“I’ll be there. Take care, Sapphire.” He touched the brim of his hat.
She turned and fled. If she didn’t get out of there, she was liable to hurl herself back into his arms. Tomorrow she’d be stronger.
* * *
AFTER GRADY FINISHED his sandwich and beer at Scruffy’s, he headed over to Ben and Molly’s place. Although it seemed strange to be with them instead of at Thunder Mountain Ranch, they soon made him feel right at home. He had a chance to admire Ben’s new saddle shop adjacent to the house and talk with Molly about her teaching job at Sheridan Community College and her curriculum planning for Thunder Mountain Academy. He also made friends with their golden Lab.
He found out from Ben and Molly that the charity benefiting from Sapphire’s art event was the Fabulous Felines Cat Shelter. Fortunately, he was able to discuss the event and its organizer without letting his thoughts drift to that explosive kiss. But once he bid them good-night and stretched out on their comfy guest bed, he could think of nothing else. Holding her had been even more perfect than he’d imagined.
They fit together as if designed for the passionate lovemaking she claimed they shouldn’t have. Her soft breasts, her perfectly rounded ass and her supple lips taunted him relentlessly as he lay aroused and sweaty in the Radcliffes’ guest room.
Maybe she really believed that getting involved would compromise their working relationship this week, but he hoped to change her mind. He fell asleep thinking of all the ways he could do that. Kissing would be a major part of the plan.
The next morning he dressed in his old scuffed boots, well-worn jeans and a faded chambray shirt. Leaving the black dress hat on the dresser, he picked up his everyday brown Stetson and left the Radcliffes’ house after politely declining breakfast. They’d offered to fix him some, but that would have made him late.
He figured she’d be feeding the cats at seven. Ben and Molly had called it a feral cat colony. Although he wasn’t familiar with the term, he could figure it out. The cats living in the woods weren’t completely civilized, but they weren’t completely antisocial, either. He could relate to that. There were times he longed to retreat into his studio and never come out. Other times he craved human companionship.
He wondered if other artists felt the same. This week would be a great time to find out if he was crazy or not. He was very different from his brother, a guide for white-water rafting trips. Liam was extremely social and even after all these years didn’t totally understand Grady’s need for solitude.
Dew sparkled on the grass when he pulled into the Art Barn parking lot a good thirty minutes early. Sapphire’s purple truck wasn’t there, so he sat with the windows rolled down and waited. The air smelled great and he wondered how often these days he took the time to simply be.
The sudden fame had taken him by surprise. Within a year he’d gone from living a somewhat solitary life in Alaska to being the darling of the Western art world. He was a beer-and-barbecue guy thrown into a champagne-and-caviar crowd and he still didn’t quite have his footing. Being in Sheridan for this fund-raiser offered him the small-town ambiance he liked, maybe even needed.
Sapphire drove in and his body tightened. He couldn’t remember ever wanting a woman this much. Maybe her reluctance to become involved with him played a part in that—the old forbidden-fruit ploy.
Because she didn’t know him that well yet, she might be worried that he’d take off if the two of them had a spat. Raising money for the shelter was very important to her and she wouldn’t want to jeopardize that. He wasn’t sure how to convince her that he wasn’t the kind of selfish SOB who would ruin her cherished event because they weren’t getting along. Besides, they would get along. Oh, yeah, they certainly would.
Grabbing his water jug for later, he left his truck and closed the door with a minimum of noise. This time of the morning, traffic was light on the road that ran past the Art Barn, so birds chirping and warbling provided the only soundtrack. He liked sharing this peaceful setting with her.
Yet when he joined her as they walked to the front door, he could tell she was nervous. She gave him a quick smile and a breathy “Hi,” but her hand quivered as she tried to open the door. Today she’d worn embroidered jeans and a tie-dyed blouse. Her colorful glass earrings reached to her shoulders and they tinkled as she worked with the key.
