Rocky Mountain Angel (10 page)

“I used to ride with her sometimes. She is good.”

He took her along the eastern boundary, talking comfortably the entire time. They stopped and took samples when she asked, but it wasn’t often.

“I thought we’d be doing a lot more testing,” he admitted.

They stopped at the end of the coulee at a small watering hole to refresh the horses, a place to sit and lean back and stare out into the blue spring sky.

Allison pulled off her hat and dropped it beside her, loosening off her ponytail holder and running her fingers through her hair to fluff it out. “It’s early testing, Gabe. And honestly? I don’t need to test often at this point. The uncomfortable truth is unless you and the Whiskey Creek side stopped using banned fertilizers a few years ago, chances are a lot of your fields around this side will be contaminated. You’re too close to other spreads as well.”

He nodded slowly. “I did think of that. And that’s why I thought this and the backside of the land are the most important to see first and take off the list. Our west boundary is up against crown land—if anything is going to meet standards, that will be it.”

“I’m glad to hear you’ve anticipated a few of the troubles. I didn’t want to be the one to have to burst your bubble.”

She looked so nervous he couldn’t stand it. Gabe leaned forward and caught her hand. “You’re not wrecking anything by telling me the truth. I am going to find a way to make this happen, but there are a ton of options at this point. You knocking a few of the blocks out from under me is helping, not hindering. Got it?”

“I still worry.”

“Ha.” He squeezed her fingers. “You were born worrying. Just saying you don’t have to tread carefully around me. You’ve got enough of that to deal with every day.”

She nodded. “Thanks.”

“How’s it going with your mom? You want to talk about it?”

She pulled back her hand—he hadn’t even realized he was still holding it—and dragged her fingers through her hair again. The act left the long tresses in a wild scramble around her shoulders and something shot hard into his gut.

“Things are good. My mom is thrilled to have me back. She doesn’t suspect why. I’ve managed to convince her to not show up any day before noon.”

“Your mom is taking time off?”

“I know. It’s like a mini miracle. She asked if I’d come to the house this weekend and help her with some boxes.” Allison smiled at him. “It’s right to be here. Thank you so much for making it possible.”

“No problem.”

She was in the middle of pulling her hair back and fastening it with an elastic when her bracelet got caught. “Shit. Gabe?”

He laughed and shifted forward, reaching around her to loosen off the bit that was caught in the tiny clasp.

She smelt good. Clean and fresh with that hint of flowers. He was kneeling at her side, one knee tucked between her legs where they extended in front of her. He tried his best to not pull as he worked, but he was getting distracted. The softness of the hair under his fingers, and the flannel of her shirt as it brushed his arm caused all sorts of wrong reactions.

“You having troubles?” Her wrist jiggled and pulled, and she hissed in pain.

He trapped her in place. “Hold still. What kind of unsolvable puzzle do you have on this damn bracelet?”

“Ouch. I’m not sure, but you’re scalping me.”

He couldn’t work the thing one handed. “This may seem strange, but don’t argue, okay?” He twisted her hand and placed it palm down on the top of her head.

Allison giggled. “I need to rub my tummy at the same time, right? To test my coordination?”

“Or walk and chew gum as we’d tease the twins. Hold still, I think I can get it now.”

He had to lean in even closer, but with something to brace on, she kept her arm steady and he had her loose from the tiny trap. He smoothed back the long strand of hair he’d freed, the silken softness a caress against his fingers, and suddenly he was aware of how close they were to each other. That he was damn near straddling her. Her breath brushing across his chest.

He retreated as carefully as he could, hoping she wouldn’t move and crash them together, because if they fell to the ground in a tangle there was little doubt in his mind he’d end up doing something other than try to get free.

He was brushing the dirt off his knees and looking for what he could pick up. Anything to distract him. That’s when he heard it. Small, but definitely there.

“Are you laughing at me, Allison Parker?”

She jammed on her hat and pulled the front brim low, effectively hiding her face. “Course not.”

One twirl took her away from him, but her shoulders continued to shake suspiciously.

“What?” He followed after her.

She stuffed her water bottle back in the saddlebag and obviously refused to face him. “Nothing. Ready to show me more of the land?”

She was still laughing.

Gabe stepped in close and tugged on her shoulder. He pulled hard enough she spun around, her full grin right there for him to see. “I knew it. Why you laughing, woman?”

She planted her fists on her hips, head tilted to the side a tiny bit.

She looked damn adorable. More than adorable, she looked edible and fuckable…

And that wasn’t appropriate for him to be thinking.

“There.” She snapped up a finger and pointed at his face. “You did it again.”

“Did what?” He would have stepped back, but she snatched up a fist full of his shirt, and he froze.

The images of wrapping his arms around her and dropping her to the ground and taking her right there were not a part of this deal.

“Gabe Coleman, are you scared of me?”

What the…? “What kind of shit question is that?”

She didn’t let go. Her right hand stayed fisted around a good chunk of his shirtfront, but her left hand snuck under his chin and her soft fingers cupped his face. “Not trying to tease, but damn it, Gabe, you should have seen how you scrambled away from me. It was like you’d seen a snake. And just now? When I kind of gave you that flirty look the girls do? You were ready to bolt.”

“Was not.”

“Bullshit.” The hand at his chest let go, only to thump down with the side of her fist. “You kissed me that first night—said we didn’t want to be caught because we couldn’t even get through a little kiss. But you’ve been shying away from me all day. What’s going to happen if you do that when we’re around family?”

