Need You Now

Shaking his head, he finished securing the saddlebag, then turned to her. “Why do you ask?”

“You’re so neat.”

“My mom could’ve been a drill sergeant. Does that count?”

“So could mine, though not as successfully as yours,” she said drily and glanced up at the sky. It was clear overhead. Toward the Belt Mountains and Rockies, salmony-pink clouds shrouded the peaks. She loved sunsets and really needed to take more time to enjoy them. “The Sundance ranch takes in guests,” she said, noting that Lucas had been watching her. No reason to get nervous, she told herself and walked over to untie their horses. “I can call to see if they have room for you. Jesse McAllister, the man I mentioned earlier... His family owns the ranch.”

“A dude ranch?”

“Yes and no. They’re cattlemen. The family have raised cattle on that land for generations, but times are tough. They have a lot of hired hands to keep working, so they expanded, did what they had to do.”

“Good for them.”

“If there’s any chance they can put you up, they will. I know them. Really terrific people.”

“If it’s no trouble, yeah, I’d appreciate you making the call.” He paused. “Hey, what about the old cabin? In exchange I’ll make a donation to Safe Haven.”

“Annie’s cabin? The one that made you claustrophobic?”

He shrugged. “It beats driving all the way to Kalispell tonight.”

Discovering that he didn’t intend to leave town over inconvenient accommodations pleased her more than was warranted. “Unfortunately, a couple of volunteers are using it tonight. But it should be free tomorrow,” she said, holding out the gelding’s reins.

Lucas made a move to take them, only he didn’t. He closed his hand over hers. “Tell me if I’m wrong, but it seems you’ve been dying to say something.” His voice was so low and compelling she almost didn’t notice that he was drawing her closer. “Do you have something to tell me, Melanie?”

She felt his warm breath on her chin, and her mind went blank. Blood raced through her veins and roared in her ears. “Thank you for fixing the tire.”

He didn’t laugh or mock her for being a coward. But he knew. “Is that all?”

To her surprise, she glimpsed a shadow of uncertainty in his eyes. Not trusting her voice, she slowly shook her head.

“I’m not going anywhere.” He’d released her hand but their arms still touched. “I’ve got all night.”

Go on, you chicken, make the move. He’s waiting.

“I think I should call the Sundance as soon as possible,” she said, completely disgusted with herself.

Briefly searching her face, he gave her a faint smile and started to turn.

“Wait.” She pushed herself at him, pressing her palm against his chest, putting her other hand on his shoulder. Stretching up on her toes, she brushed her lips across his mouth.

His lack of response sent panic and embarrassment spiraling through her. How could she have read him so wrong? Before she could flee, he pulled her into his arms. His mouth came down on hers, and she froze in surprise.

His fingers cupped the back of her neck while his warm lips moved across her mouth. He tightened his arm around her lower back, and she felt herself begin to yield to the soft gentle tugs at her lips. Just as she was about to open for him, he drew back and looked at her.

“You want me to stop?” he asked, studying her closely.

“No.” She understood the problem. Her initial shock had come across as resistance. “No, I don’t.”

He started kneading the tense muscles at the back of her neck, his light erotic touch relaxing her. She felt her chin dropping to her chest and couldn’t seem to stop it. He nudged it back up, then cupped her head with both hands and slipped his tongue between her parted lips.

Everything inside her melted. His mouth was warm, damp and skillful, and he took his time, erasing any doubt. He ran his hands down her back, pulling her against his body, and she started to tremble. She’d always liked kissing well enough, but when Lucas touched his tongue to hers, then lazily swept her mouth, a slow aching burn in the pit of her stomach started, an ache she’d never felt before.

She could feel him hardening against her belly, could feel her heart race, could feel her nipples tighten. His mouth wasn’t so gentle anymore. She understood his growing hunger. She clutched his shoulders, wanting more, wanting him to quench that burn of longing that flared hotter but not sure how to ask for it. Or even if she should. A kiss was one thing....

She swayed a little, and he pulled back to look at her. She blinked, trying to focus. He brushed another kiss across her lips and released her.

“That wasn’t planned,” he murmured, “but I won’t apologize.”

“I’d be annoyed if you did.”

Lucas smiled. “If I’d had a teacher like you, high school might not have been so painful.”

Melanie stiffened, then turned to hide her reaction. She was a teacher and to some degree a role model. But she had a right to a private life. It wasn’t as if she made a habit of kissing good-looking strangers, and certainly not in front of her students. No, it was the “stranger” part that had her shaken. And on her home turf. Clearly she was overworked.

“So you didn’t like school, huh?” she said, unnecessarily cinching Candy’s saddle strap. He’d tasted faintly of peanut butter, and the lingering flavor on her own lips calmed her, fooled her into thinking he was more familiar.

“I hated sitting indoors all day. What you’re doing for these kids by bringing them out here shouldn’t be underestimated. I bet they learn more by being involved with the sanctuary.”

Delighted by his observation, she turned back to him. “A few parents objected at first. I think they equated coming out here to field trips instead of an actual learning experience. But now, as long as this doesn’t interfere with football practice, everyone’s okay with it.” The corners of his mouth quirked up. “What?”

“Don’t like football, huh?”

She shrugged. “It’s okay, I guess. I don’t really have an opinion about it.”

“You rolled your eyes.”

“Did I? Just now?”

Watching her, Lucas nodded. “I bet you fought like a tiger for the program.”

How could she not be aware of rolling her eyes? She didn’t like that, not one bit. She prided herself on remaining centered, keeping her expressions impassive, especially when dealing with the students and their parents. And especially with her father’s congregation. Even when she disagreed with his dogma.

“Melanie?”

She blinked at him. “I doubt I was that fierce. But yes, I felt strongly about bringing the classroom outside. Some of the kids will be moving to cities, but a lot of them will end up taking over the family ranch. They need to know they have other options and not just do what their parents and grandparents have done.”

A slight frown drew his brows together, as if she confused him. Though she couldn’t imagine why. She was straightforward and predictable, much more likely to inspire a yawn than confusion.

“A tiger?” she said and turned to Candy when the mare moved restlessly. “That was a strange analogy.”

“Why?” He watched her mount, then swung into his own saddle. “You strike me as someone who would go all out for something they believed in.”

“Really?”

“Why are you surprised?”

She led him past the thicket of aspens, wondering how on earth he’d gotten that impression. Obviously he was seeing something that just wasn’t there. She rarely made waves, whether at school or at church. Occasionally she might tweak the status quo, but no one would accuse her of hoisting the rebel flag.