Diana Palmer - Evan

I t wasnt that he minded the dinner so much, or the business talk that followed it. What bothered Evan Tremayne was the way Anna sat and watched him.

She was nineteen, blond, buxom and blue-eyed, a statuesque young woman with long tanned legs that looked incredible in shorts. Evan had tried for the past year not to notice her, despite the fact that he and her mother did a lot of business together. At thirty-four, he was the eldest of four brothers, and he had almost total responsibility for their mother. The family business was mostly under his control and his life was one long tangle of cattle, personnel problems and financial headaches. Anna was the last damned straw.

Especially, he thought, in that pale blue dress that showed too much of her golden tan and her full breasts. Surely her mother should have said something about that. He wondered if Polly Cochran noticed how fast her daughter was growing up. Polly was never home, though. She seemed always to be busy with some new facet of her real estate business. Annas father was an airline pilot, but he and Polly had separated years ago. He lived in Atlanta, Georgia, while they lived in Texas. In fact, Anna had been given most of her upbringing by Lori, the family housekeeper. Nobody seemed to have had much time for her.

Polly had excused herself to take a phone call, and Evan was left uncomfortably alone with Anna.

Why have you been glowering at me for the past ten minutes? Anna asked softly. Her blond hair was piled on top of her head, and she looked sophisticated and very mature for a change.

Because that dress shows too much of you, Evan replied with customary bluntness. His dark eyes glanced from her face to the swell of her breasts. Polly shouldnt have bought it for you.

She didnt, Anna said with a grin. Its one of hers. I borrowed it when she wasnt looking. She hasnt even noticed that Im wearing it. You know how unobservant she is. Everything with Mama is business.

Your mothers dresses are too old for you, he replied, softening the words a little with a smile. He tended to be more abrasive with Anna than with anyone else in his life because of his unwanted attraction to her. You should wear something more appropriate for your own age.

She took a slow breath and her eyes gently worshipped him before they dropped to the table. Do I really seem so young to you, Evan?

Im thirty-four, little one, he said, his voice deep and slow in the silence of the dining room. Yes, you seem young.

Her blue eyes settled on her folded hands. Mamas giving a party Friday night to celebrate the opening of that new mall in Jacobsville that she sold the property for, she said. Are you coming?

Harden and Miranda might, he murmured. I stay busy.

She looked up, her eyes searching his dark, broad face relentlessly. You could dance one dance with me. It wouldnt kill you.

Wouldnt it? he asked with graveyard humor. He touched his linen napkin to his wide, chiseled mouth and laid it down beside his plate. He got to his feet, towering over her. He was a giant of a man, all muscle and streamlined, from the broad wedge of his chest to his narrow hips and long, powerful legs. I have to go.

She stood up. Not yet, she pleaded.

Ive got things to do, he said.

No, you havent, she said, pouting. You just dont want to be alone with me. What are you afraid of, Evan, that Ill assault you on the table?

He lifted an eyebrow over twinkling brown eyes. And get mashed potatoes all over my back?

She let out an irritated breath. You wont take me seriously.