Page 6

CHAPTER SIX

L IKE AN APPROACHING STORM , Tanner felt Callie was nearby. Automatically bracing himself, he glanced up from Addie, who was doing inventory while he held the basket. His gaze collided with Callie’s as she hesitated in the kitchen doorway.

His heart jumped, then began a slow, heavy thudding in his chest. Although the basket wasn’t heavy, his thighs tensed. It could almost be alarming, the physical reactions she caused by her mere presence, but then, his thoughts had been churning all day over the things he’d shared with her in the kitchen, things he’d never before discussed with any woman other than Addie, and never in such detail.

What Callie so effortlessly did to him was enough to make him keep his distance, and yet, he knew he wouldn’t. Couldn’t.

Even wilted, her hair limp and her clothes dirt stained, she was so fucking gorgeous. Maybe more so now. She looked earthy. Approachable.

Like she belonged here.

Glory stepped up next to her, breaking the spell and snagging Kam’s attention.

Glad for the distraction, Tanner introduced him. “Glory, I don’t think you’ve met my brother yet. Kam, Glory is Callie’s cousin.”

Glory lifted one hand and gave a little wave. “Hi.”

Hitching a brow, Kam said, “Nice to meet you,” and then, arms holding two fluffy pillows, he asked Callie, “Where do you want all this?”

Huh. Had his brother just dismissed Glory? Seemed so. Maybe she didn’t appeal to him anymore than she appealed to Tanner. But then again, next to Callie, a supermodel probably wouldn’t appeal.

“Not the bedroom,” Addie said, answering Kam’s question. “Not yet anyway. Let’s stack it all in the kitchen on the table, then you boys can drag the mattress out to the yard to air it—”

“Not on your life,” Tanner said. “I’m not touching Reggie’s mattress.”

“Same,” Kam said.

Suspicious now, Callie folded her arms and gave one of those not-so-polite smiles. “That’s fine. I’m sure Glory and I can handle it.”

Glory’s mouth fell open. “I, um…” She looked at Tanner. “Why, exactly, don’t you want to touch it?”

“It’s Reggie’s, and toward the end he had a lot of issues.”

“Like…?”

Callie cleared her throat. Loudly. “I’m sure I can manage on my own.”

Of course, Addie didn’t like that. “Come on, honey. I’ll help you.”

“Thank you.” Together, the two women headed down the hall.

Well, hell. He shared a quick look with Kam, who appeared equally resigned. “We’ll be right there.”

“Ha!” he heard Callie reply, and almost grinned.

Snickering, Kam plopped the pillows on top of the basket. “Hurry along, now,” he needlessly quipped, even as he went to help.

Glory had disappeared, but Tanner found her there in the kitchen when he hastily set the basket, piled high now, onto the table. Standing at the back door, she stared out at the yard, her phone in her hand. Before Tanner could leave again, she got a text. Then another. She was texting back when he left the kitchen and joined the others in the bedroom.

His first realization was that the room wasn’t as bad as he remembered. When last he’d been in here, Reggie was all but bedridden, only getting up for the bathroom—when he could. Jaundice had turned him a sickly shade of yellow. All over his face and throat, there’d been patches of red veins resembling spiders. Swelling in his face, limbs, and especially his abdomen made him look like a different person.

Liver disease had devastated him, and even the air had smelled sickly. Tanner had visited anyway, because he loved Reggie. Not like a father, and not in the same way he loved Kam. But Reggie had been kind. He’d taken the time to teach valuable skills to a lost and troubled boy. Those skills had carried Tanner into adulthood.

Reggie’s patience had been endless, his manner always friendly.

He’d been…a nonthreatening adult male at a time when Tanner hadn’t known that existed.

Just by being himself, Reggie had shared a positive example that helped an angry kid maneuver through life. Because of Reggie, Tanner learned that his father in no way represented men as a whole.

Realistically, he’d already known it; through Reggie, he was able to believe it.

“Wimps,” Callie accused, as she studied the room. “This is actually really nice. Lots of space.” As she spoke, she went to a window and tried to wrestle it open. It didn’t budge.

