Texas Rebels: Egan

He sighed. “Rachel, there’s nothing between us. We’re two strangers who met by accident. That’s it.”

“You wanted to touch my breast in a more intimate way. Don’t deny it, because I felt it.”

He turned from putting the whiskey bottle in the cabinet. “You’re a beautiful woman. What man wouldn’t be attracted to you? I’m human. That’s all.”

There wasn’t much she could say after that. She had to stop fighting for something that was never going to be. She’d met him only yesterday. Once she was away from him, her world would right itself and she would forget about him. But something inside her told her differently. Forgetting Egan wouldn’t be easy.

“Go to sleep.” He blew out the lantern and moved toward the door.

“Aren’t you going to sleep, too?”

“Maybe later. I don’t sleep much. I’ll sit on the stoop for a while.”

“Do you think that man is still out there?”

“Izzy is somewhere, but I doubt if he’s hiding in these woods. We’ll be long gone before he sets out to track us in the morning. Don’t worry. Just rest.”

She tugged the T-shirt over her head and curled up on the bed, her eyes on his rigid back. As she moved, her hand touched something. His hat. He’d forgotten his hat. That had to be a first, and she wondered if he slept in it when he was home. She doubted it. In that moment, she knew she wanted to know a lot more about Egan Rebel.

* * *

EGAN KEPT THE RIFLE by his side. He wasn’t as sure about old Izzy as he’d pretended to be to Rachel. The man was crazy and could pop up at any moment, but Egan was ready for him.

An owl hooted through the chirp of crickets and the night wore on. It had to be close to midnight. He didn’t wear a watch anymore, since he’d got it caught on a string of a bale of hay and almost had his arm ripped off. His phone was now his watch, but it was in his duster and he wasn’t going to disturb Rachel. Besides, there was no signal.

He flexed his fingers, recalling the smoothness of her skin against his fingertips. She was right. He wanted to touch her in a more intimate way, and that feeling angered him. There were so many girls in the world and the one that he could never have was the one he was drawn to. There was no way on God’s green earth he could see himself dating Rachel Hollister. But she was tempting. He’d just leave it at that.

A long walk was ahead of him in the morning, so he had to get some rest. The rocker was preferable to sitting on the stoop. He tiptoed inside and lightly closed the door. The rocker was as hard as the stoop, but he’d adjust.

“Sleep on the bed, Egan. You need to rest.” Her voice was soft, yet strong.

Being male and in control, he stretched out on the bed and his body relaxed.

“Do you want your hat?” she asked. “It’s right here.”

A grin spread across his face, but he was the only one who knew that. “No. I actually don’t sleep in my hat or my boots at home.”

“I didn’t think so.” She moved around on the mattress, bumping into him.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking off my sneakers. I can’t sleep in them another night.”

After a moment, she curled up next to him and it was a little too close for his comfort. But he was in control, he told himself again.

“Did you take your boots off?”

“No.” He wanted to be ready in case Izzy made an appearance. Egan wouldn’t tell her that, though.

Finally, the silence was wonderful as they gave in to the tiredness of their bodies.

“I’m really sorry for what you went through, Egan.”

“I know. Just go to sleep, and tomorrow you’ll be back with your family.”

“I’m excited and dreading it at the same time.”

“Just relax and everything will go smoothly.”

There was a long pause. “Can I see you before I go back to New York?”

He moved restlessly, not wanting to have this conversation. “I’d rather not.”

“I never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. I know you don’t want to hear that, but I’m just being honest.”

“Rachel...”

“I’m very aware you don’t want to be attracted to me.”

“You got it.”

“You don’t have to be cruel.”

“I’m not. I’m just being honest, as you said.” He flipped onto his side and waited for her to stop talking. They didn’t have anything else to talk about, and the less they said, the better it was for both of them.

“You’re very stubborn.”

“Mmm.”

Egan must’ve fallen asleep, because the next thing he knew, his back was warm and he was uncomfortable. A raspy sound came from Rachel. He leaned over and touched her forehead. Damn! Her skin was red-hot. She had a fever. He jumped from the bed and gently shook her.

“Rachel, wake up. We have to go.”

“Is it morning?” she asked sleepily. “My head hurts and I feel funny.”

“I must’ve missed one of the scratches because you’re burning up with fever. You need medical attention, so we have to leave now. Can you put on your sneakers?”

“What?”

“Put on your shoes. I’m going outside for water.” He grabbed his hat and slammed it onto his head.

When he came back, Rachel was slumped over on the bed, asleep. He shook her awake. “Come on. You have to wake up.” He held the canteen to her lips. “Drink this.”

“Oh, it tastes wonderful.”

He ripped her ruined top into strips and soaked them in water. As he secured the wet cloth around her neck, she drew back. “What’s that?”

“Something cool to bring down your fever.”