"What are we wagering?"
"Well," Michael paused to confer with Nicole. After whispering in her ear, he turned back to Dakota. "If we loose, we'll wash your truck."
Finally a smile graced her lips. "And if you win?"
"Nicole wants an ice cream sundae."
"I can handle that. What do you want?"
Michael stared deep into her moss colored eyes. A spark flickered in their depths. Was she thinking about their kiss earlier? His eyes fell to her lips and his entire body tensed as she trailed her tongue across the bottom one. "I'll let you know after we win the game."
"How do I know if it's something I'm willing to wager?"
"I guess you don't." His words were softened by the deep smile he felt pulling his lips upward. "You up for the game or not? Nicole and I win anyway if you forfeit. Right, Nicole?"
"Yup. We'd win anyway." Nicole stared up at Michael. "What's forfeit?" Laughter rang from everyone in the room.
"It means your Mommy is afraid to play us because she knows we'll beat her...bottom."
"That's it." Dakota grinned. "You two'd better watch out. I'm a'wanting my truck cleaned."
The game went on for a few hours. They even ate dinner as they played and Aunt Fanny jumped in with advice for Dakota when it was clear she was losing. Finally at eight o'clock, with all her property mortgaged, Dakota admitted defeat.
She dished up an ice cream sundae for Nicole and offered one to Michael and Aunt Fanny. Michael accepted, secretly smiling at her failure to mention what she owed him. He lingered over a cup of coffee as Dakota helped Nicole get ready for bed and Aunt Fanny picked up the kitchen.
Deep in thought, Michael barely realized the passage of time until he heard the front screen door squeak. Quietly, he crossed the house, propped one shoulder on the front door jam, and watched Dakota. She leaned against the porch railing, the moonlight bathed her. Her hair glowed a deep red against the darkness of the night, the soft cool breeze brushing around the house played at the ends of the long strands. Her face, upturned slightly, seemed to be taking in the symphony of crickets. Her eyes lifted to the sky and Michael smiled when he realized she was wishing on a star.
The door squeaked at he stepped onto the porch, drawing Dakota's attention. Their eyes met and Michael wondered if he'd ever get used to the intensity of hers. Shoving her hands into the pockets of the jacket she'd slipped on, she leaned with her back against the railing.
"I thought you'd gone back to the guest house."
The sound of her voice shimmered over his body. He stepped closer raising his hand to her cheek. It's softness rested against his palm, the warmth of her breath caressed the base of his hand.
"I couldn't leave yet." His voice sounded thick, heavy, even to his own ears. He dropped his gaze to her mouth even as his hand circled her neck, drawing her closer.
"How come?" her question spoken so soft, the breeze almost carried it away.
Lowering his face, he stopped when his breath mingled with hers, when their lips brushed gently. "Because," he whispered, flicking his tongue along the edge of her mouth. 'I still have a debt to collect."
Llama rancher Dakota Carey had her heart set on adopting her foster daughter, a beautiful little girl she couldn't love more if she'd birthed her herself. After almost five years, that wonderful day was in sight…until Social Services informed her that they'd found the little girl's father. Dakota came to New York to see the father's attorney and find out her options. It didn't look good. On top of that, a storm shut down the airport, delaying her flight home. Her first view of Michael Birrel was of him harassing a ticket agent because the poor woman couldn't get him on a plane before morning. Boy was he sexy! But, he was rude. Worse than rude, he was intimidating. What's worse than intimidating and rude? He's Nicole's father!
What do you get when you mix a sassy little spitfire, a tough businessman used to getting his own way, and a healthy dose of attraction? A lot of laughs, and a steamy sexual tension that just doesn't quit! With Dakota's Darling, Cassandra Lee proves once again that e-books are getting a bum rap. Like the other's I've read, this book is a top quality read, one guaranteed to touch the heart.