SKYLER HAWK: LONE BRAVE

by Sheri WhiteFeather

  He peered up at her, ready to ask if the experience made her feel changed in any way, but when he saw her fragile expression, a jolt of fear ripped through him. Fresh tears spiked her lashes.

  Had he been too rough, or did she suddenly regret the choice she'd made? Were those tears of sorrow? Remorse?

  Sky positioned himself above her. She looked soft and angelic, her golden hair fanned around her like a halo. "Did I hurt you?"

  She ran her fingertips along his jaw. "There was a little pain at first, but not later."

  He swallowed. "Then why are you crying?"

  "Oh." She rubbed her cheeks with the back of her hand. "I didn't mean to." She blinked, fluttering her glistening lashes. "Sometimes I cry when I'm happy."

  Sky's heart leaped into his throat. "Then you don't regret what we did?"

  "No." Her eyes grew wide and fearful. "Do you?"

  Relieved, he kissed the tip of her nose. Sweet Windy. His virgin angel. His summer love. "No." He should, he supposed, but their joining had felt too perfect for regrets. Sky made a silent promise to treat her honorably. And he would start right now. "Close your eyes, Windy. I'll be right back."

  He padded to the bathroom and returned with a basin of warm water and a soft cloth. He placed the water on the nightstand and sat beside her. He intended to care for her, bathe her the way a warrior should.

  Apparently aware of his purpose, she reached for the cloth. "I can…"

  "Let me." He cradled her in his arms and cleansed her gently, wiping the maiden's blood from her thighs. "This is ceremonial in my culture," he told her, hoping to ease her shyness. She hadn't been shy during their loving, but this, he knew, was even more intimate.

  "Okay." She buried her head against his shoulder. "I'm so glad it was you, Sky."

  "Me, too." He wondered if it would sound strange to thank her. Somehow those words didn't seem strong enough to express what he felt. She had thought enough of him to give herself freely, to let him share her body for the first time. How could he thank her for that? A woman he would walk away from?

  Sky finished bathing her, allowing her a quiet moment to relax. Even if he wanted to stay, he couldn't. Their union was meant to be just what it was—a warm, sexy, summer breeze. She would find someone else someday, and he would search for his past—a past that shamed him.

  He glanced at the clock. They had made love on her birthday, and she was in his arms, naked, except for the gold bracelet he had given her. No, he realized, reaching for her hand, that wasn't true. She wore the ruby ring as well.

  "It was a gift from my mother," she said.

  "I wasn't going to ask."

  "But I could tell you wondered."

  He held her hand, rubbed his fingers over the half-moons on her nails. Someday a man would give her a ring, he thought. A wedding band. Damn it. Sky inhaled a heavy breath. He missed her already and they were still together. He'd find out, of course, when she married. Once he was gone, he'd ask Edith about her.

  She nuzzled closer. "It's been such a wonderful day."

  He smiled. "Birthdays are supposed to be happy."

  "You know what I was thinking?" she asked.

  He stroked her hair. "What?"

  "That I've never seen you perform." She skimmed her fingers along his jaw. "I want to visit Rodeo Knights, see the beautiful Skyler in action."

  Beautiful? He couldn't resist a chuckle. Flashy was more like it. He wore an array of Western garb during his solo that could blind a seeing-eye dog. Of course, he'd gotten used to the rhinestone-cowboy act, at least in the arena. He wouldn't be caught dead in satin and fringe otherwise. Simple ranch wear was more his style, but he was good at what he did. Trick riding came natural. Someday, though, he'd be ready to give it up and buy himself some acreage, breed and train horses.

  Yeah, right. Sky brought Windy closer. Did he honestly think he would be able to settle down? Quit running from his past? Finding his son might be next to impossible, and even if he did locate the boy, the kid might hate him.

  Don't think about that now, he told himself. Tonight he needed to focus on the woman in his arms. They had less than eight weeks to be together. "I'd love for you to come to one of the shows," he said. "And afterward you can hang out in my dressing room."

  "My, my," she teased. "The man has his own dressing room."

  "Don't get too impressed. It's dinky. Not much bigger than a walk-in closet. And the only reason I was offered a little privacy is because I know the boss so well."

