Page 35

J uliette

“Shit.”

The word left my mouth before I could stop it.

That was the only appropriate word to use when a gorgeous man stepped out of a shower. Muscles dripping from water and sin.

My Lord. My mouth was watering.

I hadn’t taken enough time before to bask in the revelry of his chiseled godlike body.

Wow.

I’d missed out and since we were definitely not going to be friends or lovers, I had a feeling this would be the last time I’d be allowed to see the man in all his glory.

He seemed molded in the image of a Greek god.

Whereas I was gawking like some love-struck teenager, he was calm, cool, and collected, glaring at me for a solid ten seconds before bending over and retrieving the towel he’d dropped in surprise.

Or maybe on purpose.

My only hope when he slapped the terrycloth around his waist was that the material was itsy bitsy.

To my credit, I had thought he was out chopping wood or brushing Sadie for the tenth time so he could avoid me.

I’d clearly seen him outside. Somehow, he’d snuck inside and right by me.

Even Tank hadn’t noticed, curling up on the couch with me while I’d looked through several photographs I’d taken over the last day or so.

They were gorgeous, the best I’d ever done. I’d even managed to sneak a few of Mr. Grouchy when he hadn’t been looking.

If only I had my camera right now. Only I’d make certain to rip the towel from his hand.

How could a man that looked so hot and tasty be so downright nasty? My gaze lingered on his thick cock a little too long. Long enough he snorted.

“Do you mind telling me what you’re doing in my bathroom?” His tone was gruff as usual, but at least he hadn’t started yelling at me.

“Um, I was looking for some clean towels. There weren’t any in my bathroom and I searched everywhere else.”

He took his time drying his back, using both hands to rake the terry back and forth. He was doing it on purpose of course. Not just because I’d been caught, but because I could feel the heat on my cheeks. I bet they were fiery like red-hot candy.

“You didn’t notice I was inside?”

“I wasn’t paying attention.” That was partially true. Okay, mostly not true. As soon as I’d opened the door, I’d heard the water running, felt the steam and once I’d walked inside, I’d seen the outline of his massive body and thought I could be quick in glancing in the linen closet.

“Obviously not.” He didn’t bother trying to cover himself, now rubbing his arms.

My mouth had gone from liquid to completely dry. And I couldn’t seem to pull my eyes away.

“I’m sorry.” I pulled the towel I’d found against my chest, taking a step backward. As soon as I thumped against the wall accidentally, he came closer. His sinfully wry smile should piss me off, but this time I was the one caught with my hand in the cookie jar.

He had a way of being oppressive just by the look on his face. But with crowding me, coming closer and closer, I was no longer certain I was breathing.

He’d hurt me with what he’d said. More than I’d ever admit to him. I’d known he was just trying to make me hate him, pushing me away in whatever method he could. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t aching inside.

No, this wasn’t a lasting relationship in the making and there would never be any chance of love. God forbid, but maybe the hopeful girl inside of me truly believed in karma.

And it seemed fate had dropped us into a mixing bowl together.

“Do I suddenly make you nervous, Juliette?”

“Are you trying to?” I pushed my hand against his chest, regretting it the instant I did. The touch was too electric, too explosive and my entire body suffered because of it.

“I’m just being me and this is my house.”

“As you keep reminding me. I’m sorry I interfered.” I tried to slide away, but he planted his hand on the wall, keeping me from going anywhere.

He lowered his head very slowly until I was cross-eyed from trying to maintain direct eye contact. Yes, he was trying to make me feel uncomfortable on purpose.

Now his lips were dangerously close to mine and breathing was no longer an option. He smelled of pine and leather, which didn’t make any sense since he’d just stepped from the shower. It had to be whatever manly soap he was using.

His lips hovered over mine for far too long. Long enough I pressed my other hand against his chest, trying my best to gain some space between us.

He refused, leaning down even further. I closed my eyes, arching my back in anticipation of a moment of passion.

But it never came. Instead, I felt his hot breath against my ear, his whisper full of sexual innuendos. “Be careful tempting a beast, Juliette. They’ve been known to bite.” With that, he nipped my earlobe and I shuddered to my core.

As soon as he pulled away, the bastard was smiling. And he turned around, giving me the most incredible view of his sculpted butt.