“Here.” Kam stepped forward and forced it up for her. “They probably need the tracks oiled.”

Tanner got the other window. “We have a silicone based lubricant I can bring over tomorrow.” He’d deliberately offered before Kam could—then he wanted to take it back, especially with the knowing grin Kam shot his way.

“Who stripped the bed?” Callie asked.

“That’d be me.” Addie folded her arms around herself. “What the boys weren’t so tactfully saying is that Reggie had some serious issues there at the end. Before it got that bad though, he knew where it was headed. When I came by one day to tell him I was heading to the store if he needed me to pick up anything, he requested a mattress cover. It was a simple matter of gathering up all the bedding and throwing it away.”

Damn. “You should have told me you were doing that. I’d have helped.”

“Oh?” Addie lifted her brows. “Are you the one who just quailed about dragging out a mattress?”

She knew better. He didn’t quail over anything. “Rather than have you do it alone, I’d have handled it.”

“And I’d have helped,” Kam said.

“See?” Addie said. “Aren’t my boys wonderful?”

Callie pretended to give it some thought before finally nodding. “I suppose they are.”

He still would have replaced the mattress before he’d sleep on it, but if she was willing, he could at least drag it outside to air it out. “You want to grab the other side?” he asked Kam.

“I guess that’s why we’re in here.”

Getting it down the hall and out the front door proved to be an awkward endeavor. It didn’t help that Reggie’s house—now Callie’s house—was so cluttered. She ran ahead of them to move things out of the way. After they tilted it against the porch railing, she liberally sprayed both sides with a disinfectant and returned to the bedroom to do the same to the box springs.

“Now,” Addie said. “No more arguing. You and your cousin should come over for dinner—”

“Crock-Pot stew,” Kam said as enticement as he reentered the room.

“—and afterward, the boys can help you get the mattress back inside.”

Tanner caught the tail end of that invitation, and now he couldn’t take his eyes off Callie as he waited for her decision. A big part of him wanted her to agree, but another part of him didn’t know if he could take it.

Her gaze skipped to him, then quickly away. “Thank you, but I can’t. I still need to shower and get the groceries put away.”

Glory stuck her head into the bedroom to say, “I can put away the groceries while you shower.” Then with pleading, “Come on Callie. I’m hungry.”

Kam glanced at her, frowned, and then stepped forward to sling an arm over Callie’s shoulders. “Addie makes the best stew you’ve ever tasted. Guaranteed, you’ll love it.”

“Well…” This time she didn’t look at Tanner. “I guess I am getting hungry.”

“You only had half a sandwich for lunch,” Addie pointed out. “The chickens couldn’t stay alive on that.”

Her grin lit up her entire face. “I was anxious to get back to my chores.”

Not liking that at all, Tanner said, “It’ll wear thin soon enough.”

Addie sidled out of the room, saying to Glory, “Let me help you put things away.”

Kam said, “I’ll go set the table.”

And that left Tanner alone, in a bedroom with Callie. Of course, to his mind, it was still Reggie’s room and the bed was now minus a mattress.

Callie smiled up at him. “Was that deliberate, do you think?”

“Leaving us alone? Yeah, it was.” He didn’t mean to, but he reached for a small dried leaf caught in her hair.

“I’m a mess.”

“Hard work looks good on you.”

“Is that right?” She tugged at the neckline of her T-shirt. “How about sweat? Are you going to tell me that looks good, too?”

His brows pulled together in a frown. “What’s this?” He hooked her neckline in one finger and pulled it out from her body.

“Umm…”

“You’re hurt.”

“What?” Tucking in her chin, she looked at her shoulder and winced. “I scratched it in the woods yesterday.”

“I know, but now it’s inflamed.”

“What do you mean, you know?”

“I was listening in, remember? And you weren’t exactly quiet about it, plus your shirt was ripped there.” Though he probably shouldn’t have mentioned that. Now she knew where his attention had been.

“Since you’ve pointed it out, it’s stinging again, but I’m sure it’ll be fine after I shower.”

