Rescue Me

by Jaci Burton

  His cheek touched her face, his breath waking every sensual nerve ending in her body. The day's growth of beard on his jaw lightly scraped Sabrina's neck, causing chills of desire to course through her. Each time he glided the mouse around on the pad, his arm brushed her shoulder and his chest pressed against her back. Sabrina tried to breathe quietly so Kyle wouldn't notice she was all but panting.

  "This is good," he said, his voice deep and sensual against her ear.

  "Very good."

  Yes it was, Sabrina thought. So good she didn't want him to stop, in fact wanted to go further. Take that next step. Right here and right now.

  For the first time in her life, she desired a man. Really and truly wanted him. And she had no idea what to do about it. She'd never taken the first step before, had never been allowed to with Mark. So how was she going to deal with her feelings for Kyle?

  "Why don't you print these out and I'll take a look at them tomorrow?" Kyle moved away from the desk. Sabrina did her best to ignore the disappointment she felt at his departure.

  "I'll do that," she said, barely able to form a coherent sentence.

  Images of what would have happened if she had faced him flooded her mind.

  "It's late. You should get some sleep."

  -110-

  Rescue Me

  She turned in the chair to look at him. He stood in the open doorway, one arm resting on either side of the frame. His eyes glowed with emerald heat as they roamed over her. She felt it from across the room, bathing her body in the warmth of desire.

  "So should you," she finally managed.

  "I have more work to do yet."

  "What work? Anything I can help with?"

  His expression was unreadable, but then he smiled. "Sure. Come on."

  Sabrina slipped on her tennis shoes and followed Kyle outside. She was glad she still wore her jeans and T-shirt as the late evening wind had picked up, chilling the air. Wishing she had thrown on a sweater, she hugged her arms as they headed across the dirt road toward the barn. By the time they got there she was freezing.

  "Are you cold?"

  "A little." He didn't seem to feel the cold at all. He also wore a short-sleeved shirt and jeans, but despite the spring chill wasn't shivering like she was.

  Kyle grabbed a long-sleeved denim shirt from the hook inside the door of the barn. "Put this on," he said as he held it out for her.

  She turned her back to him and slid her arms into the shirt. He pulled it up over her shoulders then rested his hands there.

  "You're shivering." Instead of letting her loose he wrapped his arms under her chest and pulled her against him. He held her there for a moment, the heat of his body warming her much more than the shirt.

  She didn't want to move, to break the contact of his body against hers.

  She felt the rhythmic beating of his heart against her back and struggled to keep her breathing normal.

  The steady drumming of Kyle's heart quickened as he held her, causing her own heart to race in kind. He didn't seem to be in a hurry to let her go, and she felt no compulsion to ask him to.

  -111-

  Jaci Burton

  Holding a death grip on the shirt he gave her, she pressed it close to her chest. Kyle wrapped his arms tighter around hers, laying his hands across her forearms. With every deep breath she took, her breasts rubbed against his hands. Her nipples had hardened to pinpoints against her bra, the sensitive buds scraping against the silky fabric. Her butt was nestled against his crotch and she could feel his ever-growing erection. She might be a puddle of arousal, but what excited her even more was that he was turned on too.

  He wanted her. God, what a heady thing that was. Even more thrilling was him holding her there, without words, wondering what he was thinking. Was he thinking about fucking her right there in the barn?

  What would she do if he turned her and kissed her, pulled her into the hay and started undressing her?

  She knew what she'd do. She'd been ready for it for days, weeks now.

  Her throat tightened and she shuddered against him. Lightheaded like this was not a good thing. It was quite possible she might actually pass out from the sheer pleasure of it if she didn't move away soon. She had to get her bearings about her before this went any further. It was all moving too quickly.

  "So--what can I help you with?" Gently breaking the contact, she stepped away and turned to face him. Thinking the separation of their bodies would remove the torturous need she felt, Sabrina was shocked to her toes at the expression on Kyle's face.

