Hiding Out At The Circle C

'I'm busy,' he said evenly, tapping his pencil against a file.

'I'm… sorry. I just wanted to talk to you.'

He tossed his pencil aside before raising his reluctant gaze to hers. She wasn't going to make this easy for him, but he'd face it. If only to keep her here. 'I thought you were all talked out.'

'I thought so, too.' She moved into the room, bringing the light, sweet scent that was so uniquely her. She'd changed into a pretty floral dress that he remembered as Nellie's, but he'd never remembered it being so… alluring. It swept to her ankles, its fitted bodice emphasizing her thinness. She'd lost weight, he realized with a pang of alarm. It wouldn't be good for her health. If only… Well, there were a thousand if-onlys.

'It's going to rain,' she said inanely, her voice that throaty whisper that always brought visions of hot, lusty sex to mind.

Which added frustration to his growing bad temper. 'Yes. And as I doubt you've come to ask me to dance in it, you might as well spill it.' He would absolutely not plead with her to give him what he wanted. Her twiddling fingers spoke of her own nervousness, but he couldn't cater to her feelings now. He had his own to protect.

She sank into the chair in front of his desk. 'I came to ask you to not be mad at me.'

The fight drained out of him in one sweep at the urgent, almost-desperate need on her face.

How was he supposed to remain distant when all he wanted to do was wrap himself around her, comfort and protect her? As he rose and went closer, the signs were there for him to see and agonize over. She'd been crying, and as she lifted drenched eyes to his, he could see the tension, the pain blazing in them.

He squatted before her, tried to take her hands in his, but she gripped his desk so tightly, he couldn't pry them off without hurting her. 'Haley,' he murmured, guilt racking him. Selfish, he berated himself. He'd been so selfish, thinking only of himself. 'Come on, darlin',' he urged, stroking her hands until she loosened her grip. He turned her toward him, bringing her hands up to his lips. 'I'm not mad at you.'

Her eyes closed, her voice filled with exhaustion. 'Oh, please. Not you, too, Cam. Don't you start twisting the truth.'

'All right.' He couldn't contain his reluctant smile at her self-demoralizing tone. 'I was mad. I was also acting selfishly. Come on.' He stood, still holding her hands. 'I'll walk you back to your house. You should sleep. It'll probably help the headache.'

'How did you know?'

'I know you better than you think. Or at least, better than you want to admit.' He tugged her gently to her feet, giving in to the impulse to pull her close.

He slid his hands up, cupped her jaw and brought his face closer to hers. God, he could drown in those eyes. 'Haley, I know I agreed to walk away, to be just friends.' His fingers sank into her lovely, silky hair. 'But I don't want to anymore.'

'Cam-'

He didn't want to hear it so he covered her mouth with his. Under his fingers, her muscles went lax, even as her pulse raced. Slow and soft, he reminded himself, though his body urged him to hurry and possess. The change in her-the gradual, hesitant response-was so irresistibly sweet, he pulled back just to look at her.

Tears streamed down her face. Making a sound of dismay, he ran a finger over her wet cheek.

'I can't do this, Cam.' She backed up, shaking her head, touching her fingers to the lips he'd just kissed. 'I can't. I won't hurt you.' And she turned, stumbling toward his door.

'Wait.'

She didn't, and as she yanked the door open, he tripped over the chair she'd pushed in his way. 'Dammit, wait.' Shoving the chair aside, he moved, only to stop short again in the middle of the room when she paused to look at him. One more step on his part and he knew she'd bolt. He lifted his hands in a silent plea, hoping he'd say the right thing. 'I believe in you.'

She gripped the door. 'I'm not a good bet.'

'Why? Because your mother says so? She's a joke, Haley. Don't let her influence your life.'

'My mother?' She gaped in disbelief. 'You- You talked to her?'

He nodded reluctantly, and her eyes widened. He said quickly, 'I called her, thinking she could help you-'

'You what? How could you? Never mind, don't answer that.' She stiffened. 'Just do me one favor-stay the hell out of my life!'

He stiffened, too. 'As long as you stay here.'

'Are you going to hold me prisoner, Cameron?' she asked softly.

'If that's what it takes to keep you safe, you bet,' he replied grimly.

Without another word, she left the office.

Chapter 9

Cam watched Haley go. He'd have to follow her, he thought wearily. If only to make sure she didn't try to leave the ranch, which he simply couldn't allow. He hadn't realized how late it had gotten. The house, as he moved through it, seemed dark and empty. The silence assured him that both his brothers and Nellie slept. But just in case, he didn't flip on any lights. He didn't feel like answering questions from a well-meaning but pesky sister-in-law.

Which was exactly why he tripped over a soft, warm bundle in the kitchen and fell flat on his face. Before he could let out a curse, Max was yipping loudly and licking his face all over.

'Shh!' Grappling in the dark with the wriggling mass of excited puppy, Cam couldn't get a good grip. 'Come on, boy, calm down.' He couldn't even get up with the excited dog jumping all over him. 'Max, if you don't put a cork in it, I swear I'll wrap that tongue around your scrawny little neck.'

Undaunted by a threat spoken in the kind voice he'd grown to love, Max jumped on Cam's chest and continued to both bark and lick whatever skin he could reach-which was plenty.

Finally, drenched in puppy slobber, Cam managed to grab hold of the puppy and sit up. 'It's all right now, boy,' he whispered, feeling Max quiver. 'I probably scared you as much as you startled me.' He stroked the dog, thankful when the high-pitched barking stopped. 'Did I hurt you when I stepped on you?'

He got another kiss for his question and found himself able to laugh despite the ache in his chest. 'Up for a walk?' That proved to be a silly question, and one that started the dog hopelessly wriggling with happiness. 'Okay, two rules. One, no more barking. Two, no peeing on me. Got it?' Even in the dark, he had no trouble detecting Max's eagerness. 'Let's go find Haley.'

At the name, Max perked up even more, if that was possible. The night was cold, dark and bleak. It matched Cam's spirits. Max didn't notice. He ran from tree to tree, leaving his mark, making happy little sounds in his throat that almost had Cam wishing for the carefree, easy life of a dog.

Haley's cottage looked deserted, but he knocked, convinced she'd gone straight to bed. Not surprised when she didn't respond, he knocked again. 'Come on, Haley,' he called out. 'I just want to make sure you're all right. Open up.'

After two more minutes, he decided the hell with being polite. 'Haley?' Max pushed ahead of him, whining softly. 'It's just me.'

No sound, no light. Moving quickly now, goaded by fear. Cam stepped from the main room into the small hallway. The bedroom door was closed, but that, too, opened with just a push. She'd left the shutters wide-open so what little light the stars provided spilled into the room.

At first he thought she was in bed, but as he sat on the edge and flipped on the lamp, he realized his mistake quickly enough. It seemed the housekeeper didn't bother with making her own bed. The empty pile of blankets and tangled sheets only looked like a body.

Haley hadn't come back.

'Damn.' He looked at Max, who had his nose deep in the trash by his feet. A bright yellow legal pad in it caught his attention.