His pulse increased with the thought of her soft skin, even as something teased the edge of his memory. Unable to pin it down, a disgusted sigh escaped. He had to figure out some way to bank the desire that flared whenever she was near, or it would be a living hell around here.
He waited long enough to make sure his emotions were firmly under control before returning to the house. Silence reigned as he moved quietly down the hall to his room to change for bed. A quick peek confirmed the boys were sleeping, so Colton went to brush his teeth.
Squeezing mint toothpaste onto his brush, he allowed he owed Kendra an apology for letting his anger get the better of him. In the morning, he thought, sticking the toothbrush into his mouth—after she was dressed in something other than her pajamas, and he’d had a chance to regain his equilibrium.
By the third swipe of bristles over his teeth, the toothpaste made its way across his tongue, and Colton realized something was very wrong.
He yanked the brush from his mouth as his tongue began to burn. Spitting into the sink didn’t help. He spit again, hard, and turned on the faucet to frantically scoop water into his mouth. An accidental gulp down the wrong pipe started a coughing fit. Tears stung his eyes.
Finally, both hands braced on the counter, he stared at his reflection and took a deep breath to relax. Inspection of the tube of toothpaste came next. It looked normal…even smelled normal. He touched a finger to the tip and cautiously brought it to his tongue. It tasted normal.
“Well, what the hell?” His gaze lit on his toothbrush. Holding it to his nose, he pulled his head back. Tabasco sauce—flaming Haberano from the smell and taste of it. Then it hit him. In his mind’s eye, he pictured Cody and Noah, and shook his head with a hint of a smile. Those two rascals were messing with the wrong guy.
He headed to bed, planning retaliation to avoid the other, more sobering incident of his evening. That situation he’d figure out after he’d gotten some sleep.
****
Kendra stretched with a yawn, then did a double take when she saw it was after seven. She hadn’t slept this late in weeks, maybe even months. Even more surprising was that she’d slept at all given the events of last night. If there was any time she would’ve expected the nightmare—the horror of Jeremy forcing himself on her—it would’ve been last night.
When Colton had slammed from the room, she’d cried with relief. But those feelings had faded with his departure, and she was left with a throbbing ache as unfamiliar as the sensations he’d stirred before she panicked.
Even now, as she went to the bathroom to splash water on her face, she felt a small twinge of awareness, remembered the feel of his mouth moving on hers, his tongue gliding over her lips, the quivers when he’d kissed the pulse at the base of her neck.
Oh, God, she needed coffee to clear her head. Now. With a quick step, she made her way to the kitchen, only to pull up short in the doorway. Her pulse took off at the sight of Colton standing in front of the stove, mixing a batch of pancake batter. He wore a pair of crisp tan slacks and a white T-shirt that stretched across the expanse of his broad shoulders.
He turned to give her a brief accessing glance before facing the stove again. “Good morning. I was just about to start the pancakes before waking the boys. Maybe you could get them up?”
Kendra didn’t move as he poured pancake batter onto the griddle. Just like that? As if nothing happened last night? She supposed she should be grateful he was willing to forget it considering the whole fiasco had been her fault, but instead she felt…disappointed.
Oh, why should she care? So what if he was completely unaffected by what’d happened between them—that was actually a good thing, right?
She went to wake the boys, then returned to the kitchen and sat at the table with a mug of hazelnut brew. She’d debated changing out of her pajamas, but decided coffee was more important. Besides, after the look she’d seen on his face when he’d pushed off the bed last night, it wasn’t likely he’d be attracted to her again. A stab of regret hit somewhere in the region of her chest just as the boys shuffled in.
“Morning boys,” Colton said.
They mumbled a tired response. Colton flipped a pancake onto each plate at the table, including hers. There was general conversation of pass the butter, pass the syrup, then Noah cut his first bite and lifted it to his mouth.
“You guys remember to brush your teeth last night?” Colton asked from the stove.
Noah’s fork froze, and his gaze darted to Cody.
With a slight smile, Cody responded, “Yeah.”
“Good.”
