With the idea of keeping this business, Craig thought he could get through the night more easily.
Chapter 8
“I’m not going out with you.” Quinn pushed past Robby on her way out of the barn. Her mouth was as dry as the dust that covered her from head to foot. All she wanted was a shower and Robby kept her from that goal. That, in and of itself, gave her enough reason to sock him one.
“Come on. One evening, that’s all I’m asking. A movie, some pizza. I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
“Not tonight.” Not any night, if she could help it. She wanted nothing to do with him romantically and he wasn’t getting that through his thick skull. “I’ve got plans.”
Robby hurried to keep up. “Plans? With who? You have a date?” A hint of accusation tainted his voice and Quinn didn’t like it.
“Yeah, I have a date. A hot date with four ten-year-old girls. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m sure they don’t want me smelling like dirt and horse.”
“What are you talking about? What girls?”
Quinn stopped short and turned on him. “I’m giving your brother a hand with Marisol’s slumber party.”
Robby’s upper lip curled in disgust. “Seriously? Why does he need your help?”
Quinn sighed. She didn’t owe him an explanation. “Marisol asked me.”
“Yeah, right. What’s going on between you and Craig?”
A cold fist plunged into her belly. Did Craig say something? Did Robby see the kiss? No, if he’d seen it, he would’ve said something when it had happened. “Nothing is going on.”
“You sure spend a lot of time over there.” The charge in his tone was stronger now and his sea-blue eyes narrowed as if he were trying to get inside her head. That was the last place she wanted him.
“Teaching Marisol to ride,” she replied through clenched teeth.
“And how does that relate to a slumber party?”
“Oh, for God’s sake, Robby, drop it. Last I checked I was an adult. Not even Jacob grills me like this. And since you and I weren’t dating, you don’t have any right to question me about my plans.”
“Fine, you’re busy tonight. How about tomorrow night?”
“I’ll think about it,” she lied. She’d say just about anything to get him off her back. “But don’t get your hopes up. I’m not interested in revisiting what we used to have.”
“You’ve turned into one stubborn woman.”
Quinn smiled sweetly. “Why thank you. That’s about the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
A lazy grin spread over his handsome face. “If I didn’t think you’d hit me, I’d kiss you right here.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’d probably hit you. Why don’t you go find someone else who’ll appreciate your charm? It’s totally wasted on me.”
Before he could reply, Quinn moved past him. She had to shower and pick up pizzas on the way to the Shady H.
Later, with a towel wrapped around her wet hair, Quinn stood in front of the closet, agonizing over what to wear. The realist told her to grab a pair of jeans and a baseball shirt but the girly girl, who’d been blessedly absent for years, returned and urged her to wear the feminine cream capris and the sunset colored halter top. That would knock Craig right on his butt.
With a growl, she reached for the jeans and baseball shirt. She wasn’t going over there to knock anyone on their behinds. The other outfit would be too obvious. She quickly dressed, brushed out her hair, slipped on a pair of sneakers, and dashed out the door.
“Where are you headed?”
Quinn stopped when she heard Jacob’s voice. He stood behind the front desk, giving her one of his big brother looks of concern, brows furrowed and mouth turned down in a tight glower.
“Um, out.”
“With?”
Quinn narrowed her eyes. “With friends. Since when do you check up on my comings and goings?”
Jacob shrugged. “Robby said something about you going over to Craig’s.”
Damn. She should’ve followed her gut and smacked Robby when she had the chance. The little jerk probably knew Jacob would wonder why she was going. She needed Jacob knowing about her crush as much as she needed a jab in the eye.
Quinn gave her best version of a nonchalant shrug. “Craig’s a friend, isn’t he? Marisol is having a slumber party and Craig is a bit out of his element. I’m going to help out.”
Jacob lifted a brow.
“Oh come on, you don’t think—look how I’m dressed. Do you think I’d wear this if I was—Jacob, come on.”
Thea came out of the office and put her fists on her hips. “Are you giving Quinn a hard time? Leave her be.” She shot Quinn a knowing wink.
Quinn wasn’t sure if she should be comfortable with the cook knowing her secret. But if Thea could cover up for her, Quinn wouldn’t look that gift horse in the mouth.
“Night guys,” she said and left before Jacob could say anything else.
Play it cool. Those words were her mantra as she picked up the pizzas and drove to the Shady H. She was determined not to let Craig throw her off in any way.
Marisol and her friends greeted her at the door. They grabbed the pizzas and ran to the kitchen, leaving a trail of girlish laughter that Quinn had never been too familiar with.
Growing up, Falstad had seemed smaller. She didn’t think there were half the kids as there were now. Add the fact that she hadn’t had a group of girls she hung around with, and that had made for, not a lonely childhood, but a rather solitary one.
Not that she minded. Her life had revolved around the ranch. No gaggle of girls could ever replace a good horseback ride or camping under the stars with Jacob and her dad.
“Hey, you made it.”
Craig came out of a back room and Quinn’s knees went weak. Damn, he didn’t have to say anything except hi for her to go all mushy. Didn’t have to do anything but enter the room for her to feel his kiss all over again.
