“I feel as if I’m Cinderella going to the ball with her prince,” she admitted softly to him, holding his dark blue eyes, which clearly showed his care for her. Kai knew it was more than that but was afraid to go there. She knew what love looked like on a man’s face. She’d seen it in Sam’s as they’d made love. And she saw that same look in Gil’s eyes. Happiness wove through her because he was able to show how he felt about her all the time, not just in bed. It was something she desperately craved and Gil was hitting all the right notes with her.
“Well,” he said, amused, “I’m hardly a prince, and I don’t think our truck is going to turn into a dazzling coach drawn by white horses, but I’ll do my best to make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale tonight that has a happy ending.”
His words flowed through her, filled with promise. “You’re a warrior,” she said. “And I’d rather have a warrior than a prince at my side any day.”
Grinning, he eased his hand from hers and slipped it around her shoulders, giving her a slight hug. “You’re my princess tonight, though. You look elegant, Kai. And you’re going to turn male heads, that I promise.”
That sent a wave of nerves through Kai. “I’m hardly princess material,” she joked. “Just a working woman who usually has grease under her fingernails.” Kai was an introvert. She was shy by nature. She didn’t like being stared at by men, because it made her feel unsettled and uncomfortable. The sense of protection surrounding her was coming directly from Gil. He was a tall, big man. And he commanded attention because of the quiet confidence that radiated around him like the sun itself.
“Well,” Gil said to her in a low, growling voice, “you’re my princess. Never forget that, Dove.” He remembered the day Kai had told him how much she loved the mourning doves on her father’s ranch. It was one of the few times they talked of the past during that torrid five days together. And his endearment for her was born out of her love of the gentle bird, but also her stunning gray eyes.
Kai didn’t have time to absorb his last comment as they drew up to the doors of the Armory. The music inside was Western: several fiddles, an accordion, drums, and someone was calling a square dance. They moved into the crowd and slowly entered the huge building. As they did, Kai looked up to see huge red, white and blue banners strung across the ceiling above them. There were large, round tables in one of the festive colors along three sides of the Armory, and the venue overflowed with people. The noise, the crowd, the loud music, made her instinctively move closer to Gil. As if sensing her unease, he slid his arm around her waist, drawing her to him a little more, as though to silently tell her she was fine. It helped.
“Over there,” Gil said, pointing to the right, “the Triple H table.”
Craning her neck because she didn’t have Gil’s height, Kai glimpsed the table. Cat and Talon, Sandy and Cass, were already there and seated. Gil threaded her through the chatty crowd and brought her out of it. Now, Kai saw them clearly. Each table had patriotic-colored carnations in a slender, tall vase. She saw the look on Cass’s face as he sat next to Sandy. There was clearly something sweet and good going on between them. Sandy looked beautiful in a dark blue dress with gold jewelry at her throat and on her ears. Her blond hair was up on her head, making her look young. Cass had worn a casual gray Western suit with a red tie at his throat, making him blend in with the festive crowd.
Next to them were Talon and Cat. He had his arm around his wife, talking with her. Kai’s heart was suffused with happiness because the love that was in their eyes was clear for everyone to see. Cat wore a pale pink summer dress with spaghetti straps. Her black hair was long and she’d worn it up on her head, a gleaming gold barrette holding it in place. Her blue eyes sparkled as she looked up into her husband’s worshipful gaze. Talon wore a black Western suit with a crisp cotton shirt and black tie. It made him look intense, and brought out his rugged good looks, Kai thought.
As Gil led her to the table, Kai went to each woman, leaned down and hugged her, telling her how beautiful she looked. And they did. Gil pulled out a chair next to where Cass sat. After seating her, he asked if she’d like some of the fruit punch or a glass of wine.
Wine would settle her nerves and Kai asked for a glass of white. Gil asked the others and he took their orders, going over to the bar area.
Kai’s back was partially toward the squaredance floor crowded with over a hundred couples. She saw her four friends collectively tense and then frown. Before she could ask them what was wrong, she felt a man’s large hand come to rest on her shoulder. Startled, Kai turned and looked up. Chuck Harper smiled down at her.
