She emptied her cup “Is it getting hot in here?”

  “Is that your way of refusing to answer?”

  “No. I guess you’re right. Men have locker room talks, and so do women.”

  Baxter moved his hands to her slender ankles, rubbing the delicate bones. “What are your thoughts?” Her cheeks flushed pink and he smiled.

  “About size?” She shifted on the cushion.

  “Come on. You’re not innocent. You admitted women talk about these things.” Before he realized what he was doing, his hands were on her calves massaging the tight muscles.

  “I-I’m not stuck on size. I think it’s all in the moves.” Her whispery soft voice made his heart hitch.

  The blanket tented and he ached to adjust his body, but he couldn’t take his hands, nor his gaze, off her beauty. He moved his fingers higher, caressing her thighs where the hem of the robe ended. He saw her bottom lip tremble and she slightly bent one knee. Was it a subtle invitation?

  He’d never been so turned inside out so easily.

  With a low growl, he reached over, placed his hands around her waist and pulled her atop him. Her thighs straddled him, her warmth spreading through the blanket. The robe came open, just enough that he could see the tops of her bare breasts.

  Tangling his fingers in her damp, wavy hair, he pressed his fingertips against her scalp while she gazed down at him, her lashes fluttering against her cheeks that were scattered with a dusting of freckles. Her tongue came out to swipe across her plush bottom lip and he so wanted to sample that sweet pucker again, but he knew he needed to slow down. Way down. To allow things to take a natural course—allow her to take the lead that she was comfortable with. It took lots of control to not dive in and forget the steps of that particular course. Abriella wasn’t a woman a man could take advantage of, or forget that she was amazing and sweet.

  He swallowed against the constriction in his throat and when he thought he had his voice, he said, “I want to kiss you.” Her eyes drifted closed and her lips parted ever so slightly as he felt her thighs tremble above his. “Abriella?”

  Her lashes fluttered open and she looked at him with complete trust. Did he deserve so much trust?

  “I want you to look at me while I kiss you.” He smiled.

  “Okay,” she whimpered the response.

  He tugged her closer and their lips met, and his moan mingled with the snaps and crackles of the burning wood in the fireplace. She tasted like a fresh strawberry and smelled like a delicious confection. He cupped her cheeks with his hands as he rolled his tongue along the plump curve of her upper lip, then lower, nibbling the delicacy. A sweet erotic moan drifted from her and he swallowed the sound.

  Touching her tongue with the tip of his, he tangled them together and kissed her slowly, containing the need to press her back against the couch and take her fast and hard.

  Her hands smoothed up his biceps, clinging to his shoulders. He pulled back, fully aware that his breaths were labored, matching hers. Baxter kissed her chin, her neck, and followed the feminine line of her neck to kiss her shoulder where the robe had slipped down one arm. Her skin smelled so good and she was so soft that he felt like he needed to take great care in touching her. If he lost control, he might hurt her and that was the last thing he wanted.

  Her fingers came up to tangle in his hair. She tugged at the strands ever so gently while her back arched, sending the front of the robe open more, exposing firm breasts. Beautiful pale globes with perky nipples. And she had to ask what the attraction was?

  He kissed a path to the dip between her collarbone, nipping the smooth skin and rewarding her with licks.

  He wanted her so badly he could taste it.

  And then something changed in her.

  Her back straightened and she closed the robe, sliding from his lap. Her eyes were passionately lit, and her bottom lip was trembling and moist. He filled his lungs with a deep breath, trying to calm his body and wrap his head around what was happening. “What, Abriella? Did I do something?”

  “I can’t do this.” She stood, tugging the robe tight around her body as if trying to hide her internal feelings from him.

  He stood, ripping his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. I moved too fast,” he groaned the words feeling like a total shit. He’d read the cues all wrong.

  “I-I thought I could, I really did, but this can’t happen. It was the massage, the fire, and the way you looked at me.”

  “I don’t want to pressure you.”

  “You’re not pressuring me. I mean, you did ask me to marry you. That caught me for a loop.”

  He blinked. “I didn’t plan on mentioning it, but why is that so wrong?”

  “Do you really need to ask?”

  “Hell yeah I do! I was serious and it felt right.”

  She crossed her arms over her waist. “I’m confused. I’m afraid to jump too far and then realize I have no footing. This all scares me.”

  Although she talked in circles, he understood. Completely.

  “I should go to bed. You have the couch, right?” She was already stumbling to the back of the cabin where the twin bed with the brightly patterned comforter was.

  Baxter dropped down on the couch, burying his face in his palms. What the hell just happened? She was hot one second, and like the flip of a switch, she became icy cold. Why did he think she wanted him? Had he been fooling himself? Imagining the subtle signs? Dropping his hands to his knees, he shook his head allowing his gaze to steer toward the bed. He’d never wanted anyone like he wanted her, and if she hadn’t stopped, they would have jumped far ahead, just as she suggested.

  She tossed and turned and dragged the blanket up over her head.

  The heat still burned like lava through his veins with the most intoxicating need. What he needed was a cold shower, but instead he stayed rooted on the couch.