“There’s no problem,” Gabe insisted. Damn it all. Last thing he wanted to admit was he’d been too ready to take things further than they needed for the deception to work. “And I wasn’t scared. Just didn’t see any need to make you uncomfortable.”

“You can’t mess up like that in public, Gabe.”

“I won’t. I didn’t.”

Her fingers left his cheek. Before he figured out what she planned, she’d slipped off his cowboy hat and run her fingers through his hair.

His instant response was to trap her wrist and not let her continue the caress.

She raised a brow. “You have something in your hair.”

“I noticed. Your fingers.”

“You’re overreacting.”

He was getting far too turned on by her touch for them to still be standing this close together. “I think I need to show you the pigpens and chicken coops now.”

She had this expression that didn’t make any sense. “You need to relax.”

He needed to go jump in the creek. “You had enough fun yet, Allison? Because we really should be going.”

“Not yet.”

Dammit if she didn’t press against him, her soft body warm and curved in all the right spots. The hand that had stroked through his hair was at the back of his neck, playing and teasing him until goose bumps rose. She slid her other hand across his chest and upward until they met, then she tugged on his neck. Hard enough that he would have had to act like a scarecrow to resist her, so he let her guide him.

Just far enough down she could tilt her head back and join their mouths together.

She’d meant it as a taunt. A bit of a payback for the mind-numbing impact of his kiss a couple days earlier.

But when their lips touched, joking was off the agenda. Now? She just wanted.

This habit she had of jumping in with two feet had gotten her in trouble before, and maybe this time it would as well, but with her fingers tangled in his hair she didn’t care.

She traced his lips with her tongue, tasting him slowly. He wasn’t moving. Not toward her, not away, so she leaned in a little harder and dipped a little deeper. Mmm, something about kissing him in the outdoors made it that much better. It was right, mixing the scents of the country with the taste of him, his firm lips moving against hers.

He must have finally given in, because his hands were on her hips. Not dragging her tighter, but at least not pushing her away. The gentle squeeze of pressure proved he was there willingly, and she concentrated on enjoying the kiss more.

She was up on tiptoe, breathing through her nose. The masculine scent of his soap and skin filled her head. His tongue brushed hers. A far cry from the passionate and overwhelming exchange they’d had at the start of the week. Somehow, it was just as perfect. Allison tugged him closer yet and he followed her lead. Bending over her, and allowing her to rest on her heels instead of straining to reach him.

His hands hadn’t moved.

The kisses stayed soft. Exploratory. When she would have offered more, an extraordinary sound escaped from him, and this time he did pull back. Not far, only enough to rest his head on her shoulder and take a shaky breath.

She ran her fingers through his hair, the thick texture soft and yet firm against her palms.

It was reassuring and peaceful. The edge of sexual attraction there but dim enough all she felt was his presence. A comfort and an anchor.

“You trying to drive me crazy?” Gabe wouldn’t lift his head, so she had no idea what kind of expression he wore. Only the edge of tension in his voice—damn. She hadn’t meant to hurt him.

Allison tried to step away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“Shhh. Just give me a hug. You crazy woman.”

She slipped her arms around his torso and squeezed him tight. “I only wanted to tease you.”

Gabe patted her on the back, his touch nicely platonic, and she breathed a sigh of relief that she hadn’t mucked things up between them with that impulsive move.

He stooped to recover his hat. They were still close when the buzz of an engine rose into hearing. Gabe groaned and twisted to face the open field on their right, a narrow dust trail rising to show the approach of someone drawing nearer.

“You expecting anyone?” Allison asked.

“No, but that doesn’t mean anything.” His tone was so dry she glanced up to see what had caused it. He shook his head as the quad came into sight. “One of the twins. Figures. I haven’t put out a fire for them in nearly two weeks.”

Allison would have moved farther away, but he caught her fingers in his and tugged her against his side.

She laughed. “You really plan to pull out all the stops, don’t you?”

“If it’s Joel, or better yet, Jesse, we got ourselves the nearest thing to that megaphone on Main Street we were talking about.”

He tucked her fingers under her chin and lifted her face toward him.

“Gabe…”

“Stop talking and kiss me, woman. He’s watching.”

It felt different this time. More like pretend, even with the heat of his mouth touching hers. Allison was distracted, wanting to find out what their visitor was up to.

The motor on the quad cut out and Gabe released her.

“Don’t stop on my account.” Jesse tipped back his hat and grinned, blue eyes shining bright, huge grin plastered across his face as he swung his leg over the seat and jumped to the ground.

“Morning, Jesse.”

“Gabe.” Jesse turned all his attention on Allison, and damn if she didn’t feel her cheeks rush with heat. “And Allison Parker. You sure you want this old man? If you’re in the market, there are younger Colemans available who have way more energy.”

Talk about a tease. “I thought about that, but Rafe isn’t ready for a steady girlfriend yet.”

Gabe chortled as Jesse mocked being kicked in the gut. “Low blow. Well played. Good to see you back in the area.”

He wrapped her in a bear hug and planted a huge kiss on her. Allison was too surprised to stop him.

Gabe wasn’t. “Bastard. That’s enough.” Allison found herself tucked back tight against his side, one arm possessively holding her close.

Jesse’s grin didn’t budge. “I’ve heard the phrase
kissing cousins
for years, and never thought how much fun it could be.”

“What do you want, Jesse?” Gabe all but snarled the words.

Allison hid her amusement as Jesse deliberately leered in her direction.

“Is that an open-ended question?” Jesse backed away as Gabe advanced. “Kidding. Man, you two are going to be a blast to rag on. I’ve never seen him with such a short fuse. Well done, Allison, you’ve managed to rile up the good kid on the block.”