“Not if we ask her to keep quiet.” He left the bed. “As soon as I take care of the condom, I’ll get my phone and text her.”
“Is it downstairs, too?”
“Yep,” he called over his shoulder as he headed for her bathroom. “I silenced it, for all the good that did. I didn’t think about the window.”
“I’ll text her. My phone’s up here.” She’d silenced hers, too. Sliding out of bed, she crossed to the waist-high double dresser and mirror combo she’d found at a garage sale.
She almost didn’t recognize herself in the mirror. That sensual, tousled lady had just been loved within an inch of her life and she’d enjoyed every minute.
Picking up her phone, she turned it back on and Auntie Kat’s text popped up. A joint one to her and Adam. “She’s already texted us.”
“She has?” He walked out of the bathroom.
No two ways about it, he was a showstopper. How was she supposed to get tired of that view?
“What did she say?”
She reluctantly focused on the screen. “Congratulations, you two! Smart move, scheduling a rendezvous away from the ranch. Word to the wise, both Raquel and Luis have their suspicions. Mila and Claudette might, too. But your secret is safe with me.”
“It is.” His chest heaved. “She can be a pain in the patoot sometimes, but she’s a vault when it comes to private info.” He started toward the door. “But I should go grab my jacket and boots before anyone else?—”
“Like that?”
He chuckled, turned around and made for the rocker that held his clothes. “Guess not. I’m used to living alone.”
“Don’t get dressed. I’ll put on a bathrobe and go down.” She opened her closet door and took it off the hook.
“Because that wouldn’t be weird, getting caught running around your office wearing a bathrobe in the middle of the day.” He pulled on his briefs and reached for his jeans. “What time is it?”
She picked up her phone again. “Twenty till.”
“You know what?” He sat in the rocker and pulled on his socks. “We had a fabulous time. I’m grateful Auntie Kat didn’t knock in the middle of it. Maybe we should just….” Leaving the rest unsaid, he gazed at her. “An hour isn’t enough time, is it?”
He was going to get dressed and leave. She swallowed her disappointment. “Not really. That’s why I gave us two hours on Friday afternoon. Could we… would you consider talking off your socks and briefs and cuddling for ten minutes?”
The tenderness in his eyes made her breath catch. “I would.”
Replacing her bathrobe on its hook, she walked back to the bed and climbed in. “You can tell me what’s going on with the Canadian lynx.”
“I hope not much.” He settled in beside her and pulled her close the way he had before they’d drifted off to sleep Saturday night.
Resting her cheek on his chest, she listened to the steady beat of his heart. “But there might be an issue? You didn’t make it up?”
“I did not.” He stroked her hair. “I’ll attend an online meeting at three. Only one pair has been spotted. With luck they’re only moving through. This isn’t their preferred territory. They like it better up north.”
She tucked her arm around him and snuggled close. She wanted more, but this was better than having him leave. “When’s their breeding season?”
“We’re coming up on it, March to April.”
The vibration of his voice tickled her ear. “And if they did stay and have babies….”
“That could be a problem for the road project. The lawyer for the two environmental groups is from Wagon Train, interestingly enough. Her name’s Tyra and she’s doing this pro bono. She owns the tavern over there and is married to a McLintock.”
“Then she might understand your position?”
“I’m sure she does, but it’s her job to help protect wildlife in the area. I have no quarrel with that.”
“Be sure and text me details since I’m supposed to be on that call right now.”
