In Too Deep (2 page)

Then something glinted on one of the fingers cupping her eyes. A flash of white metal.

He remembered a slender band he’d given her. His last gift. A promise he’d never fulfilled. The desire he’d allowed to build while he’d ogled her began to slowly unwind. Lead settled in his stomach.

Lena was strictly on the look-but-don’t-touch list.
What a cryin’ damn shame.

And how awkward. He considered backing out of the lot and heading to the coast to Corpus Christi or Galveston, but he couldn’t work up the interest.

Would she even remember him? He wasn’t the same tall, lanky kid with shaggy hair, all elbows and knees and horny, burning need.

His hair was darker, cut short. His face was tanned and toughened by the sun, the blades of his cheeks more pronounced, the corners of his jaw sharper. His body was filled out by years of physical labor.

His hand let go of the keys, and he felt a smile tug at his lips. So maybe he couldn’t hope for a lusty trip down memory lane, but how much fun would it be to pretend he’d never met her, never been here before? While never touching, he could tease and flirt using his intimate knowledge of her, and she’d never realize he knew exactly what he was doing.

And the mister? Well, he’d keep the games well away from him. He didn’t want to stir up trouble. Just wanted to have a little fun—a challenge that didn’t have a thing to do with cattle or balancing the ranch’s books.

He reached for the cowboy hat on the seat beside him, pushed open the door to his truck and stepped down to the ground. Once there, he put on his hat and strode toward the porch steps.

Her gaze swung his way, swept him briefly head to toe. She pasted on a smile of welcome, although he noted caution dug a line between her brows.

“Howdy, ma’am,” he said, touching the brim of his hat.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

Her voice was huskier than he remembered but still had a lilting quality that caressed his nerve endings. Damn shame she was taken. He’d like nothing better than to hear that voice greeting him in the morning from the pillow next to his.

The throbbing that had begun at his first glimpse of her tall, statuesque figure intensified. Inconveniently, because he couldn’t think past the urgency in his loins. He cleared his throat. “I was hoping you had a vacancy. One of the cabins.”

“I’m sorry. We’re booked up.” She gave him a polite smile. “All I have are a couple of rooms in the lodge.”

She’s hoping I’ll pass.
He returned her smile with a grin that stretched slowly across his face. “That’ll be fine then.”

“We aren’t fancy,” she said, eyeing his Lucchese boots. “I do provide meals in the dining room, but we don’t have a lot of amenities. Most folks come on weekends to float the river. The cabins have added features, their own barbeque pits and small fridges, but you’d have to take your meals in the dining room, and you’d have to share a bathroom.”

Gabe gave her an easy smile. “I just came to fish. Do you have poles to rent?”

She raised her brows a little bit. “Of course. And we can provide bait, worms and crickets. The gift shop has some fancy lures.”

“I’m hopin’ I don’t actually catch much.” He gave her a brief smile. “Fishin’s man code for bein’ lazy.”

“Oh.” Her cheeks flushed.

Had it been his smile?

“Well, you can register inside,” she said, pointing toward the door behind her. “Kayla’s at the desk. She’ll get you settled.” She cleared her throat. “How long do you plan to stay?”

“A couple of weeks, ma’am.” He looked around the clearing and then swept her body with a quick glance. “That ought to be long enough.”

He could see the questions in her eyes. And a hint of anxiety.

He hadn’t meant to make her worry and wondered at its cause—unless she was feeling the same lazy heat that was burning through him.

Damn inconvenient she was married, because he’d have loved to entice her into his bed. Gabe wasn’t the least shy about going after what he wanted, and he wanted her. At least to see whether she was still as hot-blooded and adventurous as she’d been all those years ago when he’d been a boy not yet sure of himself, and she’d been a girl ready to take on the role of sexual tutor.

Again, he touched the brim of his hat and walked toward the door. He fought the urge to glance back and see if she was still watching him.

Best not take this little game too far. The last thing he wanted was to walk into the end of a shotgun held by a jealous husband. That had happened to him once, and he’d been damn sure ever since that any woman he pursued was completely free.

He stepped through the lodge’s door and pulled the scents of Pine-Sol and lemon oil into his nose. Neither could quite mask the lingering floral scent of her perfume. He shook his head, wondering why he’d insisted on staying. There was nothing for him here. He’d have been better off heading straight back to the ranch, but then he suspected he’d just be surlier than ever since his expectations hadn’t been met.

Still, for a moment when he’d first seen her, he’d felt something inside him relax. At the very least, if he stayed he could satisfy his curiosity about her life. And maybe he could finally let go.

Chapter Two

As soon as the cowboy strode inside the lodge, Lena gripped the porch rail with both hands and blew out a deep breath. The man was one tall order of temptation, a long buffet of delight for a starving woman.

Dressed in a neatly ironed work shirt that stretched across sturdy shoulders, Wranglers that lovingly molded his powerful legs and rusty-brown, hand-tooled boots, the man made her mouth water. His face, though shaded by the brim of his pale hat, was a study in masculine lines—as sharp-edged as his gaze. She’d felt an instant attraction that nearly buckled her knees.

Good Lord, and he wanted to stay for two weeks?

She pressed a hand against her pounding heart and fought the urge to fan her suddenly hot face. The things she wanted to do to him would have her arrested in most Southern states. When was the last time she’d let loose and gotten a little wild? Just one look of the cowboy’s rugged good looks and her insides had given a rebel yell.

When the door closed behind her, she shot a glance over her shoulder to watch him through the window. Yes, he looked as good going as he had coming. The sight played havoc with her hormones.

