LUCAS (5 page)

“No way! You never date.” Jojo tried to reach Kensie’s forehead to check for a fever, but Kensie dodged her laughing.

“The aggravating idiot let himself into our cabin and wouldn’t leave until I agreed to have dinner with him. It’s not a date. I’m just getting rid of him.”

“Your eyes are bright and your cheeks are flushed. You like him,” Jojo teased.

Kensie gave her a stern look, which made Jojo laugh harder.

“You haven’t crushed on a man since junior high. This is going to be a fascinating week.” She laughed again and trotted off to talk to a sweet young cowboy.

“Thank you.” A purely male voice rumbled behind her.

Kensie shot a glare at Lucas and quickly looked away before he saw her blush.

“In case you weren’t told, your horse’s name is Marigold and this here is Elvis.” Lucas gave his stallion a loving pat.

“He’s stunning,” she agreed, then she gave her own mount a pat. “Personally, I’ve always been partial to buckskins so I appreciate you having this pretty lady in your barn.”

*****

The trail ride was a lot of fun, and she was in love with Marigold. Well, the outing had been fun until ‘he’ forced her hand with Jojo. Now she was stuck having dinner with him. Instantly her breasts felt achy and her panties grew damp. “Knock it off,” she growled at her double-crossing body.

She was a loner, always been that way. Being alone, never bothered her before, probably because no one managed to intrigue her stupid body until now. This instant reaction to the exasperating cowboy was starting to piss her off.

Working twelve and sixteen hour days, Kensie often found herself bored with nothing to do on her occasional days off. In the end, she decided to enjoy what Rochester offered. Even though she would be solo. Going to the theater, eating at the variety of restaurants around the city, even swimming at the pool in the condominium complex where she rented a unit.

A thought occurred to her, she’d never considered before. Since Momma and Daddy died, she’d avoided putting down roots. She rented instead of owning a home; she didn’t make friends and certainly didn’t date. She kept herself in a nice, neat, safe little box, and never realized she’d walled herself off completely.

Dang good thing she enjoyed her own company. At least she hadn’t started talking to herself. The day that happened, she would seek help. Hands on hips, she silently analyzed her life. This was the path she chose; she could just as easily change her path again. Step off the straight and narrow and venture into the unknown. A shiver ran down her spine. The thought terrified and yet intrigued her. She considered herself a strong, brave woman, but was she brave enough to pull up stakes and like the phoenix of lore reinvent herself from the ashes?

An image of a certain tall, dark, handsome, annoying as H E double hockey sticks, cowboy swam before her eyes. Son of a biscuit, not again. That.... that...man invaded her thoughts way too much. He made the loneliness that was her life glaringly apparent. And what he did to her body – she wasn’t even going there. You would think as a doctor, she could be clinical about his physique? Yeah, right. That was never going to happen. Great, now she was hot and bothered. Her body ached for him and she was edgy. Ah, shiznit. Needy, she didn’t do needy. Where did she even begin? She had zero experience dealing with that.

Right now, she could only think of three things and hunting down the cowboy wasn’t an option. So, that left a cold shower, or a swim in the pool. She hadn’t tried the pool yet so she decided to give a cool swim a try. Now, where did she put her bathing suit?

Kensie found a shaded corner with a lounge chair. Meticulously, she spread her beach towel so she could sit and apply sunblock. She was a redhead. Shade combined with spf 50 were crucial to her survival. Thank God for waterproof sunblock or she would never be able to enjoy swimming as much as she did.

She felt eyes on her. Someone was staring. Carefully, she glanced around without being conspicuous. A gigantic dog sat by the gate. At least she thought the animal was a dog. And it was staring at her. He didn’t act aggressive, more interested than anything. But there was something odd about him. She just couldn’t put her finger on what. She didn’t know the ranch had a dog. Jojo hadn’t mentioned one, that’s for sure. Where was he when she arrived? A beast that big should have been guarding the property. She shrugged; maybe he spent his days with the cowboys.

Capping the lotion, she wiped her hands clean and grabbed the paperback she brought along. The bottle said to wait an hour before getting wet, once the lotion soaked in she would take a swim. She eyed the pool one last time, the water looked refreshing and she was anxious to dive in.

