AspenTrilogy (Boxed Set)

by Cindy Stark

  She jerked her gaze away from Milo and toward her line. "No." She laughed and started cranking the handle. "I think this one is bigger than the last."

  "I think you're right."

  When she finished reeling it in, she held out the end of the pole to him, the fish wiggling in the air.

  Instead of grabbing the end of the pole and removing the fish, he took the rod and held the end out to her. "If you're going to fish, you need to learn how to remove the hook, too."

  She tried to hold back her grimace. "Does that mean I have to touch it?" Lord, she wasn't sure she could.

  He nodded, and she was certain he took some kind of perverse pleasure in pushing her limits.

  "Fine." She wasn't about to back down. She gripped close to the end of the pole to steady it and grasped the fish. Cool and firm in her hand, the silver fish actually had a pinkish band that traveled the length of it. Black dots careened over the green-tinted back. Must be why it had been given the name, "rainbow". She supposed if she'd refused to touch it, she'd never have gotten such an intimate look at the beautiful species.

  "Use the pliers to take hold of the hook. Kind of twist gently to back the hook out the way it came in."

  She wouldn't admit it, but removing the hook terrified her. With unsteady fingers, she used the pliers and gripped it. The fish arched and bent, its movements surprising her. In a swift, instinctive move she squealed and flung the fish. Her actions put her off balance, and she stepped back to steady herself. In a stalled second, she realized her mistake. Her foot hit a slippery rock. Just as she started to fall, Milo reached for her and missed. Her leg sunk to the bottom, and she flailed her arms as her other foot found the bottom of the riverbed. The water hit her crotch-high, but she managed to keep herself upright.

  She stared at Milo, his eyes wide as she tried to register the fact she hadn't gone completely under. She started to laugh. "I can't believe I just did that."

  Milo joined her laughter as he held out a hand and pulled her from the cold river. "Are you okay?"

  "Yes…no. I can't decide if I'm mad I fell in or happy that only half of me is wet." She should be angry or embarrassed, but even though the bottom half of her was soaked, this day still ranked up there with one of the best times of her life.

  She shifted on the rock to get a better footing, and Milo latched on to her waist as though he was afraid she might fall again. "If I'm supposed to be protecting you, I guess I'd better step up my game."

  She smiled. It felt impossibly good to be standing there with him, having him care about what happened to her. Yes, it was his job, but it still stirred her emotions. "I'm going to dry off. You'd better see what you can do about earning your dinner."

  "You're all wet. I think we should head back."

  "No." She was not about to let a little water ruin her day. The thought of being trapped inside a building when she could be here was not acceptable. "You're not using that excuse as a way to justify me catching more fish than you."

  He let out a genuine laugh, the sound filling their serene surroundings with beautiful noise. "I see how it is." He lifted her pole, the fish still on the hook. "Caught one. Now we're even."

  She shook her head. "Nope. That one's mine, too. I earned it the hard way. The score stands at two-to-zero, zippo, none. I can't believe a big, bad cop like you is going to let himself get upstaged by a city girl."

  He narrowed his eyes as laughter teased the corners of them. "Oh yeah? Then game on, darlin'. Prepare to lose."

  A thrill rushed through her as she stepped off the rock. "Game on, deputy."

  Her shoes squeaked with each step she took, water leaking out the sides. By the time she'd traveled the short distance to the blanket, it sunk in exactly how uncomfortable she would be to remain in her water-laden attire for very long.

  She slipped out of her shoes and peeled off her socks, stepping onto the dry meadow grass. She wiggled her toes, the blades tickling her as she dried her feet. Why had she never taken the time to get this close to nature before? It fed her spirit like nothing else.

  She glanced at Milo, who seemed more intent on watching her than fishing. "Don't you think you should be concentrating on what's on the other end of your line?"

  "I am."

  "Uh-huh. Turn around. I'm going to strip out of these wet jeans."

  "You tell me this and then ask me to turn around?" He arched a seductive brow.

