Chapter Ten
S leep eluded Natalie that night, her mind replaying those few moments outside with Sam. And that kiss. Whoa, baby. She awoke wanting another and then some. Which was bad.
Bad, bad, bad.
This was not how professional women were supposed to think. At least, she’d never gone through such an emotional wringer before. But then, there’d never been a Sam to walk into her line of work before, either.
Cyn had been of a completely different mindset, encouraging Natalie to run with it. “When was the last time you allowed yourself to immerse in something other than work?”
Sadly, Natalie hadn’t been able to come up with an exact length of time. Because it’d been forever and a day—something that hadn’t bothered her until Cyn brought it to light. And now she found herself wanting to see more, feel more, which both thrilled and terrified her.
She wasn’t a one-night stand kind of girl. Nor had she ever had a work fling. And yet… curiosity made her suddenly reconsider both.
Curiosity inspired by a certain cowboy and that unexpected kiss.
But was she really ready to step back into the world of dating? Of relationships?
Natalie stood before the vanity mirror in her room at the Bramble House, giving her reflection an overdue pep talk.
Maybe a fling that couldn’t go anywhere was the perfect way to ease back into things.
It would either help remind her of all the things she’d been missing or remind her as to why she’d remained single this whole time.
Either way, she didn’t feel like she could lose.
Unless you get attached.
Like that was going to happen. There wouldn’t be time to get attached, especially if this ferret claim panned out. If that happened, she’d be back in Indiana by the end of next week. Surely, she couldn’t fall for anyone that fast.
Her stomach let out a long, snarling growl, so she got cleaned up and headed down to the dining room, choosing a small table near the window today.
Her gaze, as usual, was drawn to Copper Mountain, with its base covered in lush green, transitioning to pines, then rock, then snow-capped peaks.
It was all so different from her views of endless corn and soybean fields in Indiana.
Well, that wasn’t entirely fair. Her hometown had places of beauty throughout the year.
Springtime landscapes full of sunny, smiling daffodils and tulips.
Summers at the lake with her friends and neighbors, with daytime boat rides and evening bonfires.
Autumn leaves painting the countryside in yellows, oranges, and brilliant reds.
Winter, with blankets of snow that were beautiful yet manageable.
She leaned closer to the window, eyeing the town’s cityscape.
What did Marietta look like in the winter?
Did the roads stay clear here, or did everyone hole up from December through February?
Heck, was the Miles family even able to make the drive into town once the snow hit?
And what did that do to the local schools?
Her cell phone buzzed on the table with a text message. She picked it up, expecting it to be something from her boss. Instead, it was from Sam. There were no words, just an image.
The purple lawnmower with a tan goat standing on its seat, grass hanging from its mouth.
Natalie burst out laughing. As she saved it to her phone as a keepsake, a text message from him appeared.
Passed it this morning and thought of you.
Now, didn’t that just bring a smile to her face? Grinning, she texted back Best. Photo. Ever.
“Your French toast, Miss Wright.”
She looked up to find her server, Eliza, approaching with an oversized plate with four decadent slices of syrup- and powdered sugar-covered heaven.
“Oh my goodness. That looks amazing.” Natalie watched as the plate was placed before her. “There’s enough here to share! Care to join me?”
Eliza laughed. “If it wouldn’t get me fired, I absolutely would. Let me know if you need anything, hon.”
Fired. Would exploring whatever was happening between her and Sam get her fired?
She didn’t think so. But was it worth the risk?
Cyn would say heck yes. Natalie still wasn’t so sure.
Heck, she wasn’t even entirely sure that there was anything happening between them.
Maybe that kiss had been a fluke, a lapse in judgment.
You coming out to the ranch this weekend, or did I scare you off last night?
Hmm, strike that—apparently, it’d been neither of those things. Natalie debated what to text back. She was playing with fire. And was she looking forward to going back because of the prospect of sightseeing or because what she really wanted was more time with Sam?
