Seduction at Whispering Lakes

Perhaps China can fall in love with me, too.

After helping China dismount, Zaire removed a bedroll and a couple of bottles of water from twin saddlebags. One bag was insulated for hot and cold. Unfurling the bedroll, he spread it out under the tree. Time was short. He thought of calling the ranch to have Zane take over his roping event, but he immediately thought better of it. The fear of losing his mind over a woman who’d soon leave the ranch held him back.

Sipping on an ice-cold bottle of water, China carefully studied the sturdy oak. “It’s a beautiful tree and looks like a very old one.”

“It is old. Go ahead and stretch out and relax. It’ll welcome your presence.”

“I think I will. It looks inviting.” China looked into his eyes. “By the way, I loved the ride out here. It was much smoother than I anticipated. You stole my fear right out from under me.”

Zaire nodded. “That’s all well and good, but you still have to learn to ride solo. Only then will you rid yourself of the phobia permanently.”

China sat down and instantly took off her footwear, wiggling her toes to celebrate the freedom. “I like how tranquil my spirit feels.”

The pillow Zaire had placed on the bedroll drew China’s head down to it like a magnet to metal. She looked up at the tree. “The branches are so full that they’re completely sheltering me from the sun’s blazing heat.” Within a matter of seconds, China’s eyes involuntarily drooped.

Sitting down on a navy wool blanket he’d laid out next to the bedroll, Zaire had a desire to run his fingers through China’s hair. Thoughts of kissing her juicy lips came next.

Quickly, he decided it was a bad move on his part. China would have to offer him her sweet mouth. He wasn’t into taking anything not given freely.

By the time Zaire thought of the walkie-talkie he always carried, an hour and a half had passed. It was near time to leave. He hated to awaken China, who looked so peaceful. Indulging in the unthinkable, the very thing he’d decided against a short while ago, he got up and retrieved the walkie-talkie.

Punching in a three digit code, Zaire waited for a response. “Zane, I need a favor.” He went on to tell his brother why he was calling.

“Not a problem, bro. I got your back.”

Fortunately the Kingdom family worked as a harmonious unit. Zane hadn’t hesitated in agreeing to take over the event. Knowing his scheduled roping class was in capable hands, Zaire returned to his seat. Removing his cowboy boots, he laid his head close to China’s, keeping enough distance not to accidentally disturb her.

Minutes later, Zaire joined China in a late-afternoon nap.

Chapter 3

Several hours later, China awakened to find Zaire asleep. Her heart grew full at the sight of such a gorgeous man. She’d love to watch him slumber like a newborn for hours, but she was concerned over his next class.

Shaking him ever so gently, China whispered softly, “Zaire, Zaire, wake up.”

Peering up at China, a charming smile formed on Zaire’s luscious lips. “Looks like we both fell asleep. You okay, China Doll?”

China Doll! She smiled.

“I’m fine. But I woke you ‘cause of your next event. I’ve got a sinking feeling you’ve missed it.” She pulled on her boots. “We’ve been here awhile.”

No one had ever called her China Doll. It was too sweet for mere words. However, the expression in her eyes probably revealed to him the joy she felt.

Zaire smiled, reading her expression perfectly. “I knew I missed it.”

“You knew?” China appeared genuinely surprised.

Zaire sat upright. Following China’s lead, he put his boots back on. “It’s covered. I didn’t want to wake you so I called Zane to take over for me. I’m sure the family is in shock. That is, if Zane has already told them. Knowing him, I’m sure he did … in his usual melodramatic way.”

China frowned. “Why would it shock them?”

“Unless something extremely important comes up, I rarely ask anyone to take over a duty for me. I never outright shirk duties or responsibilities. I’m sure they’re all dying to know the reason why I didn’t make it back in time. My family can be a pretty gossipy circle.”

Did it have anything to do with her? China wondered. Smiling broadly, she sure hoped so. “Sorry if I caused trouble for you, Zaire.”

