Thankfully, Sean was holding onto her when he dipped down and pressed his lips against hers. As soon as he made contact, she forgot how to do anything.

His lips were light at first, exploring and testing her own. But then he deepened the kiss, pushing out all rational thought from her mind. In that moment, all she wanted was him. All of him.

Worried he might back away, she wrapped her fingers up in his hair. If he let her go, she just might slip into the water’s depths. He responded by pressing her body so close to his that she couldn’t tell where she ended and he began.

He pulled back and peered down at her. “Are you okay?” he asked.

Too stunned to speak, Christine just nodded. Never in her life had she ever felt this way about anyone. So frustrated one minute, and then the next minute? Completely intoxicated.

She leaned closer and he met her lips again. He let out a guttural sound as he deepened the kiss. For the first time in a long time, Christine felt whole. Like she was exactly where she belonged. She allowed herself to forget about why she was here and what she needed to do. Instead, she allowed her mind to be consumed with one thought—Sean.

Once they finally broke contact, they swam for the rest of the afternoon. Christine enjoyed watching Sean cannonball into the water from the tire swing. No coaxing from him convinced her to do the same. The branch it was tied to bent uncomfortably low when he was on it, and she really didn’t want to risk her life to try it out.

By midday, the sun was high in the sky. Christine dragged herself out of the water and laid down on one of the large rocks by the water’s edge. Sean followed after her. She tried not to stare at how the water droplets glistened off his tanned skin. Or how his chest looked like it came off of a Greek statue.

“What are you staring at?” he teased, lifting up his arms as if to strike a warrior pose.

Heat raced to her cheeks as she dropped her gaze. What was she supposed to say? That he looked amazing. “Are all cowboys so muscular?” Just as she said the words, she pinched her lips shut. What was that?

“Am I muscular?” He flexed again, turning so she could see his back.

She rolled her eyes. “Never mind.”

He plopped down next to her, resting his weight on one elbow. “No. I want to hear how you think I’m this ripped guy.” He smiled up at her with the cheesiest grin.

“I didn’t say that. I was asking in generalized terms, so when I meet another cowboy, I’ll know if it’s an expectation or if you’re the exception.”

He scooted closer to her. “Another cowboy? What are you talking about?” He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed each finger. “With me around, you’ll never need another cowboy.” He wiggled his eyebrows as he looked up at her.

She giggled and scooted away from him. He reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close.

His face grew serious as he gazed over at her. “Are you enjoying your time here in Montana?”

Christine looked at him. For a moment, she allowed herself to get lost in his gaze. There was a rawness to his expression. Like he was trying to open up. That thought made her heart soar. But, as quickly as it came, she pushed it away.

What was she thinking? Did she seriously think that this was okay? That either of them was going to walk away unscathed? She was here to audit his ranch. His ranch. This wasn’t a vacation or chance meeting. She was here to uncover secrets that just might destroy him.

So, despite how much it broke her heart, she broke contact with him and pulled back.

“It was nice. Nothing like the pools in Washington, DC, but not everything can be.” She sat up and reached for her jeans. They were covered with mud from earlier, but she didn’t care. She needed to get out of here. Put distance between her and Sean.

Once she was dressed, she looked over at him. “We should go,” she said.

He was still leaning back on one elbow, studying her. She could tell he was thinking—she just wasn’t sure about what. Did she want to know? Thankfully, he didn’t push her. Instead, he stood, shook out his pants, and pulled them on.

Christine slipped on her boots and then they started through the thicket together.

Sean was quiet. It was as if he understood her thoughts even though she hadn’t said them out loud. As much as she wanted to take it back, she knew she couldn’t. Not if she was going to save either of them from heartbreak. Feelings weren’t a luxury they were allowed.

The ride back to the ranch was quiet and Christine reveled in it. She was grateful that the rush of the wind mixed with the helmet meant there wasn’t an opportunity to speak even if they’d wanted to.

He pulled into the barn and shut off the four-wheeler. Christine climbed off, setting her helmet down on the ground. She needed a shower, a change of clothes, and to get back to work. Focusing on why she was really here seemed like the best move.

But as she made her way out of the barn, she stopped. This wasn’t what she wanted. She didn’t want him angry with her. She just wanted to keep him safe and her heart protected.

