Sizzling Summer Nights Page 17

  “Ah.” He slipped his key card into the lock, then eased her into the room, his eyes holding her captive. “I want you,” he said, his voice low and his gaze hungry. “I don’t even understand what you do to me.”

  Those last barely intelligible words thrilled her to her very core.

  As he moved in to kiss her, she slipped her hand between them, her palm sliding down past his belt to the hard erection that was already straining. All for her.

  His hips jerked forward and his gasp tugged on her lips. “Naked,” he said. “Now.”

  She nodded. “Now is perfect.” She yanked off her shirt, tossing it as he unbuttoned his.

  “I thought cowboy shirts had snaps.”

  “Uh, not really my style.”

  Reaching in back to unhook her bra, she shook her head. “Very short-sighted.”

  “I can see the error...” he yanked the rest of his shirt out of his jeans “...of my ways. I’ll buy a dozen tomorrow.”

  She threw her bra at the chair, then as she went to unzip her jeans, one of Seth’s sleeves got caught on his wrist while he was trying to shake it off. That started a fit of giggles, which hadn’t been her plan, but oh, God, he was just so cute.

  “I swear to—” He jerked the sleeve free, then tackled his jeans with fierce determination.

  She stopped laughing when he stood before her, naked from head to toe, his erection hard and thick, tapping his belly. So absolutely perfect, he left her breathless.

  “Come here,” he whispered, stepping closer as she finally got rid of her panties.

  Before she could even blink, he’d lifted her, bridal style, and settled her in the middle of the big bed. When he lay next to her and ran his hand slowly down her body, she gave up trying to catch her breath.

  She knew he was about to wreck her, and she wanted that, craved it. And prayed that tonight wouldn’t be the last time.

  But it very well could be, because she had to tell him. “Um, I hate to say it but...condoms?”

  Seth muttered a curse.

  “Sorry.”

  He leaned in to kiss her, then making a supreme effort, he thrust himself out of bed. The moment he turned to rummage through his bag, Hannah dropped her head onto the pillow.

  Tomorrow. She was going to tell him everything tomorrow. Right after the barbecue. No matter what she found out in the morning. Even if the whole plan fell apart, she still wanted him to know. Keeping it to herself might be technically fine, but it didn’t feel right.

  But for tonight? She wanted to enjoy him as if there would be no tomorrow at all. And wake up to the man she cared for far more than was wise.

  * * *

  “WHAT THE HELL are you doing here? I didn’t expect to see you.” Clint walked out of the barn just as Seth got out of his truck.

  “I figured I’d come help with the vaccinations and branding, then take the afternoon off.”

  His brother frowned. “I didn’t know you’d be here, so I postponed it.”

  Seth sighed. He should’ve thought of that. They had enough new calves that the job would require all hands on deck. “I know you can still use my help.”

  “Well, sure, but what about Hannah? Doesn’t she leave on Sunday?”

  “She’s got stuff to do. We’ll meet up later.” He hadn’t come out and asked what she had going on. He assumed it had something to do with work. But since Hannah hadn’t volunteered any details, he hadn’t asked. His gaze was drawn to the house, then to the addition they used as an office. “You know if Dad’s going to be around today?”

  “He’s home now. I don’t know about later.” Clint narrowed his eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re moving to Dallas. Is that what you want to tell him?”

  Seth snorted a laugh. “No. You trying to get rid of me?”

  Clint smiled. “Look, Hannah is great. If I didn’t know better I would’ve guessed you two have been together for a couple years.”

  “I know.” Seth had to agree. He’d never felt more comfortable with a woman before. “But we’ve only known each other for five days. So, no, I’m not moving to Dallas.”

  “Selfishly, I’m glad. It’s been damn good to have you around again. But I gotta admit, Lila and I started out the same way.” Clint moved closer and lowered his voice. “This doesn’t need to go any further, but I seriously gave some thought to moving to California if she wanted to live near her parents.”