  Windy drew the sheet up, covering them both. "Since I'll be visiting you at work, maybe you could visit me one day, too."

  Sky tried not to wince. "You mean at the preschool?" Little children with big, hopeful eyes made him feel like a monster inside. He still had nightmares about abandoning his son. God, how could he have left an innocent child? "I don't know, Windy. I mean, what would I do at a preschool all day? I'd be in the way."

  She gazed up at him. "You could visit during Career Week. The kids would be thrilled to meet a professional cowboy. Heck, half the boys want to be cowboys, anyway."

  Preschool children, tiny trusting souls. Lord help him. "Aren't they a mite young to be thinking about a career?"

  "Three- and four-year-olds love to playact and imagine themselves as adults. Besides, this helps them understand what kind of work their parents do and how important everyone's job is." She cuddled closer. Clearly a feminine ploy to lure him into her trap. "So far we have a nurse, a grocery checker and a fireman who have agreed to visit. A real-live cowboy would sure be nice."

  He frowned. "Can I think about it?"

  "No problem." She kissed his scowl, slowly coaxing a smile. "Career Week isn't until next month."

  He slid his hands up her spine, felt her nipples harden against his chest. Damn she was gorgeous. A tumbling blonde with a sweet vanilla scent and an adoring expression.

  Windy licked his bottom lip, then closed her hand over his erection. Sky kept his eyes on hers while she experimented, innocently seducing the hell out of him. Go ahead, he thought. Wrap me in your tender web. Make me forget about how undeserving I am.

  Although the lamp beside the bed burned low, moonlight filtered through the windows, illuminating the animal prints with a misty glow. Time stood still as their mouths came together, and all at once the taste of her spilled into his soul.

  Yes, he thought again, as his heart rammed against hers. Devour me. Love me madly. At least until September.

  * * *

  Chapter 12

  « ^ »

  What a glorious morning, Windy thought. She placed the breakfast tray on the nightstand and opened the curtains. Sunlight danced upon Sky's hair, turning the black locks a midnight shade of blue. His eyelids fluttered against his cheeks while he slept, his breaths even and low. The top sheet was tangled around his waist, the quilt pushed to the end of the bed.

  They had made love last night. Twice. And then they had cuddled spoon-style, her back to his front, the way first-time lovers should. She couldn't have dreamed up a more romantic evening, or a more giving partner.

  She touched Sky's cheek, gliding her fingers over the rasp of beard stubble. "Hey, sleepyhead."

  He roused with a groan, opened each eye slowly, squinted, peered at her, then quirked a lazy smile. "Hey, yourself, pretty lady."

  Windy's heart skipped a satisfied beat. A naked male stirring in her bed—lean muscles, blue eyes and flickering dimples. What more could a woman want?

  Forever, her mind answered. A lifetime with him. "I made breakfast."

  He sniffed the air, turned toward the aroma. "Cinnamon rolls. What did I do to rate fresh-baked pastries at—" pausing, he spied the clock "—eleven?" He sat up, rolled his shoulders. "Damn, I slept in."

  "There's coffee, too," she said, handing him a cup. "And what you did was give me the best night of my life."

  He grinned, then sipped the hot drink. "An A-plus performance, huh, teach? Will I get a report card? Maybe a gold star?"

&nb
sp; She smiled back, realizing her compliment had embarrassed him a little. His grin had a shyness attached. "How about a kiss instead?"

  They exchanged a gentle kiss over the rim of his steaming coffee—a comfortable, familiar kiss, a greeting of contented lovers. Windy melted during every minute of it, the tenderness, the warmth, the taste of caffeine and man.

  He sat back and sipped his coffee again.

  "Is there enough sugar?" she asked.

  "Yeah, it's sweet, just like the lady who brewed it." Reaching across the nightstand, he snagged a cinnamon roll. "I've gotta have one of these." He took one generous bite, moaning approval as he ate. "Did the phone ring earlier? Or was I dreaming? Could of sworn I heard bells."

  Out of habit, she handed him a napkin. "That was a few hours ago, but it was an important call—"

  "Was it Lucy?" Sky asked. "Is she leaving Hank?"