“I’m sorry,” she said. Her voice came out lower than she’d intended.

He set his helmet down on the bench next to the four-wheeler and turned around. His expression had turned stony as he peered over at her. “For what?”

She fought back the tears that clung to her lids. What was the matter with her? He was the frustrating cowboy that she was here to audit. She wasn’t supposed to have feelings for him. That was not part of the job.

Desperate to protect herself, she cleared her throat and forced a smile. “I just thought perhaps I hurt your feelings. Which, now that I say it out loud, sounds ridiculous.” She ran her hands through her damp hair. “I’m just going to go inside now.” She turned, made her way up the porch steps, and didn’t stop until she was locked in the guest room.

Now alone, she sat down on the bed and studied her hands. Why was she reacting this way? Perhaps what Parker had said was true. She did get too emotionally attached. Perhaps auditing in the field wasn’t the right thing for her.

Frustrated with how jumbled her emotions were, she pushed off the bed and headed toward the bathroom. A shower sounded amazing. Just the thing she needed to wash away everything that had happened that morning. Especially the kiss. The one that had left her speechless.

The hot water pounded on her back, relaxing her muscles. She leaned against the shower wall and took a few deep breaths. She needed to get her head on straight and focus. Do her job and then get the heck out of Moose Falls.

After she was dried and dressed, she pulled her hair back into a braid and made her way downstairs. Mr. Petty was sitting at the table when she entered the kitchen.

“Hey, Mr. Petty,” she said, walking over to the cupboard and grabbing a glass.

“Hello, Christine.”

She jumped and turned. Her stomach sank as she stared into the eyes of Parker. What was he doing here? “Parker?” she squeaked. She cleared her throat. “I mean, Parker. What are you doing here?”

He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “I’ve come to check up on you.”

Well, at least he was to the point. “Wh-why?”

“Well, I’ve been chatting with Mr. Petty here and he informed me that you haven’t been focusing on the case. Is this true?” Parker met her gaze head on.

“I—um. Well, it’s been a bit harder for me to get to the paperwork. My car broke down and I’ve needed to depend on rides.”

Parker’s eyebrows rose with each excuse she gave him. Her mind raced as she tried to figure out what she could say to get him to stop staring at her. She felt like a little kid getting scolded by her grandfather.

“Christine, you told me that you could handle this. You gave me your word. I trusted you.” He narrowed his eyes.

Realizing that there was nothing she could say that would convince him that she wasn’t an idiot, she just lowered her gaze and nodded. “I know. I’m sorry.”

The sound of chair legs scraping the floor drew her attention up. Parker had pushed back from the table and was standing, buttoning his suit coat. “Now, since I’m here, I might as well lend my expertise.” He walked over to her and extended an arm. “Take me to the files.”

Christine nodded and downed the water in the glass. Once it was empty, she turned and set it in the sink. “Right this way,” she said, leading him out of the kitchen and over to the study.

She waved toward the boxes. “I was organizing yesterday to get started.”

Parker lifted up the top paper and stared at it. “This is all you’ve done?” He gave her a disapproving stare. “You’ve been here for two days. Most would have finished and started on their next project by now.”

Christine swallowed. “I know. I’m sorry. I was just. . .”

“You were trying to get to know the people.” He clicked his tongue as he picked up another sheet of paper. “It’s no use. I told you, that is not our job. We are here to gather facts, that is all.”

“But what if there are situations the facts don’t show?” she muttered under her breath. When she glanced back up at Parker, he had a disgruntled look on his face.

“That is all, Miss Jordan.” He repeated as he grabbed the armrest of the desk chair and pulled it over. He settled down on it and pulled out a stack of papers. “My flight isn’t until this evening. Why don’t I lend you my help while I’m here?”

Christine swallowed as she studied the window. For a moment, she allowed herself to wonder where Sean was and what he might think of her boss showing up to check on her. Then she swallowed and forced herself to focus on the mound of papers in front of her. Sean probably didn’t care. He was most likely out in the field doing what he loved.

If anything, he’d be grateful that she wasn’t alone. Parker being here only meant she’d be finished that much sooner. She sighed and pushed away a loose strand of hair. Right now, that seemed like the best answer for everyone.