Read Online Do You Take This Enemy? by Sara Orwig - Free Book Online

tomorrow night,” he repeated softly. “Seven o’clock, all right?”
    â€œAll right,” Ashley answered, wondering if she was doing the right thing or if her brain had turned to mush with his kiss. “I’d better go in now. It’s just a sprint to the house,” she said.
    â€œNo running over wet ground,” Gabe said, starting thecar and driving as close as possible to her back door. He leaped out and dashed around to open her door before she could react. Dropping his coat around her, he put his arm across her shoulders. “Let’s go.”
    They hurried to the porch and she laughed, shaking her head. Before she could shrug off his coat, he caught the lapels with both hands, pulling her close. Her heart missed a beat and her insides fluttered.
    â€œWe can both think about tonight,” he said solemnly.
    He stood close enough to kiss her, his hands and arms rested lightly against her, although her clothing and his coat were between them.
    â€œIt’s not any solution at all,” she said, but the force had gone out of her voice.
    â€œThink about it and you’ll see. You’re an interesting woman, Ashley. From that first moment, you’ve surprised me. I had a good time tonight.”
    â€œActually, I’ll have to admit, I’ve enjoyed the evening.”
    â€œSon of a gun, I’m making progress. Let’s celebrate,” he said and leaned down to kiss her again, his arms sliding around her waist. He held her lightly, while his mouth covered hers.
    She opened her mouth, her tongue touching his as he held her and kissed her long and soundly. Her heart thudded, and thought was gone in a dizzying spiral. The man could kiss beyond her wildest dreams.
    She didn’t know how much time passed before she pushed against his chest and stepped back. All her senses were heightened and she was aware of the drumming rain—the fresh, wet smell mixed with a faint scent of Gabe’s aftershave—of touching his chest and feeling his drumming heartbeat, of his gaze enveloping her.
    â€œWe need to call it a night,” Ashley told him.
    â€œSure,” he said, stepping back and taking his coat. “Thanks for going to dinner and listening. You think over my offer.”
    â€œI have thought about it, and every time I come up with the same answer—no. It’s impossible.”
    â€œDon’t decide yet. Give it more time,” Gabe said and then he was sprinting through the rain back to his car.
    â€œImpossible man!” she called, knowing he couldn’t hear her above the rain. She watched his long stride eat up the ground. He was filled with energy which made him sexier. She touched her fingers to lips that still tingled. She had finally had some of that girlhood dream come true, and it had been fantastic.
    Marry him, a small voice inside her said. She shook her head and knew she had to get a better grip on reality. The reality of everyday life, the reality of the Brants and the Ryders who hadn’t mixed for five generations.
    The best kisser ever or not, Gabe’s proposal was ridiculous, and she couldn’t consider it.
    In her room, dressed for bed, she sat in her rocking chair and placed her hand on her stomach as she felt her baby move.
    She could marry Gabe, have help for her father, someone to help run the ranch, a father for her baby and a sexy man for a husband. And she would have two children—her own and Gabe’s little boy, Julian.
    His proposition was tempting until she considered her family. Her relatives would disown her. Her father would be upset. And Gabe might have another side to him she hadn’t seen. She didn’t really know him.
    Ashley remembered Lars and the pain he’d inflicted only too well. After working together and dating for two years, she had thought she had known Lars. Yet, he had betrayed her trust completely.
    She sighed. Tonight’s dinner date had been fun, but she had