Lena shook her head at the direction of her thoughts. Lord, she must be desperate to think about jumping some stranger’s bones. Anyone who knew her would be surprised. Except for one glaring lapse in her youth, she was the model of propriety. A private woman who kept the running of the family business second from the top of her list of priorities.

The season so far had been filled with families and college kids. Busy enough to keep her from feeling lonely. And too tired at night to even dream about some mystery lover. But now, here was this cowboy who didn’t fit in with her usual brand of guests—single, handsome and with money. And by the glint in his eyes—interested in her.

Lena reached up and undid the clip that held up her hair. She ran her fingers through the messy curls and then twisted it all into bun and clipped it again. Why was she primping? He hadn’t been wearing a ring, but so many married men never did. Someone that yummy had to have a woman waiting at home.

Through the window, she watched as Kayla laughed and twirled a lock of dark hair as she gazed up at the man standing on the other side of the counter. Lena gave her a glare, which the younger woman blithely ignored. It really shouldn’t have taken that long to check him in.

The cowboy glanced back through the window and caught her looking. Lena whirled around and stepped off the porch. Her toe caught in the lattice next to the step and she went down hard, bumping down two steps. She landed on one hip, gravel digging into a palm.

Tears pricked her eyes, and she winced at the pain. Worse, the door behind her slammed and heavy booted footsteps stomped down the steps.

When the handsome cowboy came down on a knee beside her, Lena wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

The deep timbre of his voice did a number on her nerves. She shivered.

Something he must have taken for shock, because before she knew it, his hands were under her thighs and behind her back and he lifted her high against his chest.

“Put me down!”

“I will. Soon as I get you inside.”

“I’m too heavy for you to carry.”

“Darlin’ there’s some meat on your bones but not anything I can’t handle.”

Lena’s face burned with embarrassment. Had he meant it
that
way?

Kayla met them at the door, opened it and then stood to the side as the cowboy swept inside. As they passed, Kayla gave Lena a wink and a thumbs up. “Her bedroom’s just down the hall to the left,” she called after them. “Across the hall from yours, cowboy.”

“Thanks, Kayla. I’ll settle up with you in a few.”

“Take your time,” her helper sang.

Lena wiggled her legs. “I swear you can put me down. I’m fine.”

He didn’t look down, but Lena watched one corner of his firm mouth twitch. “There’s gravel embedded in your thigh. Your hands are scraped. Why not let me help? I’m willin’.”

They reached her bedroom door and he drew to a halt. His gaze dropped. “You’re gonna have to turn the knob.”

Every word that came out of his mouth felt as though it was charged with sexual current. Her body tightened against the thrill of it all. Lena reached to the side and twisted the knob, excitement buzzing inside at the thought of him entering her bedroom.

He turned sideways and stepped into the room, giving it a quick glance before he strode to the bed. He set her down on the coverlet, and Lena instantly swung her legs over the edge.

The cowboy stepped so close one of his thighs brushed the naked inside of one of hers. She glanced up to find him towering over her, his hands on his hips.

“Are you gonna stay put?”

Lena drew in a quick breath. The man had nerve. “I don’t take orders well.”

“Like givin’ ’em, do ya?”

Jesus, his voice was smooth as dark silk. Her throat went dry. She nodded.

His gaze narrowed as he studied her. “Just to be straight. Is there a mister?” His gaze went to the slender silver ring on her finger.

She considered lying or at least dancing around the point, but the thrill of him even asking the question had her insides tingling. “I’m not married. It’s a promise ring.”

His forehead wrinkled, and he reached for her hand. He curved her fingers over his and lifted it to take a closer look. When he swept his glance back to hers, she almost drew back. So much heat was banked in that one predatory glance.

“You think if I was married I would have let you carry me here?”

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Lena.”

“Last name.”

“Twohig.”

His head shook. “A woman like you never married?”

Lena straightened her shoulders. Why did everyone think it was an attractive woman’s duty to marry? “It’s none of your business why I decided to remain single.”

He swallowed. A dark gleam in his eyes and the stubborn set of his jaw kept her from saying anything more.

“I’m…Tommy,” he said softly.

“Last name?”

“Just Tommy, for now.”

He didn’t look much like a Tommy. She’d have named him something rugged and harsh. Something as severe as the cut of his square jaw.

Was the fact he’d only given her one name some kind of clue? Like he wanted to keep a little mystery going? Was he hoping she’d be into it as well? Lena took a breath and decided to stop pretending she didn’t want him in her room. Needing to take back a little control, she pointed toward the bathroom. “You’ll find washcloths in the cupboard beside the shower.”

“Antiseptic?”

“Under the sink.”

When he turned his heel, she waited until he was out of sight before she mouthed the words,
Oh my God!

A seriously sexy man was in her bathroom and looking through her cupboards. Her cheeks burned at the thought of the intimacy. She’d never been one to bring men home. A once-in-a-blue-moon rendezvous at a motel was the most she’d allowed herself over the years. She wasn’t a prude, but with Grandpa and Jake to consider, she lived a pretty circumspect life.

She’d never had an opportunity like this one land in her lap. Summers were usually spent with both of her guys constantly underfoot, but Grandpa’s accident had put the burden of running the campsite squarely on her shoulders.

Why shouldn’t she take advantage and see where this might lead? She was a free agent. Tommy seemed interested. Now, if she could just let him know she was too without looking too desperate for her own pride’s sake, why not have some fun?

While he was gone, she kicked off her flip-flops and struck a pose, one knee raised, the other stretched. Did it look natural? She slid her knee back down and glanced sideways because he was standing beside her wearing a one-sided smile.

“Nice scrape,” he murmured, nodding his chin toward her right knee. “Better raise it again.”