Thunderstruck

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  Then he abruptly released her and stepped back, gasping. “This is not good.”

  When she opened her eyes she saw that his hat had fallen off, his fists were clenched and fire was in his gaze.

  “Oh, no, it’s very good, cowboy.” She gulped for air. “And don’t you forget it. I can’t speak for you, but I’m willing to accept a sad goodbye when I think of all the pleasure we can find in the next five nights together.”

  A shudder ran through him. “I said I couldn’t resist you. That’s truer now than it was then. It’ll take all my willpower to work alongside you today without grabbing you, but I’ll do it, because the whole time I’ll be thinking about what will happen tonight.”

  She smiled. “I put fresh sheets on the bed.”

  The heat in his eyes intensified. “I’d hate to see that kind of effort go to waste.”

  “Exactly.”

  “You’d better go talk to Rosie. She’s riddled with guilt. She thinks she’s put you in a no-win situation with me.”

  “That’s not how I look at it. Lots of mutual pleasure feels like win-win to me.”

  “Are you going to tell her that?”

  “Depends. Does she know we’ve had sex?”

  He nodded. “My fault. The conversation got a little out of hand and I slipped up.”

  Her heart went out to him. “Don’t worry about it. She’d have known by tonight, anyway, so it doesn’t matter.” She paused while she considered how much to say. “Look, I have some idea of how important Rosie is to you.”

  “She saved my life.”

  His expression made her long to wrap her arms around him and hang on, not for sexual reasons but for comfort. “And I’m sure you’ll always honor that. But...it’s still your life. You have the right to choose how to live it.”

  His voice was gruff with emotion. “Thank you for saying that.”

  “I’d better go. As you can see, I started uncrating the windows.”

  “I’ll finish that up, but I don’t want to start work on the walls again until you’re here.”

  “Why not? I’m sure you could do the whole job alone if you had to. It would just take longer.”

  “I could, but this is our project now. I want to put the walls up together.”

  That affected her more than it probably should. She blamed lack of sleep for the way her throat closed up and her eyes misted. “I won’t be long.” She turned and started for the house. Our project now. He was getting invested, whether he realized it or not. So was she, but she recognized the telltale signs. He might be deliberately ignoring them.

  Rosie had a fresh pot of coffee brewed when Phil walked into the kitchen. She could use another cup after getting about three hours of sleep. She accepted the full mug gratefully and sat at the kitchen table as she had so many times when she’d talked with Rosie over the years.

  Conversation had always flowed easily between them on a variety of topics. Today, though, the atmosphere was tense. Phil regretted that, but it couldn’t be helped.

  “So.” Rosie cradled her own mug. “I’m afraid my brilliant plan backfired.”

  “Damon told me about your misgivings, but I don’t feel that way.”

  Rosie sighed, and her gaze was troubled. “I’ve known you for several years, but I’ve known Damon longer. He has a way of getting under your skin. I remember how lost I felt when he moved to California. You’re such a positive, sunny personality. If I thought that he would somehow mess with that...”

  Phil leaned forward. “If you’re imagining some scenario where I hide in my house, stop bathing and eat nothing but delivery pizza while I refuse all visitors and phone calls, then don’t. I’ve worked too hard to create this business, and I intend to keep it going.”

  “I’m glad, but—”

  “I know what you’re saying, Rosie, and don’t think I won’t grieve a little. He’s an amazing guy. But I won’t let him or anyone destroy the life I’ve made for myself.”

  “Good.” Rosie gave a curt nod and picked up her coffee. “But I can’t believe how stubborn he’s become about his perfect life over there in California. How perfect can it be when he’s by himself all the time?”

  Phil refused to think of Damon with someone else. Too depressing. “I can’t answer that question. I only know that if that’s what he wants, that’s what he should have.”

  Rosie contemplated her over the rim of her mug. “This might seem like it comes out of left field, but I hope I get to meet your dad someday.”

  “I’m sure you will. He and my stepmom are due for another trip here this fall.”

