CHAPTER 7
It was nearly suppertime when Haley parked the T-REX next to the Hansen stable. It had taken the better part of the afternoon to set the equipment on her own, and she regretted not asking Axel to come with her. But she’d hired him as a driver, not a personal assistant. And being in close proximity to him did a number on her concentration, short circuiting her brain cells. All she could think about was how electricity zinged through her when he touched her. Or how much she’d liked kissing him at the Trading Post. But that couldn’t happen again.
He looked too good in his denims, and probably even better out of them. Her body hummed at the thought of feeling that scruff scrape against her most sensitive parts. Nope. Kissing Axel was definitely off limits. And a sure path straight to heartbreak.
“C’mon, Coop. Pull yourself together.”
She popped the hatchback and hopped out to grab the equipment. The team back at headquarters had thought of everything. The telescoping sensors were packed neatly into heavy cases color coded for easy detection. It still amazed her how much equipment they’d crammed into the back. They would be hard pressed to finish tonight, but they could head back out early tomorrow and drop the other sensor. So long as everything was in place by noon, she should be good to go.
She lugged the boxes through the opening in the barn door and stopped, letting her eyes adjust to the dim interior. Maybe ten feet in front of her, Axel stood, head bent, talking to one of the horses. Her heart clutched at the sight. She’d always admired the ease at which he’d handled himself around the great beasts. He might be loud and funny with friends, but with the animals he turned into a gentle giant. Not to mention when he lifted the saddle over the horse’s back, she could freely salivate over the way his muscles bulged as he moved. Tingles shot down her body, and her nipples hardened uncomfortably. How many times had they snuck up to the loft for a little afternoon loving? She’d lost count. And now, his body was so much harder. Stronger. Surer.
“Like the view?” He asked before he turned.
Drat.
So. Busted.
“I was just bringing the equipment,” she answered brightly. “Where shall I put these?”
He gave her a knowing grin, as if to say fine, play it that way if you want, and cocked his chin toward the tack room. “In there for now, I’ve got the other equipment laid out.”
“What do you mean, other equipment?”
His eyes twinkled with humor. “You didn’t honestly think we were going to ride out until way after dark, and do it all again at the ass-crack of dawn, did you?”
“Yes?” Although when he put it that way, the idea did seem a bit ridiculous.
He laughed. A warm, rich sound that flowed over her and warmed her belly. God, she loved his laugh. It melted her insides. Every. Single. Time.
“You’re talking about covering an area of fifteen square miles. We’re camping tonight.”
Her body thrilled at the idea but her head entered full-blown panic mode. Be alone with him? At night? Under the stars? They couldn’t do that. How would she hold out? “I- I need my own tent then.”
Axel smirked and turned back to check the cinch on the horse. “No can do.”
“Why not?” She hated the way her voice turned all breathy. Like she was actually looking forward to being alone with him.
“We’re already taking three horses. You want me to pack a covered wagon?” He patted the horse then approached, stopping so close she had to tilt her head to maintain eye contact.
Her pulse hammered in her ears. Axel’s eyes glinted with humor and triumph, as if he knew exactly what his proximity was doing to her insides. She made the mistake of taking a deep centering breath, and the scent of him, mixed with hay and horse, made her head spin. He tilted his head, moving a fraction closer. Tingles raced down her spine, and she leaned forward, body humming in anticipation.
“What are you afraid of, Coop?” His voice slid over her seductively.
You.
Me.
Losing myself.
She swallowed hard. Fine. If he was going to tease her like this, two could play that game. He’d forgotten who he was challenging. She raised an eyebrow and smiled slow, giving an internal fist raise of triumph when she heard his quick intake of breath. “Nothing, big guy. Nothing at all.”
Axel cleared his throat and stepped back. “Best go change your clothes then. I’ll have the horses ready when you get back.”
Haley turned and hurried out of the barn, letting out a sigh of relief and frustration. She’d come so close to kissing him just then. She’d have to keep her distance tonight, or she’d give in to the desire roaring through her.