  Well, that wouldn’t be a problem with Hannah, Seth thought wryly. But what Clint had just admitted surprised him. “What made you stay?”

  “It never became an issue. Now, to be clear, I wasn’t looking forward to moving. But I would have for Lila.”

  “Interesting.” Seth shrugged. “I’m never going to get to know Hannah well enough to be faced with that kind of decision, so moot point.” He watched Joe lead a new colt toward the corral. “That little guy is really something,” he said, nodding at the horse, but thinking only of Hannah.

  Her infectious laugh. The way her eyes sparkled, excited or not. Her smart mouth...shit, no telling how often it got her into trouble. Though he wouldn’t ever want to change that about her. He could even get used to her singing, if he had the chance.

  “Hell, bro. You’re screwed,” Clint said, laughing.

  Seth blinked. “What? I was admiring the colt.”

  “Right. Look, if you need to talk to Dad, I’d catch him now,” Clint said, starting toward the stable. “Then get out of here. And for Christ’s sake, get some sleep tonight.”

  Staring after his brother, Seth smiled a little and ran a hand through his uncombed hair. Clint was being a good sport. Of course, he always had been, even though most of the burden of the ranch had fallen on him at a fairly young age. Too young to shoulder the kind of responsibility he’d taken on without complaint.

  Seth had been back for seven months, but it still stung to know his mom and Clint had suffered the brunt of Seth’s long stretch of behaving like a prick. And yet they’d never stopped urging him to come home, so ready to forgive and forget.

  He glanced again at the office that for many years had been his father’s hideout. Torture chamber, more like it. Damn good cattleman. Terrible businessman. Now Clint and Seth were the only ones who used the office, so he wasn’t sure why he was staring at it like his dad would suddenly materialize.

  Yesterday, Hannah’s question about whether the land purchase had anything to do with his return had forced him to do some thinking. No one had said anything at the time, but on some level he’d taken it as a sign that, after ten years, the family finally believed he’d straightened himself out. Especially after he’d dropped the bomb that he’d covered for Bobby.

  Man, what a tough conversation that had been... Oh, by the way, I shamed and disappointed you, not to mention costing you a small fortune, all for nothing, all because of a misguided sense of honor. It still had the power to cripple him if he let himself dwell on it.

  And now, he had to close the final chapter. He had honestly believed he was done. Thought there was nothing more to say. Any lingering hurt and resentment could be stuffed down deep enough it would eventually fade. But he’d been wrong.

  He walked toward the house, hoping like hell he could catch his dad without being waylaid by his mom or Lila. He wanted this to be quick and private, preferably without anyone knowing they were talking behind a closed door. That alone would feed his mom’s curiosity.

  As soon as he opened the front door he saw his dad carrying a mug of coffee. From the time Seth was a small kid, his dad had drunk a whole pot every morning. Now it was half decaf, doctor’s orders. “Hey, Pop.”

  “Hi, son. I didn’t expect to see you today.” He craned his neck, trying to see past Seth. “You alone?”

  “Yep.” Seth smiled at the stash of cookies his dad had almost hidden under
a napkin. “So are you, I take it?”

  “This little snack is gonna be our secret,” his dad said. “No sense worrying your mom over it.”

  Seth followed him into the den. “Refresh my memory. Is cutting back on sugar the doctor’s orders or Mom’s?”

  “Well, they’re both pains in the ass about every little thing I eat.” His father took the far side of the couch and set down his mug on the end table. “Come sit with me for a while. We never get any time alone.”

  Seth took a deep breath. His dad was probably going to wish it had stayed that way. “For the record,” he said, taking a seat. “That’s not a little snack.” He put a hand up to forestall the inevitable grumbling. “I say that with love and concern. We’d all like to have you around for a good long while.”

  His dad stared back for a few seconds, then looked away to sip his coffee.

