Page 38 of Mountain Rescue
Someone cleared their throat, breaking the eye connection she and Dallas had going. Jack was scowling and Noah was grinning. The grinning she got. He had a front row seat to analmostscene right out of a movie...boy kisses girl, girl goes all dreamy, forgetting they have an audience.
Jack’s scowl, though? She didn’t get it. What was his problem? She’d caught him several times giving Dallas a stink eye. Men, they were strange creatures. They—okay, him, the SEAL cowboy one—confused her. Jack did, too, but she wasn’t concerned about him and what he was thinking. Not when all she could think about was kissing the man next to her.
“I’m off to tell Nichole to pack a bag.” Jack tapped on the table in front of Dallas. “When you go out to the site with Noah, think about where and how on the property you’d set up an equine center.”
“Copy that.”
She noticed how Dallas’s eyes brightened at the mention of horses but wait. What? “Where’s Nichole going?”
“To her parents’ until this is over,” Jack said.
“Because of me. I’m sorry.” She hated being the reason Nichole had to be sent away so Jack could be sure she stayed safe.
“I shouldn’t have come here.”
Jack shook his head. “You’re exactly where you need to be. Both Nichole and I would be upset if you hadn’t come to us when your life is in danger.”
“I’m still sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’ll catch up with y’all later.”
After Jack left, Dallas said, “He’s right, you know. You’re where you need to be. Why don’t we grab some lunch and you come with me and Noah to the site?”
She stuck a finger under the wig and scratched. The stupid thing was getting itchy, and she was more than ready to get it off. “I think I’d rather go back to the cabin. Besides, we left Bella alone, and she’s probably scared.”
“You sure? I’m not crazy about you being alone.”
“I don’t see how Robert could have tracked me this soon. The cabin’s address isn’t in my contact list. I’ll be okay.” Besides, she needed some time alone to think. Did she want to kiss Dallas again? Well, duh. Silly question. The better question was, should she?
“Since you’re taking Rachel back to the cabin, I think I’ll go have lunch with Peyton,” Noah said to Dallas. “Meet back here in two hours?”
“That works. I’ll grab a bite at the cabin.”
As they walked out, Dallas put his hand on her lower back. She liked that, probably too much. She’d never dated a man who was as protective as Dallas, as attentive. Not that they were dating, but at any other time, she would sure love to have a man like him interested in her.
After this was over, they’d go their separate ways, and if her heart gave a sad ping at that, it was what it was. While they were here, though, she wanted to have a little fun with the hottest man she’d ever met. If she let this opportunity pass by, she’d go home regretting it.
“A penny.”
“Huh?” So deep in her head, she hadn’t even registered that they were in the Jeep, heading to the cabin.
“You were a thousand miles away. A penny for your thoughts.”
“Oh, ah...”Say it, Rach.Okay, going for it...well, kind of. “I was thinking of you, but I’m freaking out a little because those thoughts are a little...” X-rated, but she couldn’t bring herself to say that. She was such a chicken.
“A little?”
“Nothing.” She glanced out the window to keep him from seeing the truth in her eyes, the lust that she was sure was in them, shining as bright as the North Star. She’d had crushes on guys before, but she’d never been in lust like this and wasn’t sure she liked it. A change of subject was in order. “How long do you think it will take Carter’s people to get my grandmother to your ranch?”
“Not sure, but probably sometime this afternoon.” He parked in front of the cabin, and after turning off the ignition, he turned to her. “This conversation you started but can’t seem to finish for some reason isn’t over. You’re going to tell me about those thoughts you’re having.” He tapped her nose, then exited the Jeep.
She blew out a breath while admiring the back of him as he jogged up the steps. Okay, she was mostly admiring his butt because it was mighty fine. At the door, he glanced back at her, giving her a sly smile. She’d never had such sexy thoughts about a man before, and embarrassed heat burned her cheeks that he seemed to know exactly where her mind was.
Why had she said anything, opened a door he apparently wasn’t going to let her close? She’d never had sex just because she wanted to jump a sexy hot guy’s bones and wanting to was out of her comfort zone. But boy, did she ever want to now. They’d flirted around the idea of it, and she had gone back and forth, one minute kissing him and the next telling him no more kisses. Was she brave enough to ask for what she wanted?
After he disappeared inside, she got out and followed him in. Her plan was to dash to her room and stay there until he left.
“Water, soda, or beer with your sandwich?” Dallas said.