“Let me.” He took the keys and got the door open. He fought the urge to cup her earrings in one hand to quiet the music while he nibbled on her tender earlobe. He’d read somewhere that earrings were a sexual invitation and he was more than ready to accept.
“Thanks. I must have had too much caffeine.”
He hadn’t had a drop but he was as wired as if he’d mainlined a whole pot. “Speaking of that, if you’ll show me the coffee routine, I’ll make some.”
“I’ll put some on. I’m sure you want to start setting up your equipment.” Her gaze met his and skittered away.
“How about if I help you feed the cats first?”
“You don’t have to.” She gave him another quick glance, this one more pointed, as if silently warning him to back off.
“Are you worried that I’ll scare Fred?”
She opened her mouth and then closed it again. Her tiny sigh of resignation was almost too faint to hear. “If you come out with me and keep still, it should be fine.”
“I can do that.” He wasn’t about to stay away from her, even though that was clearly what she thought she wanted. “Since they’re the reason I’m here, I’d like to get better acquainted.”
Her smile said she didn’t quite believe that, but she nodded. “You can make the coffee while I fill the food bowls.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He followed her into the small space. Close quarters, which made it a great spot for a seduction, but he wasn’t going to attempt one. He could feel the tension radiating from her. If he remained patient, she might surrender to it and seduce him, instead. Not this morning, but maybe before the week was over.
“The coffeepot and coffee are down there at the end. It’s a basic model.”
“Good. I like basic.” He filled his water jug before making the coffee. He’d need the hydration once he started welding. “Ben and Molly said to say hi.”
“They’re good people.” She got out the bowls and opened a bin of fishy-smelling dry cat food.
“They think the same of you. They’re excited about this event to generate donations for the shelter.”
She smiled at him. “Glad to hear it.” She began scooping food into the bowls.
“Did you get your paperwork finished?”
“What paperwork?”
“You know, the paperwork you rushed home to work on last night.”
“Oh...yeah.” Her cheeks turned pink. “I didn’t finish but I made a sizable dent in it. Thanks for asking.”
He started the coffee perking and turned to watch her. “Actually, I didn’t know until last night that the event is to raise money for the cat shelter and the work they do with feral colonies. Ben and Molly filled me in.”
“I didn’t tell you?”
“You might have. I wasn’t focused on that aspect.”
She paused and looked over at him. “Are you saying you only agreed to be here because of me?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She might as well know it.
She groaned. “I didn’t mean to give you the wrong idea.”
“Or maybe you gave me the right idea. Three weeks ago I glanced in the rearview mirror as I was driving away from here and you were standing there watching me go. I extrapolated from that and figured we might have a good time when I came back.” He held her gaze. “I still believe we can.”
Her breath caught and desire shimmered in her turquoise eyes. He’d bet good money that if he tried kissing her again, she’d let him. They weren’t in a public parking lot anymore, either. He imagined lifting her to the counter and unbuttoning her blouse.
The image was followed by thoughts of openmouthed kisses and
intimate caresses as he sought the moist recesses of her trembling body. By the time he was finished loving her, they’d have bowls and cat food scattered everywhere and a mess to clean up. The cats still wouldn’t be fed.
He took a calming breath. “We need to feed those cats.”
3
SAPPHIRE COULDN’T DECIDE whether she was relieved or disappointed that Grady had passed up the chance to kiss her. Her thoughts had run in circles all night long, but one intriguing concept kept coming back around. What if they could have sex without any emotional entanglement?
The idea had merit. He lived in Cody, after all, and he was a very busy guy. She’d made the mistake of becoming emotionally invested in those other men and that had seemed to bring out the worst in them. If she didn’t allow that to happen with Grady... Yeah, getting involved with him would still be somewhat of a risk, but he could be worth it.
She was touched that he’d wanted to interact with the cats this morning and that he’d taken it seriously enough to give the job priority. He’d clearly had other things on his mind a moment ago. Yet here he was helping her carry bowls out to the same spot where he’d found her the night before.