Though Noah had a strange look on his face, Kendra thought Colton’s concern was nice. Odd, but nice. Another side of him she didn’t understand. She took a bite of food and almost groaned her appreciation. It was the best pancake she’d ever tasted.
Noah leaned over and whispered to Cody, “Taste ‘em.”
“You first.”
Noah shook his head, then startled in his chair when Colton put a hand on each of their shoulders. “Eat up boys, I made these special just for you.”
Kendra wondered what was going on as Noah took a tiny bite, then a bigger one. “They’re good,” he confirmed with obvious relief.
Colton chuckled. “Don’t be so surprised.”
“I’ll admit I am,” Kendra said.
When his gaze connected with hers, she was further confused by the hint of devilment dancing in his green eyes. Her stomach flipped. But he just gave the boys a long stare before turning back to the stove. “How’s your juice?”
Noah elbowed Cody. “Your turn,” he whispered.
Cody took a sip, then a swallow. “It’s good,” he said in a normal voice.
Kendra reached for a second pancake when Colton took a seat kitty-corner from her. Their knees bumped. A flash of awareness shot through her and she shifted away. Eyes downcast, she finished about the same time as the boys and followed them to the kitchen sink with her plate.
“Don’t forget to thank Colton for breakfast,” she reminded.
“Thank you,” they said in unison.
“Your welcome—hey, rinse the syrup off those plates.”
“I got ‘em.” Kendra reached for the faucet. “You guys can—”
Water shot from the sprayer, hitting her square in the chest. She shrieked and leapt backward, drenched by ice cold water. Colton rushed to the sink to shut off the taps, but Kendra’s pajama top was already soaked, as were the bottoms where the water dripped down. Colton’s gaze fixed on her chest and she followed it to see her chilled nipples standing out against the thin, wet fabric of her top. A rush of humiliation seared her cheeks even as she shivered in front of him.
Noah and Cody snickered behind her just as Colton lifted his gaze. A guilty smile tugged the corners of his mouth, confirming he was responsible for the prank. She backed away, hands over her chest, giving him a glare colder than the water she’d been doused with before sweeping from the room.
No wonder the jerk had been so nice this morning; he’d been planning juvenile revenge after what happened last night. Kendra swung the bedroom door shut, stormed into the bathroom for a towel, then returned to the bed. Still fuming, she stripped off her top and grabbed the towel to dry her chilled skin.
“I’m sor—”
At the sight of Colton in the doorway, Kendra clutched the towel tight to her chest. “Get out!”
He strode into the room as if she hadn’t spoken. She glared at him. “Of all the mean things to do in front of them—”
“That wasn’t meant for you.”
“—you’re such a jerk! Can’t talk to me like an adult. Oh, nooo. You have to pull a…a—”
He took two swift strides forward and laid his hands on her bare arms. The warmth of his hands brought out goose bumps on her chilled skin.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get you—it was for Cody and Noah. That’s why I told them to rinse their plates.”
Kendra eyed him with suspicion. It s
eemed a likely excuse, but he’d still gotten his retaliation, hadn’t he? Trying to ignore the heat of his touch, she asked, “Why them?”
“Because I brushed my teeth with Tabasco sauce last night, right before I discovered shaving cream on my pillow…with my face.”
The picture formed in her mind and she couldn’t resist an upward tug of her lips. “Oh.” Now she felt a little silly for her reaction to the water. She let her smile free and he returned it.
“Yeah.” His hands glided up her arms to rest on her bare shoulders. “I’m sorry you got wet.”
His smile faded as his attention drifted down to his hands, the towel… It snapped back. “And, as long as I’m here, I want to apologize for last night, too.”
Heat rose in her cheeks as she thought back on her uninhibited response. “Please, don’t apologize for proving me right.”
One corner of his mouth lifted briefly. “I had no right to get angry. All I can say in my defense is any man would’ve responded to your challenge the same way. You’re a beautiful woman, Kendra, and these pajamas you wear…” His voice dropped a notch. “They’re sexy as hell.”
