Colton Storm Warning Read online

  And that, she thought, said a great deal about the kind of man he was. “Your parents must be very proud of you.”

  He looked a little startled, as if he weren’t quite sure how to take that. “My mother is. My father...not so much.”

  She would have smiled at his echoing her own words if what he’d said hadn’t been rather sad. She’d gathered his father irritated him, but how could any father not be proud to have a son like him?

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, meaning it.

  He shrugged. She wondered if it was because he didn’t want to talk about it, or because it didn’t really matter to him. She hoped it was the latter. And wondered if his father had any idea what he was missing.

  Chapter 23

  Ty stood looking out the window, rubbing his unshaven jaw. The weather was still spotty, the weather-alert station was predicting it would get worse as a large front approached, and they were warily monitoring an unsettled jet stream. But he thought they could risk a walk outside, at least out to the point and back. She hadn’t complained, but they hadn’t been out in a couple of days, and to his surprise, he found he missed trekking around with her.

  Of course, if she knew that what sleep he’d gotten last night had been decorated with dreams where he hadn’t pulled back from her, where he’d gone ahead and kissed her and his world had gone up in flames, she likely wouldn’t come anywhere near him.

  “Cliché much?” he muttered under his breath.

  “Problem?”

  He nearly jumped as she spoke from right behind him. Some bodyguard you are. He didn’t look at her. He didn’t dare. Because he was afraid those dreams would somehow show in his eyes.

  And when did you turn calf-eyed, Colton?

  The self-lecturing wasn’t working too well. He made himself answer casually. “Thinking about a walk out to the point, if you wanted to go. I think the rain will hold off for a while.”

  “I’d like that,” she answered quickly.

  “Gear up, then,” he said. “I don’t know how long it’ll hold.”

  She was ready more quickly than he would have expected, but he’d already seen she wasn’t one of those women who took hours to get ready to simply step out into the world.

  As they walked, he updated her. “Elite has been watching Sanderson steadily. He’s been relatively quiet. No more direct threats.”

  She seemed oddly troubled by what he’d thought would be good news for her. “Indirect ones, then?”

  “Not really. He’s changed tacks, it seems. Maybe he realized he went too far.”

  He half expected her to suggest that this was overkill then, that she didn’t need to be tucked away here, didn’t need to be protected. By him.

  But she didn’t. Instead, she merely asked, “What’s he doing now?”

  “Now he’s touting the benefits of his development in the way of jobs, housing, bringing money into the economy.”

  He’d intentionally kept his tone neutral, but she reacted rather defensively. “And you agree with that?”

  “I agree those are valid points and should be considered. Looking for a fight?”

  To his surprise—again—she gave him an almost sheepish look. “I sounded that way, didn’t I?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Sorry. I don’t want to fight.” She lowered her gaze to the narrow trail they were walking. “Not with you.”

  She said those last words so softly he wasn’t sure he was supposed to hear them. But hear them he had, and it knotted him up inside. He didn’t dare risk answering her. Because he was starting to realize just how much trouble he was in here.

  Then they were at the point that jutted out into the lake north of the cabin. He showed her to his favorite spot, where the sandstone had been shaped by wind and water into a serviceable place to sit and look out over the lake.

  “This is lovely,” she said, as she sat on the stone, apparently not caring that it was wet in spots from the earlier rain.

  “I did a lot of my teenage thinking here.”

  “I can see why.” She gave him a sideways look and a smile. “Although some would say the terms teenage and thinking are mutually exclusive.”

  “Not me,” he said, holding up his hands in mock defense. “I did a lot of thinking.” He couldn’t hold back a grin. “Of course, most of it was crazy wrong, but it was thinking.”

  She laughed, and he had the thought he’d rather hear that laugh than just about anything. And that had him remembering that moment again, when he’d nearly kissed her.

  Talk about crazy wrong thinking...

  “That’s Kanopolis State Park over there,” he said abruptly, pointing across the lake and not caring if he sounded like a tour guide. Not now, when he was trying not to look at her, at that luscious mouth that was too damned tempting. “It was the first state park in Kansas. They’ve got a full-on prairie dog town over there, makes ours look like an outpost.” She smiled at that, and he went on. “And some serious hiking trails. About thirty miles’ worth. Horsethief Canyon’ll kill you on a hot day.”

  “Sounds challenging.”

  “The wildlife viewing area is a lot easier. And fun, really.”

  “What kind of wildlife?”

  “Anything from woodchucks to wild turkeys. Porcupines. Mule deer.”

  She looked at him rather intently for a moment, he wasn’t sure why. “What’s your favorite?”

  He had to think about that for a moment. “Bobcat, maybe. Or kestrels. I like the way they hover like oversized hummingbirds.”

  She laughed at that. “So, the higher-ups on the food chain you were talking about, then?”

  His brow furrowed. “I hadn’t thought about it like that, but I guess so. I admire getting the job done.” He gave her a sideways look. “I suppose you’re more for the prey than the hunters?”

