She really had no idea.
There was a way he looked at her every time he saw her that tended to heat her up inside.
But was she just imagining it because he was so gosh darn handsome?
He was just doing a favor for her. She shouldn’t be getting ideas.
But as she started her shower and waited for the water to heat, the question kept haunting her.
Was there even a chance that the gorgeous, growly man now living under her roof might want something… more?
8
Beck tapped the toe of his boot on the porch as he waited for Sierra. Damn, he was nervous. Not even the cool evening air could soothe him. He would definitely need a drink or two at dinner.
Just at that moment, Sierra stepped out onto the porch, looking gorgeous as all hell in the waning evening light. Her sandy hair was curled and fell in soft waves around her beautiful face, and her eyes looked even bigger and bluer than usual, if that were possible.
His eyes roamed down, taking in her V-neck, which was open and revealing cleavage above snug jeans that displayed generous curves. Suddenly, his lips were dry, and he wetted them with his tongue.
“Wow,” he said. “Sweetheart, I think you might just be the prettiest little thing I’ve ever seen.”
She blushed and looked away. “Thanks. You look handsome as well.”
He knew “prettiest” didn’t cut it, but Beck had never been very good with words, a trait that seemed to be backfiring on him now as they quietly walked out to his truck.
All he knew was that after seeing her like that, he wanted her. His dragon wanted her.
Bad.
He eyed their reflections in the truck window as he held the door open for her. She looked fantastic. He looked, well, like Beck.
He’d tried real hard to look nice. He’d even put on his cleanest, best pair of jeans, which were still work jeans, and a nice blue flannel Harrison had made him buy a while ago.
As Beck jogged around the truck to hop in the driver’s side, he wished he had better boots. Dressy, clean ones. But Beck’s were for stomping ass, not looking fancy like Clancy.
Beck frowned as he got in his truck. Maybe Sierra would like someone like Clancy, someone gentle and sweet. At the thought, his dragon growled angrily, and he pushed it away. It wouldn’t do any good to think about.
As they pulled out of her homestead, she gave him a nervous look. “You okay? You’re quiet, and you’ve been glaring at the dash for a minute.”
He loosened up his grip on the wheel, realizing he was probably scaring her.
“I’m fine,” he muttered. “I just got a little flustered, seeing you like that.”
She laughed. “I’m not some southern belle, Beck. You don’t have to flatter me.”
“It’s not flattery,” he said with a grunt. “I ain’t ever seen anyone look as good as you do now, and I don’t want other men to see you.”
A small smile crept onto her lips. “A bit possessive?”
“Would it be bad if I were?” He gave her a gruff look.
He knew he wasn’t being sweet or gentlemanly. That wasn’t who he was. He was part monster, bold and brash and tough and anything but soft.
To his surprise, she blushed and shook her head. “No, it wouldn’t be bad. I would say it would be very hot. I like to feel wanted.”
Hot?
Beck hadn’t expected her to say that. She liked to feel wanted? By him? He wasn’t sure what to say to that either, so they rode the rest of the way to Dragonclaw in silence.
When they pulled into the ranch, Harrison and Marian were waiting outside for them.
“Look at you,” Harrison said as Beck got out of the car. “Handsome bastard.”
“Language,” Marian said, slapping his chest playfully.
Beck just scowled at his boss as he walked back around to get the door for Sierra. He held up a hand for her, and as she took it to get out, sparks ignited up his arm.
Shit.
It was a good thing they weren’t alone tonight.
“I’m glad you could come,” Marian said, walking over to give Sierra a hug.
“It’s a good thing you could make it, Beck,” Harrison said, stepping forward and clasping his shoulder.
“Why?” Beck asked, narrowing his eyes.
Harrison shrugged. “Without you, we’re missing our resident chef.”
“And we wanted to be neighborly,” Marian said, shooting Harrison a look.
“Right, right, that and no one else dared to wear his ‘Don’t Kiss the Cook’ apron,” Harrison said, rubbing the back of his neck. “My bad.”
“Damn right, that’s my apron. Are the rest of the crew inside?” Beck asked.
“Yup,” Harrison said. “Wrangled everyone up for dinner.”
Beck muttered some curses under his breath. He was not looking forward to having any other men around Sierra, but he was excited for the chance to cook for her.
When they got inside, Reno and Clancy were chatting while Dallas leaned in the corner.
After a moment, Clancy’s bright-green eyes found Beck’s, and he nodded, tipping his fancy, spotless Stetson.
“Howdy.” He had a classic southern drawl, and he’d gone full fancy Clancy tonight. Boots, duds, a flashy shirt, the works. His wheat-colored hair was pulled back beneath his hat.
Beck couldn’t help but feel a little insecure as Clancy’s eyes roamed over to Sierra, then back to him.
Reno, a wolf shifter and newest addition to their team, turned around and grinned mischievously at them, his light-blond hair shifting as his blue eyes took them in.
“Hey, Beck, wanna introduce us to your savior?” he asked.
Without saying a word, Dallas, a tiger shifter with raven hair and amber eyes, reached over and smacked Reno in the arm.
“Ow,” Reno said. “Neighbor, I mean.”
Beck scowled. “Sierra, meet the rest of the Dragonclaw Ranch.” Each of the guys raised a hand as he said their names. “Clancy, Reno, and Dallas.”
“Hi,” she said nervously. It made him feel better that she stepped closer to him as she waved to each of the guys. “Nice to meet y’all.”
“Glad to see everyone’s