And several horrible scars on his back. How many times had he been injured? Something crazy happened inside me. Being around him had a way of drawing that out. Before I knew what I was doing, I’d taken a step forward, brushing the tips of my fingers across a huge indentation.

Kage jerked around with such speed I was pitched into the edge of the counter. Now he pinned me against the surface with his full weight. And the look in his eyes was murderous.

With his chest rising and falling, the horrible darkness in his eyes slowly began to fade.

“You should know better than to sneak up on a man like that.”

“I wasn’t sneaking. I was just… I’m sorry. You were injured.”

He snickered as he took a step away, now wrapping the towel around his waist. “That was a long time ago. A lifetime.”

“Do they still hurt?”

“Aches and pains sometimes when it rains. Nothing I can’t handle. The only aspect of my life I can’t seem to handle is you.”

“I’m sorry I’m such a bother. Maybe I’ll be out of your hair in a couple days.”

“Maybe. Until then, I guess we’ll learn to put up with each other.”

“Yeah, I guess we will.” Could the sexual tension be any higher? How about my blood pressure? “I thought I’d make dinner later. Maybe for a change you’ll eat with me.”

“Are you inviting me out on a date, sunshine?”

Now I pushed him with all the strength I had. He toppled backward, being overly dramatic. “Very funny. I think I’d rather ask a rattler than a grumpy old man.”

As if to prove me wrong, a playful side that I didn’t know he had suddenly popped out and he lifted his arm, bending and flexing so I could see his huge muscle.

The minimal action also allowed me an even better view of his abdomen. Perfect. Just perfect.

“Never mind. Tank and I will eat alone. Maybe I’ll make you a plate.” I awkwardly moved to the door, finally getting it open all the way.

“Juliette. I’d like to have dinner with you. If the offer is still good.”

I bit back the automatic smile. “It’s still good. I’m going to take a quick shower and I’ll start the food.”

“Sounds good.”

We both hesitated, but I managed to leave the bathroom without saying anything else that would make me look foolish.

“I want to show you something.”

Kage’s voice sounded more reflective than I’d thought possible. I continued loading the dishes into the dishwasher, peeking down at Tank a couple of times to see if he had any idea what the man could possibly want to show me. At least he’d found my attempt at barbequed chicken edible.

Actually, he’d eaten the leftovers, chomping down on them as if he hadn’t enjoyed a home-cooked meal for a long time.

After closing the dishwasher door, I shifted around to face him. “What?”

“You’re going to need to trust me.” There was a twinkle in his eyes.

“Hmm… I guess I can do that.”

“I might be dangerous, but I turned off the killer mode when I agreed to have dinner with you.”

His comment made me laugh. And snort. I hadn’t snorted when I’d laughed in a long time. Instantly embarrassed, I slapped my hand over my mouth.

He lifted an eyebrow, but grinned. “Come on. Get your coat. It’s a little chilly.”

“Can I bring my camera?”

“Why not.”

Wow, a breakthrough. I scampered to get my things, meeting him on the front porch a few seconds later.

“Let’s go to the barn.”

“Okay.” Now he had me curious. While making dinner, the letter he’d received from his uncle had remained out in the open.

I hadn’t shared with him I’d been unable to ignore it.

It felt like there was a hidden message in between the lines, something only Kage would understand.

Whether or not that was true I’d likely never know.

Kage certainly had no intention of sharing what had been written with me.

Even if he’d left it out as if tempting me to see how treacherous I could become.

I’d ignored the temptation of mentioning it even though I had a feeling his uncle Henry’s letter continued to trouble him.

When he took me into the barn, Sadie immediately lifted her head.

“Hi, girl. How are you?” My steps were livelier as I headed toward her, laughing as she dropped her head so I could stroke her mane. “She’s so beautiful. Is she eating?”

“Yes, she’s eating. You can come check on her anytime you’d like. I know I was harsh with the rules, but I can’t keep you cooped up in the house all the time.”

“The big he-man is offering a reprieve.” I immediately snapped a few pictures, taunting him by pivoting around and taking a few of him as well.

He threw his hand up, growling. “You’re a goddamn brat. Maybe you need another spanking.”

“That will never happen again.”

