A Buckhorn Summer

by Lori Foster

  “I should be able to bring her home by the end of the month. Until then, I still have a lot of stuff to get done inside.”

  “Before I leave, I could take a look.”

  “At what?”

  He laughed. “Your house. That way I’ll have an idea of what we need before we get started next Saturday.”

  Sitting back on her heels, Zoey considered him and his repeated offers to help. Was he just being his usual terrific self, or looking for reasons to be around her?

  Everyone knew his entire family was made up of do-gooders who took large, active roles in the community, either through their careers, or plain goodwill. Being that he was the same, maybe Garrett saw her as a project.

  She hated that idea.

  Once the fire started, Garrett added a few of the bigger logs, waiting until they snapped and hissed before sitting beside Zoey. Legs out, arms braced behind him, he sat catty-corner to her, facing the fire.

  She faced him, her knees almost touching his thigh.

  “That shed is a fire hazard,” he said. “I think we should just knock it down.”

  “I peeked inside there one day, saw a snake and haven’t gotten anywhere near it since.”

  “I’ll take care of it.”

  That made her frown. She put her shoulders back. “It’s my shed, so I’ll help. Even if there are snakes.”

  He gave her a fleeting smile. “All right.”

  Damn. She glanced at the shed in the dusk and shuddered. Maybe she should have kept her mouth shut.

  “So, about your mom...” With noticeable caution, he asked, “Think she’ll be up to joining us at the fund-raiser?”

  Thrilled at the suggestion, Zoey stared at him. “You’re serious?”

  “It’s a big event. Most of the town will be there. I mean, it’s not like it would have been...”

  “Private?” The way this was.

  “Yeah. There’ll be competitions and dancing and raffles. What do you think?”

  The firelight played over his face, putting blue highlights in his hair, emphasizing the cut of his cheekbones, the length of his dark lashes. She sighed. “I think you’re wonderful.”

  That must have surprised him. His brows twitched with a puzzled frown. “You don’t mind?”

  That he was sweet enough to include her mother? “Of course not.” Without thinking about it, she leaned in and gave him a quick, tight hug of gratitude. “Thank you.”

  She started to lean away again, but with his left arm around her, he kept her close. His hand opened on her back, caressing. He nuzzled her temple.

  Relaxing, she sank against him.

  Near her ear, he murmured, “You smell good, Zoey.”

  She loved hearing that particular husky tone from him.

  The heat of the fire teased along their skin, combating the humidity. Down by the lake, frogs started a chorus of croaking that echoed over the yard.

  When he did nothing else, she asked, “Are you going to kiss me again?”

  “Do you want me to?”

  She pressed back to see his face. “That’s a joke, right?”

  He smiled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  Zoey held her breath...and then held it some more while Garrett appeared to struggle with himself.

  Starting to feel insulted, she quirked her mouth. “If you don’t want to, I won’t pressure you.”

  “You can’t pressure me.” He held on to her when she would have pushed away. “And what I want isn’t the problem.”

  “Then do it.”

  His gaze dipped to her mouth.

  Exasperated, Zoey huffed, leaned in and smashed her mouth over his. That spurred him into action and he took over, slowly adjusting to make the kiss softer, deeper, nudging her lips to open so he could lick his tongue inside.

  One hand tangled in her hair, the other curved low on her back, very near her behind.

  Zoey wrapped her arms around his neck and held on. She wouldn’t mind kissing him for, oh, a week? He tasted good, smelled good and felt even better.

  Easing back, he kissed the corner of her lips, her jaw, up to her ear.

  Zoey rasped, “See. No problems.”

  She felt his smile against her jaw. “You’ll give me a tour of the house?”

  Unsure of his motives, she measured her words. “I’d love to show you around.” They’d be inside...near her bed.

  Was she ready to go there so soon?

  Once her mom came home, the opportunity might be lost, so...yes. She was ready, especially after that heated kiss. “Just keep in mind that relocating and buying the house and starting up the new business is straining my savings, so I’m doing things as—” cheaply “—affordably as I can.”

  “Not a problem. Labor is usually the biggest cost.” He nipped her bottom lip. “But I’m affordable.”

  Would she need to pay him? And how would that work?

  Another quick, firm kiss, and he sat back from her. “Stop fretting, Zoey. We’ll work it out.”

  “I almost never fret. It’s pointless.” And thinking that, she dropped to her back on the blanket to take in the inky sky glittering with stars. “Look at that.”

  Garrett said, “I’m looking.”

  “It’s such a clear night.” When he didn’t comment, she asked, “You don’t enjoy the stars?”

  She sensed more than heard him moving closer before he said, “I do.”

  “I swear they look different here than they did in the city.”

  “That’s where you lived?”

  “When I left here, I wasn’t sure where to go. I just wanted...out. But I ended up in Lexington, and it suited me. I had a cute little apartment, a terrific job as an assistant with a pet groomer, plenty of friends...”

  “That you didn’t mind leaving?”

  What could she tell him? Lexington was great—but it wasn’t Buckhorn. “As Dorothy would tell you, there’s no place like home.” And she’d missed home so very much.

