Rafe’s first call was to the coroner. “So, what do you know, Mitch?” He turned his chair away from his desk.

The sound of the other man’s tired sigh had Rafe bracing for the news. “Well, the boy definitely died from multiple injuries suffered during his fall. He probably never recovered consciousness. He had massive head trauma.”

“Okay.” Rafe took a deep breath, and then asked the next question that had been burning a hole in his stomach. “Tell me there weren’t any marks made by a large cat on that boy’s body.”

“I could…but it wouldn’t be the truth.”

“Damn.”

The coroner took a deep breath. “It gets weirder, Sheriff.”

Rafe’s hand tightened on the telephone. “How so?”

“That cat carried the boy gentle as a baby. Its teeth never penetrated his skin. There were only pressure marks left in his flesh at the top of his shoulder. That mountain lion never took a bite.”

After Rafe hung up, he stared out the window of his office for a long while. The boy hadn’t fallen to the ledge, and he certainly hadn’t crawled there.

The cat had dragged the boy to that ledge with his mouth clamped around his shoulder. Yet there had been no smears of blood leading to the ledge. It made no sense.

On one hand he was relieved the boy’s death had been caused by the fall and not by being mauled by a cat while he lay helpless. On the other, he realized the chances of two different large cats appearing within miles of each other was rather remote, given the hunting range of mountain lions and their solitary habits.

The cat Lani had confronted on the ledge was likely the same one that had showed up on her porch. For whatever reason, it had stalked her all the way to her home.

He should have shot the lion while he’d had it in his sights.

Rafe picked up the phone to call Lani, but there wasn’t any answer. She’d mentioned she might pop in at the fire station, so he didn’t worry too much. But tonight, he’d let her know she had a dangerous new pet.

Curious about the blast the boys reported hearing the day before the accident, Rafe paid a call to the McKelvey ranch. He found Danny McKelvey welding stock fence around a corral not far from his house.

As he approached, the rancher straightened and pushed his goggles up his forehead. “Sheriff, what can I do for you?”

Rafe took off his cowboy hat to wipe sweat from his face. “I don’t know how you can work with that torch in this heat.”

“Work has to be done.” His broad, ruddy face formed a scowl. “I’m bringin’ in my stud bulls until that mountain lion’s killed.”

Rafe glanced around the corral and barn. Both had seen better days—the roof of the barn sagged, older welds on the stock panels showed signs of rust. The barn and the fence needed more care than a slap of paint. “You have insurance on your cattle?”

“I do. But insurance won’t pay for all my losses if that lion gits one.” Danny’s gaze narrowed. “But I’m sure that’s not what you’re here for.”

Something about the rancher’s wary stance raised Rafe’s hackles. He was accustomed to being greeted with suspicion from the locals who’d lived here for generations. As the first elected sheriff who wasn’t a hometown boy, he was considered a “blow-in”, as were most of the people moving into the rapidly growing area. But Danny’s demeanor was downright menacing. “You hear about Matt Costello?”

Danny nodded once. “I did. Damn shame.”

Rafe didn’t like the terseness of his reply. “Yeah, it is. The boys mentioned something that had me a little curious.”

The big man’s back stiffened. “What’s that?”

“They said they heard someone using dynamite. It was close. The explosion’s what opened that cave. I wondered if you had any idea who might be blasting?”

“No. Why you askin’ me?” he said, his tone bordering on belligerent.

“Just curious.” Rafe narrowed his gaze. “Wanted to make sure a permit was issued.”

“Well, I’m not licensed to buy that stuff.”

“Didn’t think you were. Just wondered if you knew anyone else around here who might need it.”

“You know there’s a golf course goin’ in on the other side of that big hill.” Danny’s scowl deepened. “Bought up several ranches to do it.”

“I remember reading about that when I was still in San Antonio. The company had you and some of the other ranchers pretty upset.”

“Yeah, well, you would be, too, if some stranger dammed the only creek that feeds half a dozen ranches downriver and dumped a ton of chemicals all over your backyard.”

“I understand they’ve only dammed for flood prevention. The creek’s still flowing through.”

“Well, that’s water under the bridge.” Danny’s mouth quirked on one side.

His smirk rankled Rafe. The man was too smug.

“They might be needin’ dynamite for some of their construction, and I’m sure they’ll have to use it to dig deep enough for a septic system.”

