Kade: Armed and Dangerous

by Cheyenne McCray

  Why did that thought make her feel so hollow?

  Chapter 7

  After debating whether to wear a skirt or slacks, Kelsey opted for a new pair of jeans and a silky blouse in shell pink.

  Her stomach clenched at the thought of Kade asking her to dance with him—if he went. She could almost feel the warmth of his body close to hers, his arms wrapped around her, his lips brushing her ear...

  Kelsey rolled her eyes. “Get a grip, Kelsey.”

  She was acting like she was in high school again, getting ready to attend one of the functions where boys lined one wall and girls grouped together against the other.

  Memories of her younger sister’s first school dance abruptly came to Kelsey. She closed her eyes, remembering how pretty Naya had looked in her indigo dress. How her brown eyes had sparkled and how nervous she’d been the first time a boy asked her to dance.

  Kelsey had been fiercely protective of her younger sister and had refused to let Naya out of her sight that night. But in the end, just a couple of years later, Kelsey hadn’t been able to protect her. She hadn’t been able to do anything to prevent her sister from dying.

  As she wiped away a tear, Kelsey forced the thoughts from her mind. It didn’t do any good to dwell on the past. No good at all.

  While she jerked a brush through her hair, she studied her reflection in the mirror. She couldn’t help see herself as Davis did, remembering all the times he told her how fat she was.

  Stop it. She took a deep breath and tried to relax. Funny that he used to tell her she was beautiful before they were married. But how quickly things had changed, and how controlling he’d become. She’d been stupid. Naive.

  She slammed the brush down on the bureau and clenched her fists. She’d finally come to her senses and ditched the jerk. Taking several deep breaths, she cleared her mind of all unwanted memories.

  The only problem was that the image that filled her mind next was of Kade walking through the house in his boxers yesterday. He was so good to look at. Not to mention good to taste.

  With a groan, she touched up her makeup, going to a little extra effort on her appearance. At the last minute, she decided to paint her toenails bright pink with quick-drying enamel polish. When she finished, she tucked her blouse into her jeans, slid on a pair of sandals, and headed to the kitchen.

  “Now don’t you look nice,” Chuck said when she entered the room.

  Kelsey smiled, enjoying his country charm. “You’re quite the dashing gentleman.”

  “Hey, Kelsey.” Trent whirled into the room. His hair was combed and parted on the side, and he wore jeans and a western shirt. “Are you going with us?”

  “Yes, sir.” She put her hand on his shoulder and smiled. “You’re so handsome. Will you save a dance for me?”

  “Okay.” Trent bounced on his toes and turned to his grandma.

  “Is it time to leave? Jamie Perez is coming and I wanna show him my snake rattle. I’ve got it in my pocket.”

  “We’re ready.” Sadie picked up the foil-covered pan of enchiladas. “Chuck, will you take this out to the car?”

  “Sure thing, sweetheart.” He kissed Sadie and took the pan.

  Sadie grabbed a pen and notepad off the counter and scrawled a quick note, then laid it on the table. “I’m letting Kade know where we’ll be. Who knows if he’ll remember about the dance tonight. Since he’s late, it’s possible he’ll be too tired.”

  Kelsey nodded, pushing away a wave of disappointment that she didn’t want to feel.

  After they drove the two miles to the clubhouse, they all piled out of Sadie’s SUV. It was early evening and lights were blazing through the windows, the dirt and gravel parking lot crammed with vehicles. The clubhouse wasn’t much to look at from outside—a long, narrow building that must have been at least fifty years old and had the scars to prove it. Scraggly trees grew behind the clubhouse, and if Kelsey wasn’t mistaken, there were “hers” and “his” out-houses in the back.

  She hid a smile as she followed the Turners up the concrete steps to the clubhouse. Country-western music blared into the night, along with laughter and conversation. As they walked into the building, everyone they passed greeted Sadie and Chuck, and Kelsey’s head spun with the names of all the people she was introduced to. The clubhouse smelled of fried chicken, sawdust, and sweat. Couples danced on the sawdust-covered hardwood floor, people were laughing, talking, and eating, and children dodged underfoot. In the corner a band was set up with a couple of bales of hay around them. For atmosphere, she supposed.

