“One of my favorites.”

  Another positive sign. “What are some others?” With any luck, they’d be danceable and he’d have them on his phone.

  “Breathe by Faith Hill.”

  Got it. “Then that’ll be next.”

  “It’s not a waltz.”

  “No worries. We can two-step.”

  “Is dancing okay for your leg?”

  “My leg never felt better.” The rest of him was having a good time, too. The song ended and he swung her around for a dramatic finish that made her giggle. “Stay right here so I can find you again.”

  “Okay.” She sounded a little breathless.

  Did she expect him to pull her into his arms and kiss her? Well, he’d do the unexpected and play the song she’d requested, instead. He’d summon the spirit of Raven, just as Badger had advised.

  His eyes had adjusted enough that he could locate his phone on the table. He tapped on the Faith Hill album, chose the song and started it.

  “Love this one.”

  “So do I.” He walked back and gathered her into his arms so they could begin the dance. Or he could pull her closer, kiss those full lips and dive headfirst into paradise.

  She swallowed. “Are we going to dance?”

  “Yes. Yes, we are.” He tightened his grip and off they went. Lots more body contact involved. He was more than okay with that aspect.

  “Did your mom teach you the two-step?”

  “Ryker did.” He twirled her under his arm. “Before I was hurt, obviously. He said it was a required skill in Eagles Nest.”

  “He’s right. Everybody dances the two-step around here.”

  “Where’d you learn?”

  “Kendra.” She was breathing faster as she executed the more vigorous movements. “I need practice, though.”

  “You’re doing great.”

  “If I spent more nights on the dance floor at the Guzzling Grizzly and less time cooped up in my studio with Photoshop, I’d—whoops!” Her feet tangled with his.

  “Easy.” He steadied her so they wouldn’t both go down.

  “Thanks. See, I need practice.”

  “Practice with me.” He cradled her loosely in his arms as Faith Hill crooned about the pleasures of making love. Took all he had to keep his touch light and casual.

  “Tempting offer.”

  “Meant it to be.” He drew her in gradually.

  “Should we keep going, then?”

  “Maybe later.”

  “Okay.” She slid her hands up his chest. “You sound more relaxed.”

  “I do?”

  “Clearly your throat has loosened up.” She nestled against him.

  “Guess so.” All that delicious body contact was heating him up, but he needed to stay sharp. If she mentioned that his voice sounded familiar, he should have a response ready. Yeah, right. Strategizing and snuggling with Caitlin were mutually exclusive activities.

  “I’m no physical therapist, but I think your throat issues might be related to anxiety.”

  “Could be.” And maybe, just maybe, he was in the clear. “Makes sense if drinking beer helps.”

  “And spending time with me. Evidently I have a calming effect on you.”

  Evidently his voice was a non-issue. “Some parts yes, some parts no.” He tightened his grip and aligned his hips with hers. “As you can clearly tell.”

  “You turn me on, too.” She wound her arms around his neck. “I can’t decide what to do about that.”

  “Are you open to suggestions?”

  “Ah, Raven. You’re a war hero with physical and mental scars, a vulnerable man of mystery. Have you any idea how seductive that is?”

  “No, but I’m all ears.”

  “I’m a sucker for military guys. I wasn’t kidding about being humbled by what you do.”

  “Humbled wasn’t quite the word I was looking for. Doesn’t have much of a ring to it.” He combed her hair back from her face and slid his hand behind her nape. “How about excited?”

  Her breath hitched. “That works.”

  “Aroused?” He leaned down.

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Inflamed?”

  “I’m getting there.”

  “Maybe I can help.” He lowered his mouth to hers, going slow even though his body sizzled and burned, even though he could barely breathe, even though his jeans had become a torture device gripping his aching package.

  He touched down lightly. Running the tip of his tongue over the velvet surface, he tasted salt. “Better than chips.”

  “Way better.”

  He settled in, caressing her mouth with gentle pressure as it softened beneath his. Then she sighed, parted those full lips and leaned into him. Any lingering resistance melted away.

  Ah, Caitlin. Her mind might still be undecided, but her body had chosen. Her surrender washed over him like lava, obliterating restraint as he plunged his tongue into her hot mouth.

  She groaned in response and gripped the back of his head. Giving as good as she got, she kissed him with wild abandon, digging her fingers into his scalp, wrapping one leg around his. When she started sucking on his tongue, he almost came.

  He couldn’t get enough of her mouth. Whenever she let loose of his tongue, he’d drive it deep as she whimpered and urged him on. Gripping her bottom, he picked her up. She straddled him, wound her legs around his hips and wiggled closer as she continued to make love to his tongue.

  Carrying her to the table, he scooted her onto it. His cell phone went flying, hit the floor. When he urged her down to the table’s surface, she bumped into something and knocked it over. A stack of books.

  Didn’t matter. All that mattered was Caitlin’s irresistible mouth. He’d—

  “Raven, stop.” Her voice was breathy as she pushed against his chest.

  “Why?”

  “I just…I just knocked over Aaron’s books.”

  “I don’t—” By some miracle he swallowed the next word. And the swear words that would have followed it. He took a shaky breath. “The…ones…you’re borrowing?”

