Avery closed the door of her bedroom, and leaned back against it. She needed a minute, maybe a couple more, to steady the trembling of her legs and the fierce pounding of her heart. The shame would linger longer. She claimed to be no good at lying and yet it’s what she’d done, how she’d lived, for the past five years.

Letting her knees give out, she slid down the door to the floor and rubbed a hand on her arm. At the spot where Daniel’s hand had wrapped around her.

At moments like this she wanted to blame Brad. Only that would be wrong. She’d made the decision to get involved with him, had trusted him, only to end up pregnant. How could she regret that reckless behavior when she’d ended up with the biggest, brightest blessing in her life?

And here she was, struggling to not give into her body’s surprising but urgent need to experience having Daniel Sawyer as a lover.

Then, there was the accident this morning. She’d lied there also. She knew in her gut it hadn’t been kids out joyriding. She knew because she’d received a text message every day of the last week stating she should sell the ranch and move away before someone got hurt. Each message came from a different number and when she hadn’t received one today she foolishly believed they’d taken her silence as her continued refusal and had finally accepted her decision.

Now she knew not only how naïve she’d been, but she’d put Cole, the ranch and everyone else she cared about in danger.

It was so tempting to give in, sell the ranch and move away. She and Cole could have a new life. One where her guilt didn’t shadow every answer she gave to his innocent questions about his father. Only she loved living here, took pride in what she’d managed to accomplish, dreamt of the legacy she hoped to build and pass onto Cole.

So, she’d accepted help from friends, more people she’d lied to about her marriage, and had put her trust into the hands of a stranger. A sexy stranger that aroused erotic feelings inside of her. For so long she’d believed she lacked them, had certainly been told so often enough. Brad’s betrayal of their wedding vows confirmed every accusation he’d voiced.

She trailed her hand down, stroked along her most private region. What would it be like if Daniel touched her? Kissed her? She could practically feel him tracing her clit with a flick of his tongue, sucking, teasing her until she exploded. He’d have a satisfied smile on his face as he then dipped one, two fingers inside the hot wetness he’d created, urging her to another shattering climax.

Stunned by her thoughts, let alone the erotic behavior of caressing herself, she scrambled to stand, moaning a little at the dampness of her panties. As tempting as it would be to explore these new exciting sensations, she needed to think of Daniel only as protector. One who would only be here for a short time.

After a quick change of clothes, and God she really wished she’d had the luxury of time for a shower, she opened her bedroom door to find him waiting. The way he studied her, the heat in his gaze and the way his body looked tense and hard, had her cheeks burning. It had to be little more than her guilty conscience, but she couldn’t dismiss the thought that he knew what she’d been imagining and doing on the other side of the door.

He’d pulled his hair back into a stubby tail, emphasizing the lean planes of his face. He’d also changed into jeans and a camo T-shirt that fit so snug there was no reason for her imagination to picture what he’d look like bare-chested. She also saw no sign of the gun holster she’d rubbed up against earlier in his truck. When he’d sweetly held her while she trembled through a mini-meltdown before re-gaining a little control.

“I figured it was time I get a tour of the barn,” he said. “Although I’m more used to a car or truck as transportation instead of a horse.” He smiled a little, and oh my God, just that small curve of his lips set off all kinds of longings.

In that instant she wanted to go to him, have his strong arms wrap around her. And tell him everything. Only, she’d gotten into this mess now because she’d trusted a man. In the four years since Brad had died and she’d been on her own, she’d learned how to handle whatever came her way. She would do the same now.

“This time of day is more about feeding the horses than riding them,” she said, trying to match his light tone. “We’ll see how you feel this time tomorrow after a day of shoveling manure.” She turned to walk down the stairs, then stopped and turned back to him. “Why did you get out of the military? Army or Marines?”

“Army. Rangers. I got hit in the hip by sniper fire. It’s better now, but not really stable enough for deployment into the field.” He shrugged, and she guessed there had to be more to the story. He nodded to the stairs and they began to go downstairs. “A friend of a friend of a friend told me about Hank’s group. Since my enlistment was up, I decided to check it out.”

“I’m sorry you were injured, but I’m hard pressed to complain when your choice to come here is helping me out.”

She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, realized he’d also stopped – a few steps above her. She looked up, her heart suddenly pounding. His eyes drilled into hers, made elicit promises with the hot look that had her going wet. Again.

“Hard pressed is how I want you. Against me, as I fill you with this dick that’s been long and hard since I had eyes on you.”