Lightly, Tanner traced a fingertip around the scratch. It felt warm, but then, she looked warm. Hot even. “Do you have any antiseptic?”

Shaking her head, she said, “No, but I’ll add it to my list.”

After dinner, he’d see to it himself. If he didn’t feel so protective, he’d just let her use their first aid kit. But he did feel protective. And damn it, territorial. If he just gave her the kit, Kam might step up and offer his help. “Do you at least have soap?”

“Of course I have soap.”

For now, that’d have to do. “Clean it the best you can, but be gentle.”

“Yes, sir.”

The smart response lifted his gaze to hers until he noted the teasing in her eyes. Callie did like to tease.

And he liked when she did it.

Taking a deliberate step back, Tanner put space between them. “Any other injuries?”

“Nope. I’m fine.”

He’d bet she had sore muscles already, but if she didn’t want to mention them, he wouldn’t either. Tomorrow, she’d really be feeling it.

Probably her biggest pain right now was her wounded pride. By working next to Addie when he was young, he’d learned that physical labor in the fresh outdoors had a way of blocking out mental and emotional turmoil. For Callie’s sake, he hoped her efforts on the property affected her the same way.

Doing his utmost to banish the image of her showering, he said, “I’ll see you soon, then.”

“Not more than fifteen minutes, I promise.”

Smirking, Tanner glanced at the clock. “I’m timing you.”

“Ha!” she said, shooing him toward the door.

He left her with a smile. If he wasn’t careful, smiling because of Callie was going to turn into a habit.

Or maybe it already had.

* * *

D INNER AT HER neighbor’s house turned out to be a blast. Kam was downright entertaining, making everyone but Glory laugh. Her cousin, for some reason, was subdued. It worried Callie. What if it was guilt plaguing Glory…which would mean she’d been sending updates to Callie’s family and ex, after all.

To test her, she asked, “Aren’t you hungry, Glory?”

A wan smile appeared on Glory’s face. “Yes, of course.”

“You’re not eating much,” Addie said.

“I try to eat mostly healthy, that’s all.”

“What’s not healthy about vegetables and meat?” Tanner asked, sounding genuinely confused.

“Gravy, for one thing.” When silence fell around them, Glory realized how she’d erred and tried to correct herself. “Oh, I mean, it’s delicious . Too much so. If I let myself, I could eat the whole pot.”

“You’d have to fight me for it.” Even as he tossed out that absurd statement, Kam kept his gaze on his food.

Tanner snickered.

Addie smacked at him, but she, too, seemed amused.

Hoping to lighten the awkwardness, Callie said, “I feel the same. It’s so good, but I’m not as disciplined as Glory.” Lifting her spoon in a toast, she said, “This is my second bowl. If I stole anyone’s share, you have my apologies, but I couldn’t resist.”

Beaming, Addie said, “I made plenty, honey, so eat your fill.”

Glory glanced from one face to the next, before frowning at Kam. “Thank you, Addie. Your kindness is appreciated.”

Ha! Callie hid her grin behind her spoon. Her cousin had a gift for subtle rebuke, not that Kam seemed to notice. Overall, he deftly ignored Glory.

With his bowl now empty, Tanner sat back. Directly across from Callie, he asked, “Did you get the goats and chickens put away before you came over?”

Tension shot down her spine. How in the world did I forget about the animals? Not that she didn’t already know. She’d forgotten because of Tanner. Whenever he was close—and shoot, even when he wasn’t—he plagued her mind.

Callie stared at him, saw the taunt in his eyes, and wanted to throw her spoon at him. A swift glance at the window proved it was already getting dark. Will I even still have goats and chickens? She had no idea what animals did in the dark. It’s not like they were teenagers.

Glory looked back and forth between them. “Put away where?”

“The chickens go in a coop and the goats have a shelter.” Dropping her spoon into her bowl and pushing back her chair, Callie said, “I’ll go take care of it now.” Though how she was supposed to do that, she had no idea. “I promise to come right back to help clean up.”

Addie jumped up from her chair. “But I have dessert.”

“I’m sorry!” She skirted around the table, then almost stepped on Percy. The cat seemed to have come out of nowhere.