He glanced at her as they set the bowls in the grass. “Couldn’t you just use a couple of large bowls?”
“I could, but some cats might be crowded out and not get their fair share. This way I know everybody gets a decent helping.”
“Must be tricky hauling them all out here by yourself.”
“A little. I’ve learned to manage it.”
He crouched down beside her, which meant she was able to breathe in the scent of his aftershave. Whatever he used had a smoky, seductive quality that suggested an activity involving hot bodies and soft sheets. Rolling around in the grass sounded like a good alternative. Being with Grady was a party waiting to happen.
If she didn’t concentrate on something else, she’d be fighting the urge to grab him the entire time they were out here. “Normally, some of the cats would be here waiting but we’re a little earlier than usual.”
“So you’re feeding them, but how does the shelter come into the picture?”
“The biggest contribution is medical.” She kept her attention on the tree line as she looked for cats emerging from the shadows. “If we can get the cats into carriers, that’s great, but mostly we have to trap them. Then they’re either spayed or neutered, vaccinated and checked for any other issues. If the vet finds anything else, she treats it for the cost of the meds and supplies.”
“Sounds like a great program.”
“It is. The cats stay healthy but they don’t keep adding more strays to the population.”
“Have you figured out how the cats wound up here?”
She appreciated his interest. Questions about a topic dear to her heart made for a welcome distraction. “The first generation might have been barn cats when horses were housed in the stalls. Then the property was sold and the grain and the hay disappeared. Once the mice left, the cats had nothing to eat, so they likely moved to the woods and foraged for small rodents.”
“And essentially became wild.”
“They did.” As she talked about the cats, her tension gradually eased. “But most of them seem to have retained a connection to people and to this barn. Fred’s the least trusting. He joined the colony late and I don’t think he liked being trapped and neutered.”
“Do you blame him?”
She smiled at his look of horror. “We can’t let them procreate.”
“I get that and I’m all for population control. I just avoid thinking about the process.”
“Are you squeamish?”
“Only when we’re talking about cutting off—”
“Look.” She pointed toward the trees. “Here they come.”
“Where?” Squinting, he scanned the area.
“Over there, moving past the trunk of that big pine. Snow White’s in the lead, as always. Grumpy, Sneezy and Dopey are following her.” The little white female was always easy to spot, while the dappled shade camouflaged the others until they stepped out into the open.
“Okay, I see them.”
“We’re fairly sure those gray tabbies are Snow White’s kittens because of the way she mothers them. And here comes Athena with her brood. They all got her butterscotch coloring except Persephone, the tortoiseshell. There’s Fred, bringing up the rear.”
“He sure does stand out.”
“Yep. He was the hardest to catch. We finally got him in the trap using tuna as bait. I think the others would eat any flavor I put out, but I buy the fish kind because that’s all Fred will eat.”
“You’re partial to him.”
“I am. He’s the smartest one and a survivor. He has several scars from the fights he’s been in, but he beat the odds.” She glanced at the approaching cats. “They seem a little uneasy about you being here. Maybe we shouldn’t talk.”
As they both fell silent, every cat settled down to eat except Fred, who stayed about six feet away with his green eyes fixed on Grady. Sapphire waited in hopes the cat would come forward on his own, but at last she decided he needed to be coaxed.
“Stay very still,” she said, “while I try to sweet-talk him into coming over.”
Grady gave a slight nod.
Leaning forward, she began crooning to the cat. “Come on, sweet Freddie. This man isn’t going to hurt you.” She lowered her voice. “Freddie, Freddie, Freddie. You know you want some. Come on, kitty-cat. That’s a good boy.”
Fred crept up to the bowl and began to eat, his teeth crunching on the small pellets. But that wasn’t the only sound Sapphire heard. The rhythm of Grady’s breathing had changed. She knew that rhythm because she’d heard it last night after he’d kissed her senseless.