  “You must be thinking I have a lot of nerve. Being as I was the one who caused most of your stress, and believe me—”

  “Stop, son. I never thought that, even once, and I don’t think it now. Someday you’ll be a father and figure out it all comes with the job. The good, the bad and the ugly. Because, truth be told, as parents, sometimes we get it wrong.”

  Seth met his dad’s eyes. It was as if he’d read his mind. It should’ve given him the final push he needed. Instead, he felt the urge to rethink his options. He stared at the family pictures on the mantel. Hannah was right. He was lucky to have his family...to have this family. Goddamn it. Maybe this wasn’t the time to bring it up. Maybe the past was the past and his feelings should stay buried.

  “Just go ahead and speak your mind, Seth. I’m listening.” His dad’s tone of voice was as kind as his eyes. “We’ve come too far for either of us to hold anything back now.”

  Seth cleared his throat. “I thought I knew how to say this, at least without coming off like a jackass. It’s about that night I got arrested—” Pausing, he took a breath. “Why did you leave me in jail, Pop? I could’ve been out in an hour, but you left me sweating in that cell for the whole weekend.”

  His dad lowered his gaze, nodding slowly.

  “I know it wasn’t a matter of raising bail. Sheriff Gladstone released me on your promise I’d show up in court. And I get that you wanted to teach me a lesson. I do.” Seth was unprepared for the old anger and hurt that flared inside him. “But it wasn’t as if I’d been in trouble before. A few missed curfews and stuff, but nothing big.”

  “I’ve thought about that myself, many times,” his father admitted. “The simple answer is that I was wrong and I later regretted it. By Saturday night your mom was begging me to get you out. Swore she’d never speak to me again if I didn’t. She made good on the threat for over a week, too.”

  Seth waited for him to say more. “So, that’s it? You were wrong?”

  His father frowned. “I’m not sure what it is you’re asking.”

  Seth needed to watch his tone. He wasn’t looking for a fight. “You said that was the simple answer. I just wanted...” He exhaled sharply. “You never would have done that to Nathan or Clint, Dad.”

  The room got quiet.

  His father furrowed his brow as if he didn’t understand or he was trying to decide how to respond.

  “I always got good grades. I didn’t smoke or use drugs or drink. Well, I did drink beer a few times at parties.” A fact he hadn’t hidden from his parents. “And I’m not saying Nathan and Clint did any of those things. I just don’t get it. Was I too interested in astronomy and science? Did I not pay enough attention to what needed doing here? Tell me. I’m not pointing fingers or looking for excuses. I just want to know how I disappointed you so much.”

  His father looked stricken.

  Seth sighed and rubbed the tension in his neck. “I shouldn’t have brought it up. It’s all water under the bridge.”

  “You never disappointed me, Seth. Well, except for that one time, of course. But I think I was more shocked than anything. And you’re right. I doubt I would’ve left Nathan or Clint locked up that long. Probably overnight, though,” he said, thoughtfully. “Now, please don’t mistake what I’m about to say, because your brothers weren’t bad kids. But they pulled their share of crazy stunts.

  “If I’d gotten a call to bail out either of them, I would’ve been angry and disappointed, and they would’ve suffered some serious consequences. But I’m not sure it would’ve surprised me all that much.”

  Seth smiled a little at that. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, I’m serious, and you don’t need to repeat any of this.

  “Of you three boys, your mom and I always knew that you’d be the one to finish college and go on to do great things. Every teacher you ever had couldn’t stop talking about how bright you were and eager to learn. Shoot, we already knew that.

  “Don’t get me wrong, your brothers have smarts. Hell, if it weren’t for Clint taking over the books, the bank would probably own the Whispering Pines by now. And look at Nathan. Can’t argue with his success. But those two are more like your old man. Peel everything away and we’re cowpokes at heart. Not you, Seth. You’ve got something special. And the truth is, you had me stumped. I didn’t know what to do. I kept thinking every move was the wrong one and spent the whole weekend second-guessing myself.”

