Too much, too soon. “Sorry.” He ducked his head and cleared his throat to resume his new way of speaking. “That was uncalled for.”

  “Please don’t apologize.”

  He glanced up and met her warm gaze. “But—”

  “You caught me off guard, but what woman doesn’t love being told she’s beautiful? It’s even better when a man says it like you did, with conviction.”

  “Because it’s true.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Especially...” He coughed to roughen his voice even more. “Especially with leaves in your hair.”

  “I picked up some leaves?” She lifted her hands to her hair and plucked one of them loose. “So I did. Nature girl, that’s me.”

  “There’s one more. Hold still.” He combed his fingers through the silky strands and pulled it free. “Here you go. A souvenir.”

  “Pretty.” She took the leaf by its stem and added it to the other one. Then she put her hand on his shoulder and rose on her toes.

  Surely she wasn’t going to…yes, she was…

  Dipping her head under the brim of his cap, she brushed a kiss over his mouth. “Thank you.”

  He swallowed and fisted his hands at his sides. “Welcome.” Breathe, dude.

  Stepping back, she glanced at the sky. “I’d better capture the leaves on the porch before the light’s gone.”

  He moved aside so she could slip past him on the narrow walkway. “By…by all means.” Sheesh, he couldn’t seem to get enough air. Anyone would think he’d never been kissed before. “I’ll wait here.”

  “I won’t be long.” She lifted her camera strap over her head as she headed toward the porch. “I’m looking forward to enjoying another fire and a bottle of McGavin’s Pale Ale.”

  Good thing she wanted to take some more pictures. Gave him time to collect himself. Hands in his jacket pockets, he took several restorative breaths as she twirled around the porch getting various angles on the leaves.

  She moved lightly and effortlessly, almost dancing in her endless pursuit of beauty. She was tuned in to her environment, likely tuned in to him, too.

  And she’d kissed him. Well, she’d kissed Raven. How should he interpret that? His body had reacted instantly. He’d locked down his response, but the strength of it served as a warning. His craving simmered just below the surface.

  Why had she kissed him? Was it a friendly gesture that meant nothing more than a handshake? Or was it an attempt to change the dynamic between them to something more personal? He had no idea. Might be good to talk about it and diffuse the situation.

  “Is it okay if I take a picture of you?”

  Uh-oh. “I’d really—”

  “The sunset’s all orangey behind you. Very atmospheric. I want you to see what I see. Then I’ll delete it if you want me to.”

  “All right. What should I—”

  “Just stand there.” She came down the steps, taking shot after shot as she drew closer. About three feet away, she stopped. “Nice.”

  “I doubt it.”

  She grinned. “The way you were standing in the fading light in your flight jacket and aviators, you stirred up some Top Gun fantasies.”

  He groaned.

  “I know, I know. My brother flew with the Navy and you should hear his rant on the movie. I thought I was past my obsession with fighter pilots, but evidently I’m not totally over it.”

  Not the most terrible news he’d ever heard. “Ready to go in?”

  “You bet. The light’s gone, anyway.” Turning, she made her way back to the porch. “I talked to Aaron earlier about the books.”

  “I know.” He took the steps two at a time so he could open the door for her.

  “Raven! Your leg!”

  Damn. Forgot. “It’s not bad today. Isn’t bothering me much.” He ushered her through the door.

  “Does the weather make a difference?”

  “It does.” That much was true. “I can predict rain.” But his leg barely hurt at all anymore, even when it rained. Just twinges.

  “I’m humbled by the sacrifices made by our military personnel. Those of us who’ve stayed home, comfy and secure, owe you so much.”

  “Thank you.” He followed her in and closed the door. “It wasn’t all sacrifice. I made friends and learned to fly.” Stripping his conversation of extraneous words minimized the strain on his vocal cords.

  “Are you hoping to fly for Badger Air?” She took her camera over to the easy chair she’d used the night before and laid it on the seat. “Once you’re up to it, of course.”