  "It wasn't her." Windy knew he still worried about the frail young woman, hoped, as she did, that Lucy would seek the help they'd offered. "It was Officer Mallory. They arrested the boys who vandalized this place. Seems they hit another house last night and got caught." Mere children, she thought. Troubled teens. "They admitted they were the ones who had vandalized the other homes in the area."

  Sky placed his coffee on the nightstand. "God, that was an important call. So how many boys were involved?"

  "Two. And they're only fourteen. Just babies. I can't imagine what provoked them to do something like that. Officer Mallory said they come from wealthy families. Spoiled rich kids out for kicks, but I think there's probably more to it."

  Sky shook his head. "Don't you dare feel sorry for those brats, Windy. What kind of kids would deliberately terrorize single young women? What they did scared the hell out of you."

  "I know. And I don't feel sorry for them, but I can't help but worry." Someone, she thought, had to make sure the youth of today got help. "Their families offered to pay for all the damages, but I suppose that would have come up in the hearing, anyway." She lifted her tea. "I wonder if they did it to get their parents' attention, or if it's something else they're acting out."

  "I don't know, but you're not going to find out. Promise me you won't get involved in this one, Windy. Let the law handle it." He reached for her hand. "They don't deserve a sweet girl like you worrying about them."

  Although Officer Mallory had assured her the boys would be punished by the juvenile court system, he also set her fears to rest that they'd be evaluated by a court-appointed psychologist. And as one of their victims, if she had anything to say about it, she'd insist on counseling.

  She squeezed Sky's hand. "I won't involve myself as anything more than a victim invoking her rights, okay?"

  "Okay." He breathed a relieved sigh. "Boy, I'm so glad the police caught them. I couldn't have left here knowing those vandals were still out there."

  Immediately pain and fear flooded her heart. She had less than two months to convince Sky to stay, convince him what domestic bliss could be like. Baking pastries was a start, a small one, but a start just the same. Visiting Rodeo Knights would be another. If they were going to continue being lovers, then they should know everything about each other, including their jobs. She wanted him to visit her at the preschool, too. She knew her kids would adore him, and Sky needed that kind of social acceptance. He seemed to think small children would fear him. Windy intended to prove that ludicrous theory wrong.

  She picked up her coffee. Could she really convince him to stay? He hated California. She sipped the warm brew, her mind working into overdrive. Maybe he only hated California because it reminded him of the accident, of the day he'd lost his memory. What he needed were new memories—lazy, happy days in California with the woman he loved. Strolls along the beach, home-cooked meals, afternoons on horseback, warm summer nights making slow, torturous love.

  It was worth a try, she thought. She wanted Sky more than she had ever wanted anything in her life. And he loved her—not just with his body, but with his heart. Maybe he didn't quite know it yet, but he would. The more time they spent together, he would figure it out. And then he'd accept her loving him. She hoped.

  Windy chewed her bottom lip. What else was missing? What detail had she forgotten?

  Oh, goodness. As last night's seduction filled her mind, the answer came plain as day.

  Tequila. The snake.

  If she was going to win Sky's trust, then she'd have to tolerate that beast. Tequila was, after all, his spirit animal—an important aspect of his life.

  Windy glanced over at Sky. Could she do it? Be comfortable around a snake? A huge, slimy creature with beady eyes and fangs?

  Yes, she told herself nervously. She could. Especially if it meant making herself invaluable to the man she loved.

  Windy drew a deep breath, then forced out her next words. "Sky, I think you should leave Tequila's cage unlocked from now on."

  His jaw nearly dropped. "You do? I thought you were scared of her."

  False bravado kept her voice steady. "Not really. Not anymore. I mean, I think I could get used to her." As long as she leaves me alone.

  He chuckled. "You looked pretty scared of her last night."

  "It wasn't fear exactly," she lied. "It was more like … well, embarrassment, I suppose. She was ruining my seduction."

  He moved closer, reached for her robe. "How about we try that scenario again? Only this time you get to seduce me in the shower."

  Yum, she thought. Soapy hands, pelting water and warm, aroused bodies. "Maybe."

