by Debra Holt
“Wasn’t that something? Come on, they’re waiting.” Her feet met the ground again and then before she could make a response, his hand had hers in a grip that carried her behind him toward the center of the field where the rest of his family waited along with others for the photo session with the trophies. When Rissa registered his intent, she tried to plant her feet and withdraw her hand, but his was stronger. Then the other couples joined in and placed her and Dev in their midst and she had lost the battle before it had begun. She smiled when instructed and tried to get her equilibrium under control at the same time.
All the while, Dev’s arm was around her shoulders and she found she fit easily in the crook of his side. It wasn’t an unpleasant sensation. When her arm slid around his waist, it seemed the natural thing to do. And it made for a better fit for the group in the photo… that was what she told herself.
It seemed a forgone conclusion that the family group ended up at the Pizzeria for a celebratory dinner. Rounds of pizzas, bowls of spaghetti, salads, garlic bread… Rissa and the rest enjoyed the feast. She couldn’t remember when she had enjoyed a night out with her friends in such a long time. Laughter flowed as easily as the drinks and tales of their victory grew.
“You’re slowing down. Still lots of pizza left.” Dev’s voice beside her brought Rissa back to the moment. Her mind had drifted into a reflective place.
“Sorry… no more for me. I don’t feel like I want another thing to eat for the next week.”
“Just checking. You’ve gone quiet. Is this all a bit much? I know we hadn’t planned to do any of this tonight.”
She noted his look of genuine concern. The others were engaged in their own conversations or had gone off into the adjacent game room to try their luck. She and Dev had a relatively quiet corner of the table.
Rissa shook her head. “It’s all good. I was just thinking how nice it is to have such a good group of friends and, for you, to be with your family again. You’re very lucky. I hope you know how much.”
Those cobalt-blue eyes locked on hers. “I’m being reminded of that every day since returning here. I am most thankful, and I do know how lucky I am. These are good people. And they’ve welcomed me back into their lives like I was never gone. I know they… and you and the rest of the people in town… are waiting for the old Devlin to kick in and for me to disappear again. But all I can say is those days and that person are long gone. I’m feeling more and more each day that this is where my home truly lies. You’ve helped a lot with that.”
The way his gaze held onto hers and the quiet timbre in his voice made Rissa even more aware of the precarious tightrope she was walking. They were pretending a friendship. Friendship could often lead to something else. But if one wasn’t careful, they could forget what was real and what was not, and then a person could really get hurt. And she had been badly hurt once before by falling for the wrong man.
But, there was something about this new Dev Braxton that spoke to something deep within her. That was scary. Was he the man to lower her walls for? To risk taking another chance on? It scared her even more when she realized there was a tiny voice deep inside her chest screaming one word… yes.
“I’m glad you feel that way about Braxton now… and the people here. I guess time will let you see if they accept the real you or not. But I think they are well on the way. Just keep letting people see the real you.”
“Does that include you?”
Things were getting too deep and too serious. Rissa felt a drowning sensation in the center of her chest. She needed air.
“It’s getting late and I need to get home. Where’s Josie?” Her gaze swept the room for the person who had picked her up from her house earlier that afternoon.
She wished now she had driven herself and then she would have been able to make a fast exit. Rissa stood. But so did Dev.
“She’s busy in the game room. I think she and Emma are watching Chance get beat by Rio at the pool table. I’m ready to head back to the ranch. I’ll drop you off.”
A few minutes later, they had made their goodbyes; she had avoided the winks and looks from Josie and Dee, and they were on the road to her house.
“You bought the old Sanderson place, right?”
“Yes. I always thought it looked so homey with the broad front porch and the beautiful flowers she had all around her yard. I enjoy the porch a lot, but I’m afraid I am not the gardener she was. Maybe I just need to take more time and study some books. The finding of more time to take being the problem with that theory.”
He nodded and matched her smile. “Time can be a precious commodity. But if there is one thing I’ve learned in my other life; you need to make the effort because life can change in a heartbeat.”
His words made her gaze stay on him. He seemed to be thinking of another time and place and his expression had changed. But the dim light of the truck’s interior kept most of his secrets in the shadows from her. Still, it had caught her attention. What had his other life been like?
“How much of the world did you get to see outside of Braxton? Where did your wanderlust take you?”
At first, she thought he was choosing to ignore her question.
When he finally spoke, he chose his words. “Most of the West Coast, up to Alaska. Then along the eastern seaboard from New York down to Florida. I didn’t get to see much of the heartland. Mainly, the big cities and bright lights.”
“Big cities and bright lights… guess those can be pretty in their own way.”
“Some… but they can hide a lot of darkness, too.”
Rissa waited, but he didn’t continue. It was apparent he didn’t plan to elaborate. They turned into the long driveway leading to the house. He stopped in the turnaround in front of it. She had left the porch light on. Dev was already out of the truck and heading to her side.
She slid out of the truck, putting the straps of her bag over her shoulder. “It isn’t necessary to walk me to the front door. There aren’t any neighbors around to see if you do or not.” She tried to play off the sudden fit of nervous butterflies that appeared in the depths of her stomach.