  “This is Sal, a Border Patrol agent and friend of Kade’s.” Sadie gestured as the familiar dark-haired man walked up to them. “Sal, this is Kelsey, the reporter who’s staying with us.”

  “Hello, Sal.” Kelsey had to raise her voice to be heard over the toe-tapping song the band was playing.

  “Buenas noches.” His mustache curved upward as he squeezed her hand. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  Kelsey turned to Sadie and explained how she and Sal had met at the CPB checkpoint outside of Tombstone. The song ended, and the band started another tune. “How about a dance?” Sal asked Kelsey.

  Her cheeks grew hot—she hadn’t danced with anyone since high school. “Ah—”

  “Get out there.” Sadie ushered them toward the dance floor. “I’m going to make sure Chuck set the enchiladas on the buffet table. I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided to keep the whole pan for himself.”

  Kelsey’s gaze darted from Sal to the dance floor and back. “I, ah, don’t know how...”

  “It’s easy enough.” Fine lines at the corners of Sal’s eyes crinkled and his mustache twitched as he guided her onto the floor.

  Sal turned out to be an excellent teacher, and he didn’t seem to mind Kelsey stepping on his boots at least half a dozen times. Soon she was getting the hang of it and actually enjoying herself. Every now and then, though, she couldn’t help glance at the door, wondering if Kade would show.

  When they stopped to drink a cup of punch, Kelsey was asked to dance by a man who was chewing on a toothpick. Before she knew what was happening, she was swept onto the dance floor again.

  John Stevens introduced himself as they danced around the room. A pleasant-looking man, he was built like a bulldozer, had hazel eyes, a slightly receding hairline, and long sideburns.

  He leaned close and said over the music, “I hear you’re staying with the Turners.”

  Kelsey tilted her head while at the same time trying to avoid getting jabbed by the toothpick. “Sadie mentioned you. Don’t you own a ranch by the name of Sweet—”

  “Sweetwater.” He drew her out of the way of a couple twirling into their path.

  Her interest perked up. “I’m interviewing ranchers about the illegal immigrant situation. Would you be free to chat with me?”

  A flicker of something passed across his features, but it was too brief for Kelsey to get a feel for what it might be. He shrugged and said, “You’re welcome to come on out to Sweetwater anytime. Just give me a heads-up.”

  By the time she finally made her escape to grab something cold to drink again, Kelsey had danced with a few men and once with Trent. Droplets of sweat trickled between her breasts, the heat of exertion warmed her face, and the backs of her heels surely had blisters.

  Sal eased up to her as she ladled punch into her cup. “All danced out?”

  Kelsey laughed and sipped her punch. “I haven’t had this much fun in ages.”

  She agreed to one more dance with Sal, but when he led her to the floor, she realized the band was playing a slow tune. A twinge of nervousness gripped her stomach. It had been fine dancing to fast numbers, but being too close to any man made her uncomfortable.

  Any man but Kade. The moment she amended the thought, she immediately chastised herself. She just couldn’t get that man out of her head.

  Fortunately, Sal held her at a respectable distance, one hand on her shoulder and one at her waist, with plenty of room betw
een them. “I’m surprised Kade isn’t here,” Sal said as they moved across the floor.

  Kelsey shrugged, pretending it didn’t matter. “Apparently he had to work late. He’s probably too tired, anyway.”

  Sal winked. “I’d bet next month’s paycheck that nothing will stop him from coming, just knowing you’re here.”

  Face heating even more, she shook her head.

  Tingles erupted at the base of Kelsey’s neck. She cut her gaze to the doorway and caught her breath. Kade had his shoulder against the door frame, his arms folded across his chest. His blue eyes were focused on her, his expression unreadable. He looked so good, dressed in a dark blue western shirt, faded jeans, a black cowboy hat, and worn brown boots.

  Good enough to eat. Whole.

  Sal leaned close, and she forced herself to turn away from the sight of Kade to hear what Sal had said. When she glanced back to the doorway, Kade was gone.

