Cowboy Payback (12 page)

Yes, he was aware he was breaking one of his rules—displaying intimacy in front of the guests. But did he care? No.

The guys were looking at Trisha’s ass.

Trisha’s ass.

Damn it.

“Y-yes. We’re good.”

“Okay.” He nodded, then stared down her groupies as he continued. “Because I’m never
far
if you need me.” And just to make sure they received his “hands off” message loud and clear, he lifted her hand, gazed into her eyes and slowly kissed her ring and finger. “Don’t hesitate to holler.”

“Oh, you’ll hear me yell,” she replied, a spark of anger entering her heated gaze. “Trust me.”

Brett chuckled. Now she joined him in the turned on and pissed off boat. Good. Not much fun to journey alone. And because he was an all-in kind of guy, he bent down and kissed her square on the mouth, and didn’t let up until she melted against him.

“Wh-what are you doing?” she whispered when he finally drew back.

“Damned if I know.” He sighed, resisting the urge to claim her mouth again as she blinked her beautiful blue eyes. Sexy woman made him nuts. Releasing her, he stepped back and glanced around. “All right, let’s get the rest of you saddled up.”

****

Despite the captain’s strange and disquieting behavior in that first morning of work, Trisha enjoyed her inaugural week as a Royal Pines’ Guide. With the guests now gone, she sat with the rest of the crew in the dining hall Saturday morning, and as the captain—
Brett
—initiated their end of the tour wrap up, her mind wandered over the past few days.

She felt better.

With every rock, field, and creek they’d crossed throughout the week, she’d connected with her surroundings and slowly begun to relax. The soft wind whistling through the trees, smell of pine in the air, sound of birds chirping, and water trickling over rocks all combined to ease a stiffness from her body she hadn’t realized was there.

She was beginning to thaw, to feel more alive, and was under no illusion the progression was due solely to her surroundings. Trisha shifted her focus on the handsome cowboy talking at the front of the room.

Gaze direct, stance erect, gait slow and purposeful with his hands clasped behind his back, Brett walked back and forth in a relaxed, slow stride. The man commanded attention, drew you in without shouting orders. Straightforward. Fair.

Her pulse flickered. Yes, her
fiancé
also had a hand with helping her to feel again.

And not just desire. Watching him interact with his crew and the guests, young, old, male, female, she had a newfound admiration for his patience and compassion, and the way he made people feel at ease.

Including her.

Several times throughout the week, he’d asked her opinion and even had her help demonstrate proper techniques with the horses.

On that first day, she’d found herself surrounded by children, eagerness lighting their faces as they pleaded with her to show them how to mount.

Easy enough.

She’d been around horses her whole life. Mounting and dismounting was as natural an act as breathing. But there was nothing natural about the sudden tightness in her chest, squeezing and twisting the air from her lungs. Or how their happy, excited faces became distorted and dark as her surroundings blurred. And the smell.

God…the smell.

Sulfur and dirt and…blood.

Trisha’s whole body had tightened, like one huge cramp, and she’d been on the verge of losing her breakfast when a firm, warm hand squeezed her shoulder, forging a connection to the present. She’d turned her head, expecting to see the captain, and she had, only he wasn’t in fatigues. He was in cowboy gear, complete with Stetson and a ready, reassuring smile as he addressed her and the children.

At first, she had no idea what he’d said as she’d watched his lips move. His wonderful, deep voice had been calm and soothing and strengthened her grip on reality while warmth returned to her limbs, and the ranch came back into focus.

“I need Trisha to help out in the corral, but I’d be happy to show each of you how to mount,”
he’d said, then fixed a shrewd gaze on her, full of knowing and honest concern.

He’d known. She hated being weak, but had allowed him to gently shove her toward the corral. The pressure on her chest had eased, and the act of breathing returned as the children’s laughter faded in the distance.

From out of nowhere, her C.O. had appeared and saved her, and Trisha realized she’d never thanked him.

Inhaling, she brought her attention back to the present, and a smile tugged her lips. His wonderful, deep tone washed over her like a warm, welcoming breeze.