He was in a dark gray Western suit and Stetson. He looked polished and handsome.
“I had to come over and tell you,” he said, leaning down near her ear so she could hear him, “that you’re the most beautiful woman here.”
Kai gulped, unsure what to do or say. “Thanks, Chuck.” She felt his hand become more firm on her shoulder. She eased out from beneath it by turning toward him in her chair. “I hope you enjoy the dance tonight,” she said lamely.
His expression changed, his voice lowered. “I intend to. I just wanted to come over and tell you that you’re a babe compared to everyone else here.” He patted her shoulder. “Have a good time. I’ll touch base with you later…” He left after nodding deferentially to the rest of the table.
Kai was shaken. She clearly saw anger in Harper’s eyes. The change in his voice sent a chill down her spine. It was as if he’d taken off that smiling mask he wore and she saw who he was for the first time. And it upset her. Maybe the warnings by everyone at the ranch were true? That he was manipulating her? Kai didn’t like the guttural warning in his voice that he’d see her later. What was that all about? She frowned and turned around, scooting her chair up to the table. “Sorry,” she told everyone. Talon looked grim as he stared after the departing Harper.
Cass said, “If there ever was a weasel in this place, it’s him. You all right, Kai?”
Licking her lower lip, she nodded, her hands knotted below the table in her lap. “Yes, fine.”
“He’s pretty bold,” Cat muttered, frowning. “Good thing Gil wasn’t here.”
Talon snorted. “Harper wouldn’t have tried it if Gil was here.”
Kai had never told any of them about her trail ride with Harper. Now, she regretted even doing it. At the time, it had seemed okay. Harper had been the perfect gentleman. He never made a move on her. Until tonight. She felt that his hand had left residue on her shoulder and she wanted to get rid of the feeling. “If you’ll excuse me? I need to go to the ladies’ room for a moment.” She stood up, placing her green shawl on the back of her chair. “Tell Gil I’ll be right back?”
*
KAI ASSUMED GIL knew about Harper coming over to the table. He rose from his seat as she approached them. Quickly appraising his expression, she saw nothing in it to indicate he was upset. She didn’t want to bring it up and ruin the night. Her glass of wine was in front of her and she sat down, thanking him.
“Did you see how many men turned their heads to look at you?” Cat asked between songs.
Sipping the wine, Kai shook her head. She was glad Gil had placed his hand against the back of her seat. It was comforting to her. “No, I didn’t.”
Cat beamed. “Well, a lot of men did. You look so svelte and elegant in that dress. It just suits you so well, Kai.”
Kai smiled weakly. “Thanks. I guess I’m just not used to this kind of attention.” She felt Gil’s arm a little more firmly against her back, as if to soothe her. “I feel better in a hangar fixing an Apache combat assault helicopter,” she joked.
A slow song came on. Cat got up, tugging at Talon’s hand.
“Come on, we can dance now!” she pleaded, smiling at her reluctant husband.
Talon grudgingly got to his feet. He gave Cass and Gil a hard look. “You two are coming with me. So let’s get on it.”
Kai chuckled as they obeyed their boss. When Gil took her
hand, curving it warmly into his, she felt less tense and followed him out to the dance floor. It was nice to have Cass and Sandy nearby, as well as Talon and Cat. They were a family. As Gil slid his arm around her waist, his other hand taking hers, she smiled up at him. She drowned in the burning look in his blue eyes, felt sizzling heat arc through her as he drew her against him, their bodies lightly touching.
“Remember,” she warned him, “I have two left feet.” Gil gave her a patient smile and a slight nod of his head as his gaze moved across the area. He was an operator. He would never lose that ability.
Gil looked down at his polished brown cowboy boots. “Well, makes two of us, Dove.” He smiled at her. “We’ll just move nice and slow.”
Kai sighed as he called her by his endearment. The sound rolled off his tongue like an invisible caress. Kai leaned her head on his chest, inhaling his scent. Gil’s arms enclosed her intimately and she closed her eyes, needing this. Needing him. He moved with such boneless grace and it was easy to follow him around the floor.
