Raising Kane (Rough Riders #9)(63)

“Love you too,” she said to the dial tone.


“So Hayden’s all right?”


“He’s having the time of his life.”


Kane sat on the bed. “Are you all right?”


She liked that he sensed her melancholy. “I guess. I’m not away from him very often. Kind of makes me…” She didn’t know what it made her. Not the type of parent who lived vicariously through her kid.


“Makes you an awesome mother. Are you hungry? I heated up some chili.”


“Sounds good. But I need clothes.”


Kane handed her a pair of black sweat pants, a plaid flannel shirt and a pair of white athletic socks.


“Here you go, but there is one condition.”


“Which is?”


His fingertip trailed across the tops of her breasts. “No bra while you’re wearin’ my shirt.”


“Why not?”


“I like the idea of bein’ able to pop these buttons anytime I want and putting my hands on them. Or my mouth on them.”


“That is a good idea.” Ginger dressed and found Kane in the kitchen, talking to his dog. She leaned against the doorway to the living room. A pang of loneliness spiked in her gut. She had two people to come home to every night. Kane had his dog. Was he lonely?


Aren’t you sometimes? Even when you’re rarely alone?


He turned toward her with a sheepish grin. “And yes, before you ask, Shep does answer me back.” He looked at the dog. “Shep. Speak your mind.”


Shep barked.


“See?”


Ginger laughed.


After they ate and finished the dishes, Kane gave her a considering look.


“What?”


“Anything in particular you wanna do tonight? We are sort of limited for entertainment options. I doubt the satellite is workin’ in this weather, so TV is out.”


“Could we just hang out and watch a movie? Make some popcorn?”


Kane frowned. “You sure?”


“Actually, it sounds heavenly. I never get to watch the types of movies I want because Hayden is too young for them and Dad doesn’t like anything with explosions, car chases or romance.”


“Do I have a selection for you. Action movies are about all I own.”


Cuddled up to a sexy, sweet man, sharing a bowl of buttery popcorn, a few intensive make out sessions snuck in between the movie action scenes and Ginger was in heaven.


No, silly, you’re in love.


Ginger in his bed was too big a temptation to resist.


Kane woke up in the middle of the night wanting her. As he touched her, she murmured sleepily, clinging to him, letting him know with her body that his attentions were welcome. And in the aftermath of sating his need for her, she curled back into him and fell asleep.


Kane wanted this. Ginger in his arms every night, seeing her beautiful face first thing every morning.


Because he was an early bird, he got up and checked the weather. He’d intended to let her sleep in, but the aroma of coffee brought her into the kitchen.


“Mornin’. How’d you sleep?”


“Like a rock. A warm rock cuddled up to another warm rock. And I had this amazingly vivid dream.”


“Was I in it?”


“You were the star, Mr. McKay.”


“What a coincidence. I had the same kind of dream. Only in mine, you were the star, counselor.”


She smiled coyly as he handed her a cup of coffee.


“Damn, woman, you look much better in that flannel shirt than I do.”


“Can I keep it?” she cooed.


“Hell no. Every time I wear it from here on out, I’m gonna think of how perfectly the material hugged those tempting tits of yours.”


“Flatterer.”


Kane grinned.


“Thanks for leaving out the extra toothbrush.”


“You’re welcome. I need to head out and check cattle.”


“When will you be back?”


“Dunno. Depends on if I run into any problems.”


“Do you always check cattle by yourself?”


“I do when both my Dad and Kade are snowed in.”


Ginger set down her cup. “I’m not comfortable with you going out there alone, Kane. I’ll come with you.”


He opened his mouth to protest, but really, he’d appreciate her company. Even if she didn’t say a single word. “Okay. Let’s find you all the gear you’ll need to bundle up.” He dug through the closet, coming up with an extra pair of coveralls, an extra coat and a pair of hiking boots.


She dressed without complaint until she was covered from head to toe. “I look like Ralphie from A Christmas Story.”


“Since we’ll be on the ATV you’ll be grateful for the layers, trust me.” Kane crouched down and spoke to Shep. “You wanna come along?”


Shep just gave him a baleful stare.


“Guess not.”