A Water Nymph for the Billionaire

Matthew had thought it a good day to spend the last remnants of the early autumn afternoon down at the river; the unseasonal heat would bring animals to the water to drink. So he allowed his men to finish early and while they joyously returned to their homes and families, he grabbed his sketchpad and rode his horse to the river nearby to one of his favorite places to find animals to sketch.He was a well-known artist, but he chose to live out here and only travel for art shows if he needed to. The tranquility and the subjects he could find out here were what held him here, along with his love for the area. It helped that he wasn’t constantly harassed by women trying to get him to marry them like he had in the city. So he preferred it out here.Quietly, he placed himself in the shadows and patiently waited to see what creatures the heat would bring to the river. The warmth often brought deer and other wild creatures to drink of the cool water and he wanted to sketch some animals t

Not being one for dresses, Kara took a hot bath with Epsom salt and baking soda to ease her sore muscles and put on jeans with a nice top and her newer pair of boots. In fact she did not own a single dress and she had no intention to go to that expense at this time. They would just have to meet her as she was. Pulling her auburn hair back in a ponytail with a few strands framing her face that always refused to be tamed, she glanced one last time in the mirror, before she got in the old Jeep and drove to the ranch next door.By the time she got there it seemed that most of the people had already arrived. The yard was filled with vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Clearly the curiosity was greater than she had expected. That or they just wanted any excuse for a party. Brad parked his car just as she was getting out and he greeted her jovially and offered an arm, before he barged in the front door without knocking. She was grateful to know at least one person at this party full of

Mat had a grin on his face as he walked away; he knew she had hated the way he had said goodbye before walking away and he could not explain why he took so much more pleasure out of teasing her than he usually did.Perhaps it was because she seemed to anger so easily and he did like the way her eyes flashed when she was angry, though the blush was quite comely when it graced her face. But the golden shards in her green eyes seemed to flash like lightning if she was annoyed and he could not resist seeing the sparks whenever he met her.After he had met her at the party and had realized who she was, he was more than intrigued as he had realized that his interest was closer to home

And so Friday afternoon at two, Kara was packed and ready to go, though not eager in the least.  A knock sounded on the door and she opened to see a well-dressed Matthew Connor standing in the doorway.  He wore dark blue jeans and a casual, button-up short-sleeved shirt.  The light blue of the shirt made his blue eyes that much more intense.  His casual elegance froze her for a moment.  He smiled a greeting before he took her luggage and loaded it in the back of his 4x4. Well, at least he had some manners, she thought as she locked her front door and came down the steps, trying to calm her nerves.  He held the car door open for her before he went around to the driver’s side.  Kara angrily shoved the thought aside; he had never been anything other than courteous, except for the threat with the painting.  And the threat trumped any manners he might have.There was a long silence when they left the road leading to her ra

Kara awoke pleasantly to the warmth of her bed and the smell of bacon, fresh coffee and toast.  Still half asleep she turned towards the warmth that lay behind her and snuggled closer with a sigh of contentment.  This was entirely comfortable and she was in no rush to wake up just yet.She lay with her eyes closed while she allowed herself to wake gradually.  As the memories of the previous day returned she suddenly froze when a heavy arm went around her and pulled her closer.  A deep contented groan escaped close to her face and she slowly opened her eyes fearing the worst.With a shock she looked into the still sleeping face of Matthew while he held her to him.  How dare he sneak into her room when she was sleeping and get into bed with her uninvited?  Instantly, Kara felt her blood boil and she leaned back and pushed her legs between them, casually kicking him out of the bed so he hit the floor with a heavy thud.She smiled sweet