  “Yes.” He’d better be up to it tomorrow, since he was heading to Boise to pick up some folks who’d been invited to the wedding. Badger was covering the cost of flying in any guests who lived within a five-hundred-mile radius of Eagles Nest.

  “That’s great. I’m sure Badger and Ryker can find a place for you.” She shrugged out of her jacket.

  “Hope so.” He tucked his aviators in his pocket. “I’ll take that.” He hung her jacket on the coat tree and put his on the hook next to it. Cozy.

  He turned to find her standing in the entryway, gazing at him. The light was too dim to read her expression, but…the air between them seemed to crackle, and it wasn’t because of the fire.

  Did she want to follow up on that kiss? Or was she beginning to question this setup?

  He’d rather not test what was creating the tension between them. “I didn’t put the beer out since it would get warm. You could decide on which books while I fetch it.” And get his bearings.

  “Sounds great.” She wandered over to the Dick Francis section of his bookcase.

  “Want chips? Peanuts?” Me?

  “No, thanks. Just a beer is fine.”

  “Be right back.” He walked into the kitchen and automatically flipped on the light. Turned it off again.

  “You okay in there?”

  “Yep. Old habits die hard.”

  “You’ll probably be glad when your corneas finally heal.”

  “I will.” He opened the fridge and grabbed two bottles of McGavin’s Pale Ale. “I have a pitcher of water, too,” he called out. “Want some?”

  “Maybe later.”

  He glanced toward the kitchen doorway where she stood backlit by the light from the living room.

  “The wedding will be more brightly lit than this house.”

  “I know. Did you pick out some books?”

  “I took four. Anyway, the wedding won’t have spotlights glaring in your eyes or anything like that. Virginia’s using a lot of battery-operated candles, but she wants the guests to be able to see what’s going on. She also wants enough light for me to take some decent pictures.”

  “I understand.”

  She walked into the darkened kitchen. “You may not want to do this, but I think you should wear your shades.”

  Sweet of her to be concerned, but it was never going to be an issue. By Saturday night, Raven would no longer exist as a separate entity. His persona would be melded with Aaron’s, who didn’t need that level of eye protection. He prayed that she would forgive him this deception.

  “Good suggestion.” He twisted off a beer cap and handed her a bottle. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

  She took the beer but made no move to leave the kitchen. “On the one hand, I’m glad you made it back in time for Badger’s wedding. On the other, I worry that it’ll be too hard on you.”

  “I’ll manage.”

  “That’s what concerns me.” She moved closer and set her beer on the counter. “You’ll suffer through whatever you need to so you can support Badger. He wouldn’t want that and neither do I.”

  White-hot guilt stabbed him. He had no business misleading this compassionate woman, no matter what his motives were. Time to end the charade and be truthful. “I’m not—”

  “You’re not worried about yourself. I know! That’s the problem! I like you, Raven. I like you a whole lot. I think you must like me a little bit, too.”

  “Of course…” He coughed. “Of course I do.” How was he supposed to be noble when she was saying exactly what he wanted to hear?

  “A little while ago, I kissed you.”

  “I noticed.”

  “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to do it again.”

  His voice grew thick of its own accord. “I wouldn’t mind.”

  “It’s pretty dark in here. Think you could take off your cap?”

  He sent it sailing toward the counter. Truth could wait. “First kiss was yours,” he murmured. “This one’s mine.”

  Chapter Six

  Caitlin’s breath caught. This was the Raven she’d longed to meet, the bold warrior lurking just beneath the surface, the one she’d captured moments ago in her viewfinder. He drew her close without hesitation, circled her waist with one hand and cupped her cheek with the other.

  His manner was so different that he could have been someone else, except when his velvet lips touched down. Oh, yeah, it’s you, Raven. Settle in. Stay awhile.

  Taste of mint. Clean scent of freshly shaven skin. Goodbye, bristle. He could freely demonstrate his talents, fully deploy his sensual mouth as he…yes, oh, yes…mmm…good….