  “Good. Once you have dates confirmed, let me know. When he’s in town, we always seem to have something going on, and we can’t manage to get together. But he must be one hell of a guy.”

  “He is.”

  “I mentioned him because I suspect he’s at least partly responsible for your resilience.”

  “Oh, definitely. He’s one of the most positive people I know. He taught me early that if I’m knocked down, I have to get right back up again. He believes I can do anything.”

  “That’s the kind of confidence I’ve tried to give my boys, but some of them are so damaged. Damon’s parents, if you can even call them that, were—” She hesitated. “On second thought, maybe it’s best if I let him tell you, if he wants to. He doesn’t talk about it often. Lexi knows, and obviously so do his blood brothers.”

  “His what?”

  “Blood brothers.”

  “I’ve never heard them mentioned before.”

  “Something else that’s better for him to tell you than me. But I’m talking about Cade and Finn. I don’t think you’ve met Finn.”

  “He’s the one with the microbrewery in Seattle, right?”

  “Right. The one who came up with our Kickstarter idea, which we’re all hoping will work.”

  “And it’s going to, Rosie.”

  She responded with a warm smile. “I’d expect you to say that, and I’m sure it will, but even if it doesn’t, having those three boys around more often brings me such joy. I shouldn’t have favorites, but they were the first three. If I get to see them a few times a year, I can live with giving up the ranch.”

  “You won’t have to.” Phil had championed the cause all along, but getting to know Damon made her even more determined that Rosie and Herb wouldn’t lose the ranch. She couldn’t bear to think of how Damon would react to that.

  “With all the good people behind us, we should succeed, but I learned a big lesson from this. I’m telling everyone these days to make sure they understand their investments. Herb and I turned everything over to a friend and didn’t think about it anymore.”

  Phil sucked in a breath. She’d never heard the details of why Rosie and Herb were nearly penniless. “Your broker was crooked?”

  “Heavens, no. But he allowed himself to be dazzled by a Ponzi scheme. The enthusiasm he had for that investment was catching, and we figured he knew what he was doing. He didn’t. He’s devastated, both for our sake and his. He lost his shirt, too. So be careful.”

  “I am. I manage my own investments.”

  Rosie laughed. “I’m not surprised. Guess who else does?”

  “Damon?”

  “Yep. He doesn’t have a lot invested, but he handles it himself. He offered to give us every penny, of course, but I told him if he did, I’d never speak to him again.” Her gaze grew soft. “He’s a good boy.”

  The tenderness in that phrase warmed Phil’s heart. “Yes, he is. So please don’t be angry with him on my account. I love that you’re feeling protective of me. I never knew what it was like to have a mom, and being around you is the closest thing I’ve ever had to that, but—”

  “That means a lot to me.” Rosie’s eyes grew moist. “I think of Lexi like a daughter, but she has a mom, and a good one, too. With you, I don’t feel so much like I’m poaching, although I wish you could be closer to your stepmom.”

  “I’m working on it, and she’s grea
t for my dad, but she and I are so different. She likes to give fancy dress parties, and I’m more casual. She loves shopping in a big city, and I’d rather hang out in a small town. The main thing we have in common is we both love my dad, but that’s about it.”

  “You know, that’s probably enough. You don’t have to be best friends, I guess.”

  “That’s what I’ve finally decided. As long as my dad’s happy, I’m happy for him. Anyway, please don’t blame Damon for leading me astray. I’m a big girl. If I didn’t want to risk getting involved with him, I’d just say no.”

  After exchanging a few last words with Rosie and giving her a hug, Phil headed back down to the meadow and was greeted by the sight of Damon pacing restlessly around the unfinished cabin, obviously impatient for her return. God, but he was yummy to look at. Saying no to a man like Damon wouldn’t have been easy.

  He started toward her, his long strides covering the distance quickly. His chest heaved, probably more from nervousness than exertion. The man was in perfect shape. The way his white T-shirt stretched across his shoulders and molded to his sculpted pecs was pure eye candy, and she gobbled it up.