A warm light glowed in his eyes and he gave her a welcoming smile.
“You sound surprised.” Quinn laughed
“Thought maybe you came to your senses and decided to stay away.”
From the girls or him?
“Nope, I promised, and I never break my promises. The girls stripped me of the pizzas. I have a feeling when we make it to the kitchen all there’ll be left is crust.”
Craig nodded. “You might be right. Come on.”
In the kitchen and found Marisol had pulled out plates and cups and had already dug into the food.
“Hope there’s enough for us,” he commented and took two more plates out of the cabinet. He handed them to Quinn then reached for glasses. He paused and looked at her.
“Wine? Beer? Grape soda?”
Quinn considered the first two options before settling for the soda. Alcohol in the presence of Craig wouldn’t be a good idea. She didn’t need any false courage.
Within minutes, the girls deserted the kitchen in favor of the living room and a movie.
“Do you want to join the girls or sit in here?”
Quinn chuckled. “I know we’re supposed to chaperone but I think such close contact might cramp their style. I opt for in here.”
She settled across the table from him. “You know, I never came inside this house when I was a kid. Has it changed much since you were younger?”
Craig shrugged. “A splash of paint here and there. I redecorated the office and Marisol’s room. I’m not too sure I’ll do much more.”
“Good. The house has character. It reminds me of how our house used to be. Maybe fancier. Newer. I like it.”
“Not like the new lodge at Long Knife Creek?”
Quinn chuckled. “Am I crazy? What sane person wouldn’t want to live in a place like Jacob’s gorgeous lodge? A person could be spoiled rotten there. I prefer simple. A dishwasher is as extravagant as I’d want to get, because I hate doing dishes. Never mind having to clean up after myself. Some days I just want to leave my boo
ts in the living room or my hat tossed on the table. God forbid I do something like that when we have guests. I’m forced to be neat and tidy. Totally against my nature.” Quinn glanced at him, hoping he wouldn’t be totally turned off by her confession.
Craig just grinned and nodded. “Would Emerald be simple enough?”
Quinn remembered Emerald as it had been when the Lynch’s lived there. A comfortable old farmhouse. Well loved by its family.
“It would be an honor,” she replied. “To bring it back to how it should be—”
“It’s going to take a lot of work, but despite the state it’s in now, the house is habitable and the barn is acceptable for the stock there. Room enough for a more, so your own came come over. Looks like Ted wanted to expand, given the number of stalls he added. Paddock fences are sturdy enough. I’ve already taken the cattle and the horses that didn’t need to be there, but most stay. I’ve hired some more help and they’ve been fixing the place, repairing the fence line further out. Cleaning the mess that Ted left behind.”
“You sure you don’t want to find someone who’s done this for years?”
“I’m sure you’re up for it. I wouldn’t ask if I thought you couldn’t. Doc Tolson thinks you’re plenty capable.”
Warmth filled Quinn’s heart. She highly respected the old vet and if he had confidence in her, that was just about the best recommendation around. “I would love to give it a shot, Craig. I couldn’t imagine a better start—well, maybe over at the old homestead, but I’m a realist.”
Craig named a figure for her salary. “It would be higher, but you get the house and stalls for your own horses included. I want you right on the property.”
Quinn grinned. This was just falling in her lap. Maybe now she could actually start stashing money away to restore her own bit of Long Knife Creek Ranch.
“And I’ll hire on some help for you. I’d rather you just be concerned with the breeding and training instead of the stall mucking and feeding.”
Quinn nodded slowly, her head in a bit of a spin. This all was a little surreal and she had to pull herself back to earth. Of course, when she did she found herself gazing at Craig, and that in itself, was pretty heavenly.
Craig’s voice drifted through that sweet haze. “We need to get over there sometime and really take stock of the ranch.”
More alone time with Craig. She was doomed.
The sound of high-pitched squeals from the living room took her mind off her thoughts and brought her solidly back to reality.
“My goodness, what are you letting them watch?” Quinn got to her feet and headed toward the living room, Craig right behind her.
“I let Marisol pick it out. I pushed the limit and let her take a PG-13 movie.”
In the living room, all four girls huddled together underneath one blanket, their eyes wide and staring at the screen as the latest teen heartthrob entered a particularly spooky looking house.
Quinn patted Craig on the back. “Good one. Now you’ll have four girls with nightmares tonight. You couldn’t find a Disney movie, maybe?” she asked in a low voice.
“I’m new at this slumber party business. Next time I’ll know better.”
Marisol tore her attention away from the movie and threw them a look. “Dad, can we have our sundaes now?”
Quinn and Craig returned to the kitchen, leaving the girls to their scary movie, and tackled the dessert making.
This was fun, she thought, as she carried the first two bowls out. If only she hadn’t missed this growing up.
After delivering the last two, she returned to the kitchen. Craig was fixing two more bowls, one piled high with every available topping. He finished it off with a generous pile of whipped cream.
“I think you forgot a few ingredients,” she commented drily, but flashed him a grin.
“You can never have enough toppings.”
“Um, going to save any of that whipped cream for someone else?”
Craig glanced up from the bowl, his eyes narrowed. “Why, you want some?”
