cash drove off to check cattle, Carter moved his truck fro the stored fro her car keys in her hand It pleased hi for him

He sood enough to eat

"--great"

Macie fussed with the straps on the long gauzy white dress "Is this all right? I didn’t knohat to wear"

"It doesn’t aze snapped to his "No nudes If this is where you tell et naked--"

"No I’ll be workin’ on portraits Pen and ink or charcoal; I haven’t decided which

I’ll wait to see how the light is today" She’d look stunning in any light As he studied the angles and lines of her beautiful face, that intriguing expression appeared again

"What? You’re staring at me"

"Get used to it, ’cause I’ll be doin’ it a lot" His comment seemed to make her more uncomfortable so he backtracked "Doesn’t look like you’re ridin’ with me"

"I’ll follow you in my car, that way I can leave when I want"

He didn’t like it, but he h"

Carter’s place was a couple ofthe potholed gravel road on autopilot, he i up her slender thighs, her curtain of silky hair flowing behind her as she rode wild and free across the Wyoe froze in his mind It would work as a still life as well as a medium-sized sculpture He’d need to capture the texture of the fringe and the beads, the s horse and the proud set to her chin

So intent was his brain on cataloging theechoed next to his head The fog lifted and he saw Macie frowning at hilanced around Whoa He hadn’t realized he’d stopped the pickup

Carter offered her a guilty smile before he hopped out of the truck "Sorry I lose track of tiet to thinkin’ Come on The studio is in the barn"

Macie trailed after hiathered his supplies and attempted to create professional distance "I want to take advantage of this light So we’ll start outside" He threaded the strap to his caoing to take pictures offor them I can leave?"

"Technically…yes" His eyes searched hers "But I want you to stay Will you?"

After a moment she nodded