Wild Borders (12 page)

He opened the door to the café and motioned her in, his hand at her elbow. Delicious smells of barbeque and hot biscuits enveloped Lani as soon as she entered. It was a narrow room, one wall lined with floor-to-ceiling photos, posters and playbills of Marilyn Monroe. The other wall was complete with a bar and glass fronted display cases filled with pies and cakes.

They were silent as they waited for the host to seat them, but Rick’s nearness about drove Lani wild. All she could think about was last night, his kisses, his body pressed against hers, the way his mouth felt on her, and his promise of fireworks. No doubt in her mind, that he could give her that and more.

She was so deep in thought about him that she almost jumped out of her skin when the host spoke, asking where they would like to sit. Warmth crept up her neck as she realized Rick was watching her, and she wondered how obvious her expression had been.

When they were seated in a booth, they took a few moments to examine the menu. Lani chose grilled chicken, and Rick ordered barbequed spareribs.

“How was your interview with Dee?” Rick asked when the waiter left.

Lani turned away from the picture of Marilyn that she’d been studying. “Dee’s terrific.”

“I’ve known her since I was a kid. We saw each other off and on at events around the county. She was into barrel racing and I was into calf-roping.”

“You were into rodeo?”

He smiled. “I owe a lot to the junior rodeo circuit for helping me get through my shyness when I was a boy.”

“You? Shy?” Lani raised her eyebrows. “Never.”

With a shrug, Rick said, “Let’s just say that I could hardly look a person in the eye, but that club helped me to gain some confidence and believe in myself.”

Lani rested her elbow on the table, her chin on her palm. “You surprise me.”

“I’m full of ‘em.” He folded his arms and leaned forward. “Just try me.”

The waiter arrived with their drinks, saving Lani from yet another blush. She squeezed lemon into her iced tea, and added a packet of artificial sweetener.

“That stuff’ll—”

“Kill me. I know.” Lani smiled and met his gaze. “You told me the same thing on the plane about my diet soda.”

By the look in his eyes, she was sure he was thinking about that first night they’d kissed. She still couldn’t believe she’d kissed a man the same night she met him. But, well, it had been Rick. In her heart, she knew that dinner and kiss would never have happened with any other man.

Lani rested her chin on her hand again, studying Rick’s handsome face and his brilliant blue eyes. “What was your childhood like?”

He shrugged. “Not much to tell. I grew up around here and had a pretty good time. My biological father took off when I was younger than Trevor, so there were some tough years.”

Lani’s soul twisted at the thought of Rick, young and fatherless. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Rick smiled and squeezed her free hand. “He wasn’t much of a father. Mom met Chuck a couple of years later, and when I saw how happy he made her, I was all right with it. As far as I’m concerned, Chuck is my dad.”

“Did you play sports in school, other than calf-roping?”

“In high school I was a decent linebacker for our football team, and did pretty well in right field on our baseball team.”

“I bet you were more than pretty good.” Lani could just imagine him in those tight pants that football players wore. “After high school?”

“I headed off to the University of Arizona. I wanted to go into law enforcement, and while I was in college I decided to get on with the Border Patrol. I went into the academy after graduation, and later was stationed along the Texas border. That’s where I met Trevor’s mother.”

“Your son is precious,” Lani said. “You’re fortunate to have such a great kid.”

He smiled. “Yeah, I am.”

Lani returned his smile. “And he’s lucky to have you as a father.”

The waiter served their lunch, and they ate while they talked. Lani told Rick what information she’d gathered so far on the problems with illegal immigration, and he ventured his opinion on a few issues.

As far as Lani was concerned, their lunch was over too soon and Rick had to get back to work. He walked her to the SUV, and as she opened the door he said, “Thanks for having lunch with me.”

“Thanks for asking.” Then surprising even herself, Lani reached up and brushed her lips over his. “Later, cowboy.”

Before he could react, she turned away, climbed into the vehicle and shut the door, her lips tingling from the brief caress. He just smiled and watched her drive away.

Late afternoon sun peeked through the monsoon-darkened sky as Rick reached the offices of the Douglas Herald. The newsroom occupied the bottom floor of one of the town’s oldest buildings. Smells of ink, newspaper, and stale coffee overpowered the dingy lobby.

“Rick! Long-time-no-see,” said Patti Duarte, the paper’s combination office manager/columnist. She stood up, her blonde ponytail bobbing as she bounced toward the front counter. “Where ya been hiding out?”

He leaned against the counter. “Looks like you’ve been keeping this place above water. And looks like you’re about to pop. I didn’t even know you’re expecting. Congratulations.”

Patti, who had always reminded him of a pixie until that moment, patted her enormous belly. “Thanks. Twins, can ya believe it? I look like I’m about to explode, but we’ve got another two months.”

Her blue eyes sparkled, and her cheeks seemed full and shiny. Rick finally understood that old saying about pregnant women. They did glow. For one strange minute, he pictured Lani, her belly large with his child, her face as radiant as Patti’s.