*****

Lucas was in the barn tending his horse when he’d heard Kensie’s thoughts about the pool. His wolf’s head rose with interest and that gave him an idea. He would have preferred she hunt him down and let him take care of her overheated problem, but that would come in time.

He reached the gate just in time to watch her apply the lotion. Goddess, this was going to kill him. His body was tight and quivered with sexual tension. Every glide and stroke across her ivory skin sent shivers down his spine. And when she applied lotion around the edges of her breasts a zing shot straight to his cock. Damn good thing there was a fence between him and Kensie or his wolf would be all over her. 

In his wolf’s fur coat, the heat would be a killer and from this side of the fence there wasn’t a speck of shade to provide relief. Oh well, no pain–no gain, right? He would take a cold shower later to cool off. He wasn’t about to miss his mate in a bathing suit, that’s for damn sure.

*****

She may not have a love life, but she enjoyed reading about true love. Romance novels were a secret obsession which no one except Jojo knew about.

It wasn’t long and she was lost in the humor and plot of the romance. So much so, she forgot about the dog lurking outside the fence.

The story was one of her favorites. The author included all the elements Kensie enjoyed: passion, true love, toe curling kisses, a gentleman hero, and suspense. Like always, her body reacted to the steamier scenes. The heart pounding kisses just turned into petting when the unintended images of Lucas stripping the clothes from her overheated body broke through. His large hands were unexpectedly gentle on her curves, and his eyes glowed with such hot sexual promise her body vibrated from his intense desire. She experienced an uncontrollable need like she never felt before.

A whimper from the dog pulled her from the intrigue of the story. Kensie checked her watch and set the novel aside. Finally, she could test the water. Easing into the glittering pool, she slid into the chilly relief from the heat. The water felt wonderful on her overheated skin and – other parts.

She swam across the pool where she could get a good view of the ranch, trying to distract her thoughts from the sexy cowboy and the need vibrating through her heated blood. The only thing other than miles of hill country and cactus was the dog. She smiled at the large panting beast with strange blue eyes. Which only made him whimper again.
Huh, the dog must have some Husky heritage.
She would have to remember to ask Krystal about his breeding. Her heart went out to the lonely dog on the other side of the chain-link. Maybe she would play fetch with him later.

Perhaps if she did laps she could rid herself of the sexual tension that wouldn’t going away. Lifting her arms from the water, she dove below the surface. Kensie liked to test herself and see how far she could go without coming up for a breath. Reaching the other edge, she grabbed a gulp of air, did a swimmer’s turn, and began to lap the pool.

After ten laps of the breaststroke, she flipped and began her routine of backstrokes. Her eyes shot to the dog when he whimpered again and licked his chops. Maybe he was thirsty? Its heavy coat looked terribly warm. The pool chemicals wouldn’t be good for him to drink, but if he followed her to the cabin she would find a bowl and give him a cool drink of water.

She completed the lap and slid under the surface one last time to slick her hair back. Standing in the shallow end she reached up and wrung her hair dry. The action pushed her breasts against the wet fabric of her suit and caused a delicious friction and peaked her nipples.

Did the dog just growl at me?
She swore she heard a soft, low growl, but when she glanced to the fence the dog’s tail was wagging. She must have imagined it.

The brisk routine she developed over the years worked its magic again. Her muscles were tired and yet felt great. She had needed the workout more than she realized. All thoughts of Lucas and sex were banished from her mind.

Climbing from the pool, she found herself face to chest with the man she worked so hard to eradicate from her fantasies. Lucas blocked her way, holding her beach towel.

Where the devil did he come from?

The shock of his sudden appearance held her frozen in place for a few heartbeats, giving him time to skim his gaze up and down her barely covered body. Excitement fluttered in the pit of her stomach when his gaze flew back to hers and a slow grin spread across his face, flashed his dimples, and sent her pulse racing.

When he bent his head as if he was about to kiss her, she leapt backwards into the pool and powered to the other edge before he could block her path again. He hadn’t moved, but that didn’t seem to make a difference. His intense blue gaze made her shiver from across the pool as if he stood right in front of her.

Quickly, she grabbed her book and lotion, and made her escape. He could keep the stupid towel. Sure, running was the coward’s way out, but who cared, flight was her only choice of action if she wanted to control her rampant libido. She never met a man in all of her thirty-five years who could turn her mind to mush and make her legs weak. The cowboy was a menace.