Coming back to Prairie wasn’t supposed to wake her up like this. She’d moved on. He’d moved on. Right? She was only here for two months. They couldn’t do this, even if the attraction between them was palpable.
She let herself into the bunkhouse, quickly changed into a pair of jeans, and grabbed her toothbrush and birth control pills. She hadn’t had sex in way too long, but she never wanted to risk missing a dose. She’d always insisted on secondary protection with her partners, but you could never be too careful, and a baby was definitely not in her plans. A flash of melancholy burst in Haley’s chest. One of the many reasons she’d decided to walk away, years ago. Axel had always wanted children. And she… wasn’t so sure. She seemed to have been born without the nurturing instinct. She didn’t even have a goldfish.
Stuffing her toiletries, portable batteries and chargers for her equipment, and a lightweight jacket into a small sack, she headed back for the barn.
True to his word, Axel had two horses saddled and tied to the fencing outside the barn and was leading the packhorse out as she reached him. He’d even moved the T-REX back to where the trucks sat.
He stopped, watching her approach. And even though his eyes were obscured by aviators, she felt his gaze rake over her as she moved. Her pulse kicked into high gear. She’d always enjoyed watching Axe work, but when he stopped and stared at her like that… her mouth went dry from the heat that flashed through her.
“Got room for this?” She held out the small pack. He took it from her, then froze.
“What the hell is that on your feet?” he growled.
“Umm, shoes?”
“You expect to ride in those? Are you nuts, woman? Where are your boots?”
Heat raced up the back of her neck as she looked down at her lightweight cross trainers. She hadn’t been on a horse since she’d left Prairie. Her heart constricted painfully. “Horseback riding isn’t part of my job description,” she snapped.
“Now don’t go gettin’ your panties twisted,” Axel snapped back. “I’m just looking out for you.”
She fisted her hands at her hips. “I still don’t see why we can’t take your truck.”
Axel’s jaw set. “Do you want to risk getting stuck in the mud? Or getting high centered and not being able to set your equipment?”
As quickly as he’d riled her up, she deflated. “No. Look, this is all I have.”
Axel turned, muttering something under his breath about getting her boots. Then he looked back over his shoulder. “Well? What are you waiting for? Saddle up, sweetheart.”
She stayed rooted to the ground, suddenly unsure of herself. She’d never been the best rider, had only learned when she started dating Axel. He’d only ever picked gentle horses for her, but she looked at the new animal in front of her with unease. It was so… big.
Why hadn’t she thought to bring her one pair of cowboy boots?
Because they stood forgotten in the far recesses of her closet. She never wore them. Not anymore. But she’d never been able to get rid of them either. She’d never been able to bring herself to get rid of anything special Axe had given her.
Axel sighed heavily behind her, only adding to her mortification. His voice grew soft. “You need help?”
She shut her eyes and swallowed before nodding once. And then he was beside her, big and strong, and – oh man, did he smell good.
“You remember how to do this?” His voice was smooth and rough all at once, and a delicious shiver ran down her spine. Suddenly her tongue wouldn’t move. He’d shifted behind her, his body pressing against hers. “Put your left hand here.” He moved her left hand to the pommel. His strong, calloused hand encased hers, ensuring it wouldn’t slip. His other hand came to rest on her hip.
The sun must have shot off a flare. That was the only explanation for the heat that was rapidly seeping into her bones.
“Remember what to do next?”
Haley was pretty sure it involved kissing. She bit down on her lip, focusing on a bit of stitching on the saddle. It would be so easy to turn around. Relieve the ache that had sprung up between her legs. Press herself against the length of him and let him kiss her until she forgot her name.
“No.” She shook her head, more at herself than in answer to his question.
“Liar,” he murmured into her ear. God, she could listen to him talk all day. Just the sound of him sent her libido into a tizzy. And when he was right there, sending electric shocks down her neck straight to her nipples, it was all she could do not to combust on the spot.