Kai knew that the Holt family was probably realizing there was something indeed serious going on between herself and Gil. The music lulled her and she relished being so close to Gil, his hand light against the small of her back, his other hand tucking hers between them. It was wonderful and she felt all her nerves and tension dissolve.
Gil leaned down, his mouth near her ear.
“I’ve got a nice hotel room reserved for us. I think you’ll like it. It has a Jacuzzi in the room.”
Lifting her head, she grinned. “That sounds interesting.”
Shrugging, he smiled a little. “You always liked trying new things,” he reminded her.
“I think you called me brazen?”
“Indeed I did,” Gil agreed, amusement in his low tone. “And it was a compliment, believe me.”
Everything felt so right. Kai laid her head on his chest, the fine weave of the fabric of his coat beneath her cheek. She felt his lips press a kiss to her hair and her body hummed with anticipation. Why had she waited so long? Kai knew it was fear. There was still half of her that didn’t believe they could have a lasting relationship. The past had scarred her more than she’d ever realized until Gil had come back into her life.
Their hips brushed and she could feel the bulge of his erection. It excited her and, already, Kai ached to be out of the Armory and in that bed with Gil. But good manners dictated they must stay a decent amount of time.
As they were coming off the dance floor, they met Miss Gus. She was with a gentleman her own age. Kai smiled and leaned over, hugging her.
“You look beautiful, Miss Gus,” she said, releasing her.
“And you clean up darned well, too,” she said, gesturing to her dress. “I think you could be on the cover of a magazine.”
Laughing, Kai said, “Thanks, but you know what? I’d gladly trade this all in for my jeans, boots and a blouse.” Miss Gus was dressed in a bright red dress that made her silver hair shine. Her partner was conservatively dressed, bald and had a proud look on his face as he kept his hand on the small of her back.
“I just wanted to come over and tell you how great you look, Kai,” she said. “Me and Henry need to get back to his family’s table.”
Kai had wondered why Miss Gus hadn’t sat with them. Now she knew why. There was a devilish sparkle in her eyes for her handsome partner. “Have fun,” she called after them.
Turning, she looked up at Gil. “Miss Gus is such a role model. Here she is in her mideighties and she’s spunky, involved with life and loving every minute of it.”
Gil’s hand moved lightly down her spine, coming to rest on her hips. “That’s what I see for us, Dove.”
Her heart blossomed and Kai felt tears prick the backs of her eyes as she absorbed his solemn, warm expression. Gil meant every word of it. Kai hadn’t even thought that far ahead, every day still tentative with him. She slid her arm around his waist and said, “Let’s go back to the table.”
*
GIL TOLD EVERYONE at the Holt table good-night before he escorted Kai out of the Armory. It was nearly ten o’clock, and some of the couples were starting to leave, but most were remaining. In this part of Wyoming, they had eight months of snow and winter, so spring and summer were short. The people of the valley loved getting out, meeting their friends and finding out how life was treating them. So, it was no wonder that rare dances like this were very popular and most of the partygoers stayed well into the early-morning hours.
Gil sensed the subtle tension amping up between them as he led Kai to the truck and opened the door for her. The air was chilly, in the forties, and he removed his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. Kai gave him a grateful look because the small green shawl, while around her shoulders, couldn’t protect her against the breezy evening. She climbed in and Gil enjoyed the view. Kai had a fine butt and that dress of hers showed it off in the best of ways.
On the way through town to their hotel, Gil felt Kai retreating from him. “Tired?” he asked.
“No…just…pensive, I guess.” Kai gazed over at his profile. “Where are you at?”
He drove slowly through the traffic of downtown. “Probably right where you are—remembering our five days together.”
“Yes,” she admitted quietly, her hands in her lap.
“I’ve never forgotten them,” Gil told her, making a turn that would take them to the south side of the town. “Have you?” He glanced over at Kai. She looked introspective. He had a powerful intuition and could feel the longing in her matching his own.
“No…never…”
The Wyoming Inn came into view. It was one of the nice hotels in the upscale Western town. Gil parked and turned off the truck. The shadows and light played through the window, bathing Kai.
