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"I already ned temper

Satisfaction crossed his features "You surely did"

She lifted the fingers of one hand to her ht Her eyes held his as if the ansas close at hand, but she just couldn't seem to reach it

"I'll take those" His voice was deep, almost feral as he watched her

"Those what?" Her eyes narrowed at the tone in his voice

"Those lips" He gritted out

"Luke"

"Emma"

"I believe we decided not to wager kisses"

"No, you decided not to wager kisses"

"We shouldn't--"

"You can always fold your cards and we can call it a game I won"

"No! I'ame, I have the hand!"

"Fine by me I'll take kisses instead of matchsticks"

She looked hie the seriousness of the offer "How many kisses?"

"Het all theyou horseback riding tomorrow"

She sucked in her breath at his words "I've never been horseback riding before"

"We'll have to go slow, get you used to it" The words were said softly, as if he were talking about so horses

She contemplated his offer in silence for a moment "And if I lose?"

"Three kisses" The offer was solid, firotiable

"Three kisses?" she asked A hot thrill went through her She'd already figured out that she ht it was a bet she could afford to lose

"Three goodnight kisses," Luke qualified

"Does that ht if I lose?" Ereement explained

"No Ittonight"

E her like a cat that was playing with alike it before in her life He was looking at her like he'd like to eat her if he could, and Emma was both flustered and flattered by his interest A sense of urgency drove her to accept his bet, but the anticipation of winning the game had soo out on the ranch with hi from the back of a horse For that reason she wanted to win the bet, but the thought of having to kiss hiether

"Why do you want to kiss me?" The question slipped out before she could stop it

He didn't try to deny it "Because you're pretty and sweet and taste good"

"But I ith a limp and--and--"