Seducing the Stargazer

by Carmichael, Kim;

  His focus solely on her, he ran the length of cloth through his fingers. “I told you this was a surprise.”

  “Why?” For the life of her, she didn’t know why the man was making such a huge deal out of this trip.

  “Don’t you like surprises?” His tone most definitely teased her.

  “Not really.” Though she always seemed to be in a state of disbelief in her life, one job to another. Everything was always new, except the night sky. For once it would be nice to know where she would be in a year, two years, even five years. Before coming to Garner, the only thing she knew for certain is one day she would cross his path. But since she met him again, things were more unsettled than ever before. In only a month and a half, the rocket would launch, and she would be without a job again. There would be no star-studded ceiling personally made for her to stare at when she fell asleep.

  There would be no Garner.

  The man wouldn’t even make love to her when he had her panting for more. Who stopped with a ready and willing female? His actions alone told her everything. She had to get herself together, do her job, and put down some roots. Her belongings were all over the place, some in storage, some at Garner’s, some might still be at that rancid motel. When would she get her life back under control?

  “Now, let’s get ready for a little adventure.” Garner moved from the seat across from her and took the one next to her.

  Before she could protest, he put the bandana over her eyes. Between the time he decided on their trip and getting on the plane, she figured the man must have taken his meds or a few shots, or something to alter his attitude. He had gone from downright cranky to giddy.

  Her world went black, and she felt the plane dip. “Garner.” She held her hand out.

  He took hold. “See, isn’t this fun?”

  “The favors are adding up on my side. Watch yourself.” As the plane finally touched down, she squeezed his hand.

  “All you have to do is let me lead you down the stairs and then I will reveal all.” He stood and wrapped his arm around her.

  “You expect me to get down the stairs like this?” Rather than hold her arms out and blindly figure out where she was, she gripped Garner’s belt loops. If she was going down, he was going with her.

  The door to the plane opened, and a wave of heat and the odor of a barnyard hit her. “Where are we?”

  “Come on, step down.” Garner’s smooth announcer’s voice washed over her, and with him steadying her, they somehow made it to the ground.

  “Take this thing off me.” She reached up to remove the blindfold. Something was right next to her. Something large and breathing. She tensed.

  “Allow me.” He caught her wrist and rid her of the unwanted shield.

  The rays from the setting sun hit her right in the eye and she blinked, but the second her vision cleared, she came face to face with a huge, no, enormous, no, gigantic, did she say large, horse. “Ah!” She jumped.

  The animal snorted.

  Her heart seized, her throat dried out, and she had to run. A quick scan of her surroundings told her they were in the middle of nowhere—in a desert, with nothing but sand and maybe a tumbleweed, and of course, the animal who wanted to trample her.

  “Garner! Help.” Taking the only shelter she could, she hid behind him. “It’s going to bite us!” She shut her eyes, hoping the man would do the right thing and get rid of the beast.

  “Seriously?” He turned and took her by the shoulders. “You’re scared of horses?”

  She found the strength to open her eyes and peered over his shoulder. There was not one, but two of the monsters. “Why don’t you know this?” Fine, she gave in and hid her face in his chest. If she couldn’t see them, they couldn’t see her. Still, she trembled.

  “Your name is Winchester. You wear cowboy boots and a bandana.” He tapped her and a little laugh escaped his throat.

  Slowly, she opened her eyes.

  “Now I know why we never went horseback riding in grad school.” He let out a sigh.

  “What are we doing out here?” she whispered, in case the horses could hear her.

  “Dr. Knox.” A man in full western regalia sauntered over to them. “We’re ready for the caravan.”

  Garner hooked his fingers under her chin. “I listened to what you said. I need to see the stars. We’re going to the observatory right here in New Mexico. If I can open my mind, will you try the horse?”

  In truth, riding a horse was something she always wanted to try again. Well, if she could get past the gut wrenching, horse biting fear. “It’s going to bite me.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a horse biting someone.” Garner put his hand on her back and prodded her toward the animal. “It has a bit in its mouth already. How can it bite you?”

  She dug her heels in the ground, resisting going anywhere near the animal. “I’ve been bitten by a horse.”

  “When?” Without pause, Garner lifted her into his arms.

  “Eight years old, right after I fell off it.” She whimpered. “No one did anything. They just let me hit the ground and become horse food.”

  “Well, you’re not eight, and since I’m the sheriff in this two-horse town, I promise you won’t end up as food for any varmint.” His voice came out calm and soothing with a western drawl fit for any cowboy movie.

  At his words, she looked into his eyes.

  “You can do it.” He gave her a wink. “We really need to get out in the desert. I promise it will be worth it.”

  “Can we make it a one-horse town?” Maybe, possibly, with him right there, she could get on the horse. Maybe. She wasn’t making any promises.

  The attendant pointed to one of the horses and put a little stepstool out.

  “All right, little lady. I suppose I can do you the favor of riding along with you.” As if making sure she understood his meaning, Garner gave her a sideways glance.

  “Remember, this is your trip, Dr. Knox.” No matter, she allowed him to go up the stepstool. Somehow between Garner and the assistant on the other side, they got her on the horse.