  “Yes.” She took a breath. “I put them on the table.”

  “Didn’t see ’em.” He stepped back.

  “I think one went on the floor.”

  “Oh.”

  “Where’s your cap?”

  “Left it next to my phone.”

  “Your phone?” She climbed off the table. “Is that what hit the floor first?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then don’t move.” She dropped to her hands and knees. “Let me look for it. If you start walking around, you could step on it. It might already have a broken screen, but that can be repaired.”

  “I don’t care about the phone.”

  “Well, I do. Your hat’s probably down here, too. If I find it, we can turn on a light.”

  “Okay.” Aaron’s roommate Raven would be at least as concerned about the books as she was. Even if he was half-crazed from an interruption of what had promised to be—

  What? Would he have taken her to bed? As she’d implied earlier, a make-out session that hot between two unattached, consenting adults usually had a logical conclusion. Would he have gone that route?

  “Here’s your phone.” She handed it up to him. “Can you tell if the screen’s cracked?”

  He turned it toward the pale light from the fireplace. “Doesn’t look like it.”

  “Good. I haven’t found your—oh, wait, here it is.” She gave him his hat.

  “Thanks.”

  She stood. “Only one of Aaron’s books fell. Keep your fingers crossed it isn’t messed up. I won’t be able to tell until you turn on the light.”

  “I know you’re concerned, but Aaron’s not that anal about his books.”

  “Whether he is or not, I don’t want to be responsible for damaging them.”

  “You’re not. I carried you over to the table.” He put on his cap and tugged on the brim. Back to hiding, damn it.

  “You didn’t know the books were there. I did, but I forgot.”

  “They’re probably fine.” The lamp over the table was on a dimmer switch. He barely turned it on. “Is that enough?”

  “Yes.” She examined the book in her hands.

  Nerve, one of his favorites. “Looks fine to me.” He pulled the brim of his cap even lower so there was no chance she could see his eyes.

  “Part of the dust jacket is bent.”

  “I’ll bet it was like that.”

  “I’m not sure. I didn’t examine each book. I just pulled out four I wanted. This was on top of the stack so that’s why it fell.”

  “I’d be amazed if he’d get upset about a little dent. Probably came like that. He bought them used.”

  “From rare book dealers, from the looks of them.”

  “Not always.” He wanted to kiss her again, hold her and convince her the condition of the dust jacket wasn’t important. Couldn’t kiss her with the hat on. Couldn’t say that he didn’t give a damn about a little dent.

  She glanced at him. “You and Aaron have talked about the books?”

  “Sure.”

  “That only proves my point that he cares about them.”

  “I guarantee he cares about people more.”

  “Of course he does. But still…” She sighed. “I wish I’d remembered I’d left them on the table.”

  “Regrets?”

  “I regret that I knocked one of his books off the table.” Her lips twitched as if she might be holding back a grin. “I don’t regret what I was doing at the time.”

  “That’s a relief.”

  “But I think I’d better head home.” She glanced at him. “If I hadn’t knocked over the books…would we have ended up in your bedroom?”

  “Quite possibly.” And if they had, would she have somehow discovered there was only one bed in this house?

  “I think we would have, too.” She straightened her blouse and ran her fingers through her hair. “In the heat of the moment.”

  “But not in the cool of the moment?”

  “We just met yesterday, Raven.”

  “True, but—”

  “Although I feel as if I’ve known you much longer.”

  “Same here.” He was flying too close to the ground with that kind of talk. If he didn’t pull up, he might crash. He needed to land safely and regroup. “I’ll get your jacket.”

  “Thanks. I’ll grab my camera.” After gathering up the books, she fetched her camera from the floor beside her chair and walked toward him. “I’ll probably tell Aaron I accidentally dropped one of these.”

  He took the books and camera so she could put on her jacket. “Not going to mention we were making out on the table?”

  “Probably not.”

  “Will I see you tomorrow night?”

  “Do you want to?”

  “Silly question.”

  “Then I’ll be here.”

  He couldn’t hold back a smile. “Great.”

  “What about Aaron?”

  “What about him?”

  “I figure eventually he’ll be home when I come to visit you.”

  “Oh. Not tomorrow night, though. He’s got another run to Casper.”

  “I’ll bet he volunteers for all these night flights so Ryker and Badger can stay home with their sweetie-pies.”

  “Hadn’t thought of that.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised. That sounds like him.”

  “It does, at that. Considerate guy.”

  “Very.” She leaned over, ducked under his cap and gave him a quick peck on the mouth. “So are you.”

  “Thank you.”

  She opened the door. “And for your information, on a scale of one to ten, I rate that kiss an eighty-seven-point-nine.” She flashed him a smile and stepped onto the very dark porch. He quickly flicked on the porch light and closed the door.

  He forgave himself for not remembering to turn on the light for her. He’d just participated in the kiss of the century. She’d ranked it, but he couldn’t assign a number to that episode. It was off the charts.

  Chapter Eight

  The next morning Caitlin overslept after staying up late trying various editing effects on her pictures of Raven. For her favorite of the bunch, she’d chosen a sepia tone to give the scene a World War II look.

