He pushed up to a stand. “How about I pick you up at six?”
That left her a few hours to get ready. “It’s a date.”
She’d have to go home and change since she’d left all her fancy clothes at the ranch.
After spending another hour washing the dishes she’d bought and putting them away, she headed back to the house. So as to save all the questions, she told her mom she had a date with the University professor.
“You’re going out with Dr. Stuffy?”
She laughed at the nickname Darlene had given Dr. Riley. “My date’s name is Blake and he’s the head of the Physics Department.” There was no need to mention that he was Randy’s roommate.
“I thought you had your eye on Randy.”
She sucked in a breath. She’d never mentioned anything about him. “Why would you think that?”
“I’m your mother. I saw the way you looked at him and there was an interest.”
“He’s good-looking. That’s all.”
“Uh-huh.” She waved a hand and smiled. “Have fun.”
“I will.”
Between packing and getting ready, it was close to five before she was happy with her attire. She hurried back to her apartment. In two days, the sofa and bed would arrive. Hopefully, this weekend, Blake would pick up the chairs and dining room table. Then she’d move in.
Blake was right on time. She pulled open the door and smiled. “Let me get my purse.” There was no need to ask him into an empty apartment. She grabbed her bag and locked the door.
“What kind of food do you like?”
“I’m flexible.”
“Does a steak house work?”
She chuckled. “If it didn’t, I would be a Callen.”
He drove to a nice restaurant on the edge of town. It was the kind that had peanut shells on the floor and wooden benches for seating. That fit perfectly into her style.
After they ordered, Blake leaned forward on his elbows. “Have you ever been to Vedauwoo?”
Vedauwoo was a national park halfway between Intrigue and Cheyenne. It was full of boulders and natural scenery. “Not since I was a kid. Would you like to go?” That might have been asking him on a date, but he did seem interested in her.
“I was about to ask you. Yes. I thought we could go tomorrow.”
“Sounds perfect.”
During the dinner, she noticed that if she brought up the topic of Randy, Blake didn’t provide much information.
She wanted to learn more about him. “Tell me about your family’s ranch.”
“I grew up much like you did. My dad owned a fifteen-thousand-acre spread. I spent my childhood with horses and cattle. I had to milk the cows, muck the stalls, and repair fences just like any good son.”
“You left home early, though.”
He chuckled. “Maybe out of self-defense. I wasn’t really into ranching. I went to college at fourteen.”
She’d been about to bring up Randy, but thought better of it. “Was that hard?”
“Academically, no. Socially, very. I didn’t fit in well, but I think being with the older kids helped me learn to deal with others faster than if I’d attended a high school.”
They discussed his penchant for working out. While not as obsessed as Randy, he still kept up with keeping fit. “Do you get home very often?”
“As much as I can.” The waiter came by with their bill. Blake paid. “You want to take a stroll?”
“Love to.”
The night air was crisp, but not enough to chill her. They walked through downtown slowly, stopping to admire some of the items in the windows. Halfway down the block, a man and a woman came toward them, taking up most of the sidewalk. Blake took her hand and pulled her to the side. When they continued on, he didn’t let go. That was fine by her.
Once they reached the end of the stores, they turned around and headed back to the car. The night couldn’t have been nicer. She loved learning about his past and how he struggled to deal with his well-developed mind.
He helped her into his car, and then drove to her apartment. He parked in front of her place. She debated asking him in, but there was no place to sit. “I think I’ll jump in my car and head back to the ranch.”
“Since my house is on the way to Vedauwoo, do you want to meet me there at, say, nine?”
“Perfect.”
She pushed open her door at the same time he got out. Her heart fluttered, wondering if he’d kiss her good-night. He walked her over to her car. She opened the door and pulled it open. Blake turned her around. As if she were in a slow-motion movie, she watched his lips move closer. Her pulse sped up as she readied for the kiss, and when his lips touched hers, bolts of electricity charged up her spine. His lips softened as if to savor the experience. She leaned into him, and their breath mingled. His tongue slipped across the seam of her lips, asking permission to enter. She eagerly opened her mouth and let their tongues duel. He tasted of white wine and everything else that was wonderful. She leaned into him until they were chest to chest. When he pulled away, her breath whooshed out of her.
“Tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
He walked back to his car and it took a minute for her to regain her senses. She couldn’t wait until they were back in her apartment with her new bed.
* * * *
She arrived at Blake’s house ready for the day hike. She’d brought two water bottles and some snacks. She also planned on taking photos with her phone to remember their time together. He answered after her first ring.
His gaze ran the length of her. “Looks like you came prepared.”
She hoped that was a good thing. “Yup.”
He led her out to his car. She figured his gear was in the back. “I checked online. It looks like it’s easy to find.”
“It is.”
They drove in companionable silence for the short trip. Once they parked, she got out and he helped her on with her daypack.
He lifted the pack on her back. “What did you bring?”
“It’s the water.”
“I brought us a little lunch.”
