Chapter One

IT WASN'T LOVE at first sight.

"You were supposed to meet me inside," Tiffany Cooper accused.

One long finger pushed up the black cowboy hat, which had been covering the face of the man lounging in the Jeep.

"You talkin' to me, lady?" Taking the hat off, he dropped it on the empty passenger seat no one could've occupied. He looked comfortable, arrogant and gorgeous, his long, jean-clad legs stretched across the space, booted feet resting on the dash. Her gaze traveled to his face. As Tiffany observed green eyes drinking her in from head to toe, she realized she'd left out one word in her quick survey of him… dangerous.

"Maybe I could find a taxi," Tiffany muttered under her breath.

"What are you mumbling about, lady?" He flashed a smile that revealed strong, white teeth.

She dropped her two suitcases, one on each side of her. Brushing aside a strand of her dark hair, Tiffany studied the man. "There must be a mistake," she said. "The gentleman in the terminal told me my ride was out here."

Her mother wouldn't have sent him. Picking up her bags, she pivoted away from the man still lounging in the battered Jeep as if he didn't have a care in the world.

She only took a couple of steps, before his low-pitched voice curled around her body like a strong hand physically stopping her. "You wouldn't happen to be Tiffany Jane Cooper, would you?"

Tiffany's mother was the only person who called her Tiffany Jane. Letting the suitcases fall at her sides again, she eased her body around.

Jumping to the ground, he rolled back the sleeves of his chambray shirt. It was unbuttoned at the cuffs, giving the impression he'd dressed in a hurry. "You Tiffany Jane Cooper?" he repeated.

"And just who are you?" she asked, not admitting anything. Her eyes went to his shiny black hair. It was longer than hers, almost to his shoulders. It looked soft.

He pointed to the sign on the side of the Jeep. "Cody S. Star," he announced, trying to be heard over the noise of a departing jet.

Tiffany read the rest. RECREATIONAL GUIDE.

Raising an eyebrow, she wondered what type of recreation he specialized in. Then she noticed a big yellow Tweety Bird pillow lying on the back seat. He couldn't be that bad.

"You want a ride or not? I don't have all day you know."

"Are you sure my mother sent you to pick me up?"

"Did you expect a limo to be waiting for you?"

She thought he snarled when he picked up her bags and threw them into the back of the Jeep.

Considering the sign on his Jeep again, she climbed onto the seat. She smoothed her peach silk skirt. "What does the 'S' stand for?"

Copyright © 2004 Susann Batson