Mostly likely, it was a combination of both. And she didn’t want him to think he’d scared her at all. If anything, he’d struck a match.
Are you kidding? Your gramps promised me amazing views of Big Sky country, and I intend to hold you to it .
There, that didn’t sound scared or desperate. Or overeager. Hopefully.
He didn’t respond right away, so she traded her phone for a fork and knife.
He’d probably gotten busy, and there was no sense in letting her breakfast get cold.
She took a bite of her French toast, barely able to contain the moan of ecstasy at its delicate balance of flavor and texture.
Took another bite. Her gaze shifted back to the phone.
Still no response.
Don’t overthink it.
She sliced off another piece of French toast and popped it into her mouth.
He’ll text when he has time.
Natalie speared a piece of fruit that had been served on the side.
Maybe my text sounded too platonic.
She could send another one, something more playful. Flirty. Interested.
Did she even still know how to send texts like that? It really had been ages since she’d even tried.
As she sat there debating, a new message appeared.
We’re men of our word—you’ll get to see your views. Stop by my place after dinner tonight if you’d like to iron out the details together.
Excitement rushed through Natalie, leaving her feeling like a teenager whose crush had just acknowledged her from across the cafeteria. She grinned at the ridiculousness of it all yet couldn’t deny how happy the text exchange had made her feel. Now, how to respond?
Well, turnabout was fair play after she’d spent all night thinking about that kiss.
*
Sam collapsed on his front porch rocker Friday evening, fresh from a shower and body still aching from a long, hot day in the saddle. He hadn’t meant to overdo it today, but that vague text response from Natalie had thrown him for a loop.
We’ll see.
We’ll see? Not can’t wait or looking forward to it ? How the hell was he supposed to interpret that?
Maybe he should have added something in there about him being the only one home tonight—that might have sweetened the deal.
Then again, if she was still on the fence about where to take things after that kiss last night, it might have sent her running.
And her running away was the last thing he wanted to see, especially after he’d spent most of last night convincing himself to stay the course with pursuing Natalie.
Maybe things would work out, and maybe they wouldn’t.
But the more he was around her, the more he thought he’d go mad if he didn’t get a chance to act on this attraction.
When she hadn’t pushed him away last night, that’d only added fuel to the fire.
It’d taken every ounce of self-restraint to pull back from that kiss last night.
That, and the knowledge that his daughter would eventually come looking for him.
Navigating the single-again life with a kid at home certainly added a level of complexity he hadn’t had to juggle when he’d been smitten with Sasha all those years ago.
So, when Madison had asked if she could spend the night with a friend in town this morning, he’d practically high-fived her.
Then he’d driven past the infamous Dixon and pulled over to snap a picture for Natalie, hoping to start a conversation, no business involved.
And it’d seemed like it was working, until that vague last response from her.
We’ll see.
Was that Indiana code for don’t hold your breath ?
As the clock rolled past eight, he started to think that was exactly what it meant.
He was halfway through his second Bone Dust Wheat Ale—some fancy beer Norah had brought back with her from her last trip to Bozeman—when a pair of headlights sliced through the violet fringe of dusk.
It must be Madison and her friend swinging by the house to grab something.
He drained his beer and went inside to discard his empty bottles.
After she left, he’d have himself another; the first two had gone down easier than he’d expected.
But when he stepped back outside, it wasn’t Madison standing at the foot of the porch.
It was Natalie, thumbs hooked into the tops of her denim capri pockets.
She had on a yellow top that brought out the auburn in her hair.
And oh, happy day, she had those open-toed sandals on again.
Hope lit in his chest. Even so, he felt the need to play it cool.
Sam leaned against the banister, arms crossed. “Well, hey there, stranger.”
“Happy Friday.” She remained where she was, her gaze scanning the yard. “Probably should have texted first.”
Was she regretting that kiss from last night, or was she just as nervous as he was?
“Is that a Midwestern thing? Texting before visiting?”
The ghost of a smile touched her lips. “Maybe.”