Kensie never wanted nor needed a man and she wouldn’t start now. The tingle and ache of her body would just have to knock it off. Her breasts and other parts could forget about any up close and personal action with the bane of her existence.

*****

Lucas’s jeans were so tight, he couldn’t move. The book she had been reading was too much to resist. He purposely sent her images of what he wanted to do to her lush body and fueled her desires, which were already inflamed. He hadn’t expected her passion to ricochet back at him and send his libido through the roof.

The sight of her perky nipples above the water as she swam the backstroke almost killed him on the spot. The final straw was the erotic hair thing she did before she got out of the pool. He needed to touch her.

The image of her rising from the pool, water sluicing down her glistening body, trickling over the swell of her breasts was etched in his brain for all time.

He hadn’t planned on her jumping back into the pool to escape him. If any blood still flowed to his brain, he would have prepared a counter move for that. It didn’t.

In any case, she was gone, his brain cells were starved for oxygen and he still couldn’t walk safely to leave the pool area.

Goddess, please don’t let anyone walk past
. He thought as he willed his body to relax so he could move again.

Kensie stood in the middle of the cabin wearing only her bra and panties. “I can’t go, I have nothing to wear.”

“Stop making excuses. You’re just nervous because the hottest cowboy on the ranch asked you out, and you’re... rusty. Wear my yellow sundress; the color will look incredible with your hair.”

“I’m not rusty. That implies I’ve done this before.” Kensie threw her arms up in defeat. “I don’t date. I’ve never dated. I have no idea how to date.”

“You must have. I know you’ve had sex. Not the best from what you said, but you’ve had it.”

She gave Jojo a pointed look. “Having sex doesn’t require a date.”

She wouldn’t remind her sister their parents died when they were children and she was forced to be both parent and sister when she needed a mother herself. She spent the majority of her life raising Jojo and putting herself through med school. There hadn’t been any time to date. Even if there had been, there was no one left to give her advice.

“Kensie! You little slut,” Jojo teased. “Put the dress on with your cowgirl boots and I’ll give you pointers while you do your hair and makeup.”

“Never thought I’d see the day the tables turned,” Kensie chuckled. “Okay, O’ wise one. What do I do?”

“Make him come to the door, don’t run out to meet him. And if he’s a douche and honks his horn for you to come out, cancel the date immediately. Men like that are a waste of time.”

Kensie pulled the dress over her head. “Come to the door. No horn. Got it.”

“Any man worth your time will open and hold doors for you. So allow him to do that, and when he parks the car don’t jump out. Let him open your door and help you out. And some men pull out your chair and push it in for you, too.”

“That sounds silly when I’m perfectly capable of doing all those things myself.”

Jojo rolled her eyes. “It’s a respect thing, not an ability thing. Get over it.”

“Fine, let him operate the door. What else?”

“You DO NOT split the check. The man pays for you.”

Kensie pulled on a boot. “Why? I have more than enough to pay my own tab.”

“OH EM GEE! You’re killing me, Kensie. Just do what I’m telling you and don’t ask why.”

“Whatever,” she grumbled and pulled on the other boot.

“Finally, let him walk you to the door. You’re not a bag of trash, a drop off at the curb is unacceptable. It’s the man’s responsibility to ensure you get inside safely.” She held up a hand when Kensie started to sputter. “Yes, he might want a goodnight kiss. That’s up to you. But let him see you to the door.”

Kensie scowled at her little sister. “Fine. But this is the one and only time I’m dealing with all these ridiculous rules. Dating is too complicated.”

“Says the world renowned surgeon.” Jojo laughed as she headed for the door. She had a date of her own and he just stepped onto their porch.

“Surgery is different,” Kensie argued. “Everything makes sense.”

A knock sounded and Jojo opened the door. “Hi, Hank.” Before she walked out, she looked back at Kensie and winked. “Try to have a good time. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Kensie shook her head at her sister’s antics. When she pulled the sundress over her head, she messed up her hair.
Better check that and her makeup before Lucas started to pound on the door,
she thought.

She was just giving her hair a finishing touch with hairspray when he knocked. With a sigh, she straightened her back and went to answer.

