Kiss Me (Fool's Gold #17)(73)
“You can hear about it in the morning.”
“He’s right,” C.J. said.
Tommy looked at her, then smiled. “Okay.”
Lucy hugged C.J. before standing and following her brother toward the tents.
Zane had seen the evolution of C.J. and Thad’s relationship with the kids but hadn’t realized they’d gotten so close. He wasn’t sure how it had happened but figured it beat the palpable hostility he’d felt between them earlier in the week.
Everyone else followed the kids’ example. Andrea and Martin excused themselves, followed by Eddie and Gladys. Maya paused to have a word with Cookie while Phoebe stood and wiped off her rear.
“’Night,” she said to no one in particular.
As Zane watched, she took a step, then turned and glanced at him. Her mouth curved into a full smile that made his gut ache.
“’Night, Zane,” she murmured.
He winked.
The gesture surprised them both, but he wasn’t the one who stumbled slightly, caught her breath, then waved before disappearing into the darkness. He had a moment’s regret that he hadn’t given in to instinct and simply started undressing her when he’d had the chance. He didn’t doubt she’d been as ready and willing as he had been.
“Stupid principles,” he muttered under his breath.
He finished his coffee and rose. As Chase walked by, Zane grabbed his brother’s arm.
“Got a second?” he asked, dropping his hand to his side.
Chase looked wary, but nodded. “Sure.”
“I’ve been thinking. We’re probably going to break even on the cattle drive. So there’s no reason for you to work extra hours to pay off the saddles and the tents. When we get back, you still need to do your regular chores, but that’s all. You can spend the rest of your time with your computers and your robotic cat.”
Chase stared at him. “I don’t get it.”
Zane grinned. “I figured you for the smart one in the family. Guess I was wrong.”
Chase blinked a couple of times as understanding dawned. “You mean it, Zane? You’re not gonna make me work a sixty-hour week in the barns?”
Zane set his mug on the table by Cookie’s wagon. “When have I ever done that?”
Chase smiled. “You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I do. Like I said, just do your regular chores. I’ll handle the rest. And when we get back, give me a list of everything you’re going to need to make the cat work and what it’s all going to cost. Paying for it myself is a whole lot cheaper than any scheme you’ll come up with.”
Chase whooped with delight. “You mean it? That’s so great. You’re the best.” He slapped his brother’s back. “I can’t wait to get home and get to work on the cat. Thanks, Zane.”
He yelled again, then ran toward his tent. At the entrance, he paused and gave Zane a thumbs-up before ducking inside.
Zane watched him go. Chase was still a kid, but like Maya had been telling him for years, he was a good one. Funny how he hadn’t seen that before. He’d been so caught up in keeping Chase from having regrets that he’d forgotten to let him have a life. Until Phoebe had reminded him what was really important.
* * *
PHOEBE FOUND IT difficult to fall asleep, but that was pretty much her life lately. There was something about being around Zane that set her body to humming. And once that humming started, there was no way to block out the sound or vibration.
Torn between sexual longing and emotional connection, she took the route most likely to lead to sleep and thought about what he’d told her of his past. No wonder he wanted to keep Chase on the straight and narrow. Zane had been forced to live with a single mistake for years.
His father had been wrong not to forgive him. Phoebe wanted to face the man and give him a piece of her mind—a desire complicated by death and distance. She wanted Zane to understand he didn’t have to prove anything anymore. That he could let the past go. She wanted a lot of things where he was concerned.
Foolish wants and desires, she reminded herself. Although when he’d been kissing her, the passion had felt so right. And while she’d appreciated his concerns about making love out there in the open, she wasn’t completely sure she would have minded.
She needed him. Embarrassing but true. She couldn’t remember ever needing a man before. And she wasn’t just talking about clever conversation or a warm, fuzzy hug. Nope, she actually meant she needed “it.”
There wasn’t a part of her body that didn’t long to be caressed. At this point in time, she wouldn’t be picky. Even a foot rub would be too erotic for words. Unfortunately Zane wasn’t likely to come calling, and there was no way she could simply walk up to his tent and announce herself. Not only was it not within the working parameters of her personality, but the night was so quiet out here. Everyone in a three mile radius would know what was going on.
Phoebe turned restlessly in her sleeping bag. At least there weren’t any rocks under her tonight. She’d picked a section of soft mossy ground when they’d pitched the tents. Zane had tried to talk her out of it, but she’d insisted. She was tired of something sharp jabbing her in her hip or her shoulder, every time she tried to doze off to sleep. She also liked being a little ways away from the rest of the camp. It felt more private.