He shook his head, pushing the vision to the back of his mind. “Twins. Bet Paul’s as proud as a rooster at the crack of dawn.”

Patti snorted. “He’s scared shitless.”

“Can’t say that I blame the guy.” With a chuckle, Rick nodded to the back room. “That new reporter here? David Connor?”

“You mean you’re not here to see little ol’ me? Hold on, let me get him.” She smiled, then disappeared through the doorway. Within a minute, she returned. “Come on back and meet god’s Gift to the newspaper business.”

Rick raised his brows. “God’s Gift, huh?”

Patti rolled her eyes. “Thinks he is. Every time AP picks up one of his stories you’d think he won the Pulitzer.”

“Miss working with Gerardo?”

“You betcha.” Patti led Rick into the back room, past ancient printing press to a man sitting behind a computer at one of three metal desks. “David, this is Border Patrol Agent Rick McAllister. Rick, this is David Connor, Editor-in-Chief and reporter extraordinaire.”

Patti winked at Rick as she left the room, and he held back a grin.

“Pleased to meet you, Agent McAllister.” Connor didn’t offer his hand. Instead, he made a show of tossing his head, flipping his dark hair from his face.

“Uh, yeah. My pleasure.” Right off, Rick didn’t like the guy. Something about the arrogant look in Connor’s brown eyes made him wary. Still, he had to get what he came for, so he stuck out his hand and forced a smile.

Connor gave Rick a limp handshake. Soft and damp. No calluses, no weathering.

“Have a seat.” Connor pointed to one of two vinyl chairs in front of his desk. What can I do for you?”

“Thanks.” Rick settled into the chair. “Gerardo was a good friend of mine. Thought I’d come in and get acquainted with you.”

Connor gave Rick what amounted to a patient father-speaking-to-child smile. “But you have another reason for being here as well.”

Might as well lay it on the table.

“No wonder you’re such a good reporter, Connor.” Rick smiled. “Let’s get to it. One of your sources gave you a big story on the life of an undocumented alien, and he mentioned a
coyote
named Gordo.”

Connor tossed his hair back and smirked. “I don’t reveal my sources, Agent McAllister.”

Rick nodded, trying to maintain his cool. “I understand what you’re saying. Any source of yours that I might talk to would never be connected with you.”

“I don’t reveal my sources.”

“Hold that thought, partner.” Rick leaned forward in his chair. “While it’s real good of you to stand up to your journalistic ethics, I want you to sit back and think for a moment. Think about all those good people crossing the border and dying. Dying ‘cause some bastard
coyote
doesn’t give a damn about them. Some bastard that’s stealing from, beating, raping, and murdering these folks.”

Connor shifted in his chair. “I have my integrity to consider.”

“It’ll remain intact. Give me a name and no one’ll be the wiser.”

“Like I said my integrity is on the line.” Connor’s eyes shifted to the doorway and back to Rick.

Patience rapidly dwindling, Rick spread his hands on Connor’s desk. “Consider this. How can a man look in the mirror and know he could’ve saved lives, but left them dangling for his own gain?”

Connor’s eyes narrowed, and his lips thinned. “Why do you give a rat’s ass?”

Rick gave the reporter a level stare. “Tell you what, Connor. I don’t give a damn what you think of me. What does concern me is day after day these
coyotes
get away with murder. But my conscience is clear, and I don’t lie awake at night, because I know I’m doing all I can to save lives. It’s not enough, but I’m trying.”

Rick got to his feet. “How well do you sleep at night?”

Connor didn’t move. “I sleep fine.”

“Uh-huh. The next time you get to write a story about some poor man, woman or child, dead at the hands of a
coyote
, you think real hard if something you can tell me might have saved their lives. Or many lives. And ask yourself if you’re not just as bad as the man who killed them.” He pulled his business card out of his wallet and tossed it on the reporter’s desk. “Call me if your conscience gets the better of you. I can find my way out.”

Chapter Ten

A couple of hours later, after stopping at the station to shower in the locker room, Rick reached the ranch and his temper had cooled. He noticed Chuck’s truck was gone, but Sadie’s SUV was parked in the driveway.

When Rick walked in the door and kicked off his boots, he smelled something great, like Italian food. Tomatoes, basil and oregano. He headed to the kitchen and smiled when he saw Lani. Her back was to him and she was wearing a pink blouse, a short little skirt and was barefoot. She stood at the range lifting the lid off a pot, then turned off the flame beneath it. She looked good there, like she belonged.

He walked up behind her and slipped his hands around her waist. She gave a little yelp and whirled around, brandishing the pot lid.

She held her other hand to her heart. “Don’t
do
that!”

He took the lid from her and set it on the counter. “I should’ve learned by now that you’re pretty dangerous to startle.”

“You’d better watch yourself, cowboy.” Her voice was low and breathless, her eyes wide.

“I’d rather watch you.” Rick studied Lani’s lips and braced his hands on either side of her, pinning her against the counter. “Where is everyone?”