Lucas about swallowed his tongue. Kensie was gorgeous. The dress she wore molded her body perfectly and showed off her womanly figure. Need racked his body. He wolf would trade is fangs for a taste of her.

Down boy
, he scolded his wolf. Kisses would have to wait. Dinner and conversation were what was on the menu tonight. He needed to learn everything he could about his mate.

His mouth and brain took a moment to connect. “You look amazing.”

Kensie felt heat rise up her neck. Jiminy crickets, only thirty seconds and she was blushing already. “Thank you.”

Lucas stepped back so she could close the door and lock it. Then he reached out his hand and waited.

She looked at his hand as if she were contemplating a life and death decision. Finally, she relented and allowed him to lead her to the car.

Jojo’s list of rules ran through her head as she walked beside him. She was supposed to let him open the car door next.

They reached the passenger side of the car and sure enough, he opened the door for her. Well, okay. She could do this, no problem.

“I have a seven thirty reservation so we have plenty of time to get there. I think you’ll like Rubio’s. They have great food.”

Kensie nodded and smiled. She wasn’t sure what to say. Except for Jojo and Carol, she didn’t do small talk.

The instant they entered the restaurant Kensie knew she was about to experience interaction overload.

A man who must be the owner beamed and slapped Lucas on the back. “Lucas! It’s great to see you tonight. I was surprised to see you made a reservation for two. Who’s the lucky lady?”

“Hi, Angelo. This is Kensie.” Lucas squeezed her hand. “Darlin', this is Angelo. He’s the owner of Rubio’s.”

Kensie reached to shake the man’s hand. Angelo, took her hand and gently kissed her fingers. “It is a pleasure to meet such a beautiful lady.”

She couldn’t help but smile at the sweet old man.

“Now, Angelo, that’s enough,” Lucas teased. “Don’t make me call Maria from the kitchen.”

“Momma mia! Don’t do that,” Angelo said dramatically.

Kensie laughed at the show they put on for her benefit. She started to feel more comfortable and that surprised her. Lucas led her by the hand through the dining room. They seemed to be headed to a private table at the very back.

They couldn’t take three steps without stopping to say hello and introductions. So many new names were thrown at her she thought her head would explode. There was no way she would remember any of them except Angelo. She didn’t want to be rude, but enough was enough.

When they were in-between tables, she leaned in and whispered. “Lucas, you’re not having dinner with the entire restaurant.”

“You’re right, mon amour. I apologize.” The rest of the way to their table, he simply nodded, smiled, and said hello as they passed. He feared he’d blown his chances by using a term of endearment she wasn’t ready for. He was sure she wouldn’t be comfortable with him calling her ‘my love’ yet. Thankfully, she was too overwhelmed by the locals to notice.

He was pleased when Kensie waited for him to seat her at their table. Many women from the last few generations ignored such manners as allowing a man to seat the lady.

Seated, he placed his napkin in his lap. He felt her gaze like a physical touch. He couldn’t help but raise his own and drink her in.

Kensie looked at Lucas before, but she’d been so busy avoiding him, she hadn’t really looked all that closely. His masculine handsomeness left her awe struck. Not pretty like some men, heck no, he was all male. She really liked a man with a strong jawline and a solid chin. For her, there was no bigger turn off than a weak, snively chin. She’d meant to pass over his full, kissable lips, but all her good intentions lost out to flaring desire.

Determinedly, she pulled her eyes from temptation and focused on his hair. Dark, lush, slightly wavy hair begged her to tunnel her fingers deep. Damn, was there anything on this man that wasn’t perfect? Forcing her attention from his hair, her eyes clashed with his intense, aquamarine gaze, rimmed with long dark lashes any woman would kill for. On any other man they would look girly. Lucas just looked hot. Smoking hot. Shiznit, he in turn fixedly studied every one of her features as well. His intense inspection made her feel like a bug under a magnifying glass.

Irritated, she felt an embarrassed blush heat her cheeks - again.

Lucas flashed his charming, megawatt smile, chalk full of dimples. The ones that immediately wreaked havoc with her heart rate.

Jaw tightening, she ignored the flash of heat and the fact she was officially beet red. Fair skin was a hazard she hated being cursed with.

He didn't speak; he simply continued to gaze at her. His eyes darkened and grew hungry when his perusal fell to her mouth.