What if she turned around? Took one little taste of him? Just enough to take the edge off her desire. Would it be so bad to give in? Just for a moment?
His hand tightened at her hip. “Coop.”
What was she doing? She had a job to do that didn’t involve letting herself get seduced by a sweet-talking cowboy. She cleared her throat. “Help me up.”
“Sure thing.”
He let go of her hand, and she immediately felt a wall go up between them. The knot she carried behind her ribs twisted a notch tighter. It was for the best. It had to be. She slid her foot into the stirrup and pushed off the ground with the other. Axel was right there to give her the extra boost she needed. But he stepped away as soon as she’d seated herself, his face unreadable.
He lifted the reins over the horse’s head and handed them to her. “Let’s go. We’re going to have to hoof it to set your equipment before dark.”
He mounted up and wheeled the horse around, taking the packhorse lead with him. He looked over at her, jaw tight, and all business. “Your mount is named Lucy. She’s very gentle, and she won’t spook.” He gave his own horse a pat on the neck. “And this is Ricky. Stella’s our pack horse today. Ready?”
Haley nodded, a wave of remorse washing over her. She’d rarely seen Axel brusque like this. Once, maybe twice the whole time they’d dated, and only because he’d been upset at his dad. To be on the receiving end of this coolness, stung.
He’d always been so much fun. So willing to go gung-ho with any of her harebrained ideas. Around him, she could be who she wanted. Who she imagined, without all the crazy baggage. Around him, she could lose herself in the moment and forget she was the unwanted foster kid with the fucked up past. The one who had to scramble and scratch for every opportunity.
Once they were clear of the outbuildings, Axe swung Ricky wide and slowed, waiting for her to catch up. She came abreast of him and peeked over, grateful for the shield her sunglasses provided. He’d asked earlier if they could be friendly, and she’d agreed. Yet they were doing a bad job of it. She was doing a bad job of it. If the next fourteen hours weren’t going to be miserable, she’d have to get over herself and start talking. And jeez, if she’d learned how to do anything when she was working in broadcast television, it was how to talk. Easier said than done when it was someone you apparently still harbored feelings for.
Haley cleared her throat, extending an olive branch. “So you asked earlier how I ended up in meteorology.”
For a heart-stopping moment, the lines on his face remained taut. Had he decided to give up on being friendly? Decided she wasn’t worth the effort? A hot lump formed in her throat. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d ruined something.
Then he flashed her a grin.
A genuine smile that made her feel light all over, and she sagged from the relief of it.
“Yeah. You gonna tell me a story while we ride?”
“There’s not really a story.” Well there was one, but thinking about it gave her nightmares, and most people only wanted broad brushstrokes when they asked questions like that. “I… wanted to make a difference. You know, help people. Save lives.”
“Curing cancer saves lives.”
“So does enhancing our predictions of severe weather, and changing how we design buildings.”
“If your predictions are enhanced, doesn’t it also bring out more crazies? You know, people who have a death wish disguised as a sick fascination with storms?”
He was referring to the time when she’d dragged him out to hunt a storm and they’d ended up speeding hell for leather away from a twister that nearly caught them. She smiled sheepishly. “Hey, I’ve grown up a lot since then. Not nearly so crazy.”
“Bullshit,” he coughed into his hand.
Haley laughed out loud. “Think what you like. I’ve been trained in evasive tactics. And every one of CPARC’s vehicles is equipped with first-aid equipment since we may be first on the scene in the event a tornado hits a populated area.” She grew serious. “Enhanced prediction has created additional problems, as have camera phones and social media. Everyone fancies themselves a chaser now. But evidence still shows that improved early warning saves more lives.”
He stared at her intently, a light blazing in his eyes. “You really love your work, don’t you?”
She nodded, unable to stop the smile that always appeared when she discussed her job.
“Then lucky for us. And CPARC. They’re lucky to have someone like you, Coop.”
She warmed at the admiration in his voice. If she wasn’t careful, she’d find herself falling for him hard and fast, and she wasn’t sure her heart could stand the breaking a second time around.