Page 75 of Critical Alliance (Rocky Mountain Courage 3)

“Let me help,” he said.

He reached for the key, but she didn’t step away, and his fingers got tangled up with hers. The key fell to the ground, and they both bent down to grab it, bumping heads. He gripped the key, then stood and found himself much too close, her face inches from his.

The same longing that rose in his chest was reflected in her luminous eyes. Pulse pounding in his ears, Alex tried to remember to breathe. Attraction raced through him. She blinked as if to somehow break the connection or hide that she even felt a connection with him.

Raindrops clung to her cheeks, and she shivered.

His only intention had been to warm her when he cupped her cheeks and leaned close, then without any thought at all, his lips were gently pressed against hers. Soft and tender. A thrilling warmth flooded his belly, and though he took a step back, she clung to him and pressed her lips harder against his.

But now ... now wasn’t the time.

She was vulnerable. Hurt. Only a jerk would kiss her when she was struggling.

The crunch of tires signaled an approaching vehicle and interrupted the moment, breaking the spell. Mackenzie stepped back. He keenly felt the absence of her lips, her passion, and it took him maybe two seconds too long to compose himself as she stole the key from his hands.

She opened the door to the cabin while Alex shook off the moment, then turned to see Terra hopping out of her vehicle. She quickly closed the distance, her left brow arched. High.

Mackenzie had already stepped inside or, rather, fled—embarrassed that someone had seen them kiss?—but she’d left the door open.

Terra paused at the porch. “Looks like I got here just in time.”

“I guess that depends on your perspective.” But he couldn’t agree more.

She grinned wryly and handed over his gun. “Nathan left this for you.” Then she waltzed by him into the cabin.

“Welcome, Mackenzie.” Terra’s voice echoed back to him. “I just stopped by to show you around and make sure you know where everything is.”

Good that Terra was here to reassure Mackenzie. In the meantime, Alex hiked around the cabin to look at the surrounding area. Stone Wolf Ranch was safe—even though Owen had shot down that drone. He’d sent images to Keenan, but it looked like the drone that had followed her in the woods the day of the shooting. Even so, there was no better place for Mackenzie to stay at the moment.

He and his friends would keep her safe.

Keenan was sending him a radio-frequency analyzer, anti-drone technology that he could use while here if necessary. Ignoring the now-misting rain, he hiked into the woods so he could peer at the cabin. A drone would have to fly pretty low to see into any of those windows, but he would be sure to tell her to keep the blinds drawn. Even a long-distance camera couldn’t see through the thick trees surrounding the cabin, and in that case, the drone would need to move in closer—that is, if someone planned to watch Mackenzie.

Fury crawled over him at the thought of someone watching. Stalking. Of course, with all the new UAV technology coming out, someone could go so far as to attach heat-sensing technology to see right through the walls.

Bring it.He almost wanted the chance to detect the drone and drop it. He hiked all the way around, then entered the cabin. Mackenzie glanced from Terra to him, her face flushed.

And the memory of that kiss warmed him again.

Kissing her couldn’t happen again. He was here to protect her. Not blow past her defenses and break her heart.

Or his.