  He pulled her closer. Heat slid through her veins and settled between her thighs. She cupped the back of his head in both hands, pushed her fingers into his thick hair and slackened her jaw.

  With a groan of pleasure, he tucked her into the curve of his aroused body. The firm thrust of his tongue released a quiver of flaming arrows aimed directly at her core. Fire licked her there, teasing, taunting.

  He shifted the angle, intensified the connection. The coil of desire at her center tightened, wringing a whimper from her throat.

  Pressing against his muscled body, she fit her hips to his and moaned in frustration. Her pulse raced when he pushed forward, telling her exactly what he wanted. What she wanted…

  Gasping, he lifted his mouth from hers. “Wow.”

  She gulped for air. “Crazy.”

  “Yeah.” He peppered her face with breathless kisses. “Fun, though.”

  “I never imagined—”

  “We’d take off so fast?” He nibbled on her lower lip.

  “No! Holy moly, Raven.” She dragged in a shaky breath. “You’d better turn me loose.”

  “Don’t want to.”

  “I don’t want you to, but I know what…what this leads to.”

  “Good stuff.”

  She grasped for a lifeline of sanity in the whirlwind. “I’m…we’re…not ready.”

  “Wanna bet?” He nuzzled behind her ear.

  “M-mentally.”

  His chest heaved. “Fair enough.” He kissed his way back to her mouth. His breath was warm against her damp lips, his voice low and gentle. “Tell me what you want.”

  You, naked. “Let’s…let’s sit by the fire. And…talk.”

  “Sure thing.” He released her slowly and cleared his throat. “Go ahead. I’ll be along.”

  “Okay.” She picked up her beer from the counter, turned around and walked on unsteady legs into the living room. Had the easy chairs always been that close together? Yes, of course. The configuration was the same. It hadn’t mattered before whether he was within touching distance.

  Moving her camera to the table, she settled into the cushioned depths of the chair with a sigh. She craved a man who’d been a stranger until yesterday.

  Technically a stranger. He’d never fit that category. She’d been at ease with him from the beginning, maybe because of the letter he’d written and maybe because of the details Badger had added.

  She pressed the cool bottle to her flushed cheeks. Was this what people meant when they talked about chemistry? She’d always discounted the concept as justification for falling into bed with someone you barely knew. Evidently it was real, for her at least. She couldn’t speak for him.

  “I brought chips.” He came in carrying a big bowl mounded with them. His cap was firmly in place, the brim tugged low to shade his eyes.

  She set her camera on the floor beside her chair to make room for the bowl. “Did you bring chips so our mouths have something else to do?”

  His laughter had a husky tinge to it. “Yep.” He set down the bowl and his beer. “Fire needs tending.” Turning his back, he crouched in front of the hearth.

  His broad shoulders strained the material of his plaid shirt as he rearranged logs. He started to add one from the holder, paused and put it back. “Embers are nice, too.”

  Glowing coals also created a more intimate atmosphere. Was he going for that? He shifted position to grab a wrought-iron poker, and the worn denim of his jeans cupped and defined his tight backside. The man had a swoon-worthy body. If he made love as well as he kissed….

  Whew. She pulled at the front of her shirt to dispel a sudden wave of heat. Reaching for a handful of chips, she started eating. Noisy darn things.

  He chuckled. “Glad I brought those?”

  “Yes.” Wish you’d brought ice cubes I could toss inside my shirt. “I like chips.”

  “Me, too.” He stood and replaced the screen.

  She took another handful. “These are the best kind for eating plain. I only like the ridged ones for dipping.”

  “Same here.” He sat down, picked up his beer and took a hefty swallow.

  She waited, in case he had something he wanted to say first. Instead he picked up several chips and popped one in his mouth. She grabbed more chips and a helping of courage. “Let’s talk about that kiss.”

  “All right.” He took another swig of his beer.

  She gazed at him as she munched. “Have you ever had a first kiss like that?”

