“West clear, too.” That was Joe.
To Sky’s surprise, two of her other ranch hands shouted from the south and east pastures that they hadn’t found anything. She startled when a fifth man called out, “Yard clear,” from the back of the house.
Damn, Luke more than had it together. It was obvious he’d drilled the men for something like this.
A couple of moments later Luke jogged up to the porch and Sky stepped out from behind the plants.
“Someone was definitely in the barn.” Luke’s furious expression underscored his words. “Satan’s stall was wide open and you know there’s no way he could have bashed the damned door from where he’s tethered.”
Sky’s stomach dropped as Luke continued, a hard, angry edge to his voice. “I saw shoe prints that tell me it wasn’t anyone here. Our men wear boots and the prints are too big to be your shoes, Skylar, when you’re not wearing your boots. Sonofabitch was probably wearing sneakers to make a faster getaway once he had Satan.”
Her body prickled with heat. “So stealing the rest of my cattle isn’t good enough. They want my prize bull, too.”
“Shit, Skylar.” Luke’s jaw tightened as he gave her a long, hard look. “Why didn’t you get back into the house like I told you? This could have been dangerous.”
Sky narrowed her brows. “Who’s the boss here?”
A flash of anger on his features almost caused her to take a small step back. “Damnit,” he said, “I know you can handle yourself, but you’re not exactly dressed to kick ass right now.”
His expression shifted as his gaze trailed over her skimpy outfit and her cheeks warmed. “But you are dressed to kill,” he added in his deep drawl. “Hunter’s a dead man.”
Even as her face grew warm, she started to tell Luke where he could put that assumption, but she couldn’t think of a single retort. Luke crouched and grabbed her purse that she’d dropped by her feet and picked up the items that had fallen out, before he handed the purse back to her.
Sky stuffed her cell phone into the purse and fastened it as Luke stood from his crouch. “I’m going to the dance at the fairgrounds,” she said.
“I can see that.” He slipped his handgun beneath his overshirt in the holster at his side. “Save one for me. I’ll head there after the sheriff’s department takes a look around.”
It wasn’t until that moment that she noticed his spicy cologne, his clean-shaven jaw, his white western dress shirt that hugged his broad chest, and his snug blue jeans.
“Uh, yeah.” Sky let him help her down the steps in her too-high heels and to her Range Rover.
When she shut the door she buzzed down the window. From the intense look on Luke’s face, he apparently still had something to say.
He placed his hands on the window frame. “Skylar, this rustling situation could be heading into dangerous territory. You watch your ass, you understand me?”
There was something different to him—a hard edge like he’d been through this kind of thing before and he knew how to deal with it.
Or was he warning her in a different way altogether?
Sky mentally shook her head. Lord, now she was suspecting her foreman of being involved in the rustling. Luke? That was crazy.
“The hands and I will take another look at the barn scene and examine Satan.” Luke glanced at the barn, then returned his gaze to her. “Wanted to make sure you were still okay once we cleared everything. So watch it, understand? I don’t want you going anywhere alone.”
“I’m fine and I’m not going to hide around my own ranch.” Hell if she would give in.
He gave her an expression of frustration as he stepped away from the Rover.
She glanced into her rear- and side-view mirrors, backed out of the driveway, and headed toward the fairgrounds.
The entire way she drove down the dusty rural road to the highway, anger rolled through her. Goddamn those rustlers. It wasn’t enough that they were stealing her cattle, but now they were after the bull she’d sunk so much money into.
When she closed in on the county fairgrounds, Sky managed to calm herself down enough to focus on tonight.
And Zack.
Damn him.
He’d always been so dark and dangerous to her, and was too freaking hot for his own good. And that kiss—
Sky bit the inside of her cheek. Tonight was about letting Zack know what he’d been missing. Not letting him sample what he couldn’t have again. What he wouldn’t have again.