  Way up on the horse.

  Her chest constricted. “Garner!”

  “I’m right behind you.” He hoisted himself up on the horse.

  “It’s really high.” How was it that any time she was with this man, she got stuck in these bizarre situations?

  “I got you.” He scooted up and wrapped an arm around her waist. “We’re ready.”

  The guide at the front made a little kissing noise, and the horse began walking.

  She grabbed Garner’s arm.

  “We’ll take it nice and slow.” With their bodies pressed together, his voice vibrated through her. “Just get into the rhythm.”

  For a quite some time, she followed Garner’s instructions. The horse moseyed along almost lulling her to a state of serenity. The desert stretched like an ocean until it met the sunset. This was exactly what she always pictured being on a horse would be like, and if she were truthful, what being with Garner would be like.

  “Remember the time we drove all the way to Palm Springs to see the stars?” Garner pulled her back. “Anything to get away from the light pollution.”

  At the memory, and the fact he brought it up, she couldn’t stop a smile. “There was that big hotel opening that night with all the searchlights.” She shook her head. The sky was lit up as if it were daytime.

  “We ended up crashing their party.” He chuckled.

  Oh, they had fun, they danced, they drank champagne. They threw some of their hard-earned money into a slot machine and cheered when they won fifty cents. All she had wanted was for him to kiss her, make love to her, be with her. Wynn twisted and looked at him.

  “I made sure there would be no searchlights tonight.” A light breeze kicked up, and he brushed her hair off her face.

  She shrugged. Maybe there was something to be said for being excited about free booze and a s
econd-rate band.

  “But maybe there is a time for searchlights,” he said.

  Back then she never thought she would need a searchlight to find him. She thought he would always be there and then one day he left. Then she trampled into his life, not with a searchlight, but an asteroid. Same effect, different medium. “I create a lot of chaos for you.”

  “Since the day of our orientation, when you barreled into the room all guns blazing because you wanted to make sure that the graduate students got their fair share of telescope time over that aeronautics company paying to do their research on campus.” His eyebrows lifted. “Seems like you’re always fighting the same fight.”

  “If I recall correctly, Dr. Knox, you helped me make a video explaining my plight.” After all the memories, all the time spent together, she would have put money on the fact they would have ended up a couple. “You were always there.” She turned back around.

  “I’m here now.” His lips grazed against her earlobe.

  A delightful shudder ran through her, and she had to remind herself she had been here before—alone with Garner with him doing and saying all the right things. Anytime they took it further, he disappeared. How many more times did she need to be reminded of that fact?

  “Maybe we should discuss the launch,” she suggested. Anything to distract her from the man behind her. She put herself in these positions and then regretted them every time.

  “We have six weeks to plan.” He pointed up ahead. “And don’t forget, you agreed to be with me every step of the way.”

  There, on the horizon, was the telltale dome of an observatory.

  She had six weeks to figure out a plan beyond Personal Space and Garner Knox. “Don’t you forget, this isn’t the telescope I want time with.” Above everything, she had to remember to not make the same mistakes over and over. Garner wouldn’t always be there. She learned that lesson before.

  * * *

  In theory, taking Wynn on horseback through the New Mexico desert to an old observatory seemed like an amazing idea. Yes, the theory was sound. Even when Wynn proved to be terrified of horses, he managed to work it to his favor and ended up with the delectable doctor between his legs for the entire ride. Again, a good thought—until after ninety minutes of bumping along on a horse and her grinding up against his groin—the theory was flawed.

  After dismounting from the equine, he was faced with the most incredible pain in his most important body region, besides his brain, of course.

  He glanced over at Wynn. She stretched, holding her arms way up, her nice tight shirt gaping between the buttons with her bountiful breasts. He nodded. Both his brain and his throbbing on again, off again erection agreed the scientist was more than sexy.

  In any effort to get his legs feeling normal again, he paced in a circle and watched her. Before she reentered his life, he thought about her often, but with her here, he couldn’t get her out of his head.

  “Garner.” Still standing by the horse, she motioned for him.

  Though his muscles protested the exertion, he joined her. “I now know why cowboys walked with bowed legs.”

  She let out a little chuckle. “Look.” A huge triumphant smile on her face, she rubbed the horse’s nose.

  “I’m so proud of you.” He patted the top of her head. Though he had to admit her innocent wonder possessed a certain sexiness.

  “Would you like to feed him?” their guide said and held a carrot out to her.

  Wynn took the treat and held it out to the horse. “Here you go, thank you for not killing us.”

  The horse munched down on the vegetable with a bit of enthusiasm.

  “Ah!” Wynn jumped right into his arms.

  He caught her and part of him didn’t want to let go. “Are you ready to go inside?”

  “Not yet.” After giving the horse one last pat, she walked away from the building, covered her eyes and looked up.

  “What are you doing?” It always felt as if he was always trailing her by a few steps. Was it that gap that kept them apart all these years?

  She moved her hand away. “Looking into infinity.”