“I—” She cleared her throat. “I don’t…”
His eyes darkened to an amazing emerald color, and his fingers tightened on her shoulders. He applied enough pressure to pull her toward him, but not so much that she couldn’t resist. Not that she wanted to. Her lips parted, and her head tilted back as his head descended. Where the previous kiss had been explosive, this was slow, soft, exploratory and completely bone-melting. His quiet gentleness turned the kiss into a surprising heartfelt apology. Kendra felt as if they were the last two people on earth.
“Ken?”
Noah’s voice pierced the cocoon just before he entered the room. Kendra gave a guilty start and pulled from Colton’s arms. She clutched the towel with one hand, pasted what she hoped was an innocent expression on her face, and turned toward the door where Noah now stood.
“What?”
He stared at Colton, then her. “Can I go to church with Cody?”
She noticed he wore his clothes from the Wilshire Academy that he’d had on when they fled New York, tie and all. “Of course.”
Noah’s resentful gaze returned to Colton. “Cody said you’re going, too.” When Colton nodded, he added, “It’s time to leave.”
The protective tone in Noah’s voice was unmistakable, and very sweet. Colton replied with a, “Yessir,” under his breath and Kendra hid a smile. He crossed the room, but paused at the door to look back at her. “I’ll talk to you later.”
It sounded like a promise, with the barest hint of emphasis on you. She nodded, but he’d already left. In the face of Noah’s obvious disapproval, she reached into the closet for a shirt, and called over her shoulder, “Have a good morning.”
“Yeah, sure.”
She turned at his sullen response, but he left as fast as Colton. The mattress bounced when she flopped backward onto the bed. What was the matter with her that she couldn’t keep her lips off Colton’s? She’d never had a problem with self-restraint before, yet discouraging him a moment ago hadn’t even crossed her mind.
She’d never had the rest of the world fade away when a man kissed her, either.
After changing into dry clothes, she returned to the kitchen and began to clean the house. As she dusted and vacuumed, swept and mopped, she wondered about the contradiction of Colton Lawe. He dressed neatly but never tucked shirts into his jeans. Always clean-shaven, he frequently raked his hair from his forehead with a rough, calloused hand—and that same hand had clean, trimmed nails.
In the bathroom, she noticed the counter was clear of any items and wiped clean as well, but the toilet seat was up. Her mouth quirked. Neat freak that he was, Noah hated that. On her way out, she found her eyes drawn to the closed door of Colton’s room.
He’d never know.
She stepped through the door as if someone might be hiding on the other side. Like in the bathroom, she found more contradictions. A neatly made bed with dirty clothes on the floor beside it—not a pile, just yesterday’s work clothes. She remembered the way that green shirt deepened the color of his eyes.
A manila folder sat on the otherwise clear desk, a few envelopes and papers poking from under the top flap. She took two steps forward before her conscience caught up with her. She’d already invaded his private space; she had no business snooping in his personal papers.
The bed reminded her of his request to trade rooms. It was so small compared to a man of six feet plus. He probably couldn’t even roll over, whereas she could do a cartwheel on hers. Guilt took seed and began to grow. He was right; it really didn’t make much sense for her to—
Whoa.
What was she thinking, going all soft like this? She hadn’t invited him here, into the house. No one had forced him to move into this small room with its tiny bed. He was here for less than honorable intentions—to prove she was less than honorable herself.
Kendra slammed from the room. Let him deal with the hand he’d dealt himself, good kisser be damned.
****
He was in big trouble. He couldn’t seem to keep his hands—or mouth—off his employer’s sister. Repeat, Employer’s Sister, not hot housemate. Shifting in the church pew, Colton acknowledged that not only was it not a smart idea from the standpoint that he didn’t know what she was up to, but he also hadn’t missed the note of suspicion in Joel’s voice the morning he’d questioned Colton about moving into the guesthouse.
The thought of Colton spending the night with Kendra hadn’t set well with her brother. Colton knew he’d risk his job—or worse, his friendship with Joel and Britt—if he pursued the crazy attraction he harbored for Kendra.