  “I think an eagle—or a bobcat—on the hunt is a beautiful thing. But I also think the mouse has his place.”

  “Then we agree,” he said quietly.

  She smiled at that. “I’d like to see this refuge sometime.”

  And I’d like to take you there. He bit back the thought before it made it into words. “It’s a great place. Two ponds, a marsh, a bunch of photo blinds and an observation deck.” He raised a brow at her. “But what I think you’d like best is what it used to be.”

  “What did it used to be?”

  “A motorcycle racetrack.”

  She blinked. “What?”

  He nodded. “It hadn’t been in use in a while, so some area folks donated the money and it was converted to a natural sanctuary.”

  “That’s wonderful!”

  He’d known she’d like the idea, but he hadn’t quite expected the delight that shone in her eyes.

  And he couldn’t quite stop the wish that he could put that look in her eyes in another, much more personal way.

  * * *

  Usually in a place like this, Ashley would be more aware of her surroundings than anything else. She would be looking at everything, plants, animals, birds, smiling at the familiar while searching out those she didn’t know, filing the image of them away in her brain to research later. Normally she would have pulled out her phone and done it right then, but to her surprise, she didn’t miss it. She had belatedly realized that her prodigious brain gave her an advantage others might not have: the ability to remember exactly what she’d seen later and track it down.

  Usually in a place like this, her focus would be on where she was, not who she was with.

  But nothing with Ty Colton was usual. Not for her. And that was unsettling enough that it had her completely off balance. Which in turn was startling enough that she didn’t quite know how to deal with it.

  She tried to focus on other things. What he’d told her about the sanctuary they’d built over there in the state
park. But that just made her think about how he’d known what that would mean to her. So she tried thinking about the fact that the creatures he admired most were the predators, and what that said about him.

  I admire getting the job done.

  So did she, didn’t she? Her entire life was about getting the job done; it was merely a different sort of job. She—

  “I wonder,” he murmured, staring out over the lake as if he were seeing something else entirely.

  “You wonder what?” she asked after a moment when he didn’t go on.

  He still didn’t look at her, but he answered, in a tone that sounded like her father when he was thinking out loud. “If Sanderson would be willing to move his development back a little, and maybe put some effort into improving the wetlands, or maybe building a sanctuary of sorts, or a bird study center. Maybe the county would trade him some land to do that.”

  She nearly gaped at him. That was exactly the sort of compromise she always worked toward, and he’d come up with it just like that.

  “He could make it a selling point,” he murmured, even more quietly now, brow furrowed, still staring out over the water. “Give buyers a stake in preserving the wetland, maybe even put part of homeowner’s association fees toward maintaining them. I’m sure there are people who would buy into it just for those reasons.” For another long moment, he kept looking out over the lake. Then he gave his head a sharp shake. And glanced at her. “Sorry,” he muttered. “Just thinking out loud.”

  She was certain she was still gaping at him but couldn’t help it. “Don’t apologize. It’s a perfect solution. Exactly what I work toward.” He smiled then, looking pleased, although there was a touch of surprise in it. “Do you think the county would do that? Could they afford it?”

  “No idea,” he answered. “There might be some Chickadee Checkoff funds available, since it’s essentially to protect wildlife.” She was familiar with the term in some states for the checkboxes on tax returns that sent taxpayer donations to specific causes. “Problem would be convincing them, since everyone thinks their cause is the most important.”

  She smiled at back at him. “I’m very good at convincing.” She was looking right at him then and didn’t—couldn’t—miss the flare of something hot and almost intimate in his eyes.

  “I know you are,” he said, and his voice sounded as his gaze had looked. A strange combination of heat and chill swept over her, and feeling a shiver go down her spine at the same time, her cheeks flushed. It was an experience she’d never had before.

  But she’d never met a man like this one before. And certainly never one who did such crazy things to her, when they’d never even kissed.

  Yet.

  The single short word echoed in her mind. And she knew that on some level her mind had already decided it would happen. She also realized that if left up to him, it would not. Because he wouldn’t. He would see it as a violation of his duty. She almost blushed all over again at the thought, which seemed old-fashioned to her very modern mind, but she couldn’t deny it was very appealing.

  It also meant it would be up to her.

  A challenge. She was always up for a challenge.

  Chapter 24

  Ty was actually grateful for the new boat that cruised into sight off the point. As he’d told her, this time of year, there were more locals and regulars out than strangers, but this was a brand that was chiefly used by a boat-rental operation near the park.

  He watched the small vessel for a moment, noticed the turn and the overcorrection as it tried to get closer. Unfamiliarity with the controls, or maybe boats in general.

  It was enough.

  “Time to head back,” he said, still watching.

  “What is it?”

  “Time to head back,” he repeated, turning and taking her elbow in case she wanted to argue. Even as he thought it, she denied it.

  “I wasn’t arguing, but why? That boat you were staring at?”

  “It’s a rental.”

  “Is that unusual?”