  "Turn." She twirled a finger in the air. When he complied, she popped the button on her jeans and began to work her way out of the wet denim.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Good God almighty. Was he being punished for all of the times he'd flirted with women and then left them wanting? Knowing that the woman who'd haunted nearly every thought he'd had since he'd met her was half-naked within viewing distance was more than he could resist. He'd like to meet the man who could.

  He managed to keep his eyes off Ariana for all of ten seconds before his gaze slid in her direction. He'd have to concede he was no gentleman, but the ding to his honor was worth the prize. He let his fishing pole go slack as he feasted on the sight of barely-there turquoise panties clinging to the nicely rounded pale flesh of her ass. She wiggled as she shimmied out of her wet jeans, and he grew instantly hard. He forced a swallow past the thick lump in his throat. Damn.

  She bent over to slip her feet from her pants, and the pole slipped from his hand. The movement jerked him from his lusty thoughts, and he grabbed it before it slipped into the water.

  When he glanced back at Ariana, she narrowed her eyes. "You peeked." She tucked in the edge of the blanket she'd wrapped around her waist.

  He gave her his best innocent look and shook his head.

  "Don't try to lie to me. It's written all over your face." She sauntered toward him, her long dark tresses caressing her bare shoulders, her blanket-covered hips swinging with each step. She stopped in front of him, her gaze penetrating his façade. "Admit it."

  He searched her eyes, sparks flying between them, and he knew in that moment he was in deep shit. He wasn't admitting anything. To do so would only sink him further into the mire. Instead, he grinned and turned back to the river.

  "Fine." She picked up her rod and stepped in close to him. "I hope you did look, and I hope you're eating your heart out right now."

  He let out a slow, easy breath in an effort to release some of his pent-up tension as he reeled in his line and cast it again. She had no idea of the current state of agony she'd put him in.

  One thing was clear. He'd have to keep up his guard, or she'd snag him faster than she had her first fish.

  * * *

  Their outing had ended much too soon for Ariana, even if she had spent a good portion of the afternoon without her pants. Storm clouds brewed on the horizon, prompting Milo to call it a day. It would be a while before she'd let him live down the fact she'd caught two trout compared to his one.

  Dinner had been a feast. Milo had lived up to his promise of delivering a meal to die for, but now that they'd finished eating and cleaning up, her protector had dove back into the thick volume of nonsense he was reading, and she was left to her own devices once again.

  She let the screen door slam as she stepped out onto the back porch and sank into the swing. Ominous clouds rolled across the darkening sky as an unseen pressure thickened the air. A soft breeze carried the delightful scent of rain although no moisture had hit the ground yet. It was the proverbial calm before the storm. The threatening sky mimicked her life. Right now, there were only stirrings of activity, but it wouldn't be long before all hell broke loose. She was safe from the approaching thunderstorm, and she could only hope she'd remain safe until she testified at her father's trial.

  She kicked the ground, sending the swing into a rhythm of creaking and groaning that fit well with the pensive atmosphere. A streak of lightning split the sky in the distance, and she counted off the seconds to predict how long until the storm arrived.

  Four seconds later thunder rumble
d through the heavens.

  She loved it.

  She tucked her feet beneath her as a swirling wind gusted into the yard. Branches in the pines rustled against each other as though jockeying for the best position to ride out the storm. The coffee cans they'd used the previous night for shooting practice tipped and rolled off the porch, the wind tumbling them toward the fence. She thought of jumping up to go after them, but they were quickly plastered against the clumps of tall grass along the fence and wouldn't be able to escape.

  Another flash of lightning lit the sky, followed by a huge, resounding boom that vibrated in her chest. This time, only two seconds separated them. Fat droplets of rain splattered against the covered porch, first one-by-one, but quickly the volume of singular sounds increased, turning into one constant drum roll.