“Don’t push your luck with me and don’t think you’re getting out of following the rules,” he said and moved closer, unfastening the gate. “Just remember, I am a soldier, which technically means I’m a hunter.” He grabbed Sadie’s reins, pulling her from the stall.

“Oh, do you hunt big game?”

“Just wayward women with caustic mouths, but I hear I’m pretty good at it.”

Hearing his playful side surprised me. I was wondering if he had a little Jekyll and Hyde in him. When he grabbed the horse blanket, I narrowed my eyes. “What are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing?” When he grabbed the saddle Tom had brought, I stepped in between him and Sadie.

“You can’t ride her.”

His brow furrowed. “Yes, I can. The saddle won’t hurt her.”

“What if it does? What if you cause her tremendous pain and she never allows you to touch her again?”

“You really don’t trust me, do you?”

“It’s not like you’ve acted in a way that would allow me to, but I do trust you. It’s just… I don’t want her hurt.”

He moved around me, gingerly placing the saddle on Sadie’s back. “If it makes you feel any better, I gave Tom a call to make certain she could be ridden.”

“You did?”

“Don’t look so shocked.” He patted her neck before fastening the saddle.

A smile formed on my face, but I quickly chewed on my bottom lip to keep from showing it. What a nice surprise.

“I am shocked. But you have a way of surprising me, so I guess I need to get used to it. Now what? Are you going to show me what an expert horseman you are?”

“Something like that. Hand me your camera.”

“Why?”

“Because I asked you to.”

With my eyes barely open, I glared at him and as he held out his hand, cocking his head. I tried not to react, but around him, I wasn’t myself at all.

So I handed him my only prized possession.

“You’ll get it back. Just a few minutes.” When he snapped a quick shot of me, I laughed again.

Why was he allowing me to see this side of him? Was this some new ploy? Instead of acting like a spoiled little boy, he’d act annoyingly polite and goofy.

After hanging the camera’s strap on a hook in the wall, he adjusted Sadie’s reins then sauntered toward me. When he pulled me from the floor, I immediately squealed.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking you for a ride.”

“Oh, no, you’re not.”

“Oh, yes, I am. Put your foot in the stirrup.”

“I will not do that.”

“Yes, you will.” He cracked me on the bottom and I yelped.

“Don’t you dare do that again.”

He answered by smacking me three times in rapid succession. “Put your goddamn foot in the stirrup or I’ll hogtie you in the barn for the night.”

“You would not do that.”

“Bet me.”

I weighed the odds he was telling me the truth.

And placed my foot in the stirrup.

While I did my best to struggle in his arms, he easily managed to push me over the horse’s back and onto the saddle. The move was awkward and I had no doubt I looked ridiculous.

When I was settled, I realized she was huge. Much bigger than I’d originally thought.

“Oh, I can’t do this. There is no freaking way.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be right behind you.” He grabbed my camera, handing it to me and within two seconds, he’d placed his foot into the stirrup, hoisting himself up and over the horse’s back with ease. “You know I won’t let you fall.”

My uncertainty remained, but he issued the words with such conviction, I wanted to believe him.

The truth was I wanted a lot more than that.

He’d poured himself into jeans that had been made for the man, accentuating every muscle and the thick bulge between his legs.

He’d added a Henley shirt in a deep forest green that added a luminous spark to his eyes.

It didn’t hurt that the shirt seemed a size too small for him.

Or maybe he’d just been working out a lot more since moving here. Whatever the case, I’d found it difficult to keep my eyes off him during dinner.

The man was too attractive. Too forceful. Too rugged.

He was downright sinful.

And completely off limits.

Nothing had changed at this moment.

With his torso and legs pressed against mine, his arms wrapped around me, the closeness felt almost as intimate as when we’d had sex. He grabbed the reins, doing nothing more than holding them in one hand.

“This is… terrifying. I can’t do this.” I was being honest. I’d had acrophobia for a part of my life, the effects more severe as I’d gotten older. I hadn’t thought being just a few feet off the ground would do me in, but I had a swarm of butterflies in my stomach.

“You’re with me, sunshine. As I told you, I won’t let you fall.”

“Then what will you do?”

He patted Sadie and pulled the reins. “As I told you before, you’ll need to trust me.”