Right behind her, Tanner said, “Percy’s good at that.”

“Tripping people?”

“It’s his talent.” Kam, too, appeared to be following her.

“Guys.” Hands on her hips, Callie faced them. “I’ll figure it out. You don’t need to leave your meal.”

“I don’t mind,” Kam promised.

“But,” Tanner said, “you’re still eating and I’m done.”

Callie couldn’t be sure, but there seemed to be a subtle warning in his tone.

Kam confirmed that with a grin. “Down, big brother. I know when my help isn’t wanted.” He ducked back as Tanner reached for him. “How about I give you twenty minutes or so, then we can get her mattress back inside?”

“That’ll work.”

Kam winked at Callie, and then casually whistled as he sauntered away.

Having Kam for a neighbor was going to be fun. She lifted her gaze to Tanner’s face and caught him watching her closely. Did he think she was attracted to Kam? With him around? Not likely. “Seriously, Tanner—”

“Seriously, Callie.” As he mocked her, he took her arm and urged her along. “I’ll show you how it’s done, then you’ll know.”

A smart girl knew when to give up. Besides, she had no clue what she was doing yet and she liked his company.

With the tall trees everywhere, shadows overtook the area and night sounds filled the air. It had cooled considerably, making her wish she’d grabbed a sweatshirt instead of one of her cuter tops.

Very aware of Tanner’s warm fingers on her arm, she tried to think of something to say. With him so close to her, every breath filled her head with his scent. For real, she’d love to brush her cheek and nose all over him.

“Just a second.” Tanner stopped outside the garage, opened his truck, and located a small first aid kit that had been stored under the seat.

Her heart beat faster. “So.”

“So?”

Right. For a conversational gambit, that failed. “I hope you won’t think badly of Glory.”

“Because she didn’t like Addie’s stew?”

“But she did. That’s the thing. She worries overly about…well, everything. Especially her figure and staying healthy and doing the right thing.”

He shook his head. “And eating stew is the wrong thing?”

“I didn’t think so, but then, I never count calories or worry much about consequences—like gaining weight. I think it’s why she insisted on coming along with me. In a lot of ways, we’re like sisters, and she’s the responsible one.”

Instead of replying, Tanner just kept walking, leading her across the yards.

“You’re awfully quiet.”

“I don’t want to overstep.”

That made her laugh. “Seriously? You tell me to leave with every other breath, but now you’re circumspect?”

In the dim light, she could see his half smile. “Fair enough, but it’s different when it comes to family. Someone could insult me all day and I wouldn’t give a damn. Insult my family, though? That crosses a line.”

They reached her front porch. Callie wished she had turned on the outside lights, but she hadn’t thought of that either. She’d add automatic light sensors to her ever-growing list of things the house needed.

In the distance, she could hear some rowdy laughing and foul curses.

“Garmet brothers,” Tanner groused. “Stay away from them.”

It wasn’t the first time he’d given her that warning. As she went up the porch, she asked, “What were you going to say about Glory?”

“You want to have this conversation?”

“If you’re going to insult her, I’ll need to reprimand you.”

He huffed—especially when she opened her door.

She stepped into the house and flipped on the light, only to see the angry incredulity on Tanner’s face, and that ignited her own temper. “Hey, look, if you’re planning to say something awful about her, you can turn around and leave right now.”

Instead, he stepped in, crowding her back, and closed the door behind him. “You didn’t have it locked.”

Wait, what? “You’re talking about my door?”

“Yes, your door.” He moved her aside and set the first aid kit on the coffee table. “Wait here.”

“Not a chance.” She caught his shirt as he started to walk away. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Checking your house, because you left your door open .”

More umbrage rose up. “No one uses that tone with me.”

“You’re not in Kansas anymore, sweetheart. I told you that, but apparently it hasn’t set in yet. Around here, you damn well lock your doors.” Again, he turned to walk off.

Again, she stuck close. A different kind of nervousness plagued her now. “It’s actually dangerous? We were right next door!”

“Out of sight, inside where we wouldn’t hear a thing. Yes, it’s dangerous. Especially with Dirk and Lang Garmet next door.”