Kensie's lips parted and her tongue instinctively moistened them. Her body responded with a disturbing eagerness she never experienced before. Her nipples joined in and tightened against the lacy cups of her bra and then invited a flutter to begin in her belly.

She silently willed him to say something. Anything. She sure as heck couldn’t form words much less string a few together.

Lucas averted his eyes and cleared his throat to give her a chance to recover. He understood the intense draw of one mate for another, but she didn’t know what was happening and he could smell her desire and confusion. He did all he could do to not chuckle. If he did, she would be embarrassed and he would never do that to his mate in public.

Kensie directed her attention to the menu, a much safer choice than the cowboy across the table.
Vegetarian lasagna, yum.

They hadn’t been seated long when a woman with silver gray hair rushed over. The glasses of water on her tray wobbled dangerously as she practically slid to a halt.

“Evenin', folks. The special tonight is lasagna,” she said as she set the glasses on the table. “Mercy me! Lucas Le Beau with a date.”

“Thelma, you of all people know I don’t take just any lady to dinner. Since you refuse to accept my offer, continuously breaking my heart, I took a look around and found this gorgeous woman. She took mercy on me and healed my broken heart,” Lucas teased.

Thelma patted his cheek as if he were a precocious child, instead of a one hundred seventy-five-year-old man. “My refusal was for your own protection, darlin'. You couldn’t handle me,” she teased back.

“You got that right,” he laughed. “Thelma, this lovely lady is Kensie. Kensie, this is Thelma, the holder of everyone’s secrets in these parts.”

“Go on now,” Thelma blushed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kensie. You must be one special lady to catch the eye of this young man.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Thelma.” Kensie shook the friendly waitress’s hand. She knew instantly she was going to like the woman.

“Y'all ready to order, or would you like a little more time to read the menu?” 

Lucas glanced toward his mate. “If you don’t mind, I could order for both of us.”

Kensie gave him a considering look. Maybe this was one of those rules Jojo was talking about. “All right.”

“Please bring us a bottle of Chianti, the chicken cacciatore for me, and vegetarian lasagna for Kensie.”

Thelma wrote down the order and put her notepad in her pocket. “I’ll bring you the house salad and the wine in a jiffy.”

Lucas handed the menus to Thelma and reached for Kensie’s hand.

She stiffened and dropped her eyes, but didn’t pull away. A small victory was won in that moment.

After Thelma was out of earshot, she leaned closer to Lucas. “How did you know I like vegetarian lasagna?”

“Maybe I can read your fascinating mind, or maybe it was just a good guess.” He grinned, flashing his heart stopping dimples shamelessly. He heard her choose the lasagna and consider a glass of Chianti, but he wasn’t going to tell her that. At least not yet.

Kensie blushed a pretty pink and pulled her hand back.

Before Lucas could speak again, a runner from the kitchen brought their salads and wine.

The instant he left the table, Lucas said, “You’re always beautiful, but you’re breathtaking when you blush.”

Her blush bloomed brighter, yet she refused to look up from her lap. Ignoring him she took a sip of water.

He wanted, no, needed a reaction from her. Leaning close enough for her to feel his warm breath, he whispered, “I want to kiss you so badly, it hurts.”

Kensie inhaled sharply and choked on the water. Quickly, she set the glass down before she dropped it. Despite her cautionary measures, the water still managed to slosh out.

“Here, let me get that.” He reached over to dry the table. Their hands brushed and his heart fell to his feet when Kensie jerked back as if bit by a rattler.

Lucas set his damp napkin aside. He must have pushed too hard with the kiss comment. He needed to be more careful. 

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Let’s be honest. There's something powerful happening between you and me. You feel the pull as much as I do. I only ask that you explore that with me and see where this goes.”

“I admit there is an...attraction,” she said, trying to smile. “But I’m not used to men who are so assertive. If you want to continue this, you need to slow down.”

“I'll try, darlin'. I don’t think you realize the appeal you hold for me. But I swear I’ll try.” His vow echoing in his ears sounded like a portent of disaster. He was afraid when the time came, and Kensie gave into her attraction, he wouldn’t be able to go slow or be gentle. By Goddess, he would give her his best effort and provide whatever she needed. She deserved nothing less.