  About three feet away, he came to a halt and held up his hand like a traffic cop. “Hang on a sec.”

  “Why? What’s the matter?” She stopped walking.

  “Nothing.” He adjusted the fit of his straw hat and pulled the brim lower over his eyes. “I need to get myself together before you come any closer. As I walked over here I found myself anticipating how good you’d feel in my arms. But we saw where that leads, so I’m not going to touch you at all, even though that’s what I want to do.”

  “Okay. Good plan.” She was having a similar difficulty. She felt like wrapping him in her arms, too, and not doing it seemed wrong.

  But they’d just discovered how strong the chemistry was between them, so any contact would be potentially explosive. Maybe by tomorrow they’d be less volatile together. Or not. She had a tough time believing she’d ever look at him and not want to strip him naked.

  He took a deep breath and glanced up. “I’m better now. How did it go with Rosie?”

  “The one thing I can say with absolute certainty is that she loves you very much.”

  The tension eased from his expression. “I know,” he said gently. “Everything she says or does is out of love. She really thinks I’m making a big mistake doing things my way.”

  “You’re right. She does. She wants the best for you and—” Phil couldn’t help smiling “—she’s convinced I’m it.”

  He returned her smile. “She told me the same thing, and I agree with her. You’re perfect. It’s just that I—”

  “You’re not in the market for perfect.”

  “Not on a permanent basis.” He paused and his gaze heated. “But I sure am right this minute. I am so in the market for you right now, Philomena.”

  Her body tightened, wanting him. She ignored it. “That’s my cue. Hop to it, Harrison. We have a cabin to build.”

  “Just waitin’ on you to say the word, Turner.” He winked at her before starting back toward the site. “Only a little ways to go and we’ll be ready for those windows.”

  She fell into step beside him. “I figured we’d get them in today. Then we can show it off tonight.”

  “Yeah, we should, come to think of it. Several of the people who’ve donated will be here. They’d probably like to see some physical evidence of progress.”

  “Rosie and Herb didn’t mention that to me, but they probably didn’t want us to feel pushed.”

  “I’ll bet you’re right.” He glanced over at her. “So you and Rosie settled everything?”

  “I think so. I said getting involved with you was totally under my control, and if I’d thought it was a bad idea, I would have told you no.”

  “And she accepted that?”

  “She seemed to.”

  “Huh. Well, that’s good, then. Because it’s you, she probably believed it. I’m glad she did. That should help a lot.”

  “Why wouldn’t she believe it?”

  He turned to her with a mischievous grin. “Well, I don’t like to brag, but since it’s common knowledge around here, maybe it doesn’t count as bragging. I’m surprised she didn’t mention it.”

  “What?”

  “When it comes to the ladies, I’ve never had a single one tell me no.”

  9

  THE DAY BEFORE, Damon had given himself some ogling time. Today he hadn’t dared. Now that he knew the joy of thrusting his eager cock into Philomena’s welcoming warmth, he had to keep focused on the job at all times. To let his concentration falter would invite, if not disaster, then coupling on the concrete.

  He might have been able to talk her into it, but he wasn’t going to. Way too public for his tastes. He hadn’t suggested taking a more private break inside his cabin, either. Getting all the windows in would give them both a feeling of accomplishment, and they’d need until quitting time at four to manage that.

  At least that was what he’d originally estimated. He hadn’t counted on Phil’s efficiency. All four windows were in and framed when he checked the time on his phone. A little past three. Wow.

  His shirt was plastered to his chest, and now that he allowed himself to notice, so was hers. She’d put on a ball cap once the sun had come up and had pulled her hair through the opening in back. A darkened ring around the base of the cap showed how much she’d been sweating.

  She grinned at him. “Not bad, huh?”

  “I thought we’d be here another hour, at least.”

  “I’m good at windows.”

  “So I see.” He could see other things, too, like the outline of her bra under her damp blue T-shirt. The shirt bordered on transparent. Sweat had collected in a tiny pool at the base of her throat. Her face was flushed, which made her freckles stand out. “Guess we should get cleaned up for the party.”