  He came down on his elbow beside her, near enough that she felt the warmth of his body and could breathe in his scent. “You should never have gone away.”

  Turning her head, she tried to see his thoughts, but the flames of the fire danced, distorting his features, making him look almost...apologetic.

  But that didn’t make any sense. He’d had nothing to do with her situation back then.

  Quietly, she said, “You know I had to.”

  “I know the rumors. I heard the gossip. You broke things off with Gus Donahue, and he didn’t take it well.”

  Her short, harsh laugh disturbed the quiet of the peaceful night, and she quickly apologized. “Sorry. It’s not funny—but what an understatement. His reaction was so over-the-top, I didn’t know what to do.”

  His gaze drifted over her, her face, then her body beneath the moonlight. “Would you tell me what actually happened?”

  There had been few opportunities to talk about that wretched event. She’d confided only in her mother because there’d been no one else interested in the truth. “You really want to know?”

  “If you don’t mind telling me.”

  As if the words had been bubbling near the surface, just waiting for permission, she blurted them out. “Gus wanted to have sex, I didn’t, and he flew off the handle.”

  Garrett didn’t seem surprised, and he didn’t doubt her. “I can understand him trying. You were hot even back then.”

  She blinked at him. Garrett had thought her hot?

  “But even a horny kid has to understand that no is no.”

  “He said I’d led him on and that the whole town would call him a fool if he couldn’t score with someone like me.”

  Garrett was silent—but he touched her, first her wrist, t
he back of her hand. He traced her fingers, then laced his in hers, palm to palm. His big, strong hand engulfed hers, emphasizing the differences in their sizes and giving her an added thrill. “I’m sorry.”

  “About what?”

  “How unfairly you were judged when no one had the whole story.”

  She shrugged it off; she’d long since grown used to the biased assessment of what had happened that day. Even so, it felt nice, really nice, having someone to hold on to. “It wasn’t the first time that he’d gotten enraged over something ridiculous. I’d had enough of it, and I told him we were through.”

  “That’s when he left?”

  Remembering, she gave a slow shake of her head. “First he broke a few things. One of our lamps, my mom’s music box.” Her chest hurt with the memory. “It had been her grandmother’s, and it sat on a shelf in our living room.”

  Garrett lifted her hand, kissed her knuckles.

  That small kiss held encouragement and understanding, spurring her to tell it all. “He...he shouted and cursed, called me some vile names and punched the wall right by my head. He hit it hard enough to leave a big hole there, and his knuckles were bleeding.”

  Garrett went still.

  “It terrified me, and that made me furious.” To explain that, she said, “I always lose my temper when I’m scared.”

  “That’s better than giving in to the fear.”

  “I guess.” A damp breeze drifted over her skin; here, now, with Garrett, she felt exposed and vulnerable, but not in a bad way...which made no sense at all. “I pushed him away and told him to get out and never come back. It was like I flipped a switch. He went from furious to sorry and pleading.” Her breath caught. “He begged me to forgive him.”

  “But you made him leave anyway.”

  “Yes.”

  He kissed her knuckles again. “That was the smart thing to do, Zoey.”

  “It didn’t feel smart after he died.” Her stomach cramped, remembering the devastating news, the guilt that had all but smothered her.

  “What happened after he left wasn’t your fault. None of it was your fault.”

  Seeking a measure of calm, she pulled away from his hold, folded both hands behind her head and focused on that big, star-studded sky. It was easier than looking at Garrett. “That’s not how everyone else saw it. I went from being a nobody to being public enemy number one.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Close enough.” Had he scooted nearer somehow? He seemed to be looming over her. She kind of liked it. “It wasn’t easy coming back here.”

  “You’re strong and brave.”

  Laughing, she slanted him a look. Yep, definitely closer. “You like to see the best in people.” The moonlight and firelight competed to emphasize all the most appealing angles of his face, the width of his shoulders, the bulge of his biceps. She sighed. “If it weren’t for my mom, I wouldn’t have come back. Ever.”

  “I’m sorry she’s hurt,” he whispered. “But damn, Zoey, I’m glad you’re here.”

  * * *

  GARRETT HAD DELIBERATELY chosen to eat outside with her, thinking it would be safer than being indoors...near a bed. But seeing Zoey like this, relaxed, sharing, with the stars shining above her and her clear enjoyment of nature, well, it was worse than having a bed nearby.

  It was heated foreplay, and he felt himself reacting.

  Filtered through the leaves of tall trees, the moonlight played with her body, slipping over the swells of her breasts, the length of her thighs.

  It’d be so easy to lean down to her, to kiss her...and more. To let his hands explore all that warm, dewy skin.

  Even while he fought with himself, his breathing deepened and his muscles tensed. The shorts she wore teased him, exposing so much and concealing so little. And that V-necked T-shirt, dipping low to her cleavage. Every so often when she moved, he saw the edge of lace on her bra and it drove him nuts.

  Each time he saw her, he discovered something new about her, something nice, or enticing, or...lust-inspiring. Without seeming to try, she reeled him in with open smiles, silly conversation and her big heart.