It wasn’t just the creepy woods surrounding the houses, or the night sounds in the air, or an unfamiliar setting. His worry became her own.

Tanner glanced through the kitchen first, then strode across that room and locked her back door, after shooting her another disbelieving frown.

She shrugged. This, clearly, was another thing she needed to learn.

Next he looked into the bathroom. Thank God she’d put her dirty laundry into the hamper. All he saw was her damp towel hanging over the rod.

The storage room got a quick glance, but she was confident nothing and no one else could fit in there. Reggie had left it packed. Even the closet stood open, filled with junk.

The living room had been obviously empty, so that left only her bedroom.

Staying close to him meant she bumped into his back every three or four steps. He didn’t mention it, and she wasn’t about to give him more room.

The bedroom looked the same as she’d left it. No mattress. Bare box springs.

But they both heard a noise.

Honest to God, her breath stalled in her lungs, especially when Tanner pointed to one open window and the bent screen now on the floor.

Keeping his gaze on the room, Tanner reached back, his hand landing on her hip. He pressed her to the hallway with the silent command for her to wait there.

Right. She could do that. Gripping the doorframe, she peeked in to watch him.

He stepped forward and listened again, his attention jerking to the closet where a quiet rustling sounded. The closet door was ajar.

She badly wanted to grab Tanner and make a run for it, but she was living independently now—sort of, or rather, just barely—and she supposed that meant she—or rather he—should check on anything out of place. This time, anyway.

Next time, she’d know what to do.

Next time, she’d damn well lock her doors and windows.

When he swung open the closet door, an enraged raccoon shot out, snarling and hissing, and even barking like a dog.

Tanner quickly backed up, giving the vicious critter a little room. It lunged at him but didn’t make contact. “Get me a broom or something,” he said quietly.

She raced off to the kitchen, located a broom in the pantry, and sprinted back.

Tanner now stood in the hallway with the bedroom door mostly closed. He took it from her with an offhand “Thanks,” and an order to “Wait here.”

Yeah, this time she wouldn’t argue. “Be careful.” Keeping one hand on the doorknob, she listened.

“Yah! Go on. Out you go.”

To which the raccoon offered more threatening sounds…and finally it was quiet. The thud she heard was, she hoped, the window closing. Peeking in, she saw Tanner checking the closet again, top and bottom, and he even used the light on his phone to look in the dark corners. With that done, he set the broom aside and closed her other window.

The second he turned to her, she held up her hands. “Lessons learned. No unlocked doors or open windows.”

He gave her a frown and stepped past her. “Raccoons are predators and they consider chickens an easy meal.”

Horror froze her to the spot as she envisioned slaughtered chickens filling the yard she’d only cleared today. Tanner had reached the kitchen before she ran after him. She’d gotten in more running today than she usually would in a month.

He flipped on the outside lights and opened the door.

Holding her breath, Callie followed him out.

The yard was quiet and still, and that scared her even more. Were all the chickens murdered? She’d already gotten accustomed to them milling around, occasionally making faint clucking sounds that, to her, sounded quite pleasant.

When a goat suddenly screeched, so did Callie, and she startled Tanner.

He turned on her with a glare. “Don’t do that!”

A nearly hysterical laugh bubbled out, even as she clutched his arm. Before this very moment, she never could have imagined badass Tanner Patrick jumping like that. “Where are the chickens? Please, please tell me they aren’t all dead.”

Rolling his eyes, he drew her close and put his arm over her shoulders, which made her feel better as they crossed the yard. “Settle down. They’re likely in their coop.”

“They…what?” She would have halted but he kept them moving. “I thought you said—”

“They’ll go in on their own.” With a squeeze, he reassured her. “But you need to make sure the door is securely latched. Raccoons are clever about opening everything. Their little hands are stronger than you could imagine.”

While another horrific scene flashed in her brain, one of stealthy raccoons opening doors and latches, she released him so he could peek into the coop first.

After sticking his head inside, he said, “They’re in there.”

Her panic receded, the relief so great that her legs went wobbly.

