Josh (22 page)

“Not as sweet as you, Sierra.” He gathered her against his chest and wrapped her in his arms. “This night was special for me.”

“Me, too.”

He studied the way she looked, all soft and sleepy, and completely comfortable in her nakedness. “You’re such a contradiction.”

She arched a brow. “How?”

“So generous with your love. So relaxed and easy about sex. And yet, you seem surprised that a man might want more from you.”

“More?” She sat up, her hand going still. “I thought I gave you all you wanted.”

“You did. Even more than I expected. I’m not talking about sex. I’m talking about feelings.”

“I told you. I don’t equate sex with commitment.”

He smiled. “There’s that word again. You seem fixated on commitment.”

She folded her arms in front of her. “I’m not fixated. But I’m well aware that men don’t—”

He touched a finger to her lips. “I’m not men. I’m one man.”

“All right.” She pushed a little away, so that they weren’t touching. “Then let me say this clearly. I don’t expect you to feel you owe me anything because of what we shared tonight. It was lovely.”

“Lovely? Is that the best you can come up with? I’d say it was much better than lovely. It was—” he grinned “—memorable.”

“All right. I’ll admit. It was memorable. But it was sex between two consenting adults—”

“Two adults who consented again and again, as I recall.”

She heard the thread of laughter in his voice and couldn’t help smiling, though she was trying very hard to remain serious while she made her point. “Yes, we did. But I’m not foolish enough to think it was anything more.”

“Oh, it was a hell of lot more. And I mean to show you just how much more it was, woman.”

With a growl of pleasure he made a grab for her and dragged her into his arms, then proceeded to run hot, wet kisses down the length of her body until she was giggling like a child.

Suddenly the giggles turned into sighs, and the sighs into breathless little moans of pleasure. And then there was only ragged breathing, and whispered words of endearment, as they lost themselves once more in that magical place where only lovers can go.

Sierra yawned and stretched, then went very still when she realized that Josh was watching her.

“’Morning.” She sat up and peered out the window of the hayloft. “Look at that sunrise. It’s beautiful. I wish I had my camera.”

“There will be other sunrises.” He lay with his arms beneath his head, studying the way she looked all sleepy-eyed and glowing from their night of lovemaking.

“But not here, just as the sun climbs over the horizon.
Look at the way it reaches out to touch all the foothills with that wonderful light.”

“That’s exactly how I’d describe my family around you.”

She turned to stare at him with a puzzled expression. “Now what’s that supposed to mean?”

“All you have to do is smile that open, sunny smile of yours, and they all seem to reflect your light. Big Jim. Pa. My brothers. Even Phoebe and Ela, the toughest, shrewdest women I know, aren’t able to resist your charm.” He gave a short laugh at the look on her face. “You don’t have any idea what kind of power you wield, do you?”

“Josh…”

Laughing, he dragged her down into his arms and said against her throat, “Woman, the most amazing thing about you is that it’s not an act. It’s all so honest and innocent.
You’re
so honest and innocent. And real. No wonder Big Jim is crazy about you.” He pressed kisses down her neck until she wriggled and sighed. “And so am I.”

At his words she went very still.

Josh took no notice as he continued raining kisses until she began to respond.

As she wrapped her arms around his waist and gave in to his tender ministrations, she tried to cling to the reason that she’d been brought up short by his words. She considered herself a sharp cookie. She’d heard every empty, meaningless line a man could use. And she’d vowed that she would never again be swayed by such foolishness. If she was going to guard her heart, she needed to be strong and careful. After all, she’d been able to witness firsthand what happened to a man and woman who based their entire relationship on sexual attraction.

But Josh’s words, spoken so innocently, had caused a little hitch around her heart.

Was he—and his entire family—really crazy about her? What a sneaky way to break through all her defenses. Of all her fantasies, this was by far the most tantalizing. To be loved, to be cherished, to “belong.” To be part of a large and loving family…

Careful,
she cautioned. But even while she struggled to remain vigilant, her mind began to empty. All she could think about was the pleasure this man gave her. Every kiss, every touch took her higher than the time before.