  In the dim light of the barn his features looked harsh. Shadows crossed his face, but she could still clearly see the fierce longing in his eyes. A fire burned deep within her as she saw need equaling her own.

  His breathing was ragged as he dragged his hand through his hair.

  How easy it would be to step back into his arms and see where their mutual desire led.

  "Right. Work." He blew out a forceful breath and turned toward the corral. "Let's give the horses some feed."

  -112-

  Rescue Me

  Grateful for anything to break the web Kyle wove over her senses, Sabrina helped him fill the feeders.

  They worked in silence, broken only when he told her what to do next. Finally, all the horses were fed and she helped him tidy up the work area of the barn.

  She leaned on the rake she was using to gather the hay. "Do you really think the ropings and rodeo will bring in enough money to help?"

  "Yeah I do, once the word gets out we're having them."

  Kyle picked up a few discarded bridles and stretched to hang them.

  Sabrina sighed with elemental feminine approval at the play of muscles under his tight-fitting shirt. She could stand there for hours and simply watch him move. His biceps bulged as he lifted a heavy saddle onto his shoulder to carry it in the tack room. And all she could do was lean on the rake, and sigh. Pathetic.

  "You'd be surprised how far cowboys will come to participate in a roping and being a sanctioned circuit event will bring in a lot of the region's competitors, all paying an entry fee. Which means a lot of spectators spending money to get in and buy food and drinks. Plus, leasing our bulls, cattle and horses to the participants will provide even more capital."

  "But what if it isn't enough money? Then what?"

  "Then we'll figure out something else." He gathered grooming supplies from the floor and tossed them in a nearby bucket, then finished brushing down a saddle.

  "I'd be more than happy to invest more funds in the ranch." She still had plenty of money. And right now it was doing nothing but sitting at the bank. Earning interest, yes, but Sabrina thought it would be of more use invested in the ranch.

  Kyle stood there with saddle in hand, determination on his handsome face. "I told you, I don't want any more of your money. You've done enough."

  -113-

  Jaci Burton

  "I don't mind, really, and the money I have--"

  Determination turned to anger. "No more. Do you understand? I can do this myself. You've already done more than I wanted you to."

  Why did that sound like an accusation rather than a thank you for saving the ranch? For a brief second the timid woman who let her ex-husband browbeat her at every turn surfaced, and she was silent. But irritation drove her. She wasn't the same woman she used to be. She wouldn't allow herself to be. "What does that mean?"

  He muttered a curse and dropped the saddle, quickly bridging the distance between them. "It's pretty clear don't you think? It means I didn't want you to rescue this ranch in the first place. I didn't want any outsiders here. It's bad enough I had to take the money you did invest. I certainly don't want to owe you any more."

  Boy, his moods sure turned sharply. He was angry. At her, but not for something she did. This was about his pride. Why did men let pride stand in the way of common sense? Mark had done it all the time.

  "That's ridiculous. It's good business sense to take investment money when it's offe
red."

  An angry tic formed at the side of Kyle's mouth. His face was grim, his ire barely controlled. And yet Sabrina didn't feel an ounce of trepidation. Fleetingly she wondered why she'd feel safe with a man she barely knew, when an expression like that on her ex-husband's face would have sent her into hiding.

  Kyle grabbed her arms and pulled her toward him, his hands rough but controlled. "Let me say this as clearly as I can. One last time. I don't want any more of your money. Got it?"

  Wrenching her arms away from his hold, she held her ground and looked him in the eye. No one was going to treat her like she was stupid.

  Never again. "I'm not a child you know. I do understand simple English, so don't treat me like an idiot. I was only trying to help."

  -114-

  Rescue Me

  "Don't help me. I don't need you." He turned and headed toward the tack room, grabbing the previously discarded saddle on the way.

  Sabrina followed him in. She stepped in front of him, forcing him to look at her. "You need me now just like you needed me when I made my original investment. You could show a little appreciation instead of making me feel like I've done something wrong for helping you out. Why don't you act like a man instead of a spoiled little boy who didn't get his own way?"