Until he stepped out and said, “Minus one.”

Callie noticed that he didn’t seem particularly worried about the death of a chicken, but it was destroying her. The birds relied on her and on her very first day, she’d failed one of them—“Ack!”

The chicken dropped from a tree with a lot of wing fluttering and excitement. It raced past her, up the ramp to the coop, and disappeared inside.

“They go in trees?” she shrieked, incredulous. “No one told me they go in trees!”

“A lot of people clip their wings so they can’t. Reggie didn’t feel right about that.”

Heart still hammering, she struggled to catch her breath. “I wouldn’t feel right about it either.”

“Reggie named that particular bird.”

His nonchalant tone told her this was a trap, and still she asked, “What did he call her?”

“Callie—because she’s flighty .”

Okay, so that was a little bit funny, prompting her to laugh with him. “You just made that up.”

“I did, but she really is the only one who seems fond of getting into the trees. You’ll have to check on her each night before you close up the latch.”

“She doesn’t fly away?”

“She knows her territory. They all do. They don’t venture off too far.” He led her over to the coop to show her how to properly secure the complicated latch. “If you don’t do it right, sooner or later a raccoon will get in there.”

And that would make for an awful surprise. “I need to let them out early?”

“As long as the sun’s up.” On their way to check on the goats, he gave her a rundown on how and when to feed the chickens, on keeping their water clean and fresh, and the upkeep of their coop. Then he surprised her with an offer. “I can come by in the morning and walk you through it, if you want.”

His voice had lowered, gone rougher as if the words were grudgingly forced from him, but she didn’t care. Every minute with him, even if they sniped at each other, felt like more. More than she’d had with a man in a long time. More intuitive and understanding. More warmth.

More important .

How that was, she didn’t know, but she figured it had something to do with Tanner. Maybe chemistry between them. Or just good old-fashioned lust on her part, because no one could deny the man was fine .

The mature, responsible side of her had her asking, “Do you have the time for that? I know you keep a busy schedule.”

Typical of Tanner, he shrugged. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t.”

“Such a grumpy Gus.”

With a quick scowl, he opened his mouth, likely to withdraw the offer.

Callie didn’t give him a chance. “I accept, thank you.”

After holding her gaze for three heart-stopping seconds, he cracked a smile and looked away.

It felt like a victory, until the goats gave another eerie scream and she clenched all over. “I am never going to get used to that.”

“You’ll be gone before you have to.”

This time he said it lightly, and she took that to be progress. “We’ll see.” The goats had already bedded down, piled close to each other in the shelter.

Tanner gave her a quick accounting of the space. “The fresh straw is stored up there in bales.” He pointed to the rafters of the oversized shed. “You’ll need help getting more down.” His gaze landed on her again. “So did Reggie, so don’t think that’s a dig. Kam or I can pull down a bale when you need it. The floor is dirt, then gravel, and a nice layer of straw.” In quick order he explained what she’d need to know about the goats.

After that, they went back inside. Callie was ready to wilt, but it was still too early for bed and she had promised Addie that she’d return.

At the front door, Tanner picked up the first aid kit. “Let’s take a look.”

Her brain ran away with that, leaping into a scenario where he meant her clothes, all of them. And his own. Yup, she’d love to take a look. Pretty sure she’d enjoy him looking at her, too, as long as he didn’t expect perfection. That was Glory’s forte, not her own.

Hers was… Comfort? Ease? Overall, the ability to appreciate herself and what nature had given her. Imperfect, with hips a little wide, a curve to her stomach, but fortunately breasts to match. Glory forever worried because she wasn’t quite as big-busted, and Callie hadn’t yet been able to convince her that it didn’t matter. Her cousin, unfortunately, tended to see everything about herself as a lack.

Realizing that her mind had wandered and Tanner was watching her, waiting, she grinned at herself. “Sorry. My thoughts took off in a whole different direction.”

“Care to share?”

She shook her head and reached for the kit. “I can do it,” she offered, though she’d definitely enjoy his efforts more.

Lacing his fingers with hers, he tugged her along. “I won’t hurt you. Let’s go.”

