Hiding Out At The Circle C

'I'm not,' she replied, dropping her gaze. But she raised her hands and pushed him back a foot or so.

He went willingly. 'I don't bite. I'd like to, but I won't.'

Her lips twitched and that sparkle he liked to see so much in her eyes came back. 'I'd bite back.'

Laughing, he dared to step toward her again. 'Want to play?'

She shook her head, her eyes still smiling.

'Don't suppose you'll invite me to walk you back to the guesthouse?'

'With a man who's already threatened to bite?'

He sighed. 'Guess we'll have to do it here.'

Alarm flashed across her face. 'Do what?'

Slowly, very slowly, he drew her against him, keeping his gaze locked on hers. 'Dance in the rain.'

'There's no music,' she said, sounding breathless. Her hands were fisted tight against his chest, her entire body rigid.

'Of course there is, darlin'.' He slid his hands around her waist, realizing just how tiny she was. 'Listen to it,' he whispered, then fell silent, willing her to relax, to hear the incredible beat of the storm that crashed all around them.

He twirled her around the porch to the rain and thunder, until she relaxed slightly, then even more. When he dipped her, she clutched at him, startled, then smiled in genuine pleasure. He did it again-to see that smile, to feel her hold him, appreciating the little laugh she gave when he bent her low over his arm.

More rain, more thunder, and still they danced. Haley settled against him, holding on to his shoulders and moving easily. The fluid way she swayed against him had him pulling her closer, nuzzling his face in her hair. 'Fun?' he murmured.

'Well… maybe, yes, a little.'

He whirled and twirled them slowly about the wooden patio in tune with the falling rain, enjoying how perfect she felt in his arms, the heat of her skin beneath the sweater.

Contrasts, he thought. The woman was full of them. Fire and ice. Sweet and wary. Her arms slid up his shoulders, glided around his neck. He rubbed his cheek against hers, reveling in the abandonment with which she finally let go.

He wondered if she'd do the same when making love.

The thought brought him up short. He didn't deny a definite sexual pull, but since Lorraine had nearly destroyed him, he'd preferred the slow, lazy route of getting a woman to bed. He liked the chase, and the control. But right now, he didn't feel so leisurely, or in control, and he didn't think this was a good thing. Haley had done funny things to his head, as if he'd had too much wine. He wanted to run with her through the rain, toss her onto the cottage bed and bury himself in deep.

Yet she was lying, hiding. He badly wanted to believe that she was just another unfortunate victim in a cruel world, but he couldn't be sure. Was there a violent ex? Or something far more sinister, such as she'd committed a crime?

No, he wouldn't picture that. Couldn't.

Sucker, claimed the cynical little voice inside his head.

'I hear the music,' she whispered.

'Me, too, darlin'.' Her thighs bumped against his. He could smell the storm in her hair, feel the silkiness of her skin and he was going crazy. 'You feel good, Haley. Real good.' Finding his lips near her ear, he sank his teeth into the soft lobe, smiling when she shivered. He knew exactly what was happening to her because it was happening to him, too. He dipped her again, but she didn't laugh this time. And he saw that her eyes were closed, her mouth open a little as if she needed to force air into her lungs. Good Lord, but she did something to his insides. It startled him, for she hadn't been honest, and ever since Lorraine, honesty had been a major criterion for him.

He couldn't seem to help himself.

He brought Haley upright, cruising his lips along her jawbone, making his way toward that delicious-looking mouth. He was hard just thinking about the things he was going to do to those lips, but before he got there, she slapped a hand against his chest, drew a ragged breath and leaned back.

'Wait.'

He blinked, and Haley watched warily as those brown, glazed eyes focused in on her. 'Wait?'

She shook her head, unable to believe how she'd lost herself in that dance. 'Don't kiss me.'

He stared at her for a minute. Her heat slammed against her chest as his hands made one last sweep down her spine before he released her and took a step back.

'Don't kiss you,' he repeated.

She managed a quick smile. 'You sound like a parrot.'

'Sorry.' He winced, ran a hand through his hair. 'That was some dance, Haley. We'll have to do this again sometime.'

No chance of that, she silently promised herself. The man was simply too smooth. Far too smooth. She considered herself as unsensuous as they came, but even she had nearly melted into a little pool of longing at his feet when he'd run his hands over her back. 'I don't think so.'

'Now that's a challenge,' he said, leaning back against the railing. 'But you look beat, so it will have to wait for another time.' The rain had stopped. He took her hand, tucked Max in his other, and walked them to her little house. At her front door, he set down the puppy and smiled. 'You're okay when you let go, Haley. And a great dance partner.'

'Flattery won't get you a kiss.' She had no intention of encouraging him.

'Ah.' He sighed. 'And you say such nice things.'

Laughter babbled, but she didn't dare vent it. He'd just take it as an invitation.

'It's good to have you here.' His eyes were unusually serious. 'Are you going to stay?'

She went from amused to instantly wary. 'What makes you think I'm not?'

'Do you really want to get into that?' he asked softly.

She had an image of death and mayhem. 'No,' she managed, though the weak woman in her wanted to throw herself down and weep out her troubles. 'No,' she repeated, more firmly. 'But… I'm not sure how long I'll stay.' Maybe only as long as tomorrow, she thought with a burst of sadness, if the USGS thought they could help her.

Cameron looked as if he wanted to say more, but he didn't. His sharp eyes shuttered again, but still she saw a flash of temper, reminding her this man could be much more than a handsome cowboy. His expression was carefully blank now, and very distant, which for some reason, made her want to cry. 'I've… never danced in the rain before,' she admitted in a conciliatory voice.

He looked at her with those mesmerizing eyes for a long moment. 'No? Well, then, I'm glad it was me the first time.' He bent and she stiffened, but all he did was kiss her cheek lightly. 'You haven't had much time for frivolous things, have you?'

She shook her head, resisting the urge to touch where he'd just kissed.

'Maybe you'll make time now.'

Being with him tonight had been exciting in a way she hadn't expected, but as fun and as frivolous as it had been, she couldn't repeat it. 'I don't think so.'

'Ah, another challenge. But I figure you've had a rough few days so we'll save it.' He ran a finger over her jaw. 'Sleep good, Haley. Dream of me.'

His touch had her stomach all aflutter. 'I'd rather not.'

He laughed. His thumb skimmed her lower lip. 'But you will.'

Then he sauntered away, and only when he'd disappeared into the night, did she allow her weak knees a break, sinking to the step with a long, shaky breath. Max crawled into her lap, and she nuzzled him close.

'I won't dream of him,' she whispered to the puppy.

But damn him, she did.

Chapter 4

Haley tossed and turned a good part of the night, then awoke in a bad mood. For hours,