It wouldn’t change anyone’s opinion of him in the slightest if he gave Sarah a verbal thrashing right in front of everyone for suggesting this. In fact, that was the behavior they expected from him.
And Sarah knows it.
This is her attempt to stick it to me.
Let her have her one dinner. It won’t change a thing.
And it won’t bother me because it doesn’t matter.
She’s here until I work her out of my system, until I dull the edge of my need to kiss those pink lips she’s pursing so seductively at me right now. Let her invite whoever she wants to dinner. Knowing that I can sink my teeth into that ripe little ass that’s she’s deliberately waving in my face right now will more than make up for the aggravation.
Stone-faced, Tony addressed the men. “Y’all be at the house tonight at seven.”
“Yes, sir,” they said practically in unison, then continued to stare at him wordlessly.
“Now get back to work,” Tony ordered and almost smiled as the men scrambled to do just that. One paused in front of Sarah as if he were about to ask her for the pitchfork, then changed his mind and hurried off.
When they were alone, Tony pulled her into his arms, his hands instantly claiming the curve of her ass just above the high hem of her shorts. Her soft flesh felt just as good as it had looked and he claimed her mouth hungrily, impatiently wishing they were somewhere more private. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed herself wantonly against him and moaned in pleasure. He kissed the side of her neck and threatened, “You put me in a difficult position there. You’ll pay for that tonight.”
She rubbed herself against him, sending a throb of need through him in a punch of lust. “I’m counting on it,” she murmured, throwing her head back and moaning softly.
He bit the lobe of her ear in gentle chastisement and said, “You need to learn who is in charge here. I don’t mind putting time into training you.” She froze in his arms, then relaxed, and he chuckled. “Good girl, you’re starting to understand, Sarah. Don’t challenge me again. You won’t win.” He kissed her deeply, not stopping until she was sagging with need against him. Then he said, “I’m going to enjoy making you beg for your orgasm tonight. Beg until I forget how deliberate this setup was.”
Sarah pulled back a bit and flipped her long mane over one shoulder. “Sounds like it’s going to be a long night, especially since I invited your brother.”
“You did what?” Tony boomed, grabbing her arm.
She smiled impishly up at him and said, “I know how to use redial also. His number wasn’t that difficult to uncover.”
This time she’s gone too far.
“Not going to happen. Call him back and tell him dinner is off.”
Sarah ran a hand playfully down his cheek. “Yeah, about that. I’m going to need considerable training before I jump when you use that tone with me.” She pulled her other arm out of his grasp and said, “If you don’t want your brother to come, call him and tell him he’s not welcome. I have a dinner to organize.”
Taking advantage of his moment of shock, Sarah flounced out of the barn. Tony rubbed a hand roughly across his face while he attempted to recollect the thoughts she’d just scattered from his brain.
David entered soon after her departure. “So, we’re all eating at your place tonight?” he asked, his tone heavy with amusement.
Tony glared at him but kept his profanity to himself. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to stop swearing if he started.
Chapter Sixteen
Why did I think I could do this?
What if tonight is a disaster?
Standing on Tony’s front porch, Sarah saw David walking by and waved him over to talk. He looked back at Tony, who was glaring at both of them from the doorway of the barn, then headed in her direction, stopping just a foot before the bottom step.
Sarah bit her bottom lip and looked across the driveway at Tony. Their eyes met and held for a hot moment. David, the ranch, everything else disappeared, and she could feel his need for her pulsing through the air. She wanted to run to him. He looked like he was considering closing the distance between them, swinging her over his shoulder, and taking her to his bedroom without a care for who was watching—until he turned abruptly away and strode back into the barn.
Sarah let out an audible sigh of longing and sagged against the top of the railing. In the quiet that followed, Sarah whispered, “Will you help me?”
David took off his hat and brushed it against his jean-clad thigh. Quite blandly he said, “Depends on what you’re asking.”
Sarah gave him a funny look, then continued, “I can’t cook. I invited more people than will fit in his dining room. And I don’t even know where the damn town is to go buy what we need. Why did I think it was a good idea to invite everyone to dinner tonight? Why didn’t I think this through? Is there any way this is not going to be a complete disaster?”