Chapter 7
Sky arrived at the fairgrounds and parked the Rover in the dirt lot. When she climbed out, night air chilled her skin as her dress hiked up her legs. She pulled the material back down, locked the SUV, and headed toward the dance hall. Her ankles wobbled as she traveled over the uneven ground and she just hoped she wouldn’t sprawl in an ungraceful heap.
Multicolored lights of the carnival midway illuminated the night. Sounds of laughter and the blare of the country-western band filled the air as she approached the dance hall.
Smells of popcorn and corn dogs brought back memories of the last time she’d been to the county fair and dance ten years ago with Zack. For the first couple of years after he’d left, she hadn’t wanted any reminders of him, so she hadn’t gone to the annual event. And somehow she’d never felt inclined to go again.
Her steps slowed as she got closer and closer to the dance hall, and then she stopped walking and stared at the front entrance, clutching her purse in both hands.
Maybe she couldn’t do this after all. If she allowed herself to get too close to Zack, she might start to lose her heart again, and that was completely out of the question. Once was enough for this lifetime.
Chicken shit.
She whirled to head back to her Rover, and smacked into a solid wall of hard male flesh. Hands caught her upper arms to steady her, and Sky found herself looking up into Zack’s eyes.
Too late.
Too late to make her escape.
The most dangerous sensations coursed through Sky the moment she found herself nearly in his arms. The warmth of his too-close body radiated through her, sending whirlwinds of desire spinning in her belly.
Devastatingly handsome, all in black from his western dress shirt to his Wranglers, he emanated pure male power and danger—danger to her resolve... to her heart.
Zack’s broad shoulders blocked some of the light from the midway as he stood close. Way too close. His sinewy forearms flexed as he steadied her, his large hands firm around her upper arms.
The brim of his Stetson shadowed his gray eyes, but she could see a silvery glint in their gray depths as he took her in slowly from head to toe. The look in his eyes told her he was barely holding himself back from scooping her up, sweeping her away... and taking her.
No, she thought, clenching her thighs together. She wouldn’t let that happen. Not tonight. Not ever.
“Sweetheart,” he murmured, the heat of his hands blazing through her jacket. “You look good enough to eat.”
“Zack.” Sky heard the huskiness in her own voice, and fought to regain her composure. She put her hands against his muscled chest and pushed away from his grasp, her palms now burning from the feel of him.
“Where were you going?” He let his fingers slide down her arms as she stepped back, and she shivered from the sensual feel of his touch through her jacket sleeves. “You didn’t change your mind, did you?”
“Of course not.” Sky lifted her chin and did her best to give him a flirty smile.
“You want to dance out here under the stars, or go in?” His deep voice was so vibrant, so sexual, that she all but wanted to melt into his arms.
There was no running away now.
“Inside.” Sky took a step away from Zack and he let his hands fall to his sides. She started toward the entrance feeling the heat of his gaze on her, and the heat of another kind flaming deep inside.
All she could think of was how hot he made her feel in every way.
As they enter
ed the dance hall, he remained silent, only nodding to people Sky greeted as they passed by until they found the place to leave her purse where someone watched everyone’s belongings. When she slipped off her jacket and revealed the sleeveless, backless dress beneath, she heard his sharp intake of breath. She couldn’t help smiling to herself.
After she put the jacket with her purse, she turned to see Zack staring at her intensely. The look in his eyes—could she get any hotter? He set his Stetson next to her jacket but never took his gaze from hers.
“Are you ready for that dance?” she asked, hoping her voice sounded steady. Casual. Not like, I want your hands all over my body right this minute.
“If it’s only one dance, I get to choose the song.” He smiled and moved close. “And I want it to be a nice slow one.”
The purr of a cell phone rose up between them, just as Zack reached for Sky’s hand.
She took a step back. “Gonna answer your hip?”
“Hold on a sec.” Zack gave her a sheepish smile as he yanked the slim phone from his belt. He pushed a button and pressed the phone to his ear. “Hunter.”