Dev simply gave her one of his devastating smiles that did strange things to her knees. Her fingers wrapped around the straps of her bag and she hoped she wouldn’t trip over feet that seemed to be walking in quicksand up the walkway. She was very aware of the light touch of his hand at the center of her lower back. Always the courteous gentleman… and it only added to his sexiness level. Something she cursed herself for even noting. They took the four wide steps and then stopped in front of her door. He waited while she dug her key ring out of her bag and inserted the key. At first, it wouldn’t cooperate with her efforts.
Dev’s palm closed over hers and then the key turned and the lock clicked open. He turned the knob next and opened the door for her, but made no move to go further.
“Well, thank you again for a most interesting afternoon and evening. It truly was fun.”
He gave a slow smile that made the indentions in his cheeks appear and she felt those butterflies taking flight again. “I know you mean the second half of the evening, after the game ended. But I thank you for sitting through something that was excruciatingly dull for you. I promise to make it up to you with a football game in the fall. We’ll head over to Dallas and catch the Cowboys one weekend.”
He planned to be around in the fall, and he wanted to plan something with her. At that moment, there was another tickle in her but, this time, it was in the center of her chest. It was around the organ in her body that she thought would never emit that feeling again. It was alive and it was because of Dev Braxton.
“That sounds like a plan.”
“Well, since my last kiss wasn’t all that welcome,” he said, “I guess I won’t chance it again. I’ll just…”
She didn’t let him finish. Rissa went up on tiptoe and took charge of the situation, planting her lips on his. It was meant to be brief but if any man had been blessed with the power of kissi
ng, it was Dev. He drew her mouth along with his in an incredible exploration of every sensation available. He took the lead and she followed. When his palm slid along the base of her neck and upward to cup the back of her head, her palms splayed across the warmth of his broad, firm chest, fingers itching to feel the skin beneath his shirt.
Somewhere along the way, her bag slipped from her shoulder and down her arm to land at her feet. His other hand slid around her waist and drew her against his length. Temperatures spiked within her body, causing a delicious pooling within her center core. They doubled when his tongue slid between her lips and delved the wet recesses of her mouth. Rissa felt an incredible need to be as close as possible to the heat’s source… aware of every bone and sinew of muscle as it met with her body. He was as aroused as she was, and she was amazed how her body welcomed that knowledge.
His mouth moved down the column of throat, a light nip of his teeth over the throbbing pulse point at its base. The sensation rocketed throughout her fevered body. A soft moan from someplace inside her brought his mouth back to hers. Another moan followed, but there was an odd sound associated with it. Dev’s hand stilled at her waist. His mouth did the same. Then Rissa’s brain caught up. Dev’s hand went to the pocket of her capris and came up with the reverberating cell phone. The light was bright, and Dee’s name and number was on the screen. He expelled a long breath and handed her the phone. The blaze was dying back into embers.
“Best answer it. She’ll send out the troops if you don’t.” He stepped away a foot or so to allow normalcy to return.
“Yes, Dee. I’m here. Can I call you back in a few minutes?”
Dev held up his hand and pantomimed that he was leaving. She covered the receiver with her hand.
“No hurry. I need to get to the ranch… early morning for me. I’ll call you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.” Then he was gone. He didn’t wait for her response.
Rissa remembered the phone in her hand. She wanted to toss it as far as it would go. But thought better of it. She watched the lights of Dev’s truck disappear down the drive and then out of sight once he arrived at the highway.
“I’m back.”
“Did I interrupt something?”
“I could lie and say no. But, yes, just a good-night kiss at my front door.”
There was an apologetic moan on the other end of the call. “I am so, so sorry, girlfriend. You shouldn’t have answered.”
“I didn’t… he did. But it’s just as well. I need to get inside and get some sleep.”
“Well, we’ll talk tomorrow. I’ll let you go and dream some steamy dreams about your cowboy.” She chuckled.
“He isn’t my…” Rissa was speaking to no one on the other end. Disappointment, shock, confusion… all emotions that formed within her. What was he? Who was he? And who was she? And what did she want? So many questions but no answers in sight. She doubted clarity would come anytime soon.
Chapter Nine
“Let’s go, Gypsy. In the truck.” Dev held the door for the dog.
They had to work a bit to get the animal comfortable with going near the vehicle, and it was a whole different story on trying to get her inside. Dev had to keep in mind that Rissa had figured out, given the injuries on her side prior to the incident with Dev’s truck bumper, the dog had more than likely been tossed out the window of a vehicle by some lowlife that Dev wished he could get his hands on.
Together, they were working on the problem each day. Gypsy was making some strides and Dev praised her with special treats and lots of pats and hugs. They were becoming a good pair. He was glad Rissa had been smarter on that realization than he had in the beginning. Another thing he had to be grateful to her for doing. The other was her suggestion that they could forge a friendship of sorts between them. He had been skeptical.