  She jumped as streaks of white light filled the sky, earth-shaking thunder hot on their tail. The pounding on the roof increased in intensity as raindrops morphed into small pebbles of hail and began to bounce on the grass. Her instincts warned her to seek shelter, but she couldn't take her gaze off the fascinating light show.

  "You should come in."

  She jumped at the sound of Milo's voice and put a hand to her chest. "I think you just took five years off my life."

  He grasped her hand. "Come on. It's getting wild out here."

  She let him lead her inside, missing his touch when he released her to shut the door. Just as he did, another thunderclap shook the house. "Damn. That's some serious weather pounding out there. It hasn't hit this hard for years."

  "Don't you love it?"

  "Yeah. Nothing like a good storm to liven things up." He smiled and walked out of the kitchen.

  She followed him to the front of the house and found him back in his chair, his book propped on his lap. She could not spend the rest of the evening cooped up in the house watching him read. "We should do something."

  He flicked a quick glance at her but went back to reading his book.

  Getting his attention was a little like fishing. She needed some good bait. A box of poker chips on the bottom of a bookcase snagged her curiosity. "Any good at five-card stud?"

  The book sagged in his hands as he met her gaze. "I've been known to lay down a winning hand or two." Just like a fish nibbling on her line. He sat straighter in his chair, and she knew she'd hooked him. "Another challenge?"

  She arched a brow. "Only if your ego can handle losing."

  "Oh, darlin', you don't know when to quit, do you?" He set his book aside and stood.

  Excitement bubbled inside her. This was far better than landing a trout. "What are you talking about? I caught more fish than you did today."

  He walked toward her, stopping just inches from her. If he was trying to throw her off by his close proximity, she couldn't deny it was a good tactic. Already, her heart rate had nearly doubled, but she wasn't about to let him get the upper hand. Besides, the throb rushing through her veins right now beat sitting in her room alone. She tilted her face upward. "Well?"

  "If we play, I'm not going to show you any mercy."

  She laughed. "Oh, wow. Pretty certain of yourself, huh?"

  "You're the one who invited me to play. If you don't think you can handle it, better back out now."

  She pulled the poker chip case from the shelf and pushed it to his chest. "Not a chance."

  His eyes sparkled with excitement, and she loved that she'd brought about that reaction.

  Milo set up the game at the kitchen table, and Ariana brought a bowl of leftover berries with her as she took the seat across from him.

  She leaned forward on the table, watching his deft fingers flip the cards. "What should we play for?"

  He shifted his gaze to her. "What are you prepared to lose?"

  Her insides heated another notch. She loved this flirtatious side of him. "Funny."

  "How about whoever loses cooks dinner for the week?"

  She rolled her eyes. "Bor-ring." She gave him a wicked smile. "How about clothing?"

  Both of his brows lifted in surprise. "Strip poker? You're not serious."

  "Dead serious. Watching you cook my dinner might be fun, but I think I'd rather see you stripped down to your boxers...or briefs. Whichever it may be." Unless he wore neither.

  "God, woman." A laugh burst from his chest. "What makes you think you won't be the one flashing all the skin?"

  She smiled, knowing he was only seconds from agreeing. "I guess the cards will decide. The overall loser can cook dinner, too."

  He opened his mouth and then narrowed his eyes at her. "You and me half-naked could be dangerous. One of us needs to protect the integrity of our relationship. Keep it professional."

  "What makes you think our relationship will lose its integrity just because you have your clothes off?" She must be crazy egging him on like this, but she couldn't help it. "Are you insinuating that clothing is the only thing keeping us from having carnal knowledge of each other?"

  "Are you insinuating it's not?"

  She laughed, thoroughly enjoying herself. "You are pretty certain of yourself, Deputy Sykes. All you need to do is take off your clothes and women throw themselves at you, right?" If he said yes, she'd probably believe him. He'd be a hard man to turn down.

  "You're the one who said it, not me."

  "Wow, you're cocky." And far too attractive for her good. "Then let's add another bet on top of this one. I'll bet you can sit in front of me totally naked, and I can walk away. You can bet the same and protect your precious integrity. Care to wager?"

