“Why?” she asked in a soft voice.
“You’re becoming an addiction. A dangerous one.” But he still held her close as he rolled onto his back.
* * * *
When she returned to work this time, it was hard to keep her mind on what she was doing. Consequently, she worked at a slower pace.
Graham had been so different today in and out of bed. She heard him outside chopping wood for the fireplace. The evenings were still chilly. If she stood to the right side of the window and stretched her neck, she could see him chopping. The muscles in his arms and his chest bulged with strength. He’d removed his shirt, and his skin glistened with perspiration.
Her pussy clenched with desire for him.
I’m becoming a sex maniac. What has this man done to me? I enjoy every moment of his lovemaking and want more. But what will I do if it’s all a game to him?
The baby part wasn’t a game. He’d been very serious regarding them having a child, and very conscientious about using a condom each time since. Restless, she walked out to where he worked.
“Bored?” he asked and raised an eyebrow.
“Not at all. You’re a good writer, you must know that.”
“It helps to hear it once in a while from someone other than my regular readers.” He put down the ax. “I’ll take a quick shower, and we’ll go for a walk. You haven’t seen very much of my property.”
“I’d like that. I’ll put on sunscreen and get my hat.”
He waited for her by the front door. He glanced at her feet. “We need to get you some real hiking boots. Those walking shoes aren’t the best for stomping around in the wilderness. But they’ll do for today. We won’t go too far.”
She followed him to the edge of the woods, between the house and the storage shed. A fairly wide path led off into the distance and then disappeared around a curve.
“We’ll follow this cleared path.” Graham walked beside her as they went deeper into the woods. When the path narrowed, he walked in front.
“How much land do you have?”
“Around one hundred and fifty acres. The property winds around the back of the main ranch.”
“Are you planning to raise cattle? That’s a lot of land.”
“To some people. My brother actually has put some cattle on part of the land. I don’t care. I wanted it for privacy.”
“Why does that not surprise me.” She wasn’t sure, but she thought he might have chuckled. He didn’t comment.
After walking a little farther, he stopped and pulled a bottle of water out of the backpack he carried. She hadn’t asked what was inside, but knowing him there was probably food, drinks, and a first-aid kit. He wasn’t the type to go out in the brush in a reckless manner.
“We’ll stop and rest a few minutes. Not far ahead is the place I want to show you, and then we’ll turn back for today.”
The water was cool and refreshing. She took off her hat and swung it on her arm. “I hate hats to keep the sun off. They make my brow sweat.”
“There isn’t much sun getting in through the thickness of the trees in this area. You can go without it until we reach our destination.”
“So the place you want me to see is more open?”
“Yes, and you aren’t getting any more clues. Follow me.” He picked up the backpack and walked onward.
Gina jumped up and followed. They walked at a brisker pace now. This part of his ranch must be important to him.
Suddenly, they broke through the trees, and a wide-open prairie stretched in front of her. It was filled with wildflowers in all the colors of the rainbow.
About midway across the prairie, a wide stream flowed. The sides were surrounded with trees and several large boulders, and the whole prairie was encircled with thick woods.
The blue sky capped this spot of paradise. A few small clouds floated by on the slight breeze, and in the far distance a mountain range peaked over it all. Gina had clasped her hands.
“It’s an awesome sight. Your expression is similar to the way I felt the first time I saw this spot.”
“Why didn’t you build your cabin here?”
“I was waiting.”
“For what?”
“The right time. I’ll know when it’s right.”
She shook her head at him and smiled. “Sometimes you surprise me and talk more than usual, but most of the time you continue to be reclusive. I think you like to keep people wondering. It’s a game with you.”
Instead of answering, he said, “Have you ever made love in the open with the blue sky over you and the breeze cooling your skin?”
“No. The grass looks prickly.”
He swung his backpack down and opened it. “Where’s your sense of adventure?” He pulled out a blanket and held it up. “No prickly grass.”
“You have to catch me first.” She laughed joyfully and ran through the wildflowers toward the stream. He let her get a head start and then ran after her.
Graham caught her at the stream. “Got you.”
“You lagged behind. Why? You could have caught me sooner.”
“Sure, but I wanted to show you one more surprise before we try that loving in the open.” He laid the blanket and pack down on the grass. Then he took her hand, and they walked to the right toward a huge boulder.
As they got closer, she heard the water. She ran the last few steps, and taking off her shoes, she went into the water to see the falls coming out and down to the stream.
“Your own private waterfall. How wonderful.”
Graham took her arm and pulled her out. “You’ll get soaked, and we have a ways to walk home. If you want to get under it, undress.”
She didn’t wait for him to say any more. Quickly undressing, she went back into the creek and stood under the falls.
“Wow, that’s cold.”
“Later in the summer the water gets a mite warmer.” He grinned. “I know a way to warm you though.”
“I bet.” She ran out and threw her arms around him, getting some of the cold water on him.
He swung her into his arms and walked back to the blanket then put her down. Graham spread the covering across the grass.
“My lady.” He put out his hand to her. She lay on the ground and used the edge of the cover to dry herself. When she glanced around Graham stood naked in the sunlight, reminding her of a Viking warrior, except her warrior had dark-brown hair.
His hard cock stood out, sheathed and ready. When he saw her observing his dick, he said, “What can I say. I’m insatiable.”
She lay back and opened her legs. “I must be, too.”