She couldn’t imagine why he was reacting that way, unless... She had to smile as she thought of a possible reason. She’d probably sounded damned seductive just now when she’d lured Fred up to the food bowl. Having a man around who was that susceptible to her was flattering. And arousing.
The cats made short work of the food. When it was gone, some moved away from the bowls and began grooming themselves. Snow White and Persephone came over for some head scratches, but Fred grabbed up one last bite before turning and scampering back to the woods as if he couldn’t wait to leave.
“I’m determined to pet him someday.”
“You probably will.” Grady’s breathing was back to normal.
“I think I will, too, eventually.” She gave Athena some attention before she began gathering up the bowls. “Show’s over for this morning, though.”
He picked up the rest of the bowls. “I’ll help you wash these.”
“That’s above and beyond. I know you want to get your area set up.” She didn’t feel ready to share the small space with him again. Besides, one of the other co-op members could show up at any moment and she didn’t want to take a chance on major embarrassment. “I’ll do it.”
He must have heard something in her voice, because he didn’t insist. “Thanks for letting me come along for the feeding routine.”
“You’re welcome. Did you pick any favorites?”
“Either Snow White or Athena. I haven’t decided which.”
“The two mama kitties.”
“Yep.” He held the door for her and followed her into the tiny kitchen. “I’m a real fan of mothers who stick by their kids. Like my mom did.”
She put down the bowls and turned to him in surprise. “But you ended up in foster care at Thunder Mountain Ranch.”
“And consequently, people think she abandoned us. Instead she was in a car accident and Rosie offered to take Liam and me until Mom was on her feet. Once she was okay, we went straight back to her. She’s terrific.”
“Does she live here?”
“Not anymore. She’s in Cody with her new husband. Liam moved there when he got the job with the rafting company. I’d left to work in Alaska, so Liam talked Mom into moving down there with him.
She met John in Cody. It all worked out.”
“I can see that.” Her heart squeezed as she thought of how tough those years when his mom was laid up must have been. “I’m glad for you. When we were in high school, all I knew was that you and your brother were at Thunder Mountain. I figured the two of you had no parents, or at least none that were worth anything.”
He grimaced. “That’s the only bad thing about going there. People assume we were neglected. Rosie’s tried to set the record straight, but it’s not easy. Thunder Mountain boys are supposed to be hard-luck cases.”
“And some of them are.”
“Yeah, just not me and Liam.” He walked over to the coffeepot. “I’ll get a cup of coffee and move out of your way.”
“Will you start work on the sculpture for the event?”
“No, I’m saving that for the actual night.” He took a mug out of the cupboard and poured coffee into it. “But I need to get comfortable with the space. Liam said Rosie would love to have one of my pieces, so that’s what I’m going to make first to test the setup.”
“That’s so sweet!”
“I’m a sweet guy.” He grinned. “So if you need me, I’ll be in the back of the barn getting hot and sweaty.” He picked up his coffee and left the kitchen.
Once he was gone, she took a deep breath before turning her focus to the bowls. She’d never washed those bowls so thoroughly. She scrubbed each one until her fingertips wrinkled while she tried to blot out the image of Grady’s smile and his “getting hot and sweaty” comment. He wasn’t going to let up on her.
Well, who could blame him? Last night she’d practically shrink-wrapped herself to his body. She’d barely escaped from the parking lot without begging him to come home with her.
She’d vowed on her way here this morning that this would be a new day and she’d keep her cool. That had lasted until he’d climbed out of his truck in his work clothes. He shouldn’t have been as sexy in those as when he’d been dressed to impress, but apparently, it didn’t matter what that cowboy wore. He had only to show up and she’d respond with a rapid pulse and damp panties.
Her lusty thoughts persisted even though he’d walked to the back of the barn at least fifteen minutes ago. The clank of metal and the hiss of a torch indicated he was working while she stood staring into space and wasting time.
Cowboy Untamed Page 3