“They’re traveling. Ryan told me I could join her and Seth.” Skylar shrugged.
“Oh, well, you could come with me.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Okay. I’d love to.” She grinned.
“Good.” He touched her hand. “Do you still want to go riding today?”
“I like riding in snow. That is, if you want to.”
“Sure. I like riding in the snow too. There’s something about the quiet.”
“Exactly.” She stood, put her cup in the sink then turned to face him. “I need to grab a shower.”
“Alright. I need to take the dogs out.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Rawley nodded as he found the leashes, hooked them onto their collars, placed his hat on his head, then stepped outside while she headed to the bathroom.
****
Rawley stepped onto the frost-covered porch with the dogs, their breath forming misty clouds in the frigid air as he led them toward the edge of the pine-scented woods. He stamped his feet against the biting cold while waiting for them to sniff around the snow-laden underbrush.
“Come on, guys. I’m freezing my balls off.” He chuckled when both dogs swiveled their heads toward him, ears perked. “Yeah, I’m sorry you don’t have yours anymore. Hurry up. I want to get inside where it’s warm.”
When they finally finished, he tugged gently on their leashes and trudged back to the house, wincing as icy flakes melted against his neck. The dogs shook vigorously, sending crystalline droplets flying while he brushed the powdery snow from the shoulders of his shirt and hat. He stepped inside, sighing as the warmth of the house enveloped him.
He unhooked the leashes from their collars, removed his hat and walked across the hardwood floor to the kitchen to brew another steaming cup of coffee. The rich aroma of dark roast filled the air just as Skylar entered, dressed in a cable-knit azure sweater that made her eyes shimmer like sapphires against her porcelain skin. Her faded jeans hugged her curves, ending at scuffed brown cowboy boots that clicked softly with each step. Her hair cascaded in loose waves past her shoulders, and Rawley felt his heart stutter. She was the most breathtaking woman he’d ever laid eyes on, and he knew he was falling hard and fast, but the thought didn’t frighten him. Her presence in his life felt as natural as breathing.
He just had to solve this case before pursuing anything deeper, but he couldn’t deny his growing feelings. The thought of not having her in his life left an emptiness he couldn’t bear to contemplate.
Rawley smiled as she glided toward him, slipping her arms around his waist. She rose on her toes, her vanilla scent intoxicating as she pressed her soft lips against his. He pulled her against his chest, feeling the rapid beat of her heart matching his own as he deepened the kiss. She moaned softly, the sound sending heat coursing through him before he reluctantly broke away.
“You never showed me what you could do with a cherry stem,” he murmured with a grin.
She pulled back from him; her lips still flushed from their kiss and walked to the gleaming stainless-steel fridge. The cool airwafted out as she reached inside, emerging with a small jar of plump maraschino cherries, their vivid red color almost artificial against the morning light filtering through the kitchen blinds. He chuckled, as he watched her nimble fingers twist open the lid with a soft pop. She selected a perfect cherry, its stem intact, the syrup dripping back into the jar in slow, sweet droplets.
“Are you sure you want to see this?” she asked, her voice teasing, eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Why not?” He raised an eyebrow and smirked.
“Well, if you like it too much, there’s nothing we can do about it right now. You might have to wait until we get back from riding.” Her cheeks colored slightly with the implication.
Rawley narrowed his eyes. “You think it will make me hot?”
“Maybe.”
“Sweetheart, you make me hot anytime I look at you.”
“You say the sweetest things.” She smiled, brushing her hair over her shoulders.
“I mean it. I always say what I mean and mean what I say. You should know that by now.” His gaze held hers, steady and sincere.
“I do. Okay.”