  Seth swallowed around the lump in his throat. His dad had hit the nail on the head. Deep down, Seth had felt he didn’t belong. Nathan and Clint were cut from the same cloth as their dad. They made him proud. “I figured I was the black sheep.”

  “No, son, like your mom always said, you’re the shining star of the family. The crown jewel...or something like that.”

  “More like the son who caused you the most grief.”

  His dad grinned. “That’s what they call ironic, isn’t it?”

  Seth laughed, feeling as if a load had been lifted.

  “Hey, you want one of these oatmeal cookies?” His father lifted the napkin. “They’re real good. Your mom made them last night.”

  “You realize she probably counted them before she left.”

  His father’s jaw went slack. “Hell, I bet you’re right. Oh, well, since you’re here I’ll just blame it on you.”

  18

  SETH ARRIVED AT the Sundance in the mood for a barbecue.

  After he parked, he called Hannah’s cell. He wanted a few minutes alone with her, if she could swing it.

  He hadn’t decided if he’d tell her what had happened with his dad, but he doubted he would, even though he was well aware she’d played a part in him having the guts to bare his soul.

  “Where are you?” she asked the second she answered.

  “Sundance. Parked by the stable. Can you sneak away? I was thinking of getting you in my truck and making out a little.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  He hung up, then put down the windows just enough to let in the evening breeze. Thought about turning the key, playing some nice background music. Instead, he just kept an eye out, and before he knew it, the passenger door opened, and Hannah, looking pretty in a green sundress and sandals, climbed in.

  “Hey, hot stuff. Heard you were looking for a good time.”

  “Lucky for me, I’ve already got the perfect date right next to me.”

  She leaned over the console, and he met her halfway. The kiss started out tame but turned steamy fast. At least this time they wouldn’t fog the windows.

  When they finally came up for air, she looked at him as if she hadn’t seen him in days. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  He took a good look at her, too. “Is something wrong? Your eyes are a little red.”

  “Allergies,” she said with a dismissive wave. “Did you have something you wanted to tell me?”

  “I just wanted to see you before I had to be on
my best behavior.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. In fact, I was hoping you’d do just the opposite.”

  “Okay. I think.”

  Her eyes widened with excitement as she laid out a pretty devious little plan having to do with a couple of Sundance guests who’d not been very nice.

  “So when I give you the signal,” she said, grinning with such a wicked gleam he thought he should probably be worried, “look all sexy and hot, and put your arm around my shoulders. Maybe nibble on my neck or something.”

  He couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re serious?”

  “Course I am.”

  Of course she was. “That’s all fine, but how exactly am I supposed to look all sexy and hot?”

  She squeezed his arm. “You don’t even have to try.”

  “Right. Like when you made me turn over last night because I was snoring too loud?”

  “Even then. Besides, you only did that for a minute. Anyway,” she said, her cheeks a delicate pink, “it’s only if those two mean girls end up staying to eat. Hopefully, they’ll have hooked up with some unsuspecting cowboys for the night.”

  He looked at the parking area in front of the house. “Doesn’t look like too many people are here yet.”

  “Rachel said it isn’t a big deal. They have a barbecue once a week for the guests. But Cole and Jamie will be here, and Jesse and his wife. Matt’s coming, although he doesn’t usually. I’m not sure about Nikki and Trace. It’s all casual. You know, beers and beef.”

  “Okay, then. We might as well get started. I’ve got to practice my sexy walk.”

  She grabbed his hand, and they headed toward the picnic tables out by the aspens. Two of the long tables had already been set up with plates, silverware, condiments and glasses, and there was a big ice chest filled with sodas and beer near the buffet table.

  Hannah’s cell beeped and she pulled it out to read the text. “Oh, crap. Rachel needs me in the kitchen. I’m sorry. Can you go do cowboy things for a little while?”