Sky watched Zack’s eyes narrow as he listened to whoever was on the other end. To be honest she was thankful for the interruption—her body kept threatening to take over her common sense.
“All right,” Zack finally said. “Keep me informed.”
He punched the phone off and slipped it onto his belt, his eyes focused on Sky. “Now where were we?”
“Would ya like to dance, Skylar?” a man’s voice broke in.
She glanced up, surprised to see Gary Woods, the good-looking sheriff’s deputy. “Sure, Gary,” she said, trying not to sound relieved. He usually seemed too shy to ask anyone to dance, but right now he was her own personal savior.
Gary gave a nod to Zack, who scowled and folded his arms as Sky moved with the deputy onto the crowded floor. With effort, she managed to keep her attention on her dance partner as they two-stepped to a fast tune.
But every now and then she’d catch a glimpse of Zack’s expression. The look in his eyes said she had gotten a reprieve, but she hadn’t escaped him. Not by a long shot. Sky swallowed and turned her focus almost desperately toward Gary.
A blue-eyed blond cowboy, Gary was the big silent type who never had a whole lot to say. However, she’d heard he had a little problem with gambling, heading up to the casinos on the reservations whenever he had some time off. One thing Sky didn’t find attractive in a man was any kind of addiction, whether it was drugs, gambling, or tobacco.
But she danced with him for another song, laughing and flirting with the man the entire time—just to distract herself from Zack’s dominating presence. She wasn’t very successful, since she could feel his gaze like a weight on her. And she knew he wasn’t happy.
Sky cleared her throat as she looked up at Gary. “Any more information pop up about those rustlers?”
“Sorry, Skylar.” Gary shrugged. “Unfortunately, we’re nowhere near finding the bastards.”
She gave a frustrated sigh. “I feel like I’m banging my head against a wall.”
“You and me both,” he said with a half smile.
The next thing she knew, Luke cut in and she found herself in the arms of her foreman. She looked up at him and he gave her a sexy grin. “Hunter looks ready to pull me apart.”
Sky shook her head. “The history between Zack and me is so ancient there’s a foot-high layer of dust on top of it.”
At that, Luke laughed. Sky caught Zack’s eye as Luke turned her on the floor and she bit the inside of her cheek. Zack’s scowl was positively thunderous. Where did he get off looking so possessively at her?
“Did you find anything?” Sky asked Luke as she glanced up at him.
Luke’s expression changed, his smile fading. “Nothing more than what I told you earlier.”
“That sucks.”
“No kidding.”
Tingles prickled Sky’s arms as the song ended and Luke escorted her across the dance floor to Zack.
She’d barely had a chance to thank Luke for the dance when Zack took her by the elbow and propelled her from the edge of the other people dancing.
“This isn’t part of the deal,” she said when they reached a corner where they were somewhat alone and the music wasn’t as loud.
Sheer possessiveness rolled off him. “We have a lot of catching up to do.” He leaned one shoulder against the wall, boxing her into the corner, the look in his eyes showing only too clearly how worked up he was.
“What about your job? Your calls? You seem to be in demand.” Sky tried to sound annoyed.
“I turned my phone off for now.” Zack gave her a dark, sexy look that made her shiver. “Unavailable.” He leaned close and murmured in her ear, “To anyone but you.”
Sky swallowed as her stomach pitched as he drew back and she could see his eyes again. The wall felt cool to her bare back, and for a second she considered stomping her three-inch heel into his boot to get him to back off. But every sane thought fled her mind as she studied him.
Lord, he looks good.
Tremors rippled through her at Zack’s nearness, and she wondered how she would begin to walk away from him when that one dance was over. Her body hummed as he stood close—not quite touching, yet not far enough away.
“How’d you end up running your dad’s cattle ranch?” he asked, that smoky gaze fixed on her.