And then all thought fled as she was lost in the wonder of this newfound joy.

Sierra and Josh walked arm in arm from the barn and into the mud room. After depositing their boots they greeted Ela and Phoebe, who were dashing about the kitchen as usual, stirring, slicing, baking, and all the while chatting happily.

If the two women took notice of their early arrival, they gave not a clue as they greeted them warmly and continued working.

With matching smiles Sierra and Josh climbed the stairs to their rooms, to shower and dress.

An hour later they joined the family for breakfast.

In Sierra’s hand was a big manila folder.

Cole looked up from where he stood holding a mug of steaming coffee. “What’s that?”

“Some pictures.” Sierra opened the folder and began laying out the photos she’d taken during roundup. “Some of these are grainy. I’ll play with them on my computer until they’re more polished.”

Everyone gathered around to study and make comments.

“Look at you, Pa.” Jake held up a picture of Cole astride his big gelding, turning a stray cow back to the herd.

The photo showed the strain and sweat on Cole’s face as he leaned far down in the saddle, coaxing the errant cow along.

“And look at this.” Josh pointed to the flecks of snow and grass flying around the hooves of the running cattle. “How did you manage this?”

“It took a little time to get the focus just right.” Sierra couldn’t hide the pleasure and pride she felt in knowing that he’d recognized the skill required for that shot.

In picture after picture they laughed or exclaimed or nodded approval at the images she’d captured on film.

“Here you are, Big Jim.” Cole held up a photo of his father steering a line of cattle back to the main herd after they’d bolted. “When did this happen?”

“When you were busy with the rest of the herd,” the older man said. “Old Blue and I had to push hard to get ahead of those ornery critters, but we did it.”

He took the photo from Cole’s hand and studied it in the clear morning light, before shaking his head from side to side. “I’ve got to hand it to you, sweetheart. These are amazing photographs. All these details. Clear as a bell. These look like something I’d see in one of those glossy nature magazines.”

“Why, thank you, Big Jim.” Sierra shot him a dazzling smile. “That’s the highest compliment you could give me.”

He peered at a speck on the ridge above him and his horse. “What’s this?”

Sierra studied it and gave a shrug. “It looks like a man kneeling in the snow. But I don’t recall any of the wranglers on foot.”

The others gathered around to study it and comment.

Quinn pointed to the herd. “It could be one of the cows that broke free.”

Jake chuckled. “To me it looks like a guy taking pictures of you taking pictures, Sierra.”

She lifted the photo to the light and felt her heart stop. “That’s what it looks like to me, too. But instead of a camera, it looks like he’s holding binoculars to his eyes.”

Josh took it from her hand and turned toward the window. After studying it in the light he nodded. Was it Sierra’s stalker? Watching from Conway land? Had that bastard dared to trespass on their property?

“Can you enlarge it on your computer?”

Sierra nodded. “I’ll see what I can do later.”

“If it turns out to be important, we’ll save it for the chief.”

Everyone felt the sudden hum of uneasiness.

To soothe the tension, Jake pointed to a photo of his brother roping a cow, and then another showing the teamwork between Josh and his mount, and yet a third photo as Josh returned the cow to the herd.

He exchanged a knowing look with Quinn. “There are an awful lot of pictures of Josh in here.” He shot a grin at Sierra. “You sure you aren’t looking to land him a job on Madison Avenue selling manly cologne?”

That had everyone roaring with laughter.

Josh took the photos from his hand and looked at them before arching a brow. “I’m certainly looking like
one damned fine cowboy in these pictures. Maybe, when I get sick and tired of ranching, I’ll take that job as a pitchman.”

“And give up your mountains?” Big Jim shot a glance out the window at the Tetons, their peaks ringed with clouds. “I’d give you less than a week in New York before you’d be so lonesome for home you’d be asking me to fly in and save your hide from extreme boredom.”