“I appreciate the suggestion.” Rafe put his hat back on his head. “One more question.”

Danny’s hand fisted around the torch he still held.

“What are you going to do about that cave?”

“Well, ain’t that interestin’…”

Rafe cocked his head, waiting for the other man to explain.

“That pretty little fire-girl called me this morning and asked me that same question.”

Lani forced herself to walk her natural gait, despite the swollen tissue between her thighs that seemed to grow puffier by the second. Why had she worn jeans? The material hugged her crotch, and the friction scalded despite the soft cotton panties beneath her jeans.

But she couldn’t complain about the cause. She still felt caressed all the way to her soul by Rafe’s lovemaking.

The fire station was quiet today. Most of the men on shift were washing the trucks, polishing chrome, and repacking gear. She shied away from the group, giving them a friendly wave. She really didn’t want to get into a conversation with those sharp-eyed guys. If they only knew…

Before last night, she sure hadn’t had a clue. She’d never spent a night—or a morning—like the one she had with Rafe.

Oh, at first, everything had progressed just as she’d expected yesterday—the hot glances, the sly caresses. His pursuit had desire building into frenzied need before she’d made it through the front door. But throughout the long night, he’d shown her loving she’d never experienced before—sexy teasing and laughter—and conversation in a hushed, tender voice that wrapped warmth around her heart.

After she’d sated the hot passion, she’d sought his touch again and again—not because she craved the release he was so skilled and well-equipped to deliver, but because she wanted him. And this wanting felt as natural and easy to her as breathing.

Of course, he could ratchet up that heat again in a heartbeat, she thought, remembering their little tryst on the porch.

“What’s got you smiling like a Cheshire cat?” Cale asked, devilment in his gruff voice.

Lani blushed and clamped her lips together before she turned to fully face the captain.

His eyes held a twinkle. “Wouldn’t be that sheriff who followed you around like a birddog yesterday, would it?”

“What makes you think that?” Certainly not the blush burning my cheeks as hot as a wildfire. She silently cursed her fair complexion but figured she’d better get used to the teasing—she’d be blushing a lot from now on if Rafe kept introducing new “geography” lessons.

“Oh, I don’t know,” he said, not bothering to hide a smile. “I been married a lot of years. Seen that look a time or two on the wife.”

“Well, you don’t really expect me to comment, do you?”

“Hell no!” He waggled his bushy eyebrows. “Just gettin’ you ready for when the guys come rollin’ in. They’re takin’ a break.”

Just as he predicted, laughter and the buzz of half a dozen male voices came from down the hallway as the men made their way to the kitchen.

Lani straightened her back, assuming her blandest poker face as the men shuffled past. She dipped her head in greeting.

“You come by to check on that Costello boy?” Cale asked.

Lani nodded.

“I called Rafe a little while ago.” Cale’s voice dropped. “Said the coroner determined the boy died from his fall.”

The relief she felt confused her—dead was dead, whether he’d been mauled or not.

“Hi, Lani.”

Lani glanced over her shoulder to find Randy standing behind her, a sheepish expression on his face.

“I didn’t know you were working today,” she said. “This isn’t your shift.”

“I’m not on shift. I just stopped in to help with cleanup. Didn’t have anything better to do.”

Lani smiled. Randy was young and eager—and he liked wearing his fireman’s uniform. “Well, I wanted to talk to you, anyway.”

“Me, too.” He rocked on his heels and looked at the ground.

“I’ll leave you two,” Cale said. “Have to make sure the boys don’t get too comfy in the kitchen.”

“See you, Captain,” Lani murmured, then turned back to Randy whose cheeks had flushed red. “What’s up?”

“Look, I’m sorry about yesterday—about the way I talked to you…in the cave.”

Lani shook her head, not understanding, but then recalled Randy’s odd behavior when he’d found her kissing Rafe. “Oh.” Her own face heated. “Don’t worry about it. You were right. It was definitely the wrong place…for that.”

“No. I don’t know why I got so mad.”

Lani thought she might know. Randy followed her around like an eager puppy. She found his crush sweet. “Don’t worry about it. We were all under a lot of stress.”

He took a deep breath. “Well, I just wanted to say it.”

“And I wanted to ask you if you’d like to make another trip back to the cave.”

