An Heir For The Texan. KRISTI GOLD
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She’s hiding a secret from this rancher that may change everything...
Georgie Romero’s daddy had one die-hard rule: do not get involved with Austin Calloway. Yet when she left town six years ago, her fling with the blue-eyed heartbreaker wasn’t the only secret she hid. Now the job of a lifetime has brought her—and her young son—back to the Calloways’ Texas ranch...and the sizzling chemistry with Austin that still lingers.
As the daughter of a rival family, Georgie has always been forbidden. But Austin’s never been one to follow the rules. Will he feel the same way about Georgie once he learns about their son?
“Before you go, there’s something I just have to do,” Austin said.
She released a weary sigh. “What now?”
“This.”
He framed her face in his palms and covered her mouth with his before she had time to issue a protest. She knew she should pull away, but as it had always been, she was completely captive to the softness of his lips, the gentle stroke of his tongue, his absolute skill. No one had ever measured up to him when it came to kissing. She suspected no one ever would.
Once they parted, Austin tipped his forehead against hers. “Man, I’ve missed this.”
“We’re not children anymore, Austin. We can’t go back to the way it was.”
He took an abrupt step back. “I’m not suggesting we do that. But we can go forward, see where it goes.”
“It won’t go anywhere because you’ll never be able to give me what I want.”
“What do you want, Georgie?”
“More.”
* * *
An Heir for the Texan is part of the Texas Extreme series— Six rich and sexy cowboy brothers live— and love—to the extreme!
An Heir for the Texan
Kristi Gold
KRISTI GOLD has a fondness for beaches, baseball and bridal reality shows. She firmly believes that love has remarkable healing powers, and she feels very fortunate to be able to weave stories of love and commitment. As a bestselling author, a National Readers’ Choice Award winner and a three-time Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, Kristi has learned that although accolades are wonderful, the most cherished rewards come from networking with readers. She can be reached through her website at www.kristigold.com, or through Facebook.
To my former farrier and dear friend Stephanie S., and her fantastic mother-in-law, Florence, for all the support they’ve shown me throughout the years.
Love ya both.
Contents
If Austin Calloway had to hang one more damn holiday light, he’d book a flight to the Bahamas to ring in the New Year.
For the past six Decembers, the D Bar C Ranch—his home, both past and present—had morphed from a South Texas ranch into a fake winter wonderland, all in the name of community involvement. Next week, the chaos would begin with cars lining up to bask in the holiday glow and deliver toys for underprivileged children. As much as he appreciated the cause, he didn’t particularly care for the effort involved in transforming the place, especially while being supervised by two nitpicky female relatives.
After draping the last string on the barbed wire, Austin hopped off the fence flanking the entry and climbed onto the ATV, taking off through the main gate toward temporary freedom. He passed by the family homestead, where his sister-in-law, Paris, sat on the front porch, hands resting on her pregnant belly. He raised his hand in a wave, and grinned when he noticed his brother, Dallas, struggling to set up the inflatable Santa beneath the massive oak while his blond-haired bride cheered him on. But his smile faded fast when he thought about his own failed marriage, and the loneliness that plagued him during the holidays.
Shaking off the self-pity, Austin picked up speed before someone chased him down, namely one of the two self-proclaimed elves now hanging angels on the manicured hedges. As much as he appreciated Maria, the former nanny who’d become his much loved stepmom after the death of his birth mother, and Jenny, the surprise stepmom they’d only learned about six years ago during the reading of his father’s will, he was more than done with the decorating demands.
Once he rounded the corner and reached his own cedar-and-rock house, he pulled into the driveway, shut down the ATV, then slid into the cab of his dual-wheel truck. He backed out and retraced the path he had taken, not bothering to acknowledge the family members standing on the lawn, shooting dagger looks in his direction. He continued toward the safety of the highway as he headed to an atmosphere where he could feel more macho.
A few miles down the road, Austin pulled into the gravel parking lot at the outdoor arena and claimed a spot among all the stock trailers, plagued by past memories of the life he’d left behind. He’d said goodbye to the rodeo circuit several years ago to enter the cutthroat world of car dealerships. Actually, several truck dealerships spanning