“What a great idea.” Blake was a considerate man.
They followed the trailhead to the tall rock formations. The path was quite flat and bordered the hundred foot or more cliffs. “You ever rock climb?” She wasn’t the type, but maybe Blake was.
“That’s more Randy’s thing. I’m more into how the rocks got there in the first place.”
She smiled. “Me, too. The science of geology always fascinated me, but I found living animals a bit more my style.”
They’d hiked for about an hour. “How about we climb up to that rock?”
It didn’t look too tall, and the way up there was manageable. “Okay.”
She took her time, not wanting to slip. When she finally made it, the view was worth the climb. “It’s beautiful.”
Blake slid beside her and studied the view. “Sure is.” He pulled off his backpack. “I think this calls for some food.”
She removed her pack, too, and pulled out the water. “One for you.”
“Thank you.”
He arranged the plastic Tupperware in a stack. “I brought a ham and cheese sandwich as well as a roast beef one. I didn’t know which you’d like better.”
How nice was that? “Either one will do.”
He’d also brought some chips and pickles. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she started eating. It took little time for them to finish the meal.
Before they left the special place, she pulled out her phone. “For posterity.”
She took one of Blake by himself, then stepped next to him and shot one of them. Together they viewed the pictures.
He lifted the phone from her hand. “I want one of you.”
She stood back and posed. He snapped the photo and sent the picture to himself.
“Ready to head back?” he asked.
; She thought he might be willing to pick up the furniture. “Sure.”
Fortunately, the day was in the high sixties, so she hadn’t worked up a sweat on the trail. On the way back to his place, they talked about her class as well as when she planned to completely move into her place.
They got back to his home in no time. These last few days had been special. Yes, she wanted Randy, but after being with Blake, she could see herself with both men. He walked her over to her car. She leaned her back against the driver’s side door and ran her hands down his chest. “I really had a good time.”
“Me, too.”
He leaned over and kissed her. His hard cock molded into her stomach. Oh, my. Images of having that large dick inside her made her pussy gush. When she squeezed his broad shoulders and pulled him closer, her tits met with the hard planes of his chest.
Blake leaned back. The fact he was a bit out of breath implied he was using all his control to rein in his desires. She didn’t want to wait any longer. She ran her hands around his back and pulled him close.
He stiffened. “We need to wait.”
“Why?” Holy moly. Did he think she just wanted to get laid? She truly believed they had something special between them. Yes, she had spent a few weeks pursuing Randy, but hadn’t he said they were a package deal?
He leaned back on his heels. “It’s complicated.”
“It’s Randy, isn’t it?”
“Kind of. I don’t want to rush into things. Remember what I said about sharing.”
“I know, and I’m willing.”
He smiled. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that.”
“So what’s the problem?”
He stroked her cheek. “You are a special lady and I want to do right by you. We need to put our heads together and figure out how to reel in Randy. Once he’s on board, I’m willing to commit.”
She didn’t know if his commitment came with a time limit, but it might be wise to think about their next move. “You’re right.” Letting her sex drive lead her was never good.
Damn, but she’d wanted him bad.
Blake ran a knuckle down her face. “How about if I pick you up tomorrow morning, and you show me another part of the state? We’ll come up with a plan on how to bring Randy into the fold.”
She didn’t have any idea how to accomplish that. “I thought you were going to pick up the furniture tomorrow.”
“Would you mind if I did that the day after?”
If she had to choose between living room chairs and Blake, she’d go with Blake. What Blake hadn’t committed to deliver, the store agreed to bring by tomorrow. She hoped the office would let the delivery men inside. “I’ll be ready.”
“I’m guessing you’ll be staying at the ranch tonight, right?”
“Yes.”
“How about I pick you up there, and we can bug Randy first.”
She liked how he thought. “Say eight thirty?”
“It’s a date.”
While she was disappointed Blake decided not to consummate their relationship, it was better that they took their time.
On the drive home, she’d figured out where she wanted to take Blake on their date. About an hour west of the ranch was another national forest. During her sophomore and junior years in college, she’d often gone hiking there, as a group of her friends loved to camp. They’d bring a book and study for a few hours once they set up camp.
On one of their adventures, they discovered the most amazingly secluded spot that had a thirty-foot waterfall. At the bottom was a large swimming hole. Swimming could be so much fun if she could get Blake out of his clothes. They’d have to hike in about an hour, but the serenity and seclusion would be worth it.
She got back to the ranch long after dinner and had to heat up the leftovers. Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, and broccoli made the perfect meal after a long day of hiking. She wanted to enjoy her mom’s cooking for as long as she could. In a few days she’d be completely on her own.
Even though she’d had her midterm yesterday, she had to prepare for Monday’s class. If she wanted to spend time with Blake and Randy, she needed to fit in her study time when she could.
Since Blake was most likely still up, she called him.
He answered. “Hey, miss me already?”
She laughed. Blake had to be the most easy-going guy she’d ever met. “You bet. I wanted to tell you to bring hiking boots tomorrow.” As for swimming, she’d leave that as a surprise.
