“It’ll never work. Aside from the fact she hates roaches, she craves the intellectual energy of the East Coast as much as you crave the natural beauty of Montana.”
“Are you saying I have about as much chance of ending up with Lani as you have ending up with Kieran?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
“Then I’m better off than I thought.”
“You’re making no sense.”
“And you’re almost to my cabin. Slow down.”
She gulped. Their discussion had temporarily sidetracked her libido, but it snapped to attention as lights shining through the trees pinpointed the location of Rance’s cabin.
A wave of longing washed through her, leaving her moist and achy.
Kieran was there. Waiting.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The rumble of Midnight Thunder’s engine brought Kieran’s pacing to an abrupt end. His coiled muscles tightened another notch. Holding his breath, he waited, fists clenched, for lights to appear on the road.
He hadn’t checked the time when Rance left, but an eternity had passed since then. Which meant the plan had been banjaxed. He just knew it. Lani had changed her mind. Or Sara had. Or she’d been discovered sneaking out. Or?—
Headlights flashed through the trees. The beams swerved as Rance made the turn and drove toward the cabin. Was he alone? Blinded by the glare, Kieran couldn’t tell. The lights stayed on as the engine cut off and both doors opened.
Both doors.He focused on the passenger side as… Rance? If he wasn’t driving, then who the hell was? His attention flew to the driver’s side. Sara hopped down, her smile outshining those headlights.
He took the steps in a single bound. “You drove?”
“I did!” She threw up both hands in triumph. “And we saw raccoons and I?—”
He smothered the rest with a kiss born of joy, frustration and a flood of relief.
She kissed him back, opening her mouth to his tongue, sliding her arms around him and holding on as if she’d never let go. He didn’t want her to. Might as well just pick her up and carry her into — the sound of a throat being cleared, then cleared again, finally penetrated the lust that had turned his brain to porridge.
Oh, yeah. Rance. Still here. Lifting his head, he looked to his left, and sure enough, the fella who’d engineered this entire event stood facing them watching the show, hands shoved in his pockets, a smug smile on his face.
He deserved to be smug. He deserved to be properly thanked, too. “Hey, mate.” He sucked in a lungful of air. “Thank you. Doesn’t seem like enough just to say that, but?—”
“Thank you from me, too, Rance.” Sara looked over at him but she didn’t loosen her hold. “I owe you one.”
“And I’ll collect someday. I’m glad to see you both so happy.” He tipped his head toward the front door, which stood slightly ajar. “Remember to close that after you go in.”
Kieran nodded. “I will.” He’d left it that way on purpose. He’d be sure to close it behind him now that he’d been reminded. If Rance had slipped away without saying anything, that door might’ve stood open all night. He’d been just that focused on the situation at hand.
“See you in the morning.” Rance touched the brim of his hat. “Four-thirty.”
“Four-thirty?” Sara’s response came out as a squeak of protest.
“Or I could stay at the ranch for breakfast and explain the setup to the folks. Your choice.”
She let out a sigh. “Four-thirty it is. You’re a good friend for getting up at that godawful hour. And for letting me drive your truck.”
“You’re welcome.” He walked around to the driver’s side and fiddled with something that made a humming sound.
“He has to put the seat back,” Sara murmured. “He adjusted it for me.”
“Why did you end up driving?” Although he desperately wanted to kiss her again, he’d hold off until Rance left.
