Mating Seduction-epub by Bonnie Vanak Page B

deck, the sky as the roof. A table for two with a pristine view of the river was set with a white linen cloth, several glowing candles, fine china and silverware. Upon one of the plates rested a single red rose.
    Jackson picked up the flower and handed it to her. “I wanted to get our night off to a good start.”
    She inhaled the sweet, delicate scent and smiled. This rugged cowboy with his charisma and simple honesty charmed her.
    “You’re a romantic. You know how to treat the ladies,” she teased, not knowing how to break the tension.
    But he did not smile. “Only around you. Around you, I want to try to make everything right.”
    Enchanted, she gazed around the tent. “Your pack dines here frequently?”
    “We come here sometimes to get away, in small groups or solo, just to relax. Or treat our mates to time away and unwind, without leaving the ranch property.”
    She glanced at the dining hall. “Who’s the cook?”
    “Me.” At her raised eyebrows, he grinned. “Well, sorta. I can fry a mean steak when I’m on the range, but I wanted something nicer for you. I asked Cookie to whip up a special dinner.”
    “This is wonderful,” Lexie admitted.
    He pulled out her chair and offered a gallant bow. “Please, be seated. Enjoy your surroundings and I’ll be back.”
    The river burbled over rocks and gurgled below her, lacy whitewater glinting in the nearly full moonlight. Pines flanked the riverbank and in the horizon, the mountains sloped upward. It was a heavenly place to dine. She’d never envisioned Jackson being this thoughtful. When she’d made her devil’s bargain with him, Lexie envisioned him ripping off her clothes in lusty passion, not this tender romance.
    He came out of the tent bearing a bottle of uncorked wine. “I know you like red, and this is a reserve.”
    Tasting the sample he poured, she nodded. “But you don’t drink anything other than beer.”
    His gaze turned warm. “I do tonight.”
    Jackson filled her glass and his, then set down the bottle. He lifted his glass. “To you, Lexie. The best damn barrel racer in the west, and anywhere. And the cutest, as well.”
    Blushing, she clinked glasses with him.
    He returned to the tent and wheeled out a trolley filled with covered dishes. Jackson served each one. A rare, thick sirloin with a twice-baked potato and freshly-picked green beans.
    They talked about the ranch as they ate. Lexie was curious about his lifestyle and why he settled for a pack that chose cattle ranching. She knew he’d been orphaned as a teenager and roved from town to town, hiring himself out as a cowhand, finally settling on the Mitchell pack as his home. But he’d never told her why.
    “I liked how Aiden made the pack into a family and didn’t rule through intimidation, but respect. Everyone here pitches in. I’ve been on ranches, both Skin and Lupine, where some get away with goofing off and letting others work. Not here.” He toyed with the stem of his glass. “Our biggest challenge is we have too many cowhands and not enough females for mating. Every time I’ve returned from herding cattle, it gets worse. I got into a fistfight last week, Lex. It was pretty bad.”
    She touched his hand, troubled by how he refused to look at her. “Beth told me.”
    “Did she tell you I shifted into a wolf and nearly went for Aiden’s throat when he tried to break it up?”
    Shock pummeled her. Attacking the alpha was grounds for expulsion, if not death.
    Jackson tossed back his wine. “Aiden’s a fair SOB. Could have killed me on the spot. Instead, he ordered me to find a mate or leave. I’ve got two weeks and options. There’s a few female Lupines I’ve kept entertained when in town who could suffice. But they wouldn’t ever come close to how I feel about you, Lex. Never.”
    “Jackson…”
    “Wait. Please, let me finish. I’ve got to say this before I lose my nerve. Been thinking about it so long and hard, trying to fit all the right words with all the