  His emerald eyes darkened. "Be careful, Sabrina."

  She glared right back at him, her confidence soaring with every angry word. She was angry, she was letting it show, and Kyle wasn't doing anything to harm her. She didn't know whether she wanted to slap him or kiss him right now.

  Probably both.

  "I don't have to be careful. I'm right, you're wrong, and you know it as well as I do. You're just not man enough to admit that you needed a woman's help to bail your ass out of financial trouble."

  "I don't need a woman's help with anything. And your sex has nothing to do with investing in this ranch. Maybe if you weren't so hung up on being a woman trying to enter a man's world it wouldn't be an issue to you. Because it sure isn't to me."

  Her heart raced with anger and frustration as she poked a finger at his chest. "My being a woman has nothing to do with this. You're the only one hung up on the fact that I'm a woman."

  He laughed at her. "I hardly noticed."

  She laughed back at him. "Right. That's why you were all over me in the office, why you put your arms around me here in the barn. Because you didn't notice I was a woman."

  His eyebrows lifted. "I was all over you in the office? Honey, you were breathing so heavily in there you steamed up the computer monitor. I think it's you that wants me."

  -115-

  Jaci Burton

  "Who said anything about wanting you? I don't want you at all." Her voice was high, higher than normal as she shouted her denial loud enough to maybe convince herself.

  He stepped closer, his eyes darkening, a sardonic, self-righteous sneer plastered to his face. "Right. Well I'm glad you cleared that up. I don't want you either."

  She didn't move away, but stood nose to nose with him, hands on her hips. "Good. I don't want you to want me."

  They glared at each other, her heart beating powerfully with an adrenaline rush fueled by their passionate argument. Neither moved, neither spoke. Finally, the corners of Kyle's mouth lifted in a slight smile.

  "Liar," he said softly as he took one step closer and pulled her in to his chest. "We're both liars." He slipped his hand under her hair, holding it gently against her neck as he tilted her head up and claimed her mouth.

  The kiss was devastating. Gentle at first, he slid his lips across hers, barely grazing her trembling mouth. Sabrina parted her lips in a sigh as his tongue slid inside, searching for hers. A delightful warmth spread through her as Kyle wove a magical spell around her senses.

  This is what she wanted, what she'd been dreaming of since the first moment she saw him. She couldn't recall ever wanting anything more in her life as much as she wanted Kyle's lips on hers.

  His other hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her even closer to his hard, muscled body. She moaned as he molded against her. Their earlier rush of anger was forgotten as they moved against each other, so close not even air could slide between.

  It was all she could do to breathe in shallow gasps as his mouth continued its tormenting attack. Kyle's tongue probed incessantly and she met it with hers, the contact electric, providing dizzying heights of sensation she'd never felt before.

  -116-

  Rescue Me

  This was what it was like to be kissed by someone you truly desired.

  It was a heady feeling, like too many turns on a rapidly spinning carnival ride. She felt giddy and nauseous at the same time. Overwhelmed, but unwilling to stop lest the incredible feelings stop.

  His hands roamed over her as he continued to ravage her mouth with his kisses. Incapable of clear thought, she could only gasp as he massaged her shoulders, her back, kneading her hips and pressing his hands against her ass to draw her closer. He brushed against her thighs, his cock hard and insistent, and she could have wept at the sheer pleasure of the sensation.

  She was completely lost in him.

  Finally he tore his mouth from hers. She tried to grab his head to pull him back for another kiss, but he held her shoulders until she looked up.

  Desire burned brightly in the emerald flames of his eyes. His lips were wet from her kisses, his hair tangled from her hands sliding in to hold his head to her. He didn't smile, in fact looked quite pained.

  "Sabrina, we have to stop."

  She didn't want to stop. "Why?"

  He took a ragged breath and laughed lightly, a husky tone that spoke of sensual delights to be shared. "Because if we don't I'm going to fuck you right here in this barn."