He knelt between her legs. His warm hands ran along her calves and thighs. He bent to kiss her lush breasts. The sun shone bright on them, and the breeze caressed her skin. She’d never felt so free, so happy, so in love.
But this wasn’t real. She was a staid librarian, not this hungry, sexy, vibrant woman Graham had created. This was a bubble in time, and when he took her home, she’d return to her real self. But until then…
“What’s wrong?” Graham looked at her with a worried expression.
“Nothing, it’s all freeing and wonderful.” She threw her arms wide. She was going to enjoy every moment, and when she lost her prince, she’d have the memories.
Gina pulled his head down and kissed him hard. “What are you waiting for? I’m cold. You said you’d warm me.”
“Who is this woman you’re meeting for lunch?” Graham asked again.
“I’ve told you. She’s one of the older women in the knitting group, and she’s new in town like me. She lives by herself and must get lonely out on the ranch she bought.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Why?”
“A feeling I have. I’m going into town with you. I’ve called Rand. He’ll join me at Millie’s for lunch. We won’t sit right by you.”
“Thanks, but that isn’t necessary.”
“We’ll be across the room though,” he said, ignoring her statement.
Gina stomped her foot. “I don’t need an escort. The restaurant will be full at that time.”
“It’s not debatable.” He frowned at her.
“Everything is debatable.”
Graham walked to the front door. “I’ll be in the truck waiting.”
“You are the most exasperating man I’ve ever known,” she yelled after him. He didn’t look back or slow down. There was nothing to do but let him have his way. Once the man dug his heels in he was an immovable object. But she waited a few more minutes just to annoy him.
When she got in the truck, he took off. “It’s a good thing you’ve decided to not marry. No sane woman would have you. You are much too dictatorial.”
He smiled, but he didn’t look in her direction. Her temper went straight up.
“I have other assets a woman likes.”
“They are certainly not enough to make a woman want to be around you twenty-four hours a day.”
“Liar.”
His husky voice made her insides shiver. She stared out the window and was glad to see they weren’t far from Millie’s.
At the restaurant door, he motioned for her to go inside. “I’ll wait out here for Rand.”
Gina ignored him and walked inside. Mrs. Trevor waved her hand from where she was sitting in a booth on the left side toward the back. Gina smiled and walked by the line of booths to join her.
* * * *
“Hello, I’m so glad you could make it,” Giselle Trevor greeted Gina. “I see two of the Brodie men have come here for lunch, too.”
Gina shrugged. “Graham drove me to town, so he decided it was a good chance to have a visit with his brother.”
“The family appears protective of you.”
“Not really. The men are a throwback from days gone by. I suspect they treat any woman they know similarly.”
“No doubt. Please tell me about yourself besides the fact you’re on vacation.”
“I live a boring life. I’m a librarian.”
“Oh, I’m sure it’s a lovely job. I love to read.”
Not really, but anything to keep her talking. She’s right I’d think she had the most boring job in the world.
Giselle cursed in her thoughts.
Those two aren’t here for lunch. They’re keeping an eye on this woman, which means they expect someone to try to kidnap her or harm her.
Her job wasn’t going to be as easy as she’d expected. A sizzle of excitement burned inside her. She had been bored, and now she wasn’t.
“Tell me how you like Frontier City,” Gina said, interrupting Giselle’s thoughts. “It’s a small place to be on your own.”
“I’m planning on volunteering at the local school next year, and I’ve joined the local riding club. I’ll keep busy.”
I’d go crazy.
But she kept a smile plastered on her fake face.
* * * *
They’d finished eating, and Gina wanted to leave. Something about this woman made her uneasy. She had from the start.
“Would you do me a favor before we go?” Mrs. Trevor asked.
“If I can.”
“I’d like to take your picture. My niece is worried about my being alone. I want to reassure her I’ve made some friends, so may I?” She held up a small camera.
Gina hesitated, but couldn’t think of a reason to say no.
“Sure, why not.”
Mrs. Trevor quickly snapped the picture. She glanced up at the man who stopped at their table. “And here’s your young man come to get you.” She put out her hand. “I’m Mrs. Trevor,” Giselle introduced herself.
Graham shook her hand. “I’m Graham Brodie. Is that your camera?” He grabbed it off the table, and it slipped from his hands to the floor. “Oh, I’m sorry.” He stepped back and hit the camera with his boot heel. They all heard the crack. When he lifted it from the floor it was in two pieces. He put the broken camera in his pocket.
“Forgive me. We have a camera shop down the street. Pick out a new one and put it on my charge.” He took hold of Gina’s arm. “Let’s go. I have work to do at home.”
Giselle smiled at him. “My, what a forceful, handsome man you are and how gracious to offer to buy me another camera. I shall take you up on your offer.” She walked to the counter to pay for their meals.
Graham kept hold of Gina and escorted her to the truck. When he got in, he backed from the parking space and drove out of town. “I don’t like her, and she doesn’t walk like an old woman.”
“There is something about her.” Gina agreed. “She makes me uneasy.”
“I’ll have her checked out by some people I know. They’re good.”
Gina looked across at him. “You think she’s involved with whatever is happening to my sister. Is that why you broke her camera?”
“Maybe she’s involved. If so, I don’t want them feeding Sylvia false information and having her worry that they know where you are and how to get you. She has enough to deal with, without that. Until I know this Mrs. Trevor is who she says she is, stay away from her.”
“All right.”
His head jerked around. “No argument.”
“I’m not stupid.”
“No, you aren’t.”
* * * *