“Great job, everyone,” he said. “You really stepped up to make the New Jersey guests happy and twisted their negative into a positive. It’s much appreciated. So, enjoy your time off, because next week, we’re going to have a full house again with some of our summer regulars.”

Regulars
.

The captain’s gaze had slid to her on that word, and her mind instantly grasped his meaning. Monica. The woman who overstepped guest boundaries.

She dipped her head in a slight nod. Done. She would handle it. The captain had asked her for help with Monica, and she would deliver. Happily. And wasn’t that just the problem?

The touching and show of affection required was definitely going to be easy. Too easy. Her body already warmed at the prospect of getting physical.

“All right. I’ll see you bright and early Tuesday morning.” Her boss unclasped his hands and gave a curt nod of dismissal, then pivoted on his boots and strode straight in her direction.

Butterflies instantly swarmed her quivering belly.
Idiot
. The friendly smile and interest in his gorgeous blue eyes were just for show. Still, her body never seemed to get that memo.

She stood and braced for impact.

Stopping when they were toe-to-toe, he reached for her hands and squeezed. “So? Tell me, sweetheart, how was your first week?”

Her week was fine, great, fantastic even, but her tongue suddenly turned stupid. She opened her mouth and squeaked out a breathy, “Okay.”

“Good.”

He smiled down and freed a hand to brush a lock of hair from her face, turning her knees to mush.

“You have more color in your cheeks.”

That would be courtesy of her stupid blushing. Since her tongue was still out of order but her lips were working, she smiled her reply.

He stilled a second before he dipped down and slowly kissed her lips. With her pulse racing out of control and heat settling low in her belly, Trisha tried to make sense of her captain’s actions. Yes, there were people still lingering in the hall, so this was probably just for show. Except…his gaze had turned dazed on a sharp inhale just before they kissed. Those actions weren’t faked.

Or were they?

Cripes
. She just didn’t know or actually care as she leaned into his muscles and returned the embrace. He was hard and giving and kissed her just this side of sweet. Her whole body was trembling by the time he broke the connection and set her a few feet away.

“Go pack an overnight bag. We’re going camping.”

She blinked, resisting the urge to rub her tingling lips. “We are?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “I like what the mountain air has done for you.”

The fact he was ordering and not asking wasn’t lost on Trisha, but she happened to be in accordance with him. All week, she had longed to spend the night up in the mountains without guests to placate. Somehow, the man knew and was offering her the escape she’d yearned to take.

“All right,” she said, deciding not to look the gift horse in the mouth.

Spinning around, she headed for the door. A night in the gorgeous mountains with the peace and solitude of the woods, alone with nature and…the captain.

That gift horse was a twofer.

****

Offering to take Trisha camping in the woods…alone…for the night was either the single most stupid proposal Brett had ever made or the best damn idea to form in his muddled brain.

The jury was still out.

An hour into their trek, gear packed and on their backs, a pair of rifles slung over their shoulders to ward off territorial animals, he continued to lead the way through the lush foliage, feet automatically taking them toward his favorite spot. He never took anyone there. Ever. Except Finn once.

His steps faltered. So, why was he leading Trisha to his sanctuary?

Because the place healed
, his mind supplied. He’d used it often enough. After every deployment.

“So,” Trisha said, halting at his side, the slight flush to her cheeks deepening the blue of her eyes.

His heart slammed into his ribs, hard. God, he could get lost in those eyes.

“I’m beginning to think there isn’t one inch of this place that isn’t breathtaking.”

A smile spread across her face, and the warmth in her expression did something he hadn’t expected.

Heated him from within.

The urge to touch her, to taste her was so strong his body stiffened from the inner battle. Not trusting his mouth to keep his jumbled thoughts to himself, he nodded and jammed his hands deep in his pockets to keep from reaching for her.

Dressed in a gray tank top and cargo pants with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, damn woman was wreaking havoc with his control. And the worst part? She wasn’t even trying.

That pissed him off.

He could ignore women vying for his attention or those who were coy or even sweet. But Trisha? She wasn’t deploying any of those tactics. She was just being Trisha, and he was in a hell of a lot of trouble because he had no idea why the woman was suddenly getting under his skin. He’d known her for years. What was so damn different now?