Josh nodded his head. “Maybe. But that would be one hell of a memorable week in the big city.”

“A legend in his own mind,” Jake muttered just as Phoebe called them to eat.

At the table they passed around platters of steaming sausage and ham, as well as omelets and toast, before digging into their meal.

“The snow may be gone,” Cole remarked, “but there’s more coming. Look at those clouds over the Tetons.”

Big Jim nodded. “Even if I didn’t see those clouds, I’d know it in my bones. We’re going to be hit with a big one.”

Sierra’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”

At the older man’s nod she ducked her head.

He put a hand over hers. “What’re you thinking?”

She shrugged. “That I’d love to go hiking again during a really big storm. The time I spent on the mountain was surreal. I’ve never seen anything like it. I took some of my best photos ever.”

Sierra heard the ping announcing a text and removed her phone from her pocket to read it.

Her appetite suddenly faded. She pushed aside her plate and looked up. “It’s my agent, saying that he’s leaving for the West Coast. He’ll be there for the better part of the month.”

Big Jim shot a meaningful glance at Josh. “What about your contract?”

She shrugged. “He said he needs something tangible to show the gallery owners.”

“Why not send him the pictures you took of the roundup?” Jake asked from across the table.

“I’m… not ready to let go of them.”

Was that the truth? she wondered. Or was that all she was prepared to admit to? In truth, her life was in such turmoil, she needed some time here, where she felt safe. Safe from Sebastian. Safe from the constant moving that had become so much a part of her life.

Or maybe that was another less-than-truthful admission. Maybe what she was really craving was more time with Josh. More time to lie with him, laugh with him, make wild, crazy, passionate love with him.

She sat in silence a moment, considering what to type in response, before her fingers flew over the keys. “I told him that he can take all the time he wants. I’ll be delayed here for a while longer.”

“Good girl.” Big Jim lay a hand over hers. “We certainly don’t want to stand in the way of your career, but…”

He heard the announcement of another text and watched as she read the words before relaxing into a smile.

“Good news?”

“Not exactly. But my agent said he’ll be meeting with some gallery operators on the Coast, and when I’m ready to send him a sample of my latest work, he’ll have a few more contacts who may be willing to showcase my photographs.”

She glanced at Josh and felt her cheeks color at the way he was looking at her.

Could he read her expression? Was he as happy as she was to know that she was free to stay on, without any pressure from her agent?

She could hardly contain her relief that she could now relax and simply enjoy her time here, safe and happy and…

She refused to even think the word
loved
. But at least here she was accepted and, for now, treated with so much care. That was more than she’d ever dared hope for.

Big Jim clapped a hand on her shoulder. “I’m thinking, when your agent sees these latest photos you took, he’s going to be negotiating a fat, new contract. Judging from just these few pictures I’ve seen, you’re one damned fine photographer, sweetheart.”

“Thank you, Big Jim. That’s just so sweet of you.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

As the others continued their meal, Josh watched as his grandfather touched a finger to his cheek. The old man was practically blushing.

Sierra was sipping coffee and chatting across the table with Cheyenne, looking for all the world as though she didn’t have a clue that she’d just made Big Jim’s day sweeter.

It was a very special gift she had, Josh realized. She gave her affection spontaneously, without expecting anything in return. And that generosity of spirit made everyone on whom she bestowed her attention want to shower her with love.

Including him.

He was hooked, and had been since he’d first come upon her in that damnable tent in the middle of a blizzard. Even when she’d conned him into believing she had
a gun. And after just one night with her, he’d been half in love with her.

Half in love.

And now?

Now he didn’t want to probe his feelings too deeply. He’d grown up with the realization that happiness was fleeting, and that life could change forever in the blink of an eye.

For now, he would accept the fact that Sierra had agreed to stay on a while longer. And he intended to savor every moment of whatever time they had together.

He couldn’t wait to get through this day so he could get her alone and explore even more ways to show her all the new and wonderful things he was feeling.