“No problem. Are we going to get all sweaty and roll around on pine needles as we hike up and down the mountains?”
She didn’t need that erotic image burned in her brain if she wanted to get any sleep tonight. “Sleep tight.”
He chuckled and disconnected. She held the phone to her chest, trying to keep his words with her for as long as possible.
“Okay. Hiking it is. You’ll need more equipment than just a daypack. Move.”
Outdoor equipment was kept in the basement. She trudged downstairs and gathered what she needed. One backpack should suffice for the two of them. She found a thin blanket and a flashlight. In case it rained on them, she stuffed two ponchos in her pack. Tomorrow morning, she’d make sandwiches.
Once upstairs, she pawed through her fairly empty closet for what to wear. Layers made the most sense, as the weather in the mountains could be unpredictably cold. At least she wouldn’t have to pack any books. The only thing she planned on studying was Blake Danforth.
Chapter Seven
As expected, April slept very little, dreaming about getting her hands once more on Dr. Blake. She got up early and fixed sandwiches. Her mom grilled her about who she was seeing.
“Blake and I are going for a hike.”
“Again?” Her brows rose. “So you like him?”
She couldn’t tell if her mother was happy or sad. One thing about her mom, the woman could spot a lie a mile away. “Yes. In case I forgot to mention it, Blake and Randy are roommates.”
April didn’t expect any censure, but there would be plenty of warnings. “Just be careful with what you want.” She must have figured out that she liked Randy, too.
“I will be.” She kissed her mom on the cheek. “Blake should be here soon. If I decide to sleep in the apartment, I’ll give you a call.”
“Did the furniture arrive?”
“The bed and sofa should come today. The office said they’d let them in if I wasn’t there.”
“Do you want any dessert? I made brownies last night for your dad and have some left over.”
Her mom’s dessert would make the picnic perfect. “Absolutely.”
Blake’s timing was perfect. She’d just finishing stuffing the tin of brownies in her pack when he rang the bell.
“I want to meet this young man.”
April nearly groaned, but he had come to her parents’ house. “Sure.”
She opened the screen door and invited him in. “Mom, this is Dr. Blake Danforth. Blake, this is my mom.”
They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. From the way her mom’s eyes twinkled, she approved.
“Let’s go out the side door. We can stop and see Randy on our way out.”
Happy to be outside and away from the queen of questions, she led him to the barn.
“This looks a bit like my folks’ place.”
“It’s home sweet home to me.”
Randy was tending to the horses when they got inside the barn. Blake put a finger to his lips and tiptoed behind Randy.
“Bro, only a deaf man wouldn’t hear you,” Randy said. He turned around and smiled. “What are you doing—” His gaze slanted in her direction. “You and April are going out, I’m guessing.”
“To the mountains. You’re welcome to come with us.”
“Can we say job?”
Randy did all the work in half the time it took Gus. “I’m betting you could take the day off and no one would be the wiser.”
<
br /> He laughed. “I don’t like to cheat anyone out of his money. You two have a grand old time.”
While she hadn’t expected him to agree to join them, she had wanted him to act a bit regretful that he’d be left behind. “I packed a picnic lunch. Does that entice you?”
He waved a hand. “Sounds wonderful, but I’ll pass.” He turned around and continued brushing one of the horses.
Randy would be a hard nut to crack. Maybe he just wasn’t interested in her. She wouldn’t blame him. She was more into bookwork, and Randy was more physical. She bet he liked to drive fast cars. She’d already witnessed his desire to ride fast horses.
Blake shrugged and moved next to her. He wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her out of the barn. He leaned over. “We tried.”
She smiled. “I’m fine with that. As that Bonnie Raitt song says, I can’t make you love me if you don’t.”
He chuckled. “I hear ya, but stealing from Shakespeare, the phrase the gentleman doth protest too much, methinks, also applies.”
She rolled her eyes. “Randy has been quite consistent with his unwillingness to pursue me.”
“He doesn’t want you to see him weaken.” He tapped his chest. “Trust me, we’ll convert him. It will take a bit of ingenuity on our part. You up for the challenge?”
If it meant she could have both men, she’d absolutely be willing to try. “You bet.”
For the moment, April put aside Randy’s unwillingness to be part of the team and focused on wonderful Blake. He was as witty as he was smart.
“How about I drive since it’s a bit complicated to get there?”
“Perfect. I can relax and enjoy the beautiful Wyoming scenery.” He winked, acting as if he would spend time watching her.
The drive was lovely. The sky was a deep blue and the grass a rich green. This was maybe the prettiest time of year, though seeing the snow on the mountains took a close second.
Once they pulled into the national park, she drove a few miles before seeing the sign for the turnoff to the path. No other cars were in the lot, giving her hope they’d have complete privacy in their hideaway.
“Ready for your adventure?”
Secret Temptation [The Callens 3] (Siren Publishing M?nage Everlasting) Page 6