  In many ways she was such a dichotomy—strong and accepting, ready to tackle the past and future alike. But so soft, too, her hair, her skin, that peek of lace...and her attitude toward others.

  He didn’t want to be a sap, but her emotional generosity really got to him. He’d never known a woman like her—sympathetic enough to help care for a sick kid, understanding in the face of insults.

  Even Carrie, with her nasty reception and hateful barbs, hadn’t been able to dent Zoey’s natural compassion. He’d been furious with Carrie and Cody, but Zoey had been calm and thoughtful.

  “You’re so quiet,” she whispered. “What are you thinking?”

  Her light brown hair, baby fine, fanned out around her head, drawing his fingers. “I’m having a hard time not kissing you.”

  “Oh.” She dropped her gaze to his mouth. “You can, you know.”

  Encouragement was the last thing he needed, because he knew the truth even if she didn’t. “Kissing will lead to more.”

  “Like...?”

  Laughing a little roughly, he sat up and turned away from temptation. Remember what Amber said, remember what— “Like how I’d love to get you out of those shorts.” The words left his mouth and he wanted to kick his own butt. From the moment she’d come downstairs from his shower when she’d arrived in town, every instinct he had as a man told him to go after her.

  To get her.

  He wasn’t used to fighting himself. Before Zoey, it had never been an issue.

  Zoey said nothing, and the silence condemned him. She hadn’t been back to town that long, she had a full plate, and here he was pressing her for sex.

  As soon as he got himself together he’d apologize.

  Just the fact that he had to collect himself proved his reaction to Zoey was different. As a firefighter, he’d learned to stay calm no matter what.

  As a man, that personality trait had come naturally in all relationships.

  Now he felt far from calm. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d been this physically and emotionally drawn in.

  Yet his meddling sister had to go and spell out a dozen legitimate reasons why Zoey should be off-limits for casual sex.

  He heard the rustling of her movements as she came to her feet, likely to call an end to the evening—not that he could blame her.

  With the apology forthcoming, he turned—

  And Zoey unzipped her shorts.

  He froze, every muscle clenched tight as he waited, watching her, anticipation burning hot.

  She pushed the shorts over her hips and let them fall to her ankles.

  God, she was gorgeous.

  She stood there with her T-shirt rumpled, her hair messy, wearing that same sexy pair of panties that she’d dropped in his driveway.

  “Well?” Twisting her fingers together, she whispered, “Say something already.”

  He had no words. Scooping an arm around her behind, he tugged her closer and pressed his face against her, kissing the bared flesh of her belly between the bottom of her T-shirt and those minuscule panties that barely covered her.

  She felt smooth and soft, smelled indescribably good. He opened his mouth against her skin for a gentle love bite, then soothed the spot with his tongue while tasting her warm skin. He wanted to devour her. Every inch of her.

  Right here in the open yard.

  Moaning out a soft sound of acceptance, as if that plan worked for her, Zoey sank her fingers into his hair and held him closer.

  In that moment, Garrett had no doubts; right or wrong, he’d already reached the point of no return.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  SLIDING A HAND a
round to her shapely ass, Garrett cuddled her closer. He wanted to touch her everywhere, all at once, and he wanted more of her mouth.

  God, her mouth.

  He easily levered her weight, lowering her to the blanket again.

  “Wow,” she whispered. “You’re strong.”

  “You’re small. And sweet.” He slid his gaze down her body, over her breasts to her belly, lower. “And so fucking hot.”

  Drawing in a shuddering breath, she watched him. “I’ve never heard you talk dirty.”

  “It’s a wonder I can talk at all.” Sitting back to look at her, he said, “I’m on the ragged edge here.” Looking wasn’t enough, so he opened a hand on her flat belly. Breathing deeply, he trailed his palm up to the dip of her waist, pushed the T-shirt up over her ribs, all the way to her bra.

  Zoey surprised him by sitting up, grabbing the hem of her shirt and jerking it off over her head. “You, too,” she ordered.

  He obliged, stripping off his shirt and tossing it by hers.

  With purring interest, she put her small, warm hands against him, spreading her fingers out over his chest.

  He brought her in for another taste and, keeping his mouth on hers, lowered her to the blanket once more. He was aware of the crackling fire, the sounds of nature.

  And Zoey.

  Each small sound she made, each shiver and gasp, made him want more.

  He was content to enjoy her mouth for a good long while, each kiss hotter, longer.

  Damn, the girl could kiss.

  When she pushed him to his back, he went willingly, enjoying the way she sprawled over him, how she stroked his shoulders and chest and down to his abs.

  When her busy hands reached the front of his jeans, he went still. “Zoey...” he rasped in warning.

  “Mmm?” Sitting up, she tackled his snap and carefully, agonizingly, lowered the zipper.

  Like a sexy angel, she knelt beside him, the firelight making a halo of her tangled hair. Muscles pulled taut in anticipation, he watched as she slipped a hand inside his fly...and stroked along his length.

  Groaning, he tried to think of all the reasons why he shouldn’t let her rush things. But damn, with her hand working him, rushing seemed like a very good idea.