  Yes, she loved the stars. This was why he brought her to New Mexico. He wanted to see the universe through her eyes. No matter what was going on, she looked at the universe with wonder and reverence.

  Strange. He couldn’t find the strength to take his eyes off her.

  “It’s going to be amazing in the sky tonight.” She grabbed his hand, pulled him down, and kissed his cheek before trotting toward the observatory entrance.

  Again, he followed.

  A young guy in a knit cap and jeans saluted them. “I’ve been waiting for you. Let me get the formalities out of the way. I’m a fan of you. You bring the stars to the masses.” He pointed to Garner then faced Wynn. “I’m in love with you, scientifically speaking, of course.”

  She put her hand to her chest. “I’m scientifically flattered.”

  Scientifically, Garner didn't need this love fest.

  “Tonight we have Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter on tap. Once I show you the controls, I'll let you take the wheel." The kid motioned for them to follow. While the guy droned on about the specifics of the equipment, Garner glanced around. The small observatory reminded him of the one he and Wynn shared in grad school. She had loved the domed building and it became her sanctuary. More than once he caught her studying in the cool, dark building. In fact, if he needed to find her, he usually knew exactly where to look.

  "All right, Doctors, the building is yours until sunup, enjoy." The boy bowed, shook his hand, and left, closing the door behind him.

  "Ready?" Wynn rubbed her hands together then went to the sight finder. "What do you want to see first?"

  In truth, he was looking at it. "Whatever will make my writer's block go away." He shoved his hands in his pockets and waited. No doubt he would be treated to an amazing view of Mars.

  Wynn scurried around the huge telescope making some adjustments. "All right, I think I have just the thing." She stepped back.

  He paused.

  "Come on, you're the one who insisted on this adventure." She grabbed his arms, and dragged him over to the telescope.

  Yes, he was the one wanting to explore. While Wynn had lived a life where she was dragged from place to place, after a scare with severe allergies, his mother kept him in the house and homeschooled. The stars became a symbol of his freedom. After spending countless hours watching movies and television, he vowed to bring a bit of that incredible world to some kid sitting stuck in his or her house somewhere one day.

  At last he bent down and peered into the telescope. Rather than Mars, she centered the scope on Saturn, with its grand rings illuminated. The planet was a definite show off.

  "You know what I think every time I see Saturn?" Wynn came up behind him.

  "Tell me." He adjusted the focus and continued to stare at the planet.

  "That's out there." Her voice took on a dream-like soft quality that surrounded him.

  He glanced at her then back to the planet.

  "Garner, that is out there, and it’s massive, and colorful and beautiful, and how lucky are we to be able to look in a telescope and see it?" She put her hand on his arm. "For as long as I live and as long as you live, and for as long as everyone who is alive on this little blue ball today, that incredible, gorgeous ringed planet will be there. Like it was put there for us to see."

  He nodded. When she looked into the sky she saw home, and he saw endless possibilities.

  "Let me show you something else." Once more, she took the helm.

  The dome of the telescope turned slightly, the sound of gears grinding and machinery moving echoed around them. Again, she motioned him over, and he looked into the lens at an ocean of stars with Mars off of the far left. "You are off here." If she wanted to focus on the planet, her aim wasn't right.

  "No, I'm not." She stood close beside him. "We need a radar telescope to see
it, but you’re looking at the piece of sky where I discovered the asteroid."

  Right there, looking at the stars, his book took form. It was him and Wynn, one homeward bound, one running away.

  "What would you be doing now, if you never turned the telescope and found it?" he asked. Would she have still sought him out? Did she find that asteroid and cheer because she had a reason to contact him, or did she curse she had to search him out?

  "I don't know, but I think I was meant to find it." She stepped away.

  He watched her pace around the small building.

  "Don't you find it odd that in the infinite amount of space, I happened across the one undiscovered asteroid that was on course with Maverick?" As if something spooked her, she wrapped her arms around her shoulders.

  Her words made his heart speed and his stomach drop, and he instantly went to her. "Until this exact second, I didn't think about it."

  "I know. For so long I was caught up in games, favors, and all the fanfare. And then two days ago, I was walking through your kitchen." She turned and looked up at him. "Your kitchen."

  "Yes." Needing a connection to her, he took her hand.

  "I was getting a snack and I opened your refrigerator, and after all these years, there was your milk, your bar of chocolate, your block of cheese."

  In the darkness, he caught a bit of light twinkling off the tears in her eyes.

  "Then off to the side, was my yogurt. It hit me that I was in your kitchen looking for my yogurt and then it hit me," she continued. "I think we all go through life letting things happen and not thinking about it or its connection to anything else. We get so caught up in the most trivial things, but out of everything in the universe, I found that asteroid."

  Her words, her tone, just her, all stirred something in him and acting purely on instinct, he pulled her closer and kissed her.

  Unable to contain his need, he opened his mouth. In an instant, their tongues connected, and his body reacted. The desire he possessed the night before came back in full force, a throb radiating through him. He either needed to stop or make love to her right here and right now.

  Needing an answer, a direction, he broke the kiss and stared down at her.