“I think they’ll be back from Tucson in an hour or so.” She glanced at the stove, then back to him. “I’m making angel hair pasta for dinner. With garlic bread and steamed broccoli. The sauce is done, and I’ve got everything else ready to throw together once they get here.”

He didn’t take his eyes off her lips. “I’m hungry.”

She waved one hand, shooing him away. “Don’t you have to take your shower or something?”

“Didn’t do any field work,” he murmured. “But I took a shower in the locker room.”

“Oh.” She would have been happy to volunteer to soap his body all over…

“Let’s start with dessert.” He said, his lips a breadth from hers.

Lani smiled. “Dessert sounds good.”

She gave a surprised yelp as Rick grabbed her around the waist and set her on the countertop, away from the range top.

Her pulse raced as he pushed her skirt up around her waist. Thank goodness she was wearing her nice silky pink underwear and not her cotton grannies. “What are you doing?” she asked, even though she had a good idea what he had in mind.

“Sampling dessert.” He hooked his fingers onto the sides of her panties and looked at her, waiting for her to tell him to stop.

She worried her lower lip as she stared at him and her panties grew damper.
Why not? Why not enjoy what he’s offering?

Right then and there she knew she was a goner when it came to this man.

Instead of answering aloud, Lani braced her hands on the countertop and lifted her hips.

Rick gave her that slow sexy smile that made her insides melt. He pulled her underwear down her thighs, then gradually eased them over her legs and ankles, teasing her with every deliberate movement. Just the way his fingers caressed her legs as he brought the panties down was enough to make her mons flood with moisture and her nipples ache.

He stuffed the pair of pink panties into his back pocket then pushed her thighs apart with his hands, totally exposing her to his gaze. The countertop was cool beneath her ass but her body was already burning up. She was faintly aware of the pot of sauce boiling on the range and the smell of pasta and garlic bread. But everything faded as her world came to a pinpoint on the man between her thighs.

“You have a beautiful pussy, darlin’,” he murmured as he lightly brushed his fingers over the blonde curls of her mons.

She trembled at the contact and her cheeks heated at the word
pussy
. It was a soft sexy word and just as erotic as the word
fuck
, but both were words she couldn’t say out loud.

Rick set his Stetson on the counter beside Lani then knelt on the tile floor between her legs. He gripped her thighs with his large hands as he brought his face to her folds. He paused and inhaled, “You smell like heaven.”

Lani shivered and bit back a moan. What was she doing?

Feeling and experiencing what life has to offer. What this man has to offer. Go for it, Lani. Live!

But she couldn’t hold back that inner voice that worried about the consequences. “What if everyone comes home early?”
What if I can never say no to you?

He gave her a wicked grin. “Then I’ll throw you over my shoulder and cart you off to my room and finish the job.”

Before she could think of a suitable reply, Rick parted her folds with his callused fingers and licked her slit with a long slow swipe of his tongue.

Lani moaned from the exquisite sensation and watched him sliding his tongue over her clit. She clenched the edge of the countertop as he pressed her thighs wider apart and licked and sucked her swollen nub. His tongue swirled and tasted her as he slipped two fingers into her channel. Blood pounded in her veins and in her ears, so loud she could hear nothing else.

She’d never had a man do this to her before, and the feeling was incredible. No vibrator on earth could replace the feel of a man’s mouth on her folds, licking her slit, and his fingers thrusting inside her. She could just imagine his cock sliding into her channel, his rock-hard body pressed against hers.

She tilted her head back and felt her nipples hard as stones against her blouse. Rick’s stubble was rough against her folds and the insides of her thighs, driving her closer to that place inside her that was growing, budding and blooming. She’d never felt anything like this and she was sailing so fast toward her climax that it fully blossomed inside her in a rush. She gave a little cry as heat burned her from head to toe and back again.

Rick slowed his movements but continued licking her clit until Lani’s hips finally stopped rocking against his face. “No more,” she begged and shuddered with another aftershock.

He stood and moved between her thighs. Slowly he brought his face to hers and kissed her long and deep. For the first time ever she tasted herself, and it was a different and tantalizing experience. It made another tremor go through her just knowing that mouth had been on her mons.

With a smile he moved back and caught her around the waist. He lifted her off the countertop and set her on her feet.

Rick tugged her skirt down over her hips while Lani tucked in her shirt. “I can’t believe we just did that,” she said.

His lips quirked as he dragged his hand over his mouth and chin, wiping her juices from his face. “I’ve been dying to taste you since I met you.”

At that moment the front door crashed open and Trevor’s yell shattered the moment.

“Dad! We’re home!”

Lani bolted out of his arms before Trevor made it into the kitchen. Rick winked at her and then smiled at his son. “How’s my favorite guy?”

After Trevor had run off to his room and Rick greeted his mom and dad he excused himself and headed down the hallway.

Lani’s gaze widened as she watched him walk away and she prayed that no one else had noticed.

Her bright pink silky panties were peeking out of his back pocket.