  “Wasn’t the first.” He scooped up another handful.

  “The first one doesn’t really count.”

  “Does so.” He chewed and swallowed. “Why’d you do it?”

  Good question. “I guess I was testing the waters to find out if saying I was beautiful meant you were into me.”

  “Short test.”

  “Long enough. You gasped. Then you trembled. That told me that you might be interested in another kiss.”

  “Which I was.”

  She looked over at him. He was staring into the fire. Without the bristle, the strong lines of his jaw were more prominent. He had a small white scar on the side of his cheek, probably from childhood, and a slight dip in the slope of his nose. “Did you break your nose?”

  He nodded. “Basic training. Tripped.” His cheek dented in a brief smile. “Not sure how my nose fits into the discussion, though.”

  “It doesn’t. I just…never mind. My point is you’re very good at kissing. For all I know, you create spontaneous combustion no matter who you’re with. And that’s what I want to know. Were you as blown away as I was?”

  “Blown away is pretty vague.”

  “All right. On a scale of one to ten, that kiss for me was…a twenty.”

  “I see.” His cheek creased in an even wider smile.

  “How about you?”

  He rubbed his chin. “I’d say…thirty-eight-point-six.”

  “What?”

  “But we could both get to fifty-one-point-seven if we tried. Maybe even fifty-three-point-nine.” There was a slight tremor running through his words like he was ready to bust out laughing.

  “You’re not taking this seriously.”

  “Oh, but I am.” He put down his beer and pushed himself out of his chair. “Now that we’ve crunched the numbers, it’s clear I have some work to do.”

  “Your voice sounds…better.”

  “Beer helps.” Striding over to the floor lamp in the corner, he switched it off.

  Her heart thumped faster. “Look, I didn’t mean to turn this discussion into some sort of—”

  “I know.” He crossed the room to the other corner.

  She leaned around the chair just as he clicked off the light hanging over a small dining table and chairs. He’d also turned off the lamp beside the front door.

  The embers glowing in the fireplace provided the only light in the room. If he hadn’t been looking at his phone, he would have been invisible. He tapped the screen and adjusted the volume on a country song.

  The light from the screen stayed on for a moment after he laid the phone on the dining table. His back to her, he took off his hat and set it beside the phone.

  The phone’s screen went dark and he turned, a shadowy form as he walked toward her, his hand outstretched. “Caitlin Dempsey, may I have this dance?”

  Chapter Seven

  Aaron held his breath. He’d picked a song he happened to love, Ed Sheeran’s Perfect. If Caitlin didn’t like it, if she thought this move was cheesy and stupid, if—

  “Yes, you may.”

  Sweet, sweet words. Sweeter yet was the warmth of her hand when she slipped it into his. Helping her up, he led her to the open area behind the chairs. The need to hold her was so strong he trembled with eagerness.

  Not a lot of body contact in a waltz, but he’d do this first dance right. He was wooing, not seducing. One firm hand at her waist, the other held palm to palm, he used every bit of the small floor space.

  She matched him step for step. “You can waltz.” She sounded surprised.

  “So can you.”

  “Mom and Dad taught me and my brother when we were kids.”

  “My mother taught me.” He whirled her around.

  “She did a good job. Can you see where you’re going? Because I can’t.”

  “Can’t see much. I’m depending on my instrument readings.”

  She laughed. “Your instruments must be working.”

  “So far, so good.” That about covered it. He couldn’t ask for a better outcome than this—a passionate kiss followed by an elegant dance in an intimate setting.

  Ever since their kiss, he’d eased up on the rasp in his voice. What a relief if he could get away with dropping it completely. For now, the lyrics of a love song spoke for him. And to him. Caitlin was all he’d imagined and more.

  “This is lovely, Raven.”

  “Glad you like it.” He’d listened to this song dozens of times, never danced to it. After this, it would be imprinted with the sound of her breathing, the scent of her perfume. “How’s the song treating you?”