“They would. The industry has changed. And we need to move with it,” Eric said. “I plan to hand Moore Timber over to Nate one day. And when I do, I want it to be a thriving company.”
“I get it man, I do.” Liam wanted to leave a piece of this business to his kids one day too, not just a pile of bills marked overdue like his dad had left behind. “But I can’t hurt her again.”
“I’m not asking you to trick her into selling, working here, or even staying,” Eric said. “Just move up your timetable. Do whatever you need to do to make her see that she has a future here.”
As if his friend’s words had opened a window to his dreams, Liam pictured Katie living with him in the house he planned to build on the land. They’d keep her animals. All of them. His imagination ran wild, adding a barn to the property for her horses and riding trails cut through the woods.
He wanted to turn that fantasy into reality. But if she suspected he’d tried to manipulate her, even for a minute, she’d walk away and never look back.
Liam turned and headed for the door. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Chapter 11
KATIE STARED OUT at the smooth surface of the lake. The water level was low, but Liam’s friend had agreed to let them take the boat. She’d reserved a “luxury” cabin on the other side, though she suspected that clean sheets and hot water were the owner’s definition of lavish amenities.
And an outdoor shower. The boudoir photographer had pointed that out to her. Apparently Clive Jones from Stolen Moments Photography loved working with water.
She glanced over her shoulder at the empty parking area. Both Liam and Mr. Jones should be here any minute. She planned to take the boudoir photographer with them, let him check out the location, and determined if he was a creep. Then they would take him back. And she would seduce Liam at the cabin.
In her postage stamp of a hometown, it wouldn’t take long for word to get back to her brothers that she’d spent the night with Liam. It had taken less than twenty-four hours seven years ago.
Of course, she could play cards with Liam all night and still probably spark her brothers’ tempers. Once the rumors started, what really happened in the cabin wouldn’t matter. But the thought of being alone with Liam and not touching him . . . impossible. Not with the memory of that orgasm in Big Buck’s burned into her memory.
The sound of tires hitting the gravel parking area drew her attention. Spotting Liam’s truck, she forced a smile and waved. He pulled into the space beside her wagon, opened the driver’s side door, and hopped down.
“Hi, honey.” The familiar endearment, the low timber of his voice that had been part of her life for so long—and her fantasies—pushed at her guilt. He’d apologized for the past. Offered explanations. They had both been young, stupid, and hurting.
Maybe she should abandon her plan. After all, she had the signed contract with Black Hills.
Katie frowned. She’d presented the contracts to her brothers after her meeting with Mr. Fidderman. But still, Brody had insisted that they sit down with Eric and Liam on Monday. Typical Brody, he didn’t like the fact that the deal with Black Hills would tie her to Independence Falls and prevent her from taking the job in Montana. And Josh had taken his side.
She needed to give her brothers another reason to reconsider selling to Moore Timber. And that left her with Liam.
Studying the man in front of her, Katie drew her lower lip between her teeth. His T-shirt hugged his muscular back as he turned and reached into the bed of his truck. He withdrew a small duffel and returned for more. Her gaze drifted south, admiring the way his cargo shorts fit his butt.
Yes, she wanted to push her brothers away from the deal with Moore Timber. But maybe part of her simply wanted one more night with Liam Trulane.
“What’s in the bags?” she asked.
“We needed supplies.” Liam withdrew two shopping bags from the back of his truck. “I wanted to cook dinner for you tonight. But don’t worry, there’s no bacon in there.”
“You didn’t have to go shopping.” She’d tossed a jar of sauce and a box of pasta in her bag, figuring that would be enough.
Liam set the groceries beside his duffel. Standing in front of her, so close she could run her hands over his chest and feel the muscles beneath his faded “Moore Timber” T-shirt, he smiled at her, his brown eyes warm and welcoming. “I told you before, I’m doing things right this time.”
She shoved her hands in her pockets. Maybe no one would find out about tonight. Maybe her plan would fail. The thought of being with him, free from the complications of family and revenge—
“Katie Summers?”
Katie stepped to the side, moving away from Liam and the way his powerful presence toyed with her common sense and disrupted her plans. A tall young man, who looked like he belonged in front of the lens instead of behind it, smiled as he headed toward them, one camera around his neck and a bag in his hand.
The photographer set his bag down and offered his hand. “Clive Jones.”
“Yes.” She smiled, noting the firm way he shook her hand. His skin was smooth, so different from the rough, callused feel of Liam’s touch. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Jones.”
“Please call me Clive,” he said, flashing a smile that screamed, I was a male model in a past life.
“And you are?” Liam demanded.
“The photographer from Stolen Moments Photography.” He beamed at Liam before turning to the lake. “This place is stunning. The light on the water . . .” Clive raised his camera.
“Photographing nature is my first love,” Clive continued over the snap, snap, snap of his high-end digital equipment. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m passionate about Stolen Moments. Combine nature with beautiful women? It doesn’t get much better. I can’t wait to see the cabin. And that outdoor shower.”
Clive gave her a wink. She’d spoken to him on the phone, but Katie had harbored the idea that a man who took pictures of women in seductive poses would be creepy, looking at her as if envisioning her naked. This man was playful and enthusiastic, but minus the slimy dude/serial killer vibe. Thank goodness.