  Mischief lit his sexy eyes as he held out his hand for her to shake. She placed her hand in his. Instead of shaking it, he tugged her toward him. She lifted out of her chair and met him halfway across the table. "You're going down," he whispered.

  She laughed and pulled away. "Deal the cards, sucker." She plopped a strawberry in her mouth and let it melt against her tongue.

  Milo shuffled the deck a few more times and positioned it in front of her to cut the cards. She did and slid the deck back to him. He placed his hand over hers on the deck, and she had to slide hers from beneath him, the experience a seductive play of sensations that she was sure he meant to happen.

  That was okay. Two could play this game. Ultimately, she would not lose.

  A brilliant flash of lightning lit the room as they anted up. Milo placed a card face down in front of her and then one for him. She smiled as he dealt her the jack of diamonds face up. Then he placed the eight of clubs in front of him. "Not looking too good for you," she taunted.

  "It's only one card, darlin'. The game is far from over." He lifted the corner of his face-down card and smiled.

  He was only goading her, trying to make her think he had something good. She was sure of it. Or almost sure of it. She peeked at her card. King of hearts.

  A grin spread across her face as she looked at him.

  "I'll start with two." He tossed a couple of chips in the middle of the table.

  "I'll match your bet and raise you two." She slid four chips toward him. He arched a brow.

  He matched her bet and then flipped their next cards. Another king for her. The five of spades for him. She kept her half-smile in place as she met his gaze.

  "Your bet."

  She slid two more chips into the pile, giving him a playful smile. "Ready to fold?"

  "Hardly." He added four more poker chips to the center of the table and returned her grin.

  She matched his bet, searching for a hint of emotion in his expression. He couldn't seriously think his hand beat hers. At this point, if she'd only held a five and an eight, she'd fold. What was he hiding?

  He dealt two more cards, an eight for her and a three for him. She tossed down another bet, and once again he upped it.

  "You're bluffing. You haven't got anything." She matched it and added another four.

  He tossed in more chips. "You seem a little worried to me. Perhaps you should be."

  "I don't think so."

  The l
ast round of cards gave him an eight and her a jack. Triumph flared inside her. There was no way he could win now. "You think you've beat me," Milo said, a touch of laughter in his voice. "I can see it in your eyes."

  "Perhaps." Between their two hands, three eights lay on the table. The odds of him having another eight were off the charts. The best he could have would be two pair, and it would be hard to beat the two pair she held.

  He snorted. "Did I mention I get to pick which piece of clothing you lose first?"

  He looked so damn confident. He had to be an excellent bluffer. Had to be. She glanced at her cards again.

  "Fifty." She tossed her chips on the pile. "If you want to see what I've got, you'll have to pay."

  He studied her, his startling blue eyes leaving her anything but cool. He slid a pile of chips into the center. "Call."

  She flipped her cards, pairing her kings and jacks, giving him a smug grin.

  She was surprised when his smile not only stayed on his face, it grew larger. She lowered her gaze, widening her eyes as he turned over another eight. "No way."

  "Way." He crooked his finger at her. "Come here, darlin'. So I can have a better look at what you're wearing before I decide what goes."

  A shiver rushed through her. "I don't think so."

  "Are you going to be a sore loser?"

  "No, but there was no discussion beyond removing clothing. Nothing said about you inspecting me."

  He called her again with a nod of his head.

  "You know if you torture me now, it's going to come back to haunt you when you lose."

  "Maybe. Maybe not. Now get over here." A loud roll of thunder accentuated his words.

  She grudgingly stood and walked toward him. He watched with heavy-lidded eyes, obviously enjoying her approach. She stood in front of him and jutted one hip to the side in a show of attitude. "Do your worst."

  "Oh, I intend to." He shifted in his chair, eyeing her up and down, his gaze leaving a smoking trail down her body. "I'd really like to see you out of those pants, but since I've already had that view, I think I'll go with the shirt first."