But, Heaven help him, it didn’t seem to matter when she got within ten feet. And it wasn’t just the clothes she’d worn when she first arrived, or the smokin’ hot pajamas she continued to wear now. When she’d been shoveling manure—of all things—he’d caught himself staring at the loose T-shirt she now favored.
A fantasy had formed as to how her skin would look and feel as he lifted the soft cotton to reveal the treasure underneath. Would her underwear be as sexy as her pajamas or as serviceable as the Levi’s she’d switched to? Going so far as to picture her in nothing but lace bra, matching black panties, pierced navel and those ridiculous high-heeled boots, he’d discovered it wasn’t only his mind that was working overtime.
Even now, sitting in church, he was hot and bothered enough to shift in his seat and loosen his tie.
Yeah, he was in trouble all right. With a capital T.
After the priest said the final blessing, Colton walked out with the Morgans but declined their invitation to brunch. He wanted time with Kendra to sort out their crazy situation. They needed to be able to work together as friends—for both their sakes.
Back at the ranch, he immediately noticed the empty spot where the truck should’ve been parked. Suspicion leapt to the forefront; had she waited to be left alone? Colton hurried inside, searching for any signs that she’d run. The house was spotless. Dishes done, vacuum tracks in the carpeting, and the smell of pine all attested to a recent cleaning.
To wipe away fingerprints?
He strode to her room. It was the same. Bed precisely made without a single item or piece of clothing lying around to verify her presence. He wrenched open the closet door. Relief released the breath in his chest. His fingers trailed the clothes that hung there as his gaze skimmed the shoes and boots neatly lined underneath. He closed the door before going to the dresser for further assurance. He absently noted socks in the first drawer and was already sliding it back when his right hand opened the next drawer.
Underwear. In the process of closing it, curiosity got the better of him. His hand halted, dipped inside, and lifted out a pair of silky, lace-edged black panties. The sight of what he’d fantasized sent a jolt of desire straight to his groin. He shoved the panties back and slammed the drawer shut. A curse split th
e air as the wood bit sharply into his thumb.
Okay, she hadn’t left. It was time to get the hell out of her room. In the kitchen, he tried to think of something to get his mind off…things. But the house was clean. Damn, a dirty toilet was just what he needed right now. So, he cleaned it again. Realizing he was scrubbing in his church clothes, he muttered a few more choice words and went to change.
Laundry. That should do the trick.
It didn’t. Because as the machine did its job, he found himself dreaming up reasons why Kendra had left the ranch. Maybe she’d gone shopping. Or she’d stolen something and went to pawn it. Or she’d just gone for a drive. Or, maybe she had a partner and was meeting with him to discuss her progress.
A flash of jealousy accompanied the last thought. Annoyed by the unwelcome emotion, he slammed out of the house to the barn where Lucky whickered a welcome. The stallion fidgeted impatiently in the crossties as Colton readied him for a ride.
“A little full of it today?” he asked the five-year-old stallion. The horse seemed to answer with a nod, but in reality, Colton knew he was just anxious to get going. He smiled grimly and tightened the cinch strap on the saddle. “Good. I’m in the mood for some work.”
Lucky gave him what he wanted, seeming to sense his mood. He pulled at the bit so hard Colton’s arms began to ache with the effort it took to hold him in check. He shied at everything with excess energy and even gave Colton a good bucking session in a small clearing about halfway through the ride.
One moment Colton was in the saddle, the next he lay on the ground, stunned. Lucky walked up and nudged Colton with his nose. Then he jerked back when Colton gave a burst of laughter.
Colton was pissed that the ride hadn’t taken his mind off Kendra—even blamed her for getting him bucked off a horse for the first time in almost seven years—but the look on Lucky’s face was priceless. He hadn’t thought a horse could show emotions with facial expressions like a person, but he’d swear ‘til the day he died that Lucky hadn’t meant for him to be sitting on his ass right now. With a rueful smile, he rose to his feet, dusted off his jeans and patted the bay’s neck.
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