Lips he’d been waiting all day to taste again. But she remained several paces away; he needed to take things slower tonight. Just how slow, he wasn’t sure.
“’Round here, people go where they need to go, no advance notice required.” Still, she didn’t meet his gaze. “Long day?”
“You could say that.”
He came down the steps, cautious not to spook her. “Need a drink?”
She laughed softly. “Probably.”
Behind her, dusk had claimed the sky, a sea of navy blue slowly fading to black, casting them both in darkness.
The porch lights had been flicked off as usual, Sam being the kind of man who preferred starlight over anything manmade.
He came to stand before Natalie and waited for her gaze to meet his.
“Sorry I didn’t make it over earlier,” she said quietly. “Hope it’s not too late to plan our outing.”
“We’ve got all weekend.” He reached out to brush her hair back from her shoulder, wanting to feel those silky strands again. Wanting even more to fist his hand in them and hold her close. “No need to rush things.”
“No?”
Sam didn’t answer. He preferred to show her what he meant instead. Gently, he pulled her to him and pressed a kiss to the exposed skin of her neck. Natalie drew in a soft breath.
“This is a bad idea, you know,” she said.
He kissed his way to her jawline. “Terrible.”
A shiver rattled through her. Sam paused. Met her gaze. It wasn’t fear he saw there now but desire.
Her hands slid up the front of his chest to clasp behind his neck. “We really shouldn’t.”
“Probably not.” But oh, Lord, he wanted to.
She pulled him closer, brushing her soft, full lips across his.
Once. Twice. Good God, the woman was going to be the death of him if she didn’t kiss him already.
A teasing flick of her tongue, and Sam couldn’t stand it any longer.
He ran a hand into the back of her silky hair as he claimed her mouth with his, the other hand sliding to the small of her back.
Now that he knew she wanted to be kissed, the possessive hold seemed fair game.
And hot damn—this kiss was even better than the one they’d shared last night.
Maybe because this time, she was actively engaged instead of frozen with shock.
And mercy, could the woman kiss. She opened to him and his tongue wasted no time sweeping in, searching, exploring.
Her fingers threaded through his jeans’ belt loops and tugged him to her, and a low growl escaped him.
Natalie pulled back an inch, a smirk on her swollen lips. “Someone’s been drinking.”
She’d tasted his beer. Damn, would that be a deal-breaker? No way would he lie and risk losing whatever trust she had in him. “Just two.”
But she didn’t move away, she just licked her lips. “Tastes good.”
He stifled a groan at the thoughts his view inspired. “I have two left inside. You’re welcome to them. Or anything else I have in there.”
“Hmm. I am a little thirsty.” Natalie glanced to the door, worrying her lower lip. “Trouble is, the only thing I want right now is out here.”
Her fingers slipped under the hem of his shirt, exploring, the soft touch equal parts of pleasure and torture.
“Careful,” he warned, the sound rough even to his own ears. “You’re playing with fire.”
She arched one brow. “And you struck the match last night.”
He wanted her more than anything he’d wanted in a long, long time. “So, what do we do about it?”
“Hmm. Extinguishing it hasn’t worked for me so far.” Her hands continued their leisurely journey across his abdomen. His chest. “Guess the only thing we can do is let it run its course.”
He pulled her closer, against his hardened length. “You sure about that?”
“Never been more sure.” A devilish look settled on her features. “If, that is, you think you can handle it.”
“Mercy, woman.” In one smooth motion, he swept her into his arms and angled for the door, consequences be damned.
“What about Madison?” she whispered as they made their way inside. “We can go back to my place. Or take your truck.”
Take the truck? He liked her way of thinking. Tonight, though, he didn’t plan on taking her anywhere but to his bed.
“Gone for the night.” Sam set her down in his bedroom, tugged off his T-shirt, and pulled her to him. “Now, less talking and more kissing.”
Natalie smirked in the moonlight peeking through his window’s miniblinds. “There’s the bossy cowboy I know.”
He had her shirt up and over her head in half a second. “Oh, honey, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”