Go where, she didn’t know, but she followed anyway.

He urged her into the bathroom, where he flipped on the bright overhead light, then he opened the kit on the counter.

To be helpful, Callie pulled the neckline, as well as her bra strap, to the side and hooked them over her shoulder so he could see the scratch again.

He zeroed in on her, staring at her shoulder as if she’d bared a breast. With his expression so hot, she felt exposed. Silly, when her bathing suit showed a lot more skin and she wore that on the beach in big crowds.

The difference was that no other guy had looked at her with so much heated concentration, almost anticipation.

Touching her with just the tip of a finger, Tanner again brushed the skin around the raised, broken welt. His gaze never left her body, but his mouth tightened. “It’s warm. Is it painful?”

“Only a little,” she whispered, and it surprised her that she could say that much with him so near and so gentle. The absorbed way he studied her, as if memorizing her in detail, sped up her heartbeat. Get a grip. He’s not the first man to touch you . “I did a rush shower,” she said, though he already knew that since she’d made it within the allotted fifteen minutes, as she’d promised. “But I was careful to clean it well.”

With the light graze of his finger touching her collarbone, then the side of her neck, he continued to scrutinize her.

“Tanner?”

“I’m going to go over it with an antiseptic swab, too.” The low stroke of his voice drifted over her skin as gently as his physical stroke. It primed her in an unfamiliar way. Like foreplay, but with words, a tone, his attitude.

She tried to breathe normally and failed. She tried not to stare at him, but everything about him captured her sharpened interest. This late in the day, the rough texture of whiskers along his jaw and upper lip made her want to feel them. Her fingers wanted to tunnel into the thick hair hanging over his brow and curling slightly at his ears.

The shape of his mouth…how his lips moved as he spoke…she wanted to feel them against her lips.

While she grew hotter, he opened a little packet and pulled out an already-moist pad. “It’ll sting,” he warned gruffly, “but scratches from the woods run the risk of a fungus infection, same with rose thorns, moss, and hay.”

The low murmur of his deep voice was the sexiest thing she’d ever heard, but the second the pad touched her skin, she hissed. No kidding, it stung. Badly.

“Sorry,” he said, sounding like he meant it. After carefully swabbing the entire area, he leaned closer and gently blew on her.

With a deep, quiet inhale, she breathed him in. Still, he heard, and his eyes met hers. Kiss me .

As if he’d heard her thoughts, his gaze dropped to her mouth.

Hoping to encourage him, Callie put a hand to his chest. Through the soft cotton of his T-shirt, she felt the heat of him, the firmness of his body.

She tipped up her face.

His breath, warmer now, meshed with her own quickened breathing. By reflex alone, her fingers curled into his shirt, knotting the fabric. Anchoring him so he couldn’t move away.

He made a rough sound and his mouth touched hers, tentatively, maybe waiting for permission.

Melting against him, she slid both hands up to his shoulders. “I’d really like it if you—”

Closing his arms around her, he turned his head and took her mouth like a starving man.

Whoa. Okay, this . Tanner’s mouth, his possessive hunger, would go a long way toward obliterating all worries about the days ahead. She could feast off this one moment for weeks.

Loving how it felt to have her body against his, she pressed closer. It could only be better if they were skin to skin. In a bed. God, he had a ripped body. Her hands explored as he devoured her mouth—

Suddenly he set her back, his gaze incendiary, his breathing ragged.

Confused, even a little lost, Callie concentrated on staying upright.

After staring into her eyes for an extended moment, he dropped his hands. “This probably isn’t a good idea.”

He was rejecting her? No, she wouldn’t accept that. “It’s a great idea.” She tried to kiss him again. More, more . She wanted, needed, more.

“Callie, listen…” He caught her hands and continued to hold her away. “You’re on the rebound.”

No way had he just said that. Her brows drew together even as her lips continued to tingle. Seriously, she wanted more.

And he didn’t.

Well, thank God for indignation. It was a far more comfortable emotion than dejection. For his obnoxious comment, she jerked her hands free, but in case he mistook the gesture, she clutched his shirt again and went on tiptoes to speak right into his face. “Don’t think to tell me who I am, or what I’m doing. Only I get to do that.”