  ***

  Fire simmered in Kade’s gut. He clenched his jaw as he watched Kelsey dancing with Sal, her face flushed and her eyes bright. She smiled and blushed at something Sal said. She was obviously enjoying being with him. She’d barely been giving Kade the time of day, yet there she was, dancing too damn close to his friend.

  He’d studied Kelsey awhile before she noticed him, and then their eyes locked. Until Sal drew her attention back to him.

  Even though Kade knew he wasn’t thinking clearly, at that moment he would’ve liked nothing better than to smash his fist into Sal’s jaw. He tossed his Stetson onto a hat rack, then moved through the dancers until he was behind Sal. Kelsey was looking to the doorway, where he’d been standing.

  He touched Sal’s shoulder, trying not to look like he was ready to kill him. His friend glanced up and with a nod, let Kade cut in. Kelsey turned her gaze back from the door just as he replaced Sal, and her jaw dropped.

  “Kade,” she said, her eyes wide.

  “You don’t mind me cutting in, do you?” He studied her incredible brown eyes. “Or would you prefer Sal’s company?”

  “No. I mean yes.” Kelsey shook her head and turned a pretty shade of pink. “Yes, I would like to dance with you, and no, I don’t prefer Sal’s company.”

  “Good.” He smiled and eased his hands around her waist. “I’d hate to be out here all alone.”

  The song ended, but they remained at the center of the floor as a mellow tune began. Kade drew Kelsey to him, her head under his chin, her body close to his.

  She pulled away enough that she could look up at him. “I don’t know if this is a good idea.” Her voice was low.

  “Trust me.” Kade leaned close to whisper in her ear. “It’s a great idea.”

  She remained stiff in his embrace as they moved in time with the music, but gradually she relaxed, her head against his chest, his arms secure around her. He drank in the scent of her, reveled in the feel of her soft body against his. The swell of her breasts against his chest, the curve of her waist beneath his hands. Her hips and thighs were so close to his he was all but making love to her on the dance floor.

  Well, hell. Damned if he wasn’t getting rock-hard just dancing with her. He muttered another curse under his breath and eased away from her as the song ended and the band stopped to take a break.

  “Did you say something?” she asked as they parted.

  He took a deep breath and willed his body to behave. “Would you like a cold one?”

  She nodded, her honey-blond hair brushing her shoulders.

  Kade put his hand to her elbow and guided her to the buffet tables. “Looks like the folks are getting ready to leave with Trent.” He inclined his head toward where his parents stood talking to Stan and Marnie Perez, and their son, Jamie. Sadie held her empty enchilada tray and Trent was showing Jamie his snake rattle.

  “Would you like to stay?” Kade asked, hoping she’d say yes. “I’ll drive you home.”

  Kelsey glanced at him for a second before looking away. Was that fear mingled with desire in her eyes? “I should be getting back with everyone else.”

  “Why?” Kade tilted his head and gave Kelsey that sexy smile that made her toes curl and her insides melt into pools of liquid silver. “Afraid of being alone with me?” His tone was low and husky.

  Kelsey sighed. “Yes. I am.”

  “Don’t be.” He took her hand, his incredible blue eyes looking at her as if they were the only people who existed. “I’ll be the perfect gentleman.”

  “I know. But...” Her heart pounded as she glanced toward his parents. “It’s late.”

  He squeezed her hand, sending shivers throughout her body. “The dance won’t last much longer. I promise to take you right home.”

  “Are you two staying?” Sadie asked as she came up behind them.

  Kelsey jumped and snatched her hand away from Kade. She was sure she managed to turn ten shades of red for the umpteenth time.

  “I was just convincing Kelsey to stay,” Kade said, never taking his eyes from her.

  “Maybe a little longer.” Kelsey glanced from Sadie to Kade. “But not too long. I’m worn out from all of this dancing.”

  Sadie smiled. “We’ll leave the light on.”

  “Thanks,” Kelsey murmured as Kade laced his fingers with hers and led her to the buffet.

  He released her to ladle punch into a plastic cup and then handed it to her. She accepted it and swallowed the drink that tasted of pineapple and sherbet. When she finished, he tossed their cups into the garbage, then led her onto the dance floor.

  A song with a fast beat was playing, and she said, “I just learned to dance to country-western tonight, so I’ll probably stomp on your toes a few times.”