  “Guess so.” Her blue eyes darkened slightly, and then she glanced away. “You know what? I went into your cabin this morning to look for you and I think I might’ve dropped my keys in there. I should go check.” She started over in that direction.

  His heart began to pound. He didn’t believe for one second that she’d dropped her keys without noticing. He could only think of one reason she’d want to go into his cabin. “Need some help looking for them?”

  “Sure.” She pulled off her ball cap and ran her fingers through her hair as she kept walking. “Two pairs of eyes are always better than one.”

  Lust slammed into him. Apparently, she didn’t care that he was sweaty and grimy and decidedly fragrant. Maybe she even liked it. That was the most arousing thought he’d had since he’d met her, and he’d had plenty of arousing thoughts.

  If she wasn’t worried about a little mingled sweat and the fine grit of sawdust, then she’d just blown past all the women he’d ever gone to bed with. If she actually preferred making love to a man who came to her straight from a hard day of manual labor, she was one of a kind. Primitive urges stirred in him, emotions strange and wonderful.

  He followed her, but the steel rod that used to be his cock made walking tough. He didn’t mind at all, because soon he wouldn’t have that problem. Five minutes ago he’d desperately wanted a long, cool shower. Now all he wanted was Philomena, hot, wet and willing.

  Because her stride wasn’t impaired like his, she made it through the door first. He was treated to the sight of her stripping off her T-shirt and tossing it to the floor, followed by her bra.

  The gesture inspired him in more ways than one. He kicked the door shut. “Find your keys already?”

  “Still looking.” She sat on the desk chair, the same one they’d ridden to glory early that morning, and pulled off her boots. Then she lifted her gaze. Her eyes darkened to navy as she surveyed him from head to foot. “I haven’t searched your bed.” Her voice was a soft purr. “They might be there.”

  “I wouldn’t doubt it.” The keys to everything he ever wanted might
be found there in the next few minutes. He might unlock the secrets of the universe when he was deep inside her sweet body. “I’ll check.” Walking over to his bunk, he yanked the mattress onto the floor. He couldn’t imagine why he hadn’t thought of that in the first place.

  “You’re very thorough.”

  He turned to discover that she’d peeled off her jeans and panties. He’d never seen her naked in daylight. It might be his favorite view so far. She had T-shirt tan lines that matched his, but where the sun hadn’t reached, cinnamon freckles dusted her creamy skin.

  He tucked that information away for tonight, because she wasn’t going to give him time to kiss all those freckles now. Hunger blazed in her eyes as she came toward him.

  “I couldn’t wait until later,” she murmured, “not when every time I looked at your hot, sweaty body, all I could think about was this.” Grabbing fistfuls of his shirt, she wrenched it free of his jeans and slid her hands underneath. “Incidentally, my box of condoms is in the desk drawer.”

  He groaned and wrapped his arms around her, mesmerized by the fire in her eyes and the urgency in her touch as she massaged his chest. His cock surged against his fly in protest at being confined, but he didn’t want to stop her from fulfilling whatever fantasy had been in her head today.

  “You are so gorgeous, so...lickable.” She shoved the material up and began to demonstrate what she meant. She used her tongue, but also her teeth, nibbling and tasting as if she couldn’t get enough of him.

  And he loved it. Even though he trembled with the effort to hold back, even though he longed to haul her down to the floor and take her, he stood still and let her lick his salty skin. He’d never had a woman assault him after he’d put in a long day. The sunlight filtering through the window, the sound of birds outside and the warm breeze made the moment seem more forbidden and erotic than he would have dreamed.

  But at last he reached the limits of his control. “Phil...I can’t wait anymore.”

  She looked up through her lashes, and her voice was pure seduction. “Then take me.”

  Cupping her bottom, he lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his hips. He carried her to the mattress and crouched, laying her down. He yanked open the desk drawer where she’d hidden the condoms, and grabbed the box.