Everyone knew he, like his brothers, was required to stay for one week. The others had made it plain when they got to Red Creek the week was all they'd commit to. She figured Killian was probably just looking for some female companionship to pass the time. She still couldn't believe she'd accepted his dinner invitation. Since she'd come back to Red Creek, trailing the disaster her personal life had become, she'd refused to date any of the men in town who kept asking her. No more relationships. Been there, done that, had the tee shirt to prove it. Seemingly, her judgment where men were concerned was seriously flawed.But the minute she'd clapped eyes on him at Heart Starter, every female hormone stood up and saluted while all her girl parts began planning a celebration. She was tempted for the first time since she'd run home to Red Creek, pulling the tatters of her life around her. She wanted to think it was because she'd been on sexual hiatus for a long time while she sorted out her l
Lexie was a little nervous as she gave him directions. How would he react when she took him past some of Dusty'saccomplishments. She knew how all the sons felt about the man. Lordy, the whole town knew. But if Killian was really Dusty Walker's son, then he should know the man was someone other than a guy who didn't marry Killian's mother. She pointed out the playground at the little park in the middle of a residential section. The new wing he'd paid for at the small retirement home. The high school where he'd paid for computers."There's evidence of his giving nature everywhere," Lexie told him. "He's bought businesses going under, propped them up, and let the owners stay there rent-free until they got on their feet. Helped folks with their mortgages, and he saved more than one or two farms around here.""Okay, okay, okay," Killian said at last. "I get it. The man was a goddamn saint. A fucking angel. Wonderful. I'll get him a halo.""He wasn't a saint at all, but he was more than y
"Um, yes, we can do that. I'd like that. Absolutely."The smile he gave her curled her toes. "Great."The atmosphere for the rest of the dinner was much more relaxed. Killian told her about growing up in Montana, how he'd been in love with ranching all his life, and how his love for it had continued to grow. She talked about Red Creek, about her parents who owned a wheat farm outside of town, and her brother who was a Marine stationed in Afghanistan."And you run Heart Starter," he commented. "Did you always want to be a shopkeeper? A barista?"Now it was her turn to laugh. "Barista," she repeated. "That's a fancy word for Red Creek. Maybe not my childhood dream, but I enjoy it.""So what was your dream growing up?"She hesitated. Should she tell him about that dream, the one she was still chasing? No, not yet. Most people who knew about it chalked it up to a hobby, and unless something spectacular happened, that was probably what it would remain. Especially after her one disastr
Killian wished he could get rid of the itchy anxious feeling holding him in its grip since he'd gotten up that morning. No, since he'd arrived home the night before. No, no, no. Since he'd taken Lexie home the night before and walked away with unsatisfied desire and a raging hard-on. If it was just the physical attraction, he could deal with it and move on. After all, he intended to get his ass out of this town as soon as he could.Unfortunately he had to face the fact it was way more. How had she captivated him so fast and so easily? What he was feeling for Lexie Choate had struck him with the force of runaway horses, and he had no idea what to do with it. She wasn't a woman he could take his pleasure with and walk away. There was a lot more to her than the women he usually bedded. In less than twenty-four hours, he'd already figured that out.Could he do what he'd had in mind, spend the week enjoying her company, and then head off to the rest of his life? It couldn't be anything el
Already Killian was itching to see her again. If he did, however, he'd get good and tangled up, and what would happen when he left? Because, at least from where he sat now, he couldn't wait to shake the dust of Red Creek from his boots. His entire future was focused on getting his ranch.How had he gotten himself in this situation after less than forty-eight hours in town? He hadn't planned on finding someone like Lexie for damn sure. Sighing, he stuck the rope back in its place and went to work.He spent a good portion of the morning studying the contents of the folder Elaine had given him, the rest of it being quizzed by her on what he'd absorbed so far. He surprised himself-and probably her-with the amount of information he'd absorbed and understood."You could be a natural at this, you know," she told him."Thanks, but...." He flapped a hand helplessly, not wanting to give voice to his thoughts."But you don't plan to make this your life's work," she guessed. "Or Red Creek you
Lexie had changed her clothes five times by the time the clock showed almost straight up seven.You'd think I'd never been on a date before.But all her tingly girl parts as well as the functioning portion of her brain kept sending her messages this was more than just a date. Killian Walker had blown into her life by an accident of fate. She'd probably never see him again when this week was over. There was no guarantee he-or any of the brothers-would hang around little Red Creek when their time was up. They all had places in the larger universe, and she was pretty sure they'd go back to them. Oh, wait. She'd heard a rumor that Dylan, the first to stay the week in Red Creek, might be hanging around.In any event, it had nothing to do with Killian. He'd probably be on a fast plane back to his real life after this. She'd never met a man quite like him, all quiet, solid strength, intense masculinity, and sex appeal off the charts. She'd laid awake a long time last night, thinking about
Killian had barely been able to concentrate on his food, as tasty as it was. His entire attention had been focused on the woman who sat across from him all evening. From the moment she opened her door and he saw her in the silky blouse draped so easily over her breasts to the flirty red skirt that emphasized and teased at her shapely legs, to the sexy sandals showing off her feet to best advantage, she was a package made to tempt the most stoic man. Watching the delicate way she chewed her food, sipped her wine, blotted her lips made him want to drag her into his arms. The way she flipped her streaky blonde curls back from her shoulders and lowered her eyelashes over those warm hazel eyes when she looked down had him harder than cement.He had to restrain himself from grabbing her when he helped her out of the SUV. He wanted her more than he wanted to breathe. He rested his hand at the small of her back as he guided her up the stairs to her place, the heat of her body scorching his pa
Dropping to his knees, Killian unfastened the skirt, easing the material down her thighs to the floor. Lexie braced her hands on his shoulders as she stepped out of it and kicked it aside. Now she stood before him in those fuck-me sandals and her miniscule peach-colored bra and thong. Holding her hips, he pressed his face to her mound and inhaled deeply.Jesus!Carefully he unclasped her bra, tossing it to the side and cupping her breasts in his palms. The heat of them scorched his skin. He wanted to close his mouth over her nipples and suck them one at a time until they were hard and pebbled.Her fragrance drove him nuts, swirling through his body to his cock and his balls, making everything tighten with need. Giving in to temptation, he drew his tongue through the line of her slit, pressing the fabric into it and tasting her juices. Her exotic flavor burst in his mouth, so he did it again and again. She trembled in his grip, thrusting herself closer to him. The little sounds of pl