You’re both free.

Brett inhaled a lungful of fresh air and slowly released it. Could that be the reason? Because they were no longer on active duty?

“This place really
is
magical,” she said, lips quirked in a grin, slim hands settled on her hips, emphasizing those luscious curves he was doing his damnedest to ignore. “Are you all right? I don’t recall you ever being so quiet, sir.”

The instant she uttered the word, she knew her slip-up. He could tell. Her eyes grew round, hands fell to her sides, and she stepped back.

But it was no use. His body had been looking for an excuse to touch her, to kiss her, all damn afternoon, and no way in hell was he going to let this opportunity pass.

In an instant, he was cupping her face, tasting her sweetness, rejoicing in the feel of her palms splayed on his chest. Normally, he’d respect her attempt to ward him off, except, those palms turned into fists clutching at his shirt while her tongue eagerly swept the inside of his mouth.
Hot damn
, she was thorough, meticulous to Marine Corps standards. A shaft of heat skittered down his spine and dutifully tightened his groin.

The more he tasted, the more he wanted, but this wasn’t the reason he’d brought her out to the mountain. She needed time to readjust without the complications of lust.

With a great reluctance, he grasped her upper arms, stopped the kiss, and set his forehead against hers.

“Darn it,” she panted, warm breath hitting his collarbone in spurts. “You have to stop that. I can’t seem to resist.”

Brett’s heartbeats stuttered. Closing his eyes, he tightened his hold on her arms and groaned. “You shouldn’t tell me that, Trisha.”

“Why not? You already know.”

He opened his eyes and stared down into her clear expression. “I’m trying to be a gentleman.”

“What if I don’t want you to?”

All the blood in Brett’s body made a mad dash south. With a curse, he released her and strode away. “Jesus, Trisha. You’re killing me.”

“Not my intention,” she said, suddenly appearing in front of him. “What’s the problem? I’m not naive, Brett. I know you want me, too.”

“Hell, yeah, I want you. But contrary to what you may believe,” he said, once again gripping her arms, “I didn’t bring you up here to have sex.”

Her body stiffened and gaze grew wary. “Then why did you bring me up here?”

“To heal.”

She blinked. “What?”

“This is a great place to heal.”

“Look, sir. I’m fine.”

Under the circumstances, he ignored the slip of her tongue. Not exactly the right time for a kiss. Besides, he wanted to keep her talking and get things out in the open.

“I don’t need help or anyone strong-arming me.” She yanked out of his grasp, annoyance pinching her features. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.” He shook his head. Why didn’t she get it? “I saw how you reacted to those children earlier in the week. You are far from fine. And that’s okay. We’ve seen some awful shit this tour. Of course it’s going to stick with us. That is in no way a sign of weakness.”

She held his gaze, but said nothing, neither denying nor acknowledging his claim.

So, he continued. “I was coming out here regardless and thought you might want to tag along.” He cocked his head and added, “You’re not the only one who needs to heal.”

With that, he turned around and picked up the trail. If she decided not to follow, so be it. The corporal was smart. He had no qualms that she’d find her way back to the ranch. But he hoped, once again, if she wouldn’t tag along for herself, that she’d at least do it for him and benefit from their surroundings in the process.

After several silent seconds, the steady sound of boots on his six echoed behind him. A smile tugged his lips. She’d decided to join him after all. Good.

Now, if he could just stop their chemistry from getting in the way and complicating things, the campout could prove productive.

****

It had taken all of two seconds for Trisha to make up her mind to follow the captain farther up the mountain. She didn’t do it for herself. She didn’t need help. There was nothing wrong with her a few weeks of R and R wouldn’t mend. A lesson she’d learned in her youth.

Growing up with four older, alpha brothers, she never lacked a demon slayer or helping hand. But that was the problem. She knew they loved her and wanted to help, but sometimes
she
needed to do the slaying. So, once in a while, she had no choice but to take a
vacation
to deal with her issues on her own without her brothers finding out.