Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(67)

“What’s that?”


“The McKays have always been customers at Settler’s First Bank. I reckon they won’t

take too kindly to a celebration for Chase McKay bein’ sponsored by a competing bank.

”


Silence.


Ainsley looked impressed…and a little peeved.


“I’m sure we could work something out.” Mark glanced at his watch. “I’m afraid I’

ve got a meeting. Could I drop you off at the bank, Ainsley?”


“No. I’ll walk back. I’d like to talk a little more in depth with Mr. McKay about

his ideas.” She winked at Mark. “Maybe try to sweet talk him into hearing my National

West Bank pitch about all the services we offer our new customers.”


“Excellent idea. Enjoy.” He hustled out the door.


Ben gestured to the booth. “Could I interest you in a slice of pie or a cup of coffee

while I hear how well you can service me?”


Her stern look vanished into a reluctant smile. “My God. You are unbelievable.”


“That’s what I’ve been tryin’ to tell you.”


After receiving their coffee, Ben had his first doubt Ainsley would agree to his

proposition. She spent a considerable amount of time stirring sweetener into her cup,

avoiding his eyes.


“Something wrong?” he finally asked.


“No.” She glanced up. “Just trying to grasp how the man who groaned when I talked

about community responsibility last night came up with a brilliant idea for my

community event that cuts my part out of it entirely.”


He shrugged. “I’m not worried. I’m sure you and Settler’s First can come to an

agreement that benefits both of you equally.”


“Will our agreement benefit us both equally?”


So she didn’t intend to skirt the issue. “Yep.”


“Care to elaborate?”


“You wanna talk about this now?”


Ainsley looked around the restaurant, almost comically, before she lowered her voice to

a near whisper. “Actually, yes, I do.”


“Why?”


“Because I’ll be able to think clearly when you’re not touching me.”


Ben smiled unrepentantly. “Words can be just as powerful as a touch.”


She challenged him with an arch look.


He also dropped his voice. “Did you imagine yourself havin’ sex with Mayor Mark?

I’ll admit I imagined you in bed with him.”


That threw her off. “Why on earth would you imagine that?”


“Because I saw how he looked at you, and, angel, Mark was definitely imagining you in

his bed.”


Her response might’ve been, “Oh please,” but she really meant, Go on.


“This is how I imagined it. He’d probably undress you slowly. Kiss you, run his hands

down your chest. Keep all touches gentle and exploratory. When you give him the signal

to move on, maybe by releasing a little moan, that’s when he’ll put his mouth on your

skin. Starting with your nipples. He’ll spend way more time licking and sucking on

them than even you’d like. He’ll kiss straight down your belly and you’ll feel that