“I love ranching.” Sky swallowed, wishing for a drink of water to soothe her dry throat. “I guess you could say it’s in the blood.” She flattened her palms against the wall behind her. “Your turn. Tell me what you’ve been up to.”
“Had a nice spread in Texas, enjoyed my work as a fed, and did all right.” Zack bent closer, invading her space. No, more like conquering it. “But I was lonely as hell.”
She kept her tone light. “What? No friends?”
“I had friends.” He reached up and traced the line of her jaw, his eyes intent. “But something was missing.”
At the same moment, the lights dimmed and a slow tune started.
A shiver skittered through her as Zack trailed his finger down her neck. “How ’bout that dance now, Sky?”
Chapter 8
Sky hesitated, then nodded. The sooner they got this over with, the better. She’d give Zack one dance and then get away from him before she jumped right into bed with the man.
His hand burned the bare skin at the small of her back as he guided her. He stopped at the edge of the dance floor on the fringes of the other couples, where it was darker.
As Zack brought her into his arms, her nipples tightened. He swept his gaze over her breasts and gave her a slow, sensual smile that caused her mouth to go even drier. His hands settled on her waist and he moved his hips against hers until she felt his erect cock through her thin dress, pressing against her own softness.
A thrill blossomed inside her abdomen despite herself. Damn. It felt so good to have him pressed up against her.
He bent his head next to hers, and Sky automatically moved her hands to his shoulders, letting her body sway with his in time to the music. After the way he’d left her all those years ago, she shouldn’t feel so turned on, but was she ever.
“Remember the first time we made love?” he murmured in her ear, and she caught the scent of mint on his breath. She could imagine how good he’d taste and almost moaned at the thought.
Sky shivered at the feel of his mouth so close to her ear, and nearly melted when his lips brushed her earlobe.
“It was our hideaway.” He pressed her closer along his solid length, all but making love to her on the dance floor. “It was a clear October day and we went horseback riding in the mountains with a picnic basket, a blanket, and a bottle of wine.” His voice was raw, filled with desire. “The sun was shining, and it was still warm enough that you were wearing a pair of tight jeans with a T-shirt. No bra.”
Her fingers tightened on his shoulders. God, yes, she remembered.
Sky pulled away and looked up at him with a frown. “I begged you?”
He brought her back into his arms. “Maybe we both did a little begging.”
How Zack’s kisses had unraveled her and how badly she had wanted him. Needed him. And it was true, she had begged him not to stop.
He had smiled, handling her so gently, as if he cherished every part of her. His mouth had teased her nipples, slowly working his way down to her folds. She couldn’t believe he put his mouth on her clit, tasting her until she was writhing, and dying for him to be inside her.
Before he entered her, he had caressed her clit until he brought her to orgasm. And then he slid into her, taking her slow and easy. She’d cried out from the incredible pleasure rippling through her body once she got past the brief burst of pain as he took her virginity.
He had stopped, afraid he’d hurt her, but she had ordered him to keep driving into her, clenching his hips between her thighs. Harder and faster he moved within her, filling her, until he reached his own climax.
Zack’s warm breath on her neck and his low voice brought her out of her memories. “I never thought I could want you more than I did that day. But every day after that, I couldn’t get enough of you.”
His hands moved from her waist, caressing her through the dress, down her hips, and back again to her waist, and she couldn’t stop the shivers trailing along her spine.
His voice rumbled as he spoke close to her ear. “And somehow I want you now even more than I did then.”
Damn the man. How could he do this to her?
Sudden anger flowed through her. “Hear me loud and clear, Zack,” she said. “Nothing’s going to happen between us. I agreed to be friends with you. Not fuck you.”
Zack tried not to smile, but whether she realized it or not, her words were as effective as a dare. Like waving a red flag in front of a primed bull. Without a doubt, Zack knew she wanted him with the same fierceness he felt for her. Their one dance had already melded into a second, and if he had his way, he’d be dancing with her all night.
Zack (Armed and Dangerous Book 1) Page 6