Sitting across from her, he saw the emotions run riot in her eyes. She had plenty of guts. He had to give her that. She also had the farm he’d been told was his when the old man died, and he wasn’t going to let her forget it in a hurry. But, Nathan being Nathan, he’d get what he wanted in the end. He also wanted her in his bed, desperately.
“About what you said at the hospital...when I tried to thank you, “ Libby started, the flush he found irresistible rising once again in her cheeks. “I know you’re angry I let Holly go with Tom, and I understand you know the ways of this place better than me, but...”
“That’s just it, sweetheart.” He exploded, his frustration finally rearing its ugly head as he rounded on her, giving her the brunt of his foul mood. “This is a harsh country, and buts just don’t cut it out here. You’re cut out for the city life for Christ’s sake. You’re not a farmer. You don’t have the slightest idea of what you’re getting yourself into. You proved that by almost losing Tom and your daughter.” The look on Holly’s face when he had found them was still burned into his mind. The poor kid had been terrified she wasn’t going to be able to hold onto Tom against the rush of water. He couldn’t bear to think of what would have happened if he hadn’t made it in time. How could he be sure Libby wouldn’t put her in any more danger now that I the little girl had pulled his heartstrings tugged tight? He stood and looked down on her, trying to keep his face void of emotions but his heart was telling him to take her in his arms and put them both out of their misery. “How many more times are you going to put those kids at risk?”
“Now just you look here.” Fire flashed in her eyes and she pushed him back while struggling to get to her feet. “I may be a barmaid, and I know I have a lot to learn, but learn I will. And for your information, I would never knowingly put my kids in danger. Neither would Tom.”
“You don’t belong here.” He gritted his teeth. Though aware the words he was saying were hurtful, he couldn’t stop himself. They were his only defense. He was trying to will her away from him the only way he knew how, by trying to push her to go back to the city. He wasn’t willing to risk his heart to a city dweller again. As much as he wanted this woman, he wouldn’t let her know it. She had the capacity to break his heart when the going got tough, which was in the cards looking at the state of her farm. He wasn’t sure he would survive another crushed heart. Better to get her out of here now before he caved in. “Get used to the idea and move on back home where you belong.”
“Why? So you can take over?” She practically spat at him. “I will not give up what my family’s passed down to me. It’s mine, and you aren’t going to get it.”
But there was one thing he was going to get even while his head screamed for him not to do it. “There’s more than one way to get what I want.” Nathan hauled her into his arms.
Libby tried to push him away, but the contact of her breasts on his hard chest knocked the wind out of him, and he held onto her for dear life. He groaned deep in his throat as he pressed his lips against hers, demanding and hungry. The heat rushed through his veins as his hands slid down to cup her denim-clad butt, pulling her against his hips, leaving her in no doubt he wanted her. She wound her arms around his neck as she molded her body closer to his, impatient noises coming from her mouth.
Nathan pushed Libby against the table, leaning her onto her back. He broke their kiss and looked into her eyes as his fingers lifted the bottom of her T-shirt to reveal a sensible, white cotton bra. Fitting his thumb under the cup, he pushed it up to reveal her naked breasts, watched her nipples pucker in the cool morning air. Before he could stop himself, he leaned over her, traced his tongue around the deep, pink tips, smiling at the way she squirmed under him, before he sucked tauntingly on one nipple and then the other.
He lifted his head and looked at her, knowing her had to push her away before it was too late. God, I can’t believe I’m going to do this.
Nathan shook his head and stepped back, mentally slapping himself in the face for what he was going to do to her. “You see, Libby, I can do whatever I want.”
The look in her eyes turned from sexy and wanton to shattered in seconds. She pulled down her bra and T-shirt and turned away from him. Nathan felt like the biggest heel as he watched her pull herself together. She took a deep breath and looked back at him, her shoulders square and her chin raised in a defiant gesture.
“You may think I’m an easy lay, but I don’t really give a damn what your opinions are. I’ll admit it. I haven’t had sex for a while, and it wouldn’t take much for you to get me into your bed as you’ve tried so hard to show me the last few times we’ve met. I won’t apologize for that. And just for the record, being a barmaid and a single mother doesn’t automatically make me a slut. But it will take more than you bedding me to get the station.” She looked pleased with herself and he silently applauded her.
“If I decide I
