“Does he have family?”
“His wife died when Spring and I were young, but he had a son and a daughter. They live back East, if I remember correctly.” He looked her way and decided spending time alone with his wife wasn’t anything to complain about. “How about we find a place to sit?” he asked.
“That’s fine.”
They walked along in companionable silence and came across a felled tree. Taking a seat, they looked out at the water and the mountains.
“I had fun today, even if I did catch an old boot.”
He chuckled at the memory of her astonished face. “Not what you expected?”
“Not at all. Wasn’t expecting Ben to bite my head off either.”
He sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“You can’t apologize for someone else’s actions, but I appreciate you coming to my defense.”
“If it’s any consolation, he didn’t get along with my mother either.”
“What about Adele?”
“He was cool to her, too. He was living at his cabin back then, so we only saw him occasionally.”
“I’ve never had anyone speak to me so rudely.”
“I could tell by your reaction. It won’t happen again.”
“How can you be sure?”
He told her about the ultimatum he’d issued.
“You really told him that?”
He nodded and added sincerely, “I don’t want Anna afraid you’ll leave her.” And he didn’t want her to leave either.
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“Anything is possible, Regan.” He sensed she wanted to offer more reassurance, but instead she let the subject drop. “Besides, our pact might fall apart if Ben’s allowed to meddle, and I don’t want that.”
“Neither do I.”
Looking into her eyes, memories of last night’s encounter rose, bringing back the sight and feel of her riding out her pleasure with her legs around his waist and arching to meet his thrusts. His body stirred with a now familiar desire that refused to be tamed, bridled, or denied. “You have mud on your cheek,” he said softly and trailed a finger gently across the spot.
“Anna and I will both need baths tonight. Maybe we’ll use the tub in your mother’s room since it’s restored. Care to join me after? It’s big enough for two.”
“You’re determined to be my personal temptress, aren’t you?”
“It’s either that or find a job delivering the mail,” she whispered.
Unable to resist, Colt brushed his mouth against hers. Sweetness poured into him and he placed an arm low on her back to ease her closer. He kissed her fully, taking a moment to nibble her bottom lip while she ran her hands possessively up his arms and down his back. He dragged her onto his lap and moved his kisses over her jaw and down the silken line of her neck. Her head fell back to offer him more and he felt bewitched. Everything about her called to him like a siren and he could no more resist than he could stop breathing. “Every time you’re near I want to touch you.”
“I like it when you do.”
He undid the top buttons on her red flannel shirt and kissed the hollow of her throat. “You smell like fish,” he chuckled.
“So do you.”
He raised his head and savored the smile in her eyes. He traced her lips. “Maybe I will take you up on that bath. I could use one, too.”