“He’s coming with us?” Liam turned to her, hands on his hips.
“To get a sense of the setting,” Clive explained. “Katie wanted to meet in person and show me the location for the photo shoot in advance of the party.”
“Photo shoot?” Liam said. “Katie, if this is one of your surprises—”
“Mr. Jones is a boudoir photographer.” Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Clive move away as if sensing they needed space to talk. Smart man. But given his line of work, he had to land in number of awkward situations.
“A what?” Liam demanded.
“He sets up intimate photo shoots for women to share with their partners,” she said, doing her best to quote the Web site. Her takeaway had been: This man takes pictures of women in their underwear or less. She had nothing against the idea if it made Georgia happy. But she had some concerns too, which was why she’d called his list of references first. All the women she spoke with raved about him.
“I wanted to meet him first. Make sure he wasn’t crazy. I didn’t want to meet him alone and he expressed an interest in seeing the cabin. It made sense to bring him along. Do a test run.”
“Have you lost your mind?” The muscles in Liam’s jaw jumped, his voice rising to the point that anyone—including the photographer—could hear them.
“It was Georgia’s idea.”
Liam closed his eyes, shaking his head. “I should have locked her in the spare bedroom when I had the chance.”
“She wants her party to be special. Memorable. But we don’t have a lot of options. Your sister can’t handle crowds and there is no way I’m jumping out of a plane.” She stepped back and turned toward the dock. “Let’s head out so we can do a few trail shots, check the place out, and get
Mr. Jones back before dark.”
Liam caught her arm. “You’re not taking your clothes off in front of that man.”
The way he said those words, as if she didn’t have a choice, as if the decision was his to make—it should have sparked fury. She hadn’t planned to strip down for the photographer. Not today. Not while Liam watched. Still, he had no right to tell her what to do.
“Maybe not all—”
“No.”
A thrill ran down her spine. Despite their history and the fact that she’d struggled to change, to become a different woman from the foolish girl who’d met him in the field, she wanted to see his brown eyes burn with a look that said, You’re mine.
“Liam,” she said, feeling as if she was poking an angry bear. “You might like the ones under the shower.”
He drew her closer, his eyes shining with a look of pure possession. “Katie, when you get wet that man will not be anywhere close to you.”
LIAM RELEASED KATIE’S arm and headed for the man with the damn camera. If the guy wasn’t looking to take pictures of Katie and, shit, his little sister, he might have slapped him on the back and asked how the hell he started a business taking pictures of mostly naked women. When he heard Clive Jones say Katie’s name, Liam had known he’d hate the surprise.
Boudoir photographer wasn’t the first thing running through his head. He’d seen the other guy and wondered if she had something wild planned for tonight. He was all for kinky sex. But he drew the line at sharing Katie—even if the guy planned to stay on the other side of the lens.
He stopped beside the photographer. “Sorry for your trouble, but you need to leave.”
Clive Jones lowered his camera. “I take it she didn’t tell you first. Look, man, I’m sorry. But if the bride changes her mind, I can leave your girlfriend out of it.”
“The bride is my sister,” Liam said. This man wasn’t getting near Georgia. He reached into his back pocket and withdrew his wallet. “What do we owe you for your trouble?”
“Nothing.” Clive Jones held up his camera. “The shots of the lake in this light were worth the trip.”
“I’m sorry,” Katie added, moving to Liam’s side. “For dragging you down here. But the bride’s fiancé would probably have a similar reaction to my friend here.”
Her friend? Liam kept his mouth shut. But after tonight, they were going to be a lot more than friends. He’d taken this as slow as he could, fighting the attraction. Now he needed Katie in his life.
“Most guys, when they have the pictures in their hands, don’t care who took them,” Clive said, as he turned and headed to his car.
“I would,” Liam muttered. “And so would Eric.”
Liam scooped up his duffel and groceries, then turned to Katie. “Ready?”
“That wasn’t your call.” She picked up her bag and followed him down the small dock.
Liam set the bags beside the small blue and white motorboat. It wasn’t much, but it would get them across the lake.
“If your sister wants a boudoir photo shoot, she should have one. After all she sacrificed, Georgia deserves fun and happiness—”
“She does,” he agreed. “But I have a feeling that explaining those pictures to Eric wouldn’t be much fun. You’ll have to think of something else for her party.”
“I will. Still, you didn’t need to send him away before I got a chance to talk to him and see his work. I wanted to tell Georgia that I honestly explored the options.”
Leaning over the edge of the boat, Katie set her bag on the wraparound bench. Liam moved behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist, capturing her body against his as she stood. She’d worn jeans and a fitted sleeveless shirt. Her clothes hugged her curves, but left him longing for the short skirt she’d worn to the bar.
“She can set up her own photo shoot. I’m sure Eric knows how to work a camera.” Liam’s lips brushed her ear. “But tonight, in the cabin, that’s for us. To finish what we started at Big Buck’s.”
If he had his way, it wouldn’t end with one night in a cabin.
