Killer Cowboy

Her lips were welcome heat and sweet softness. Somewhere in the back of his mind he thought she’d pull away, but instead she leaned into him and opened her mouth a little more in invitation. Desire suffused him as he deepened the kiss, and their tongues swirled together in a heated dance.

He might have kissed her forever if she hadn’t released a throaty little moan. It made him want to pick her up and carry her into the house and to the nearest bedroom.

And that emotion was what shot some sense through his head. He dropped his arms to his waist and stepped back from her. “Sorry, that was a huge mistake.”

“A mistake?” Her winsome blue eyes searched his features in puzzlement. “Why was it a mistake?”

He shoved his hands in his pockets to stymie them from reaching out for her again. “I shouldn’t have kissed you because before this case is over I think you’re probably going to hate me.”

“Why would I have a reason to hate you?”

“Because I believe one of your cowboys is guilty of not only killing Sam, but also those seven young men who were found under the shed. One of them is guilty and I’m not going to stop until I prove it.”

He didn’t wait for her response, but instead turned and went out the door.

Chapter 4 (#u09018034-5341-5974-b3a2-1c1ab375afc1)

Cassie was once again seated at the kitchen table the next afternoon when Dillon’s car pulled into the drive. She sat up straighter in anticipation of him coming inside, but he headed straight to the barn.

She tamped down her disappointment that he hadn’t come in to say hello. He wasn’t here to visit, she reminded herself. He had a job to do, but there was no question that his kiss had both thrilled and confused her.

That kiss. Even now just thinking about it made her toes curl. She’d spent half the night replaying it over and over again in her head. Between the kiss and his parting words she felt as if he’d caressed her heart and then slapped her upside the head.

Her phone had rung for most of the day, neighbors and friends checking in with her and wanting to know the latest on the murder investigation. She told them nothing because she knew nothing except that Dillon was convinced one of her men was a monster.

Today she couldn’t even be too mad at him for his beliefs, despite the fact that she found the idea completely ludicrous. That didn’t take away from the fact that his kiss had shaken her to her core.

It had been over two years ago since she’d had a relationship with a man. She and Mark had dated for eight months before he’d finally broken up with her. She’d been surprised to discover that she’d actually been relieved by the split.

At the time she’d been consumed with her shop, working long hours there, and when she wasn’t behind the counter she was in her studio apartment painting. She hadn’t put in the time or energy to make her relationship work.

What they had shared was basically a physical thing without any real emotional tie. At the end he’d wanted more from her, but she hadn’t been willing to take it any deeper.

She cast another glance out the window. It was time to stop sitting around and brooding and instead she went to work fixing a big pot of chili. The day had been gray and cool, perfect for chili with corn bread.

As she worked she occasionally drifted to the window to peer out. Dillon’s car was still in the drive but the only people she saw were two of her men on horseback in the distance.

Maybe he’d stay for dinner again tonight and maybe he’d kiss her again. Probably not, since he’d told her their first kiss was a mistake. It certainly hadn’t felt like a mistake to her. It had felt wonderfully right.

What did she think she was doing, wishing for another kiss from him? The last thing she wanted was a relationship that might make it even more difficult for her to make the decision to stay or leave here.

And she had to make that decision within the next few weeks. If she was going to sell the ranch and head back to New York City she wanted to do it before the first snow flew.

She jumped as a knock fell on the back door. She turned around from the stove to see Sawyer standing on the small stoop. She gestured him inside with a smile. Sawyer Quincy was one of her favorites of all the men. The tall, lean man had an easy way about him and was always quick to laugh.

“I was just on my way into town to pick up some things for Cookie and I thought I’d check in and see if you needed anything,” he said.

This wasn’t the first time Sawyer had gone out of his way to do something nice for her. “Thanks, Sawyer, but I think I’m good for now.”

“That chili definitely smells good,” he replied and gestured to the pot simmering on the stovetop.

“Thanks, it just felt like a chili kind of day.”

“Winter will be here before you know it.”

“Don’t remind me.” She picked up a large spoon and stirred the chili.

“We’ll get through winter, and we’ll get through what’s happening right now.”

She placed the spoon on a spoon rest and released a deep sigh. “How are things going today? I haven’t spoken to Dillon yet.”

Sawyer’s eyes flashed darkly. “He’s questioning all of us all over again. It’s like he’s just looking for one of us to make a mistake or something. Oh, well, I’d better get going. Cookie will pitch a fit if I don’t get back with his stuff as soon as possible.”

“Get out of here,” she replied with a laugh. “I wouldn’t want to be responsible for one of Cookie’s temper fits.” With a goodbye, he walked out the back door and Cassie returned to the counter to make the corn bread.

She wouldn’t put it past Raymond Humes to arrange for one of his men to murder one of hers just to stain the ranch reputation and make her more desperate to sell. She only hoped Dillon was questioning him and his men as hard as he was hers.

It was just after six when Dillon knocked on the back door. The kitchen smelled of the chili and corn bread, and Cassie couldn’t help the little bit of anticipation that danced in her stomach as she thought about them sharing another meal.

“I just wanted to let you know I’m heading back into town,” he said.

“How about a bowl of chili before you take off? I was just getting ready to sit down to eat and there’s plenty.”

He hesitated and his gaze held hers for a long moment. In the depths of his eyes she thought she saw a spark of something that made her breath quicken as a wave of heat shimmied through her.

He blinked and broke the eye contact with her. “Thanks for the offer, but I really should get going. I’ve got some other people I want to talk to before I call it a day.” He sidled toward the door as if eager to escape.

She tamped down her disappointment. “You’ll keep me informed if you find out anything that will solve the murder?”

“Of course,” he replied and still didn’t look at her. Instead he appeared to find the rooster in the center of the table utterly fascinating.

“Did Sam’s phone tell you anything?” she asked.

“Nothing worthwhile. So far I haven’t learned anything that would move the case forward.”

“Did you talk to Butch?”

“I did, and I believe he’s a dead end and had nothing to do with Sam’s death.” He finally looked at her once again. “I’ll see you sometime tomorrow.”

“Then I’ll just say good-night,” she replied.

He nodded and went out the door.

Despite the hour an early twilight had fallen. Cassie turned on the kitchen light and ladled up a bowl of chili for herself.

If he hadn’t kissed her so thoroughly the night before she wouldn’t be feeling so disappointed that he hadn’t stayed to eat with her tonight.

The kiss had scrambled her brains and made her want more despite her reluctance to form any kind of a relationship with any man.