Whispering Rock (Virgin River #3)(47)

And it happened to him. He became aroused. It was the first time he had responded this way in so long that for a second he wanted to grasp her to him, lower her to the ground and press himself against her. But the hell of it was, he couldn’t proceed with her. She was just testing these waters and was still so unsure, so easily frightened. This kiss, this deep and wet and wonderful kiss, was a huge step for her. It was possible, lying across his lap as she was, that she felt his desire rising beneath her. And he didn’t want her to be afraid.

He heard her sigh, her breath soft against his face, and he withdrew from her lips. “Brie, I’m sorry. I can’t,” he whispered.

“Can’t?”

“I can’t kiss you like this. You tempt me. And you’re not ready to be with a tempted man. I have to take you home.”

She sat back, sliding off his lap and, a little rattled, brushed at her skirt. “Whew,” she said.

He ran a hand from her shoulder down her arm. “Okay?”

“Hmm,” she said. “Okay.”

“We have to go. It’s dark now. And we’ve had a full day.”

Jack was splitting logs in the early morning when Mike came from his RV. His hands plunged into his pockets, heading toward the bar for coffee, he said, “Morning” as he walked by.

“Mike,” Jack called after him. Mike turned and Jack leaned the ax against the stump. “I should probably say something about the other night,” Jack said. “I can’t figure out what.”

Mike grinned in spite of himself. “That’s too bad. I’d love to hear what you come up with.”

“How about—I’ll stay out of your business.”

“I don’t believe it, but I like it.”

“You have sisters. You know where I’m coming from.”

“Yeah,” Mike said, taking a step toward him. “I understand.”

“I care about her. Worry about her.”

Mike stepped toward him. He put a hand out to shake. When Jack took it Mike said, “I’m not talking to you about her. Period.”

“The boys will be here to hunt in a couple of days,” Jack said. “I’m going to Eureka for some supplies.”

“Need a hand with that?”

“Nah. Need anything while I’m there?”

“I’m good,” Mike said.

Jack nodded. “Thanks,” he said.

“For?”

“For refusing to talk about her. Says something.” He put a hand on Mike’s shoulder, directing him ahead toward the bar. “Let’s get a cup of coffee.”

An hour later Jack was gone to Eureka and Mel’s Hummer was parked in front of Doc’s. Mike drove out of town. He thought it was possible Brie was at Doc’s with Mel, but he didn’t stop to check, didn’t want to tip his hand. He pulled into the clearing at the cabin and gave the horn on his SUV three short toots. Then he stepped out and leaned against the driver’s door. In just a couple of moments she appeared on the porch, her damp hair pulled over one shoulder as she patted it dry with a towel. She wore slim jeans and moccasins on her feet. She looked so young, so vulnerable. She smiled when she saw him. “What are you doing here?”

He pushed his Rio Concho back on his head. “Checking in. How are you this morning?”

She tossed the towel onto the Adirondack chair and came down the porch steps toward him. “Fine. Very fine.”

“You look fifteen,” he said, feeling every one of his thirty-seven years. She took a step closer and he put his hands on her waist; she put her hands on his forearms and looked up at him. He twisted his hands at her waist, wiggling her a little closer. Then his arms went around her waist and he lifted her up so that her face was level to his. Her hands rested lightly on his shoulders. “I missed you,” he said. “I was thinking about you.”

“Is that so? Are you coming on to me?”

“Brie, I’ve been coming on to you for six months,” he said. “How’m I doing?”

“You’re pretty obvious.”

“I can’t help that. I have no savoir faire.”

She laughed at him and plucked the hat off his head, holding it behind him. “I think you have more than you deserve. Enough to be dangerous.”

“With you I’m an innocent.” He touched her lips lightly with his. Tentatively. “My days of being dangerous to women are over.”

“Is that so? And when did that happen?”

He gave a shrug. “A few months ago I began to lose interest in other women. A few weeks ago, it was over. There is only one.”

“You’re wooing me.”

“I’m trying, yes.”

“If you mean business, you should kiss me,” she said.

“Oh, I was hoping you would say that.” He covered her mouth with a passionate kiss, holding her close against him. Her mouth opened under his lips at once and he probed with his tongue. She not only let him in, she welcomed him in, moving over his mouth with lips that were hot and urgent, holding him tightly. From what he could taste, she was enjoying the kiss very much; she moaned softly and grew breathless. He couldn’t remember when he had last kissed a woman before Brie. A thousand years ago, surely. She tasted like honey, so sweet and pure.