  Laying back, he covered his eyes with his bent arm and prayed that sleep came to him soon. His body ached worse than any cold or flu.

  That’s when he heard her call his name.

  Was he dreaming?

  He popped his head up and the golden light of the fire caught her face. She was sitting up in bed, holding the blanket against her chest.

  “Abriella?”

  “It’s silly for you to sleep on that small couch. This bed isn’t much bigger, but there’s room enough for the both of us.”

  He blinked, questioning what was happening. Was this a test?

  He wanted to join her, but could he keep his hands to himself?

  Several minutes floated by with her still watching him.

  Then he followed the urgency of his body and went to her. She drew back the cover and he climbed into the bed—into something he couldn’t stop if his life depended upon it. The mattress creaked under his weight as he snuggled closer.

  Abriella rolled over to her side and, because the bed was so small, he had no choice but to cuddle her and lay his arm around her waist. It felt good. Like this was where he belonged all along. “I hope this is okay.”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  He closed his eyes, inhaling her sweetness and hoping his body didn’t embarrass him. He wouldn’t allow things to go to the next level until she was ready, but until sleep came to him, he would be tormented.

  “Baxter?”

  “Yes?”

  “Why did you ask me to marry you? I know what you said at the bakery, and moments ago, but I need to know the truth.”

  How would she understand that he needed a wife to get his land? “I knew then, just as I know now, that there’s something between us. Something worthwhile.” Those words held truth.

  “And you thought getting married would solve my problems?”

  “This might make me sound like a pig, but yes. Marry me and you won’t have to worry about money and the building you rent would be yours.” And I will have you.

  There was a long hesitation. “Where would we live? I can’t leave Tarnation. At least not now. Anyway, what good would me owning the building be if I’m not close?”

  What could he say? He couldn’t live here. He had a life back on his ranch. “Those are small hurdles that we’d have to work out.” Small? Damn. There were some very large hurdles between them. “I’m sure most couples have the same issues when they decide to tie the knot.”

  “Have you been engaged before?”

  “No.”

  “In love?”

  His throat constricted. “Yes, or at least I thought I was. When it ended, I got my full sight back.”

  She rolled back to face him. “I can’t say yes to your proposal, but I promise I’ll consider it. Okay?”

  His heart beat faster as he threaded his fingers through her hair, kissing her forehead. “That’s all I can ask. Goodnight, sweetheart.”

  *

  The morning light billowed in through the window and Abriella fluttered her eyes open, instantly remembering that she’d invited Baxter to sleep in the same bed with her, but he was no longer there, nor was he even in the cabin.

  She touched the tips of her fingers over her lips. They were still warm from the kiss they’d shared. Her skin tingled from the scraping of his whiskers on her cheeks. Her gaze automatically settled on the couch where things had changed between them. Changed because somewhere along the way she’d fallen for him. She’d wanted things to go to the next level, but fear had made her stop.

  What was she afraid of?

  Feelings? Emotions? Being in love?

  For so long she’d kept her emotions under a protective blanket and Baxter was attempting to rip off her defense, leaving her vulnerable. Having never seen what a good relationship looked like, Abriella worried that she would fail. Her mother’s marriage failed. Stella had lived unhappily for a big part of her life. Still wearing the scars of losing the man she loved. Abriella couldn’t bear the thought of losing someone she loved once she gave herself fully.

  If she said yes to Baxter’s proposal, where would they live? Would he learn to love her just as she loved him? She wouldn’t want to marry someone who couldn’t love her. And yet, he offered her so much. If she married him, he promised she wouldn’t have to worry about money or losing the bakery building.

  Would this be considered selling herself for her advantage?

  No.

  There was a strong connection between them.

  She couldn’t deny that she wanted Baxter.

  Seeing him pass by the window, she jumped out of bed and scurried into the bathroom just as she heard the front door come open. She needed a moment before she came face-to-face with him.

  Dressing in her clothes, she brushed her hair, used a new toothbrush she found in the drawer, and put on some lipstick, then stepped out to be met with the savory smell of something delicious.

  The first thing she noticed was the fresh stack of wood next to the fireplace. That explained where he had gone off to that morning. He’d also started a fire that had the room warm and cozy.

  The second thing, he was in the kitchen standing at the sink with his back to her. He had his clothes back on. He bent to take something out of the old oven and she smiled. His jeans fit him perfectly. She could stand and stare at him all morning, but she was hungry and dying for a cup of coffee.

  “Something smells delicious,” she said as she stepped in.

  He looked up, grinning. “I found a package of biscuits mix in the cabinet. Hungry?”

  “Starving.”

  “Coffee’s hot.”

  “Thank you.” She took down a cup, poured it full of coffee and used the powdered cream, giving it a good stir. The biscuits looked golden and buttery. “Thank you for gathering more firewood and getting another fire started.”

  “I had to check on the horse too. I found bales of hay stacked out in the shed and gave him some. It’s stocked here with food and necessities. Your aunt must come up pretty often.”

  “A few times a month.”

  “I even found a jar of jam in the pantry. Think she’d mind if we opened it?”

