She’d meant what she said last night.There could be no repeats of that kind.Already overwhelmed with all the events in her life, she couldn’t take one more thing.Besides, he was basically her bodyguard.She needed him to maintain his distance.
A woman of the world, Sarah well knew that moment wasn’t an end to itself.Inevitably it led to more, to the true, out-and-out nude physical act.Right now, at this troubled point in her life, she couldn’t deal withthe physical.
At the diner, she jumped from the cab, and Ben said, “You know the drill.Stay inside.Do not leave.When you want to go, text me.”
“Got it,” she said.She needed girl talk, and this was the perfect place, and it would be with the perfect person.Inside the diner, she glanced around and found Big Jim at the counter, chatting with another rancher, probably about weather forecasting or how the spring calves were faring—common ranch conversation.
A few of the tables were filled, with people calmly eating.Waitresses attended them, bringing extra napkins or fresh coffee.
Here, Sarah felt safe.No one could hurt her, surrounded as she was by friendly townsfolk, her dad, and with Ben not far away.In this familiar place, she was able to stop nervously looking over her shoulder for her stalker.
Milly spotted her.“Sarah!I’ll get your tea.”
Sarah waved at her dad and took an empty booth.“Milly, I really came in to see you.Can you sit with me?”
“Sure, dear.We’re not too busy right now.The other servers can handle this small crowd.I’ll get the tea and some decaf for me.”
Within a moment, she was back with their hot drinks, her apron flapping at her knees.On her feet, she wore cheeky animal print high top tennis shoes.Sarah barely gave them a glance.She was accustomed to Milly’s outlandish footwear.
Taking the opposite side of the booth, Milly leaned in.“How are you doing out at the ranch with that bodyguard?That Ben Paxton?”
“Oh, Ben?”Sarah bent to make a show of sipping her tea.“He’s fine.”
Milly’s shrewd eyes didn’t blink.“I practically raised you, remember?”
“Of course.You’re the closest thing to a mother I ever had.”She paused.“I’m just glad that now I’m older and we’re still best friends.”
“That’s right.And that means I know you better than most.Now, spill it, girl.What’s the deal with Ben?”
“There’s no deal,” Sarah rushed on, wide-eyed.“What sort of deal could there be?What do you mean?”
Milly rested her chin on her palm and assumed her wise mother smile.She didn’t say a word.
A long, uncomfortable moment passed.
“Okay,” Sarah relented.“Last night in the barn, he kissed me.”Milly didn’t need to know more than that.
“I knew it!I knew something would spark between you two.”As though looking for him, Milly glanced out the windows.The day was still dark, with thick wisps of fog haunting the air.
Sarah was suddenly glad she was safe, here in the diner.She shivered.
Milly went on.“That man is just too hot to ignore, and you’re just too beautiful.That’s dynamite and a lit match.I can read the handwriting on the wind.”
“Wall,” Sarah corrected absently.“So, you think he’s hot?”
“I do.Not in that slick male model way, not like those guys you posed with in Armani ads.Ben is big and strong, and he’s a man’s man.”She lay a hand over her bosom.“It’s the way he looks straight at a person when they’re talking to him.The way he exudes ...hmm, now what’s the word I want—”
“Competency?Confidence?”
“Thank you, those’ll do.”She leaned farther across the table and lowered her voice.“Now, tell me about the kiss.”
“Milly!”Sarah set her teacup down in its saucer with a snap.“No, I am not telling you ab—”
“Did he try to strangle you with his tongue, stick it all the way down your throat?I call that a Tarzan kiss.”
“No!”She sat bolt upright.“I really don’t want to—”
“That’s good.The way a man kisses a woman is important.Lotta girls don’t understand that.We don’t always need or want a Tarzan.”