“Okay,” he said cautiously, eyeing her stance as if she might attack.

“Damn it, don’t use that placating tone with me either.”

His brows lifted high. “What would you have me do?”

In a near growl, she said, “Keep on kissing me.”

He half laughed, then dropped his head forward a second before cupping her face. “Honey, there’s nothing I’d rather do. Well, other than a lot more.”

Yes, please . More, more, more.

“But,” he said, stressing the word, “you just busted your fiancé getting handsy in a coat room, right? Broke off a big society engagement. Bailed on a fancy wedding. Became the owner of a run-down house, goats and chickens, and a horse you haven’t even met yet. Tell me if I’m missing anything.”

He was missing her resolve, her free will to enjoy a stellar moment with an electrically hot man who made her yearn for things she’d never thought about before.

Clearly he didn’t recognize her determination to have it all, on her terms, regardless of what her parents, Sutter, Glory, or anyone else wanted.

Looking at his set features, she knew there’d be no relenting on his part—and it infuriated her. Why did men always want to be noble at the worst times? “You’re missing that I’m an adult who can choose what I want to do and when I want to do it. Right now,” she flagged a finger back and forth between them. “With me and you? I was having a great time. Actually, I’ve enjoyed every minute with you.” There, let him stew on that. “If that makes you uneasy, hey, that’s your issue. At the moment I don’t really care.”

Instead of appearing uneasy, he gave her a slow, wicked grin. “A great time, huh? So I’m the balm for what’s-his-name?”

Dropping her head back, she groaned out, “Ohmigod, you’re being impossible.” Then she took a determined step away from him, even though she’d have rather plastered herself to him and demanded…what? If a man tried to make demands of her, she’d cut him off at the knees.

He waited, equal parts annoyed and unsure.

“Sutter was the farthest thing from my mind. To me, there was just us and a lot of sexual compatibility.”

His brows lifted again, proving she’d surprised him.

Score one for her.

“Fine,” she said at last. “Play hard to get.” She’d do her best to be fair, but she didn’t have to like it. “I won’t beg, or even try to convince you. If somewhere along the way, before I get too busy”— as if —“you decide you’d like to see where the chemistry takes us, you know where I am.” She tilted closer to taunt him. “Here, with my goats, and my chickens, in my house, where I damn well intend to stay.”

After a long, pointed look, he said, “Funny, Callie, but I don’t see that ever-present smile of yours.”

Eyes narrowing, she forced her lips to lift at the corners just the tiniest bit.

He didn’t return the smile, but she saw the amusement in his dark eyes and even that, his never-ending attitude, made her want to touch him all over.

She was trying to think of something calm and reasonable to say, but Kam chose that auspicious moment to rap at the front door, saving her the trouble.

“We’ll bring in your mattress,” Tanner said on his way to the living room. “And then we’ll let you call it a night.”

Meaning she was no longer invited over to help clean, or to have dessert? Actually, it was a moot thought because Glory was with Kam, she had a plate of dessert from Addie, and Kam informed her he and Addie had already put the dinner stuff away.

Meaning Glory hadn’t helped? Seemed likely.

She wouldn’t worry over it. People were who they were, and she wasn’t likely to change any of them tonight. But she did understand them. Somewhat.

Kam was a charming character, always ready to tease without ever really sharing himself. Addie was a caretaker, through and through, anxious to mother one and all. Sutter, her ex, was a product of his wealth and influence, selfish and entitled. Glory was steeped in her insecurities and doing her best to hide them, which often made her seem standoffish.

And Tanner… Mmm, Tanner. She watched as he and Kam wrestled the mattress back down the hall.

Tanner was a challenge, a steamy temptation, and a man who just plain did it for her. Never mind her broken engagement, her change of plans, or her unknown future. None of that was what made Tanner so appealing.

It was deeper than that. An innate connection. A gut feeling.

It was worth exploring.

She’d do her best to be patient while he figured it out. After all, she wasn’t going anywhere, no matter how he’d prefer it.