She leaned back against him, her hands brushing his thighs. “It might have been fun. Like foreplay.”
His hands moved to her hips, slowing turning her to face him. Liam lifted his fingers to her cheek, gently brushing her smooth skin. His lips followed. Katie touched his chest, palms flat against his T-shirt. Damn, he wished he could pull the fabric over his head and feel her skin against his. But this wasn’t the place.
He deepened the kiss, running his tongue along her lips until she let him in. Her body pressed closer, seeking his. Her hands moved to his ass, holding him tight and drawing him in until Liam could feel her chest against his. Slowly, he drew back, kissing the edge of her mouth, her cheek, her jaw.
Brushing her hair away from her eyes, he looked down at her. “Honey, I know a thing or two about foreplay.”
He slid one hand over the soft curve of her waist. Breaking their full-body contact, he lifted his hand, keeping his palm flat, brushing it back and forth against her breast. He was tempted to draw her shirt and bra away, touch her bare flesh. But first, he needed to get them to the cabin.
She pulled back, turning to the boat, offering him a heated look. “And you might be surprised what I’ve learned.”
The lower half of his body responded to her words, standing at attention, ready and waiting for a demonstration.
“Get in the boat, Katie,” he said, his voice a low growl. “Let’s see how fast we can get this ship to the other side of the lake.”
Once she’d climbed in, Liam released the ropes and turned on the engine. He stood behind the wheel, guiding the motorboat into the reservoir.
“The water level is lower than I thought,” he said. He’d already counted four stumps below the surface. Turning the wheel to avoid another, he tried to focus on getting to the other side with the boat in one piece. But with Katie seated behind him, her words and the feel of her lips, her skin, and her breasts fresh in his mind, it was a freaking battle.
The quiet, apart from the sound of the motor, allowed his mind to wander. Instead of watching for tree stumps, he pictured Katie’s shirt rising up, revealing her breasts. His hand tightened around the steering wheel.
“I’m surprised your friend let you take the boat out,” she said.
“I didn’t give him much choice,” Liam admitted. He’d told Marvin that he’d cover the damages if the boat crashed, and clean up the trees on his property. Given that Marvin owned thirty acres of forest that hadn’t been limbed in years, it was a helluva bargain.
“If only Georgia knew how committed you are to planning her bachelorette party,” Katie murmured.
He glanced over his shoulder as they crossed through the center of the lake. Her green eyes sparkled with mischief.
“You didn’t need to stay overnight to check this place out,” he said.
“No, I didn’t.”
She ran her tongue over her lips as she reached up, drawing her long, straight hair into a ponytail. Her gaze never wavered from his. That look—it was wicked and so damn enticing his balls ached. He was tempted to cut the engine and anchor here, in the middle of the water. But making love for the first time in years in a small, run-down, and barely seaworthy craft wasn’t much better than the backseat of a car.
“I wouldn’t have booked an overnight if you hadn’t offered to keep me company,” she added.
Knowing she was here for him gave him hope that the hot and wild need he felt for her ran both ways.
The boat lurched, shifting to the right. Liam turned her attention to the water, holding tight to wheel. Behind him, Katie tried to hold on, but ended up sliding down the bench as the boat stopped. Liam waited for them to move forward, drift with the tide. But the vessel remained still, stuck at the awkward angle.
Liam peered over the edge and spotted the stum
p resting beneath the right side of the boat. “Shit. I guess the water level was too low.”
And he’d been distracted, looking at Katie when he should have been keeping careful watch for stumps. Liam studied the shore. It wasn’t far to the dock. And the water wasn’t deep here.
“Looks like we’re going to get wet,” he said.
“We’re swimming to the cabin?” She joined him at edge, peering over.
“Walking. Unless I can push it loose.” He swung one leg over the side, sinking into the cold water. Drawing his other leg over, he hit the muddy lake floor. Waves lapped at his waist.
He pressed against the raised side near the stump, feeling the burn in his arms. But it didn’t budge.
With one hand on the edge of the damaged boat—he was going to owe Marvin big-time, no way around that—Liam held out the other to Katie. “Coming?”
She stared at the murky water. “What’s down there? Fish? Snakes?”
“Might be some of both, but I bet they’re long gone. The boat probably scared them away.”
Katie didn’t take his hand. She remained frozen, her feet planted to the floor of the lopsided boat. “I don’t like not knowing what I’m walking through.”
He didn’t either, but they couldn’t stay here.
“I could carry you on my shoulders,” he offered. “You’ll never touch the water.”
Katie nodded and looked up from the murky depths, taking his hand. Bending his knees, he helped her climb on.
“I’ll come back for the bags,” he promised once she sat on his shoulders, her knees bent and hooked under his arms.
With his hands on her calves, he stepped forward. He felt her fingers grip his short hair. “You won’t drop me?” she asked.
“I’ve got you, Katie. Trust me.”
Chapter 12
KATIE FOCUSED ON the cabin, the muscles in her legs flexing, gripping tight to Liam. They were halfway there, with the water lapping at his ankles, but he didn’t put her down. He kept his promise, never letting her touch the water.
Caught in the Act: Book Two: Independence Falls Page 9