Wild Lust(20)
“You’re going to make me dinner?” She ducked under Ripcord’s neck, putting the horse between them.
He gave her his best I’m a good guy smile and hooked his thumb in the direction of the house. “That’s the plan. I left a bag of groceries by the front door. Groceries which I hope you’ll let me use to make you dinner.”
“I don’t know. After what happened with your brother—” She closed her mouth fast, as though she’d just realized what she was about to say.
Blane patted Ripcord then scratched the horse behind the ear. “Charlie, Reese and I are identical twins, but our appearance is about all that’s identical. We’re two very different people.”
She cast down her eyes. “Did he, uh, tell you about…”
“About what happened before you hopped on Ripcord?” He leaned to the side, catching her eye even as she tried to avoid making contact. “Yeah. But I won’t hold it against you.”
She blinked then let a smile slip out. “I appreciate that.”
He let her take her time getting used to the idea. Horses and women weren’t so different in that respect. All he had to do was to give her some slack in the reins and let her think she was the one in control. Soon enough he’d be riding her.
“So why Ripcord?”
Her change of subject told him she’d crossed over the bridge from irritation and suspicion into curiosity. “We named him Ripcord because the first time Reese got on him to break him, old Ripcord sent him flying so high that Reese should’ve had a ripcord to use on a parachute. My brother hit the ground hard, and I have to admit, I about bust a gut laughing.”
“And this is Ripcord? Why didn’t he buck me off?”
“He didn’t buck you off because he’s trained now. In fact, once we got him to understand who’s boss, old Ripcord turned into a big old teddy bear. A baby could ride him now. But you might be more careful next time you hop on an unfamiliar horse. You never know what might happen.”
She grimaced. “I didn’t even think. Don’t worry. I plan on sticking to motorized vehicles from now on.”
“That’s a shame. I hear you looked really good on top.” He almost danced for joy at the shy smile she gave him. “So what do you say, Charlie? How about letting me cook you dinner?”
* * * *
Charlie checked herself before giving her answer. She wanted to take Blane up on his offer, but should she? She still didn’t know why they’d kept watch on her. Plus, she had to wonder. Did he really know what had happened with Reese? If he did, it didn’t seem to bother him. Then why should she let what happened hold her back from getting to know the friendlier brother? After she found out why they’d spied on her, of course.
He’d taken care of her broken-down pickup and had even arranged for someone to take Ripcord back home. She did kind of owe him for those two things, even if his brother deserved everything she’d done. Besides, she was so hungry she could eat a horse. She glanced at Ripcord, thankful that the horse couldn’t read her mind.
She gnawed on her lower lip and saw him watch her. She nodded then started toward the house. “Okay, I accept on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You can fix me dinner, but you have to tell me why you and your brother were watching me.”
“Deal.”
Hmm. That was easy enough.
He fell into step beside her. The sexual tension between them rippled through the air and made the hair on her arms stand up. What was it about Reese and Blane that made her want to rip off her clothes and shout, “Come and get me!”?
“I hope you’re a good cook.” Maybe if she kept the conversation light, she could ignore the wetness growing between her legs.
“I am. I know most of the men around here would rather eat bugs off a dead bird than cook, but I find it relaxing. And if I can cook for a beautiful woman, then that’s a major plus in my book.”
He strode ahead of her and scooped up the bag sitting next to the front door. “I hope you like spaghetti.”
She could already feel the carbs sticking to her hips. “I like it too much. You don’t want to leave me alone with the pot. If you do, don’t expect to find any leftovers.”
“I have no intention of leaving you alone.” His blue eyes, just a hint darker than his brother’s, yet still flecked with amber, unnerved her but in a good way.
Her hand was on the doorknob, yet she suddenly found she couldn’t twist it open. Was he talking about leaving her alone with the spaghetti? Or something more? Her mind betrayed her vow to keep things light by sending her a mental picture of Blane tying her hands to the bedpost while Reese secured her ankles to the foot of the bed.