Josie grabbed his hand. Her heart was kicking up its heels under her breastbone.
Rick laughed. Oh, man, this is patheticIve lost my game, Josie. I dont know what the hell Im doing.
She laughed, too. You dont need a game with me, she said.
Good, because Im feeling about as suave as a twelve-year-old right now.
He raked his fingers through his wavy hair. Look, I know Im going fast, but Im crazy about you and all I want is to spend time with you.
Josie nodded, so overwhelmed by this mans honesty and goodness that she thought she might cry. She averted her eyes momentarily and checked on Genghis, who was peeing on a tree.
Can I bring Genghis?
Rick chuckled. Absolutely.
Because I can have my parents watch him if its not convenient. He can get wild sometimes.
Ill remember to pick up my boxers from the floor, Rick said, giving Josies chin a little pinch between his thumb and forefinger. The G-man is always welcome. There are a couple dogs up there to keep him company, so theyll have the run of the place.
Really? Josie didnt know what excited her morethat Rick had invited her to his ranch or that he owned dogs! /He loves dogs! Another item from my list!/ I had no idea you had pets.
Of course I do. What kind of pet store owner would I be if I didnt?
Excellent point.
There are about sixteen barn cats up there, too, but only one of them finds humans worthy of his time. Rick paused, letting his fingers brush the side of her cheek. So youll come with me?
When do we leave?
How does now work for you?
Perfect.
Rick grabbed her and hugged her so tight she couldnt breathe for an instant. Even without oxygen, shed never been this happy in her life.
It was a shame that the Sonoma Valley was blanketed in darkness by the time they pulled into the automated wrought-iron gates at Samhain Ranch.
The hour drive from the city was always spectacular, and Rick had never forgotten the impact of the first time he drove up the lane to the property. /Magic./ Thats all he thought. Hed even said it out loud. This place is magic.
Teeny had turned to him and said, Ill tell you whatwith this listing price they better have Houdini himself doing the valet parking.
Because theyd called ahead when they left the city, the main house was lit up from the inside and all the porch lights were blazing. Rick looked in the rearview mirror to see the headlights of Teenys SUV right behind him. The gates closed and locked once both vehicles were in.
Sweet Mother of Jesus, Josie gasped, rolling down the passenger-side window of the Lexus and sticking her head all the way out. This place looks like a resort or something!
Rick smiled. It is. But its just for us.
She popped her head back into the car and looked over at him, her curls messed up from the wind. I had no idea, Josie whispered. I mean, you told me what to expect, okay, but I had no idea it was this amazing. I can already tell the place is magical.
Rick didnt bother to hide his huge grin. Hed known that shed appreciate the place the way he did. Maybe you brought the magic with you, sweet Josie, he said.
As always, Chen and Tara started their barking frenzy to welcome Rick home. Genghis barked his reply, which made his own dogs double their racket. Then Genghis spun out of control, running back and forth on the rear leather seat, barking nonstop in a high-pitched yelp of excitement, as if he were about to have the greatest adventure of his life.
Rick knew how he felt.
Josie didnt bother trying to control Genghis. She opened the back passenger door of the Lexus and let him fly out, a big ball of brown fluff that hit the dirt running, the other dogs in pursuit.
You sure theyre friendly? Josie asked, trying not to sound like an overprotective mother.
Rick chuckled and slid his arm around her waist. Absolutely sure. Since Genghis arrived with me, theyll be cool. Theyre really sweet dogs.
Just then, three blurred shapes charged down the dirt lane, sending dust through the dark air. First was a mid-sized fur ball, followed by a much bigger dog, and then a little creature barking so fast it sounded like a toy machine gun.
First thing I did after I bought this place was go to the pound for a couple mutts to keep me company, Rick said, getting their bags from the trunk.
Josie nodded and bit her lip, trying to keep track of Genghis as the dogs looped around gardens in front of the house. She couldnt help ither little guy had never needed to protect himself from an aggressive dog.
Not even at Dolores Park. Would he know how to defend himself? He could get hurt.
Rick pointed toward the dogs. Taras the little one. Shes a sheltie with terrier thrown in. Chen is the big one. Hes a combination of Rottweiler and a cement mixer, I think.
Josie laughed nervously, still not convinced of the sweetness level of Ricks dogs, especially the cement mixer. When she heard a terrified yelp a second later, her spine stiffened. The pack returned, racing just as fast, the machine-gun barking still at full volume at the rear. Only this time, Chen was out in front of Genghis in a flat-out run, yelping as if fleeing from death itself. Josie smiled.
I think were good, she said. Then she got up on her tiptoes and gave Rick a gentle kiss. Im really glad to be here. I cant wait to see everything.
Before her heels could hit the ground again, Rick dropped their bags and wrapped her in his arms, a clear signal that her little peck hadnt satisfied. He lowered his mouth to Josies with confidence, as if he were sure shed know exactly how to respond. And she did. It was a mystery, really. With most men, kissing had felt like some kind of test to Josie, an intimate gesture that was supposed to convey passion but usually only resulted in a torturous Ping-Pong match inside her mind/does he want me to open wider? Is that wide enough? Does he want a taste of my tongue?
Was that too much? Hes just clamped down on my upper lip, but was that a slip or on purpose, and does he expect me to return the nibble?/ Obviously, it was difficult to enjoy kissing when she thought she was being graded.
There was no such torture with Rick. Just pure pleasure. Pure relief.
Josie let go with a deep sigh as her body melted against his, as his lips captured hers, caressed hers, responded in warm welcome to anything she might give him in return. Now this was kissing, Josie knew. This was bliss.
Her fingers twisted in the curls on the back of Ricks head. She wrapped one leg around his and pressed her belly up against his belt. She didnt worry about making a wrong move with Rick, because there were no wrong moves. They were speaking to each other with honesty. They were connecting. And that energy was swirling and looping through Josie and into Rick and back into her, entering and exiting her body, driving her forward, pushing her on and on and Pardon me, a deep voice said.
Josie staggered away from Ricks embrace, trying to pretend she wasnt horrified.
Teeny gave her a sweet smile. Welcome to Samhain Ranch, Miss Sheehan.
Teeny lowered his voice and looked toward Rick, his eyes big. Sorry about that, man, but Rosa wants to know if you prefer the guest cottage, or your suite, or both, or what. Ill fill her in and then I promise you wont see me till tomorrow.
Rick chuckled. No problem. Lets ask our guest which shed like. Rick pulled on Josies hand until she was touching his side. Any preference?
Uh…
The suite is closer, Teeny offered helpfully.
Well take it.
Rick smiled down on her, laughing. Then he said to Teeny, Tell Rosa not to worry about uswe wont be needing anything until breakfast.
Will do, Teeny said, then he nodded Josies way. Enjoy, Miss Sheehan.