Page 121 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

“Next time I will,” she yelled at the slammed door. “Also you’re welcome for the coffee.”

There was no response from the bathroom. Cat turned bewildered eyes to Lucy. “What do you suppose that was all about?”

Jared knew he’d overreacted. But when he’d awoken and she was gone, every protective instinct he possessed charged through him. It was impossible to pretend the feelings he had for her were merely that of friendship or mere attraction. Ever since the van had broken down, and he’d practically torn apart the two guys who had ogled his Cat, he’d known there was no going back.

He had no choice but to be honest with her, tell her about Cameron’s lie, and hope she’d be willing to forgive him. How to tell her, well, that was a whole different barrel of pickles entirely.

They ate breakfast at a truck stop, chicken fried steak with gravy thick enough to clog an artery and biscuits. Jared tried to broach the subject then, but Cat was avoiding any and all conversation with him. Gone was the woman who badgered him incessantly. In her place sat a woman buried in her phone, making only monosyllabic grunts to his every attempt at conversation.

Before leaving Amarillo, Jared insisted they stop at Cadillac Ranch, hoping the tourist attraction would rouse the old Cat. With any luck, he’d be able to draw her into a conversation.

As they hiked across the working farm field, Jared watched as curiosity and amazement lit her delicate features. Silently, he congratulated himself on his genius. The ten classic Cadillacs, half buried nose-down in the field, were well-worn with age and vandalism, but the sheer preposterousness of the spectacle was remarkable.

“What a fantastically crazy idea.” Cat laughed, letting Lucy lead her between the cars, whose metal tail fins stuck high in the air. The warm wind whipped her hair around her face, and Jared found himself returning her laughter.

“Cat.” He reached for her hand and pulled her around to face him. “I want to...”

“Look, Mom!” A child, no more than four, came tearing around one of the cars to pounce on Lucy.

Following the child hurried a frazzled-looking mother and father. They apologized for their son and tried to pull him away to look at the cars. Jared glanced down the path to see more tourists hiking their way to look at the cars. The moment was lost.

“Are you ready?” Cat asked, pulling her hand out of his.

“Yeah,” he answered with regret.

Once back in the van, Jared tried to broach the subject again. He didn’t particularly want to talk while driving, but if he waited until they reached Gallup, New Mexico, tonight, he might lose his chance.

“I’m so tired,” Cat interrupted him and stretched in the passenger’s seat. “I think I’ll take a nap.”

Jared frowned as she pulled his baseball cap down over her eyes. Why did he get the feeling she was thwarting him on purpose? Well, too bad, little lady. Like it or not, they were going to have this conversation.

“I don’t think so,” he said and tugged the baseball cap off her head. Her rebellious hair sprung about her head, and she had to blow some curls out of her eyes before she could glare at him.

“What’s gotten into you?” Her quick-changing eyes flashed blue fire in annoyance. “First you bite my head off this morning, and now you won’t let me sleep. What’s going on?”

“I’ve been trying to talk to you,” he growled. “But I get the feeling you’re trying to avoid me. Want to explain why?”

“Not particularly.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the dashboard.

Jared leaned over the console to cup her chin and turn her face to his. “Aw, now what happened to the daring woman that crawled into my bed at three o’clock in the morning and demanded, of all things, conversation?”

“Just start the van,” she ordered as her face flamed. “I already apologized for that, and you know it.”

“I know you did, but I didn’t.” Jared’s voice grew solemn.

“There’s no need for you to apologize.” She sighed. “I’m like a little sister to you. Right? Well, if we’re family then you don’t need to apologize.”

“Ah, now I get it,” Jared said. “Hold that thought, darling.”

Cat felt her insides lurch at his endearment, and she watched in bemusement as he opened his door and came around to her side of the van. Without a word, he jerked open her door and pulled her out of her seat and into his arms.

Wedged between the vehicle and Jared, Cat was not given a moment to consider this abrupt turn of events. His lips landed on hers in a kiss that possessed her all the way to her toes. Her blood lurched in her veins, and she arched against him, a frustrated moan echoing in her throat.

He pulled back, and his blue eyes grew dark when Cat’s only response was to wrap her arms around his neck and cling to his solid strength. His gaze pierced hers, with a look that bespoke sweaty passion and rumpled sheets. Cat shuddered. It was a look that scorched. Oh yeah, he wanted her all right.

“So, I’m more of a kissing cousin?” she asked.

“I’m sorry I compared you to a little sister yesterday. I was in denial,” he said. “I’ve tried to think of you that way. Really, I have.”