  “Sort of. It’s from a place that closes down to just a few boats this time of year, so they can repair and maintain the rest of their fleet.” He glanced at her, then. “I used to work there summers, and some of those renters brought boats back in sorry shape.”

  She looked out toward the newcomer. “Like this guy, who can’t figure out the controls?” No, she didn’t miss much. He’d just had the thought when he heard her breath catch. “You think he’s here...because of me?”

  “I think we don’t gamble he’s not.”

  To his relief, she didn’t make a case out of it and started back the way they had come. He felt a little easier once they were out of sight from the water, knowing that if it had been someone intent on her, they’d been far enough out and the boat’s driver awkward enough that they likely hadn’t had a chance to verify it was her.

  She seemed intent on the walk, but he knew all too well by now that that agile mind of hers never rested. She would be hell on wheels to try to keep up with.

  Why he was even thinking that escaped him. It certainly wouldn’t be his job to keep up with her, not after this was over. Since she’d only promised her parents two weeks, it soon would be. Although he had a feeling if Elite could show a valid actual threat, her parents would at least try to convince her to extend the situation. He didn’t know whether to hope for that or not.

  Of course not, you idiot. You want her in danger?

  No, he didn’t. But he wasn’t looking forward to the end of this job, either. He’d gotten too much enjoyment—something rare enough for him to be notable—out of the quiet hours they’d spent reading, or the time spent hiking, fishing or just talking.

  Of course, it would be entirely different on the outside. In her normal life, she’d be on the go all the time, jetting here and there, mostly glued to that phone of hers, or being interviewed or making speeches or giving talks on her favorite causes. There wouldn’t be many quiet, peaceful hours of the sort they’d shared under these conditions. No, her life was not only different, it took place in a different world, and one he wanted no part of.

  As if that were an issue. It’s not like she—

  He heard her let out a little cry in the same instant he saw her start to fall backward toward him as she apparently slipped or put her foot down wrong. He reacted instinctively, instantly grabbing her and stepping forward at the same time. She stayed upright but ended up pressed solidly against him.

  “Oh,” she said, rather breathlessly.

  Yeah. Oh.

  He thought it as his body went on full alert. The jolt of adrenaline when he’d thought she would fall had shifted to other purposes, and when he felt the taut, luscious curve of her backside pressed against him, there was no denying where it had gone.

  He should let her go, step back, yet the simple act seemed beyond him at the moment. And so he held on, until she turned in his arms, obviously unaware of what the added friction was doing to him.

  She stood there, looking up at him with the oddest expression. Warm yet cautious, shy yet intent. And that smile, that slight curve of those soft lips he just knew would be warm and pliant, was the sweetest damn thing he’d ever seen.

  And then she was moving, still pressed against him but stretching up, her slender body sliding over him in a way that made newly awakened parts start demanding.

  “Ash...”

  He couldn’t even finish her name, because he’d known where she was headed. Again, he gave his body the order to step back, to get his hands off her. And again, it ignored him, far too enamored of the feel of her to give it up merely because he knew he should.

  Then she was kissing him, and it was more than even his recently vivid imagination could ever have produced. Her mouth wasn’t just warm and pliant. It was luscious, sweet and at the same time fierce and demanding. And when he felt the tip of
her tongue brush over his lower lip, it sent a shudder of sensation through him and he was lost.

  * * *

  For a moment, Ashley was afraid she’d miscalculated. Or else she’d stunned him, which was more acceptable than thinking he hadn’t wanted this at all.

  But that was her last coherent thought. In the instant after she had her first delicious taste of him on the tip of her tongue, he broke and was kissing her back. She knew he had wanted this, and if his intensity was anything to go by, he’d wanted it as much as she had. That made her want even more.

  She hungrily deepened the kiss and savored the low groan that ripped from his throat. Her head spun, but she didn’t care, as long as he didn’t stop. The ground seemed to shift, until that slip and near fall she’d manufactured might become the real thing. It built and built as she probed, tasted, relished. Only a need for air, after longer than she would have thought possible, made her pull back enough to catch a breath.

  His fingers tightened on her shoulders, as if he were afraid she would bolt, which made no sense since she’d started this. With full and aware intent. But without any idea what it would really be like, with no clue about the way it would erupt into a searing blaze. How could she have any idea, when she’d never felt anything like it in her life?

  Her first thought, when friends told her of their own experiences, was that the accounts were exaggerations. That while you could feel attracted, even fiercely so, to someone, the tales of fire and soaring sensation were hyperbole. But then she would think of her parents, and their decades-long love affair, and the fact that despite their wealth, all they had ever told her to do was to find the kind of love they had and be happy. The more disconcerting fact was that they both insisted that they’d known their destiny before they’d even spoken, the moment they’d spotted each other across a college lecture hall.

  That she was thinking that now, after a kiss that had shaken her from head to toe, was beyond unsettling. If Ty hadn’t looked as stunned as she felt, she didn’t know what she would have done.