His eyes lit up. “Just us?”

“Yeah.” She grinned at his eager expression. “I want to check out that second level.”

“I’m in.”

“All right. Tomorrow soon enough?”

“Sheriff, did I hear you talking earlier about that big cat Lani saw in the cave?” Deputy Johnny Ramos stood in Rafe’s doorway.

“I was talking to the coroner.”

Johnny’s expression turned dark. “A rancher east of McKelvey’s property reported finding a dead calf. She said it was partially eaten. As far as she could tell, it was attacked by a mountain lion.”

“Was the game warden notified?”

Johnny nodded. “I’m headed out there, now. I’ll let you know what I find.”

“Call back the warden. Tell him I saw the mountain lion just west of town this morning.”

“Will do. Although, he’ll probably be a little late to capture it. The ranchers are planning a hunting party. Danny McKelvey’s leading it.”

Rafe knew that meant Danny’s pit bulls would be along for the kill. Somehow, the idea of that proud cat being mauled or shot to death didn’t sit right. “Well, let’s hope the warden gets him first.”

“I better get out on the road.”

As much as Rafe would have liked to let the deputy take the call, it was still midafternoon—time enough to see to business before he headed back to Lani’s place. “I’ll head to the ranch and check out the damages.”

“Thought you were taking the day off, boss.”

“Yeah, I was. But I want to see for myself whether this is a mountain lion attack, or whether folks are just getting nervous.”

Johnny tipped the edge of his cowboy hat and left.

Rafe recognized the name on the report and made his way to the small ranch. Then he followed the trio of buzzards circling overhead, silhouetted against the bright, Texas sky.

The calf, or what was left of its carcass, lay on its side, flies buzzing around gaping wounds.

Dressed in Wranglers and scuffed boots, her gray hair covered by a grimy straw hat, Kate Massey leaned against a fencepost. “This is just how I found it this mornin’. Least this one wasn’t taken by drought. It was a faster death.” Her lined face was drawn into a fierce frown.

“It looks like a lion did this, all right,” Rafe said.

The ground around the carcass was free of tracks, which wasn’t unexpected due to the hard, graveled surface. But the calf’s throat had been laid open by a single, suffocating bite—the width consistent with the size of a mountain lion’s jaws.

“My husband’s bringin’ the cattle into the corral tonight. We’ll keep watch in case he comes back.”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

“Danny McKelvey said he’d come out later and let his dogs loose. He hopes to find scent they can track.”

Uncomfortable with the methods, but understanding the rancher’s concern, Rafe nodded. There wouldn’t be any calls made to the game warden if the cat showed up here again.

“So, what’s your report gonna say?” she asked, blunt as a mallet, like always.

“Mountain lion attack. I’ll have a copy ready for you tomorrow for your insurance claim.”

“I’d be obliged.” She straightened and tipped back her hat. “So, Sheriff, do you think this is the same lion what killed that boy in McKelvey’s cave?”

Rafe’s gaze narrowed. He wondered at the anger that sparked hot as a match to kindling. “The mountain lion didn’t kill Matt Costello—a fall did.”

Kate nodded, but the grim set of her lips told him she’d already made up her mind that particular version of the tale had been manufactured for public consumption.

Before he left the ranch, he called Lani’s number on his cell phone.

“Hello?”

Rafe closed the door of his cruiser and stared out his window. “It’s me.”

“Rafe.” Her voice changed, turning softer.

“Want some company?” He held his breath, hoping he hadn’t dreamed the new intimacy he’d felt growing between them over the last day and night.

“Sure.” She drew in a breath. “Have you eaten?”

“No.”

“I’ll make dinner.”

The conversation felt awkward, and she sounded a little shy. His mouth curved—he knew how to bring her out of her shell. “How’re you feeling today?”

“Fine,” she said, a little too quickly. He knew her pale features would be glowing red right about now.

Unable to resist teasing her a bit further, he said softly, “Not sore?”

“Rafe!” She groaned. “You’re a wicked man. What do you think?”

“I think we’ll have to take it easy tonight. Maybe watch a movie. Keep it at kisses.”

“Think you can?”

Her sexy drawl had his blood humming in a heartbeat. “I can be creative.”

“Stop!” She laughed. “I’ll need another cold shower.”

“If you wait, I’ll scrub your back.”

“Kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?”

Her starchy tone had him chuckling. Then he cleared his throat. “Seriously, are you okay?”

After a moment’s silence, she said, “Of course.” She cleared her throat. “Sitting isn’t very comfortable at the moment. I was afraid anyone who looked at me would know. I didn’t stay long at the station.”

“Why’s that?”

“I think I’m wearing a permanent blush. And I’ve been thinking about…acts.”

Recalling the sight of her lovely buttocks quivering beneath his hands, Rafe leaned back in his seat to ease the ache centered in his groin. His hand tightened on the cell phone. “Any one in particular?”

“Maybe. I’ve been thinking about what you said.”

“I said a lot of things.”

“Yeah, and most of them X-rated,” she muttered.

“Tell me you didn’t like it,” Rafe drawled, silently cursing the fact he was miles away.

She groaned and let out a gust of laughter. “You’re impossible.”

“So, what acts have you been thinking about?”

“You’re going to make me say it?” Her voice rose at the end, a sure sign she was struggling with embarrassment and laughter.

“Yup,” he said, a grin stretching his mouth.

“Well…” Her voice dropped to a sultry, smoky growl. “It’s one that involves kisses…and tongue…”

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

“Make it fifteen.”

He heard a click and dead air.

Rafe jammed his hat on his head and cranked the engine into life. He churned gravel as he gunned his engine.

Lani met him at the door wearing only a smile. The embarrassment was worth it. His jaw dropped, and the smoldering look that settled over his features told her she’d pleased him.

He reached for her, but she danced away. “I promised you dinner first.”

“And if I’m on a liquid diet?”

Damn, if that growled double entendre didn’t do the trick. Her body blossomed, her pussy creaming in response. She shook her head. He was not going to change the course she’d set. “Food first. Take off your hat and your gun belt…and whatever else makes you comfortable.” She turned on her heels and headed to the kitchen, trying to ignore his low hiss and the snaps and slides that meant he was stripping at the door.

Once inside the kitchen, she leaned against the counter and waited for her heartbeat to slow. She’d greeted him stark naked! A giggle bubbled up, and she clamped her hand over her mouth. She only hoped she had the courage to follow through with the rest of her plan. Rafe had already pledged his love to her. Tonight, she’d show him what was in her heart.

She’d decided on simple, southwestern fare—Carne Asada, beef tips in spicy gravy, and tortillas. She poured a single glass of red wine and filled one bowl with the meat dish. Tonight, they’d share their meal, and she didn’t want too many dishes getting in the way.

Pushing the door open with her hip, she carried the tray into the living room to find Rafe already seated on her sofa, unabashedly naked. Perfect.

She set the tray on the end table next to them and climbed onto his lap, facing him, trying not to note how the hairs on his upper thighs tickled the insides of hers.

Rafe’s chest rose with the deep breath he dragged into his lungs. His face hardened, skin stretching across his sharp, high cheekbones. A muscle in his jaw flexed. “Something smells delicious,” he said, his voice tight.

She knew he wasn’t talking about the food but ignored his suggestive comment and the hands that closed on her hips. She reached for the fork and speared a chunk of meat, twirling it in the gravy. Then she lifted it to Rafe’s mouth.

His gaze held hers as he took her offering.

“What do you think?” she asked.

His gaze dipped, pausing on her breasts then sweeping lower to her spread thighs. “Like I said, delicious.”

She took a bite for herself while fighting the urge to grind her open sex on his cock. She could feel it hardening against her open slit. Her nipples tightened to exquisitely sensitive points—but she held herself away from the light furring on his chest.

While he remained watchful of her every move, Lani fed them both slowly, lingering over the meal.

“I’m thirsty,” he said, nudging her open pussy with his sex in an unsubtle hint.

She took a sip from the wine, put her hands on his shoulders, and bent to give him a drink, opening to let the liquid pass from her mouth to his. She chased the drink with a quick stroke of her tongue, and then pulled away.

Rafe followed her, leaning forward. “Bruja!” he whispered against her lips. “Are you going to let me have you?”

Her kiss was openmouthed, sliding over his mouth—but brief. “Baby, you’re dessert.”

Rafe cursed softly.

Lani laughed, setting the dishes aside, and rose from his lap. Her legs were unsteady, but she was determined.