  "Maybe?" he parroted, stroking her nipple through the satin robe. "What's that supposed to mean?"

  She struggled to keep herself afloat, to stay focused on her sudden idea. His fingers on her sensitive nipple had her head reeling. "It means," she said, gently removing his hand, "that if you agree to participate in Career Week at the preschool, I'll seduce you wherever and whenever you want."

  His eyebrows shot up. "I thought I had time to think about it."

  Reveling in her newfound power, Windy scraped her nails down his chest. "You do. Only, I thought if you wanted to strike a bargain," she said, lowering her lashes in feigned innocence, "we could take a shower together every morning."

  He swallowed. "This is blackmail."

  "Is it?" she asked. "Why, it's just a shower, Sky. A little soap and water." She smiled at his tortured expression. "I don't see the big deal."

  "Really?" He brought his face next to hers, tangled his hands in her sleep-tossed hair. "Ever since that day you made me stand guard in the bathroom, I've had this fantasy about us … in the shower—" he nibbled her ear "—naked, our mouths … our tongues…"

  Oh, my. "Career Week," she whispered back, on the verge of jumping into his lap and straddling him with one greedy thrust. Struggling for control, she ran her lips across his, tasting his fever. His need. His resolve.

  He plunged his tongue into her mouth and lifted her off the bed.

  "You win," he growled, carrying her to the shower. "Damn it, you win."

  They kissed and groped beneath the spray of water, looked into each other's eyes and made love in a fury of passion, a maelstrom of need. And when they slid to the porcelain, sated yet spent, Sky cursed. Neither, it seemed, had remembered the protection.

  * * *

  Two days later Windy flung the front door open. "Oh, thank goodness, you're here!" she exclaimed with nervous relief when she saw Melissa. "Tequila has been following me around all evening. I've been so scared. I didn't know who else to call."

  Calling Sky was out of the question. He didn't have the kind of job where he could drop everything and come home. Besides, he would only remind her that leaving Tequila's cage unlocked had been her idea. Windy glanced down at the snake. What in the world had possessed her to think she could tolerate a five-foot reptile? Or that it would make a difference in her relationship with Sky? All she wanted to do was get the enormous beast back into its cage.

  Melissa wore an expression of genuine sympathy. "My mo
m didn't mind dropping me off. And she would have come in to help, but she doesn't like snakes."

  Smart woman, Windy thought. "Melissa, do you think you're strong enough to get Tequila away from me?"

  "Sure." The young girl bent down to pick up the snake, but when she tried to lift the huge beast, Tequila tightened her grip around Windy's ankles.

  "Oh, my God." Windy moaned. "Now what?"

  "Just stay calm," Melissa cautioned. "She won't hurt you. I think she's trying to be your friend."

  Windy looked down at the gray reptile. "Well, some fine way to be someone's friend. She hasn't left me alone since I came home from work. She wouldn't even let me go to the bathroom by myself. Can you believe she followed me in there?" It amazed Windy how swiftly the snake could move when it chose to. "I mean, okay, I thought I could get used to having her around. But not like this."

  The twelve-year-old cracked a girlish giggle. Apparently the bathroom scenario was too much.

  Windy shook her head and smiled, embarrassed by her own admission. "It wasn't funny at the time, but I suppose it is now."

  "Maybe you better try to make friends with her. I don't think she's going to leave you alone until you do." Melissa spoke like the true mediator she was. Windy knew the young girl had a knack for bringing people together. Of course, this was probably the first time she ever had to mediate for a snake.

  "What should I do?" Windy wiggled her leg, noticing Tequila had loosened her grip.

  "Can you walk to the couch?" the girl asked, holding out a hand to help. "You look sort of pale."

  With Melissa's aid, Windy made her way to the couch, carefully stepping around Tequila's coiled form. She feared one false move would prompt the boa to strike.

  The moment Windy eased herself onto the couch, Tequila climbed onto her lap.

  "Now, just stay calm," Melissa cautioned once again. "Remember, she just wants to be friends."

  "Are you sure?" Windy asked stiffly. The snake looked vicious up close. Sneaky and dangerous.