Cowboy In The Crossfire(42)

Now she knew.

*

DAWN'S LIGHT FILTERED through the window slats. Blake had tried to sleep. He failed. He didn't know how long he'd lain there with Amanda's body pressed against his. She'd pretended to fall asleep. He'd let her.

Finally, she hadn't been able to fight any longer. She'd drifted off, but he'd stared endlessly at the ceiling. She'd stunned him.

Every kiss, every caress last night had melted away his frozen heart. She'd tugged at something deep within him he'd thought long dead. He'd wanted to wrap her and hold her tight, but she'd pulled inside herself even as he'd held her in his arms.

Now her body shifted away. He wanted to tug her back against him, to make her forget. For a few moments of bliss, she'd been all his. She'd given him everything.

He'd never had a more generous lover.

Until the fog of passion had rolled away with the light of day.

"You're just going and leave me lying here?"

She sat on the edge of the mattress reaching for her clothes, and her back tensed. "I need to check on Ethan."

She slipped on the sweatshirt, protecting herself from his gaze. The move shouldn't hurt, but it did. He dragged her down and settled her on his hardening body.

"What's that dangerous mind of yours planning, Amanda?"

He pushed aside the wild hair, but she wouldn't meet his gaze. He settled her hips against his and her eyes widened.

"Yeah, I want you again, but not before you tell me what you're thinking."

Her body softened. He could make her purr, but he'd realized he didn't want just a woman who melted in his arms. He wanted a woman who trusted him, who was willing to admit she needed him as much as he needed her.

God, he was falling for her.

And if he said one word, he worried she might bolt out of his arms and out of his life. He couldn't allow that to happen. No matter what. Not until she and her son were safe.

He cupped her face. "Tell me. I can take care of you."

"That's just it. You're not my prince charming, Blake. I don't want you to be. I had enough of that from my ex."

"I'm nothing like Carl." The idea that she'd compare him to that low-life criminal...

"No, you're not. He promised a lot, but when push came to shove, my prince had feet of clay. He hurt Ethan."

Blake's heart tightened. "He hit his son?"

"He ignored him. He hasn't seen Ethan in almost two years."

"What has that got to do with me?"

"He promised me the world. I believed him. I let him take over." She stared down at him. "If I stay and we fight this, if I trust you, you have to trust me, too. No more secret plans with Logan. Vince was my brother. I knew him better than anyone. I can help."

She'd turned the tables on him. The spark in her cobalt eyes made his body leap in response.

"Fair," he said, tugging her to him and tumbling her back on top of him. He pressed her hips against his hardening body.

"How about we seal this deal?"

She straddled his hips, leaning over him.

"Mommy?" Her son's voice and a tentative knock filtered from the hallway.

She sagged over him. "I'll be right there, Ethan," she called through the door.

Blake leaned up and kissed her hard. "We will continue this. Later."

She swallowed and her gaze softened. "Later." She slipped into her clothes and gave him one last look. "Partners?"

"Partners." He shrugged into his shirt as Ethan called out again. "You'd better check on him. I'm going out to the barn. I have a few chores to take care of." He slipped on his jeans just as she opened the door. "Amanda--"

She turned back, and he crossed the room. He pushed her curls from her face. "Thank you for believing. I know it wasn't easy, but we're doing the right thing."

Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. He recognized the doubt, and it stung. Seconds later, it was gone, though, and she smiled. "Right. We'll find the evidence Vince hid. We have to."

She opened the door.

"I'm hungry, Mommy. Why did you sleep so long?"

She led Ethan off to the kitchen, and Blake shoved his feet into his boots. If he was going to live up to his promise, he needed to track down the dragon boots.

He shrugged into his coat and grabbed the phone Logan had given him. He powered it on and walked to the barn. A text message flashed. Call.

Blake dialed the number.

"You safe?" Logan asked.

"For the moment."

"Blake, these guys mean business. They've mired me in threats and paperwork. They're searching everywhere, including the cabin. Parris took your mother to an alternate location. Didn't even tell me where."

"But she's safe?"

"As protected as she'll be around Parris." Logan chuckled.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Let's just say the heat between those two rivals what's sparking between you and that pretty redhead of yours."

"You're imagining things," Blake said.

"I don't think so. I recognize the symptoms," Logan said. "I also recognize the danger signs."