  He smiled and slid his arm around her waist. “You can step on my toes all you want.”

  “Stomp.” Kelsey gave a mischievous grin as they started to two-step. “I figure I owe you.”

  Kade smiled. “Thanks for the warning.”

  By the time they’d danced to a couple of songs, she was relaxed and enjoying herself. Kade was an excellent dancer and teacher, even better than Sal, and she managed to stomp on his boots only two or three times.

  At the end of one particularly fast number that she’d had a hard time learning, Kelsey was laughing so hard she stepped on Kade’s foot and she almost fell. He caught her and slid his arms around her waist. Her laughter died in her throat as the lights dimmed and a slow tune started—and she saw the look in Kade’s eyes. So intense. Burning with desire. For her.

  She tried to back away, but he held her tight. “I’m all sweaty, Kade.”

  “So am I.” He moved his lips to her ear. “Just relax and enjoy the dance.”

  Kelsey nodded, the top of her head brushing his chin. She allowed him to hold her snugly to him and rested her head against his chest. Kade felt solid and warm, his masculine scent so earthy, so potent to her senses.

  His breath feathered her hair as her body merged with his and the heat of his muscled form burned through her blouse. Judging by his erection against her hip he was most definitely attracted to her. Heat rose in her cheeks and she was glad he couldn’t see her face. Despite his obvious desire, she didn’t feel threatened. Deep within she knew he wouldn’t push her. He could have the one time they’d kissed—but he’d been the one to back away.

  When the song ended, Kade lifted his head and lightly caressed her shoulders. “Ready to head on home?”

  “Yes.” Kelsey let him take her hand and he linked his fingers with hers.

  He plucked his cowboy hat off the hat rack as they left. A single light illuminated the small parking lot as he led her to his truck. Gravel crunched underfoot and music from the clubhouse pounded out into the night. He opened the passenger door of the big black Ford truck and helped Kelsey up and in, then closed the door behind her before climbing in on his side and starting the vehicle.

  Kelsey studied Kade in the amber glow of the dashboard lights as they headed back to the ranch. She was fascinated by the strength of his ar
ms as he drove, the dark hair curling from his wrist along his forearm. His masculine profile, his strong jaw.

  Yearning curled in Kelsey’s belly. It was more than lust. It was the desire to be wanted, needed, and loved.

  Warmth crept over her when he caught her watching him. “I had a great time,” she said, her voice slightly husky.

  He reached across the seat to squeeze her hand, his touch electrifying her.

  Releasing Kelsey’s hand to take the wheel, he brought his attention back to the road and the short drive to the JL Star. When they drove up to the house, Roxie bounded out to the driveway. Kade parked the truck and Kelsey climbed out, only to be waylaid by the rottweiler snuffling her greeting over the seat of her pants.

  “Gee, thanks.” Kelsey couldn’t help a grin. “Just what these jeans needed. Dog slobbers.”

  With a soft laugh, Kade came up beside her and leaned down to scratch the dog behind her ears. “Roxie’s a regular slobber monster.” Kade took Kelsey’s hand and he felt an electrical spark build between them. She looked up at him with her lips parted, her expression telling him she felt the same sensation he did as they walked to the house. He stopped beside the screen door, leaned against a pillar, and brought her into his embrace. “You drive me crazy, woman.” She relaxed for a moment and then looked up at him. “I’m only going to be here a few weeks.”

  He didn’t bother to answer. Instead he lowered his face, slow enough that she could turn away if she didn’t want what he was offering.

  “Kade,” she whispered before he kissed the corner of her mouth and she sighed. He lightly nipped at her lower lip and she gave a little moan. She smelled of honeysuckle and her own unique woman’s scent and he wanted her bad.

  He slipped his tongue into her mouth and she allowed him inside. It was almost intoxicating. Her sweet taste mixed with the pineapple flavor of the sherbet punch she’d had before they left the dance. She leaned into him, her arms gripping his biceps hard enough he could feel her nails pressing through his shirtsleeves.

  Damn but he wanted Kelsey. It felt almost impossible to keep his hands off her, as badly as he wanted to touch her in every way possible.