“Ready?” His heart thudded once to underscore the fear he felt that she’d say no. But he wasn’t going to push her into something she didn’t want as much as he did. When Kai lifted her head and gave him that soft, sweet smile of hers, his entire body flushed with fire and need. Yes, Kai was ready—he could see it in her velvet gray eyes.
“More than ready,” she promised him huskily, unharnessing her seat belt.
Nodding, Gil left the cab and came around, opening the door for her. Kai put her slender hand into his.
In no time, he had them checked in. His body thrummed with anticipation. They took the elevator to the third and highest floor. When he opened the door to the large suite that had a fireplace in it, Kai made a sound of awe.
“This is beautiful, Gil,” she said, walking in, handing him his suit coat.
He took the coat after closing and locking the door. “Not half as beautiful as what I’m looking at right now,” he said, dropping the coat on the overstuffed, antique couch. Kai turned and smiled, opening her arms to him.
The trust she was giving him staggered Gil. More than anything, he wanted to be there for Kai. He brought her lightly against him, monitoring her, sensing where she was at. He felt like a caveman, wanting to drag his woman down and taking her with the primal lust that was flooding his body. But that wasn’t going to happen tonight. Maybe later, but not the first time.
Gil wanted this introduction to allow Kai to set the pace and tell him what she needed. Judging from the arousal in her eyes, she was feeling as needy as he was.
“Tell me what you want,” he rasped, kissing her hair, her temple, inhaling the scent of oranges from her recently washed hair. He felt Kai sag against him, belly against his aching erection.
“Could we take a shower first?” She looked up, sliding her hand against his shaven jaw. “I don’t want to make love in there, just…well…get clean and be with you?”
“Sounds like a plan,” Gil agreed. He led her to the overstuffed chair near the fireplace. It was gas fed, the flames sending dancing shadows across the low-lit room. “Let me get it started?”
Nodding, Kai sat down and slipped out of her shoes. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
; Gil leaned over, caressing her hair, seeing the burgundy and gold highlights in the firelight. “No, I want to undress you,” he said, and looked into her eyes as she lifted her chin.
“That sounds nice, too,” she whispered.
Gil nodded and walked to the bathroom. The Jacuzzi, a huge round tub filled with warm, clear blue water, was in the other room. He made sure there were plenty of towels available. The glass-enclosed shower was tiled a pale green, almost the color of Kai’s dress. He smiled to himself, placing a washcloth inside the shower on the tile bench. Above were two rain-shower heads. Opening the soap, he set it on the dish near the faucets. Visions of taking Kai in here danced through him, but he was going to follow her needs, not his.
When he stepped out of the bathroom, Kai had taken off her hose and it was lying next to her sandals. She looked so slender and delicate in that body-hugging dress. She had always been small against his weight and height. He saw the sudden shyness in her eyes and he halted before her, laying his hands gently across her shoulders, feeling her begin to melt a little beneath his calming movements.
“Are you protected?” he asked.
“I’m on the pill.” Kai wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want you to use a condom tonight, Gil. I remember how good it was with you without one last time.” She lifted her hand, smoothing it across the crisp white shirt, his muscles tensing beneath her exploring fingertips.
Gil slid his hands up her slender neck and framed her face, leaning down, moving his mouth tenderly across her parting lips. “How long has it been for you?” Because he wasn’t the average man and Gil did not want to hurt Kai even accidentally. He felt her respond, her lush lips pressing against his. Her scent flooded him.
“Two years,” she admitted, pulling away, giving him an ironic look.
“Okay,” he rasped, taking her mouth more surely, easing his hands down to her shoulders, following her strong, supple spine. He eased his fingers upward, feeling her flow against his body, trusting him utterly with herself. Finding that hidden zipper, he drew it down to the small of her back. Pulling away from her lips, Gil skimmed his hands beneath the material, bringing it off her shoulders, then kissing each one, lavishing her with small kisses, a nip against her neck, hearing a sound catch in her throat, feeling her hands grip his shoulders in response. He drowned in her mouth, opening her, tasting her, absorbing her.
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