Skeptical because he was realizing that just friendship was not what he wanted to settle for with Rissa. There was something between them. He had known it early on. If his judgment was still working for him, he had a pretty good idea that she was coming around to the same conclusion. But he was afraid to push the subject. There was something in her past that had left her wary and not quick to trust. Whatever it was, he needed her to trust him enough to share it with him. And there was his baggage. Would he be able to share more of his past with her? And if he did, would she want any part of the present with him? Life was complicated more each day.
There was some doubt also because what did he know about serious long-term relationships? His had been fleeting and mostly make-believe in the moment to achieve a certain goal in his assignments.
But there were no more assignments, and there was no make-believe about the flare of feelings that were evident between the two of them. They needed to have a heart-to-heart about the turn of events. He just didn’t know how to get into that particular conversation.
“Be glad you’re a dog and not a mixed-up human,” Dev said, glancing at his companion in the passenger seat beside him.
Gypsy met his glance with a look that might have been in agreement with him. Maybe not. He was still trying to learn dog-speak.
“We’re going to run by the feed store for some more food for you. Then I have to stop by the attorney’s office to sign some papers. And I’m talking to a dog as if you’re my best buddy or something.” Dev smiled.
He had stumbled upon a surprising truth. Gypsy had snuck into his life and become just that. And it was a good thing… a very good thing. He reached over and ruffled the fur on top of the dog’s head and the animal rewarded him with a lick and a huge smile in those soft eyes.
Braxton was a busy place on Saturday morning. People were in town from area ranches, the farmer’s market was booming with business as he passed by the stalls and pickup trucks lined up around the courthouse square. He found a spot to park a few steps down from the attorney’s office. The day would be heating up soon, but there was a cool breeze blowing so he cracked all the windows for Gypsy while he ran inside the office.
Dev gave the receptionist his name and was shown inside an office to wait, the door to the hall being left open. He was studying the degrees on the wall when he heard someone enter behind him. He turned, expecting to see the elder attorney, Phillip Abbott.
Mark Abbott, the grandson, stood just inside the office. They had not seen each other since the cattleman’s ball. “My grandfather is on a phone call… he’ll be in shortly.”
“Thanks.”
The man didn’t leave. Instead, he leaned against the doorjamb, hands in his slacks’ pockets. The half smile on his face was little more than a smirk. “I hear that you and Marissa Flanagan have been seeing each other. You certainly moved in fast enough. But I guess there’s something about leopards and their spots that’s true.”
Dev kept his gaze even, taking control of his breathing and his temper. He was schooled in the art of not reacting in temper but staying calm and thinking through the threat. “I don’t believe in old wives’ tales. And whatever relationship I might or might not have, is not up for discussion with anyone else.”
“She’s not your type. And she’ll find out fast enough when you drop her and hightail it out of town again. But I’ll still be here… to lend a shoulder to console her.” His grin was malicious then, and Dev wanted to wipe it off his face. But he remained still.
“No comment on that?”
“I don’t waste my breath on fairy tales.”
“Fairy tales? Are you keeping our client entertained with some of your tall stories, Mark?” Phillip Abbott stepped around his grandson and walked over to his desk. He extended his hand to Dev with a grin. “Have a seat, Devlin. Don’t let me interrupt… continue, Mark.” He looked at his grandson.
Dev did also. He wasn’t surprised when Mark turned tail and mumbled something about being busy and left the room.
“Oh, well… someday that boy might make an attorney. That’s his mother’s hope at any rate. Let’s get your signature on these forms and then we won’t waste any more o
f your time.”
Dev was soon back in the truck where Gypsy had been taking her guard duties very seriously… by being curled up, sound asleep. She yawned and stretched when Dev opened the door. “Let’s get your food supply and head home. I’m not feeling very sociable right now.”
In fact, his mouth had a bad taste in it. Mark Abbott’s words kept playing on a reel in his mind. He shouldn’t allow some bag of hot air to get under his skin. But it was the remark about Rissa not being his type. And that his assumption was probably what most people in town were thinking, but not voicing… Dev would hightail it out of town any day.
Was that in the back of Rissa’s mind, too? If it was, he couldn’t blame her. But he tried his best to show her that wasn’t going to be the case. He was the one leopard who had indeed changed his spots. And she had a large part to play in that. That was a fact that had hit him in the middle of the night when he lay awake, his mind unable to shut down.
For whatever reason, peacefulness settled over his mind when he was around her. Not that she was quiet and retiring… he had to laugh at that thought. She kept him on his toes and challenged him. It was just difficult to describe the attraction. Granted, she was a knockout to behold, but she was so many more layers. She had brains and common sense. Her sense of humor made him laugh more than he had done in years. When she cared about someone or something or her patients… she did it with a fierceness that made him want to be one of those she cared for. And that was where his brain usually put up a big red stop sign. Do not go beyond this point.
To do so might lead to a point of no return. There were feelings that he didn’t want to examine too closely. They might lead him to wanting things… someone… he wasn’t ready for or didn’t deserve. And Rissa still had reservations about him. He could feel it and see the question still in the depths of her gorgeous eyes when they locked on his. One step at a time.