  She wouldn’t mind having it as her screensaver. Framed by the sunset, hands shoved in the pockets of his flight jacket and aviators adding mystery to his expression, he embodied her fantasy of a war hero returning home to his loved ones.

  She’d show it to him tonight on her laptop, but if he still wanted all the shots deleted, she’d have to stick by her promise. She loved them, though, especially that one, so maybe she’d be able to convince him they were worth keeping.

  Oversleeping meant she rushed through breakfast and took the quickest shower in history. Damp hair braided and lipstick on, she drove to Virginia’s wedding venue for an eight o’clock appointment.

  The meeting to discuss lighting for the ceremony was likely unnecessary. Caitlin had shot several weddings there and knew what worked, but Virginia was micromanaging every aspect of this one. Understandable given that she was the mom of two of the participants.

  She pulled into the parking lot with two minutes to spare. Virginia’s SUV was there and so was Badger’s red truck. Interesting. She’d planned to call him today to give him an update. If he’d come without Hayley, maybe she could accomplish that after the meeting.

  Schematics in a zipped portfolio, she walked into the renovated barn that had become a popular wedding chapel. Virginia had preserved the rustic atmosphere, but the building was now insulated and temperature-controlled. The venue had a top-of-the-line sound system and antique light fixtures controlled from a hidden panel could create various effects.

  Evidently Virginia had recruited Badger to help her test the lights. He stood in front of the open panel adjusting dials while she roamed the venue calling out instructions. As tall as Hayley, she was still blond thanks to the hairdressers at Shear Delight. She could be mistaken for her daughter, especially from a distance, but Caitlin had spent enough time with them to spot the differences.

  Virginia glanced toward the back of the chapel. “Ah, Caitlin! Perfect! You can tell us the optimal setting that will work with the lights you’re bringing.”

  “Whatever you’ve done before has been fine. Hi, Badger.”

  “Hi, Caitlin.” He tipped his hat and smiled.

  “Fine isn’t good enough,” Virginia said. “I’m going for subtle and atmospheric, but it’s tricky. A subtle effect can turn lackluster.”

  “I can guaran-damn-tee this weddin’ won’t be lackluster.” Badger closed the panel and walked down the aisle toward Caitlin. “Agreed?”

  “Absolutely. It’ll have luster coming out of its ears.”

  “I know, right? We’re stuffin’ the whole place with flowers, Bryce and Nicole are providin’ the music and the weddin’ party is a handsome bunch. As if that’s not enough to push everyone’s happy button, there’ll be me, rockin’ out on the bagpipes. How could it be lackluster with all that goin’ on?”

  She grinned. “I can’t imagine.”

  “You need to let me hear you play those pipes,” Virginia said. “Makes me nervous that I have no idea what you’ll sound like.”

  “I’ll sound like a Highlander standin’ on the moor serenadin’ his lady.”

  “I still want to hear you do it before the ceremony so I—”

  “Virginia, darlin’.” He walked over and put his arm around her shoulders. “You know I love you to pieces.”

  “That’s neither here nor there.” A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

  “If I had in mind to let anyone hear me play besides Aleck, that person would be you.”

  “Then why not—”

  “Because my playin’ will exceed your expectations, and Hayley will find out you heard me play and pester you for details.”

  “I won’t give her any details.”

  “You won’t need to. She’ll see the gleam in your eye and her expectations will go up. So far her expectations are like yours, on the low side, which is just where I want ’em. I’m fixin’ to blow her away.”

  Caitlin pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. Badger relished this kind of drama, and he had a talent for it. Fortunately, he only used his powers for good.

  “Oh, all right.” Virginia’s smile broke through. “You win. I won’t pester you any more about it.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. I truly appreciate your understandin’.”

  “Yeah, yeah. You know I’m a sucker for your wiles, Badger. Now if you’ll please step over to the control panel and show Caitlin the full range of the lighting options, we can figure out how to coordinate our efforts.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I came in while you were testing,” Caitlin said. “Didn’t I just see your lighting options?”

  “That’s the original set and I wanted to make sure we don’t have any crossed wires.” Virginia joined her in the aisle between the rows of pew-style wooden seats. “A company just finished installing additional lights.” She pointed to the ceiling. “They did a great job of making them unobtrusive.”

  “Sure did.” Caitlin glanced up. “Tiny dudes.”

  “Very high tech. Now we can add washes of color to the regular lighting. That’s one reason I didn’t schedule any weddings in here this week, so I could have this done.”

  “I can’t wait to show it off,” Badger said. “Lightin’ is the soul of any event.”

  Virginia leaned closer. “And he paid for it,” she murmured.

  “Wow.” But then, Badger was known for his generosity. Rumor had it that he’d managed his trust fund well and clearly he enjoyed spreading the wealth.

  With Virginia directing the action, Badger demonstrated the new system’s capabilities. It could bathe the rustic walls in a single color, such as gold, or alternate complimentary shades. The technology could be fun to work with but she’d need to set up her umbrella lights and do a trial run before Saturday.

  When Badger had gone through all the combinations, Virginia turned to her. “Cool, huh?”

  “Very cool. The guests will love it.”