“If there’s any left.”
Craig stopped filling his bowl and shook the can. His gaze didn’t leave her and one brow rose, a wicked gleam sparkling in his eyes.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
He took a step toward her.
She took a step back.
“Seriously,” she pleaded.
“I don’t know. I think you need some.”
Before she could retreat any further, Craig’s arm snaked around her waist. His other hand held the can, ready to press the stem. Quinn laughed and tried to pull away, but he held her tight. She reached to try to get the whipped cream away from him, but he had a good foot of height on her. She couldn’t reach anything higher than his forearm.
It only took a moment before she realized the position they were in; their torsos pressed closely together, his hand planted firmly on her hip. Closer than when they’d danced.
Sobering, she lowered her arm, and tried to get her mind away from the woodsy scent of his cologne and his solid, warm chest pressed against her.
One glance at him erased the lighthearted moment. One second his eyes sparkled with laughter, the next a fire burned in them, serious and full of desire.
All her efforts to keep him at arm’s length, to deny what she felt for him went out the window, along with her good sense.
The can of whipped cream clattered to the counter and his other arm pulled her closer, nearly off her feet. She put her arms around his neck to keep from falling.
The perfect position for him to dip his head and take possession of her mouth.
The kiss at the barbeque was chaste compared to the liquid heat that poured from him. Strong, demanding, yet inviting, she gladly sank into it. She pushed her hand through his hair and pressed against him so there’d be no question about her feelings. No backtracking or denials. No way to pretend they’d slipped up this time.
She should’ve pulled back, ran from the Shady H. Never return. Instead, she put everything she had into the moment and accepted what Craig offered.
The kiss lost some of its ferocity as they tested and tried, but even though the flash of fire had eased, the passion turned hot and steady. His fingertips spread the sparks and ignited her skin. This would be it. She’d burn into a tiny pile of cinders, but at least it would be a happy and fulfilling way to go.
Squeals from the other room sank into her head, pushing past the diaphanous curtains of desire. Reluctantly, she broke the kiss and pushed away from him.
They needed to remember where they were, what they were supposed to be doing. What the heck kind of chaperones were they? They were the ones in need of the chaperone.
“Your hair,” she said breathlessly. “I kind of messed it up.” With newfound familiarity and boldness, she reached up and ran her fingers through it again, this time to neaten it.
Craig took hold of her hand and brought it away. He rested it against the counter. “I guess we can’t brush this one aside.”
“I didn’t mean for it to happen. I came over here with the best intentions.”
Craig chuckled and squeezed her hand. “I have no doubt.”
“I don’t want things to get complicated or uncomfortable.”
“No, ma’am. I don’t either.”
His short answers drove her crazy. So did the lazy smile on his face and his hooded gaze, still simmering with desire.
Desire for her. The thought sent her mind reeling. What could she say?
“Oh boy,” was all she managed.
Craig lifted a hand and touched her cheek. He opened his mouth to say more when one of Marisol’s friends burst through the kitchen door.
“We need popcorn,” she declared, then stopped dead.
Heat crept into Quinn’s cheeks as Craig’s hand dropped away. Caught.
He recovered first and Quinn admired his skill and speed at doing so.
“No problem. How many bowls?”
“Um, one, I guess.”
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Quinn turned away and started clearing up the mess from the sundaes. A heavy silence weighed down on everyone, broken only by the sound of popcorn exploding in the microwave. Finally, Bonnie left, clutching the big bowl.
Quinn slumped against the counter. “My God, that was close. You don’t think she suspected?”
“That we were making out a moment ago?” He said it with a grin.
“Craig, shh. They’re going to hear you.”
“What? That’s what we were doing.”
Quinn chuckled. This was a side of Craig she’d only dreamed existed. Where there had been desire only minutes ago now had been replaced with a playful gleam in his eyes.
“You’re making light of this, but if they start talking about us out there, well, Marisol might not appreciate it.”
“Okay, fine, you’re right. For the sake of propriety and my daughter’s dignity, we’ll go out there and be good adults.”
“Thank you.”
“But, Quinn, I promise it’ll happen again. When we don’t have to worry about interruptions.”
A thrill sliced through her body. The look in his eyes sent her heart into a maniacal dance.
At a loss for something to say, she grabbed her bowl of half-melted ice cream and walked from the room, leaving him to follow.
***
Playing the role of cool, well-mannered grownup promised to be a challenge now that Craig had gotten a taste of Quinn’s passion. He’d been thinking about her far too often lately and now he’d tossed himself into her, lock, stock and barrel. He knew that detangling himself from these feelings would be a full-time job. Not that he had any plans to. Discovering this passion was too pleasant to give up.
Still, neither he nor Marisol had had to think about a new woman in their lives. No one had piqued his interest before. He’d always believed he wasn’t ready to step toward a new romance.
That had changed.
He studied his daughter, huddled with her friends, eating popcorn and staring with rapt fascination at the movie. She was settling in, something he didn’t think she’d do so quickly. She liked Quinn, but how would Marisol feel about Quinn being a romantic companion in his life? Maybe if they worked their way there, one day at a time, she’d get used to the idea. Even welcome it.
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