She had one foot back on the stairs, ready to go to him, to see just what he could do, when she felt the buzz of her cell phone in her back pocket.

She slipped it out, glanced down and cried out. As her legs crumbled beneath her, Daniel was beside her. His arms wrapped around her, held her steady as he slowly lowered her to the floor. Avery rocked. “My baby.”

Daniel pried the phone from her hands, swore softly at the photo, taken from a distance, of Cole stepping off the school bus. At the end of the lane where she and Daniel had sat in his truck, discussing how to explain his sudden presence in her life. Avery buried her face in his shoulders, tears brimming in her eyes.

“How does he get home from the bus?”

Her head shot up, nearly clipped him on the chin. She glanced down at the phone, shuttered at still finding the photo rather than the lock screen showing the time. She looked across the room to the mantel clock. She’d already started to stand when the front door swung open.

“Mommy.”

Avery ran across the room, scooped her son up into her arms. As she struggled to force back the tears she didn’t want him to see, Cole wiggled in her arms.

“You’re squeezing me.”

“You’re just so squeezable.” She forced out a laugh as her heart lifted in joy and relief. “Like a big orange.” She made slurping noises as she kissed his cheeks. Knowing she had little choice, she then relaxed her grip and let him slide to the floor.

“How was your day?” she asked, inching away to give her room to study him and brush back a lock of light brown hair from his face. She couldn’t let anything happen to him. She’d never live through it.

“’Kay. ‘Lisbeth had a bloody nose. It went all over her shirt. I’m hungry, can I have a snack?”

“’Kay.” She smiled at him.

“Why didn’t you meet me at the bus?”

“Oh, I guess I got distracted.” Guilt rolled through her. She’d been so caught up in the hunger that Daniel stirred in her she’d forgotten all about picking Cole up from the bus stop. “Did you walk home?”

“Nah. Randy gave me a ride. On his horse,” Cole added, and she knew that was a thrill for him. “I didn’t see your truck.” Then her baby’s hazel eyes, a legacy from the father he’d never known, widened. “Who’s that?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“This is Daniel. He’s a friend, that is, he came to see your daddy.”

“I never knew my daddy.”

Avery held her breath and blocked the regret as Daniel crossed the room, knelt down beside her. “I know how you feel. I never knew my daddy either.”

“Do you have a Mommy?”

“Yes,” he finally answered after a long pause. “I haven’t seen her in a long time.”

“It’s a long time when I’m at school.”

Daniel chuckled. “I hear that.”

“You have hair like Mommy’s.”

“I, oh.” Daniel smiled and swiped a hand over his stubby tail. “I was in the hospital and couldn’t get a haircut.”

“You wear a bracelet, like a girl.”

Daniel touched a finger to the cord connecting a brass rectangle embossed with the American flag that surrounded his left wrist. “A buddy of mine gave me this. It’s for an organization that raises money to give dogs to wounded veterans. A veteran is a soldier who’s no longer a soldier.”

“Are you a soldier?”

“I was.”

Cole slid a glance at his mother. “I want a dog. I’m gonna ask Santa for a dog and I’m gonna name him Pete.”

“You asked for a snack.”

“I could have both.”

“Today you only get one of the brownies I made this morning,” Avery said, knowing Cole had a weakness for them, in addition to providing a way to shift the conversation onto a different track.

“Brownies are my favorite,” Daniel said. Two pairs of brown eyes, so different in age and experience, and yet similar in their plea, turned to her. “Plus I’ve never known a female who could resist chocolate.”

“Then you’ve met your first.” Avery stood, held out a hand to her son. Thankful for the warmth, the inherent trust of his little fingers linked with hers, she could think of nothing she’d deny her son today. That didn’t mean she was any less aware of Daniel following them into the kitchen. “But, you’re in luck that this particular female can’t resist her favorite guy.”

“Can I have two?” Cole asked.

“One.” She flicked a fingertip down his nose. “Then we need to feed the horses.”

From the corner of her eye she watched Daniel studying the room. She assumed he checked the layout, noted the doors and windows as he gave the appearance of watching her take the foil off a platter on the center of the island. If not for two terrifying rushes of panic, coupled with an incredible sexual awareness, she might have relaxed and enjoyed the moment. Only, after sliding one small square onto a plate followed by a larger serving on another, she glanced up, shivered at the dark, inviting look in his eyes.

“How come he gets a bigger piece?” Cole asked from where he climbed onto a stool across the island from her.

Because he’s big in all the right ways. While she managed to keep the words from tripping off her tongue, she couldn’