  Oh God he wanted to make love to her. The words were glorious, thrilling and exciting her with a promise of further exploration. She smiled back at him, her desire for him so fierce it wiped out any hesitation she might have felt. "I don't mind doing it in the barn."

  "Jesus woman, do you know what you do to me?"

  She hoped it was exactly the same thing he was doing to her. Making her want him. Desire him. Even here, in the barn.

  "But we can't." He held her close, laying his chin on top of her head.

  "We can't do this."

  -117-

  Jaci Burton

  Coldness crept into her bones where a few seconds ago she was boiling with heat and desire. She leaned away from the comfort of his chest to look at him. "What do you mean?"

  "Think about it. Neither one of us is looking for a permanent relationship. What we have together is business, and that's all it should be. I'm not ready for something as complicated as this, and I don't think you are either."

  His words were like a splash of cold water, dousing the fire she'd felt only seconds ago. "I see." She pulled completely away, embarrassed that he was the one to stop things, when she knew better. She should have never let it start.

  "No I don't think you do see."

  She nodded, willing the tears away. She was mortified enough that he turned her down, there was no way she'd let him see her cry. "Yes, I do.

  We both just got carried away. It's no big deal."

  "Sabrina, I--"

  "Please don't. I...I'm tired Kyle. It's been a long day and I think I'll head to bed." Her voice wavered and she knew it but could do nothing to stop it. "I have to go. Goodnight." With as much dignity as she could muster, she quickly fled the barn and headed to the house.

  Once in the safety of her room, she let the tears fall. How could she be so stupid and naive? Would she never learn?

  God only knows what he must think of her. She practically threw herself at him and then nearly begged him to make love to her. Until he put a stop to things. Kyle was the sensible one, while she ran on pure emotion and desire. He probably thought she was like this all the time.

  But he didn't know she'd never been like this before. With any man.

  As she started to undress for bed, she realiz
ed she was still wearing Kyle's shirt. She removed it and held it to her face.

  -118-

  Rescue Me

  What she'd felt earlier hadn't faded. The lingering scent of him, earthy and sensuous, clung to the garment, threading desire through her that was stronger than ever.

  What a mess she'd made of things now.

  -119-

  Jaci Burton

  Chapter Eight

  The cattle roundup kept everyone at the ranch busy for the next several days. And Kyle was the busiest of all.

  His job was to supervise the entire process, as well as make sure the calves got separated, and all were marked, castrated and vaccinated.

  Typically he also entered the details on each calf into the laptop, but this year Sabrina was going to do it.

  He watched as she stared, mesmerized, at the wranglers assembling the cattle in the huge compartmentalized pen. She was standing on the outside of the corral, her chin resting on top of the steel bars, one booted foot slung casually over the bottom rung. Her eyes were like a child's, full of awe and wonder at experiencing something completely fresh and new.

  Watching the process through her gave Kyle a new enthusiasm for ranching, made him remember why he loved it. His frustration at the cards dealt to him in life faded slightly as he remembered the thrill of rounding up cattle, cutting the calves from the herd and getting them through the chute in order to complete the process. For the first time in years, he looked forward to the day's events.

  She glanced over and caught him staring at her, then turned her head away. She hadn't spoken more than three words to him in the days following their kiss in the barn and had done her best to avoid him completely. Either she was busy doing something with Jenna or working with Brady or Luke and the horses.

  It was all his fault. He had handled the other night badly. First he practically seduced her in the office, all but threw her down on the floor

  -120-

  Rescue Me

  of the barn to make love to her, and then he put a halt to things as if kissing and touching her meant nothing to him at all.

  Nothing at all. That was a laugh.

  He'd been suffering a constant state of hard-on-itis since the night he found her laboring at his desk. A goddess with a head for finance. She looked so beautiful, completely engrossed in her work on the computer and oblivious to the fact he'd stood in the doorway for nearly five minutes watching her.