  “Not at all.”

  She took a seat and sipped her coffee, watching him through the steam as he transferred the biscuits from the pan to a plate. She’d always believed a man was the sexiest when he was in the kitchen, and Baxter proved just how true that was.

  He was the perfect definition for sex appeal. When he came to sit at the table, she inhaled biscuits and outdoors. He smelled so clean and fresh with a hint of the rich scent of hay.

  Taking one of the soft warm biscuits from the plate, she used a knife to smother it in strawberry jam, then bit into it. “Delicious.”

  “Probably not as good as you can make, but it’ll fill our stomachs.” He popped a bit of biscuit into his mouth and chewed. “You have the bake-off contest coming up. Are you ready?”

  She wiped her fingers on a napkin and smiled because he’d remembered. “I believe so. I have the recipe ready, although I can’t stop feeling like I could enhance the flavor just a bit more.”

  “It’ll all be okay. You’re an excellent baker and I believe in you.”

  The coffee swirled in her stomach. She couldn’t remember any man ever believing in her. “I can’t thank you enough for saving me from my dire situation yesterday. I would have stayed in the truck, but the heater hasn’t worked for some time.”

  “DJ really cares for you. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t have known that you needed help. It’s good to have someone looking out for you.”

  She rolled her finger around the rim of her cup. “How about you, Baxter. Don’t you have someone to watch over you?”

  “Sure.” He braced his elbows on the table. “Brennan has my six. We’ve always taken care of each other.”

  “I hope this doesn’t offend you, but I noticed that you have a mark on your neck. Is that a burn? A birthmark?”

  He grinned and touched the blemish in question. “This is a birthmark. Brennan and I both have one, and so did Buzz. Everyone always thought it was astonishing that the three of us shared the same birthmark.” He shrugged and the shirt stretched across his broad shoulders to capacity.

  “You’re coming around. Now when you mention Buzz’s name I don’t see as much anger.”

  “Yeah, I guess.” He eased back, almost too large for the chair. “I don’t get him. He’s a mystery. I want to hate him, just as I have since I was a kid, but lately I’m finding that I hate him less and want to understand why he did what he did.”

  “I think that’s good, Baxter. For you and all your brothers. You deserve peace, and forgiveness can be the first step in that process.”

  “Have you forgiven your father?”

  She appreciated that he wasn’t afraid to ask the hard questions. “Yes, I guess I have. I mean…I don’t want to live with anger.”

  A silence engulfed them.

  He stood. “I think the tree should be out of the road by now. I should be getting back to Grinning Spurs.”

  “You baked. I’ll clean.”

  He didn’t argue. “I’ll put out the fire and saddle the horse. I’ll meet you out in front in ten minutes.”

  Later, when she met him outside, she handed over his jacket which he dragged on, not even looking at her.

  Why was he suddenly distant?

  The ride to her truck was quiet, each engrossed in their own thoughts. The water had receded, but had left twigs, rocks, and trash along the ditch.

  His arms were wrapped around her as they were yesterday when they were in the saddle together, but there was something missing this time. Something she didn’t understand.

  Maybe he was putting a wall up.

  That disappointed her.

  She didn’t like the quiet.

  “Did I say something wrong?” she finally asked.

  “No.”

  She twisted as far as she could to look at him. “Then why do I feel the distance?”

  His forehead creased. “I am my father’s son and that makes me a risk.”

  “Baxter, that’s ridiculous. You’re nothing like him.”

  “No, Abriella. I am. For years I’ve kept people at arm’s length. Being here in Tarnation has really made me look at things differently.”

  “What about us? Have you changed your mind?”

  “About the proposal?” Several unidentified expressions flitted across his features. “No.”

  “There’s something between us.”

  “True.”

  “But this all seems like a—”

  “Chance? Opportunity? Finally, never being alone again.”

  “Wow. You always manage to say something that makes me feel amazing inside.”

  “How about more truths. I can’t get you out of my mind. I look forward to seeing you and will come all the way into the bakery just to do that.”

  “I thought it was for my coffee?”

  “Sweetheart, you do have good coffee, but it’s not that great. I can’t get enough of you…just you. And you can’t accuse these feelings of being only sexual because we haven’t even gotten that close.”

  “Okay. These things are great and flattering, but we don’t know each other.”

  “It’ll be fun learning about one another.”

  “What if I have some terrible flaw that you think is a deal breaker?”

  “Trust me, Bluebonnet. If one of us has any deal breaking flaws, it’ll be me. I snore loudly, I sometimes eat with my mouth open, and I’ve never been good at communication, but what I can guarantee is that whatever your dreams are, you’ll see them come to fruition. That includes your brother finishing school and mother having the care she needs.”

  “You make this seem so possible.”

  “Because it is.” He lifted a strand of her hair, twirled it around his knuckle, then let it bounce back against her cheek. “If you think I’ll ask you to move, maybe it’d be best that we stay here in Tarnation. Brennan can run Dragonfly Spurs and I can stay at Grinning Spurs.”

  “You’d consider doing that?”

 

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