Hot Westmoreland Nights - Brenda Jackson [48]
Zane smiled. “But we’re family.”
Ramsey nodded slowly. “Just make sure you remember that when dealing with Chloe in the future.”
Derringer lifted a brow. “So that’s how things are going to be from now on?”
“Yes,” Ramsey said without a smile on his face. “That’s how things are going to be from now on.”
Chloe’s eyes were glued to Ramsey as her gaze ran over him. Her attention was directed to him so much that she missed part of what he’d said to the others. All she knew was that when she glanced at the men, they were staring at her as if with new insight. Subconsciously, she reached for her scarf to adjust it around her neck, wondering if they were seeing far more than she wanted them to see.
Deciding the mood around her had turned much too serious, she pulled out of Ramsey’s arms and said, “I suggest you go put on a shirt. I’m about to fry some more bacon and I’d hate for popping grease to hit you.”
She saw the grin on his face and was almost taken back at how different his attitude was from last week. It was a vast improvement. Would one night of mind-blowing lovemaking do that to you? She would be one of the first to admit that whereas she should feel tired because of the brevity of sleep the night before, she felt renewed energy running through her body. Although she had to force herself out of bed, after having slept wrapped in Ramsey’s arms, once she had begun moving around the kitchen she had actually felt rejuvenated.
“Thanks for the warning,” he said, and leaning closer he placed a sensuous peck on her lips before strolling out of the kitchen. The swagger on his walk was enough to give any woman heart failure, while making her wonder just what he could do with that swaggering body beneath the sheets. She knew the answer to that firsthand and remnants of pleasure flowed through her body from the memory.
Pulling in a deep breath she glanced at the four men who were staring at her. They had become a bunch of regulars during breakfast and lunch, always arriving earlier than everyone to chat with her and with each other.
From their conversations she knew about the horse breeding and training business Zane, Derringer and Jason were about to embark on, as well as the fact that Callum was in no hurry to return to Australia, although she hadn’t figured out why.
Clearing her throat, she asked, “Would any of you like anything else? More coffee?”
Before they could respond, she could hear vehicles pulling up in the yard. She was grateful her day was about to begin and welcomed the opportunity to stay busy.
“And you’re sure without Zane, Derringer and Jason’s spread that you’ll still have enough land for your sheep to graze?” Dillon Westmoreland leaned back in the chair behind his desk to ask his cousin.
Ramsey didn’t respond but looked as if he was lost in other thoughts. “Are you okay, Ram?”
Dillon’s concerned question snapped Ramsey’s attention back and he couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, I’m okay.”
After breakfast Ramsey decided to leave the house for a while, not to avoid Chloe, but to give her the time she needed to prepare for the noon hour. Had he remained he would have done everything he could have to get her back upstairs or better yet, he would have played his hand at enticing her into participating in a number of quickies. So trying to behave he had driven over to Shady Tree Ranch to spend time with Dillon and Pamela.
He could feel Dillon staring at him and looked up and met his gaze. “I understand things have turned somewhat serious between you and your cook, Ram.”
Ramsey didn’t have to wonder where Dillon had gotten that information. And today, Ramsey had no problem acknowledging that was true. Even when he had dated he’d never been into sex just for the sake of sex, which is why a casual relationship with a woman never appealed to him. And because he hadn’t been in the market for a serious relationship either, he’d been satisfied to remain a loner. It was