“You didn’t. It was my decision to stay. I wanted to be here. You were sleeping peacefully and I was tired so I decided to lie down and regroup. Zane, Zurich and Morgan can cover all events and classes. Trust me, no harm was done.”

“I’m glad.” Picking up her tote, China reached in and removed her hairbrush.

“Fixing your hair will be for nothing. The wind blows up a storm this time of day.” Picking up his Stetson, he settled it onto her head. “This should help some. To make you an official cowgirl, we’ll have to get you your own. The ones in our gift shop are top quality.”

Slipping down over China’s eyes, the hat nearly swallowed up her head. It was way too big, but she wouldn’t think of taking it off. That he’d given it up to her made her feel special.

Wishing she could preserve the blissful serenity encircling her, China stretched her arms up high.

As the couple walked toward Thunder, tethered to a sturdy tree branch and eating grass and leaves, Zaire wished he could take hold of China’s hand. He wanted to somehow convey his interest in getting better acquainted with her, but he was new at making his feelings known. He hadn’t had a date in ages, shying away from females by design. China made him feel differently, but he was still leery.

Zaire settled down Thunder and walked China to her car. Her ride with him had built some confidence and made her less intimidated by horses.

Zaire stopped in front of her car. “Well, it looks like this is it for now. Think you’ll make it to the club this evening? A different band is featured tonight.”

China nodded. “I’d already decided to drop in. I also plan to eat dinner in the main dining room. I hear you all cook up the fish caught on the trip. I can’t wait to taste the fruits of my labor.” She laughed. “And your labor, too, of course. I couldn’t have landed those beauties if you hadn’t helped.”

While trying to decide if he should let a perfect opportunity like this pass him by, Zaire’s heart hammered away. A desire to share a table with her over dinner was strong. “I’d like us to have dinner together. That is, if you don’t have other plans.”

China’s smile was effervescent. “What’s so wonderful about this moment was my desire to ask you the same thing. Is seven-thirty good?”

Glad he’d taken the risk, Zaire felt relieved. “The time is fine. I’ll reserve us a table. Mom and Morgan do the cooking.

Rest assured you’ll be served a fish dinner from the babies you nabbed.”

“How can anyone know what fish belongs to whom?” China inquired.

“We give out colored clips to guests before the trip. I didn’t give you any because it looked as if you’d be with Zane’s group. I had a few extra ones in my pocket so I used them on yours after we hauled them aboard. I later told Mom you had orange. We try to make sure everyone gets some of what they reeled in, but it’s not always possible. Lots of folks don’t catch a thing, but there’s always enough fish to go around.”

“That is really special.” Standing on tiptoes, China kissed Zaire on the cheek. “Thanks for a beautiful day! I enjoyed it. See you at dinner.”

Zaire started to offer to pick up China at her cabin, but then thought it might be too much. One step at a time, he told himself. Slow and easy beats fast and hard.

While stepping out of the shower, China suddenly felt light-headed. Slowly she made her way to the bed. Pulling back the comforter, she climbed in, propping her feet on two pillows. Reaching over to retrieve the nightstand clock, she set the alarm, giving herself plenty of time to dress and make it to the dining room.

After tossing and turning for nearly a half hour, China feared sleep would elude her. It hadn’t been too long ago that she and Zaire had awakened under the oak tree. With her thoughts turning to the man who caused her heart to flip-flop, dance, sing and turn somersaults, she smiled.

China’s age-old fears about love quickly gripped her heart.

Her previous romantic relationships hadn’t worked because she hadn’t been able to stop comparing herself to her mother. Thoughts of one day running off and leaving her family behind haunted her constantly. The possibility of repeating such a destructive offense made her cringe every time she dared to think about her mother leaving her dad.

Brody had tried to tell China she wasn’t her mother and that she had to stop believing she’d do the same type of things. Desertion wasn’t hereditary. Brody didn’t blame Camille for leaving them. He actually thought it took a lot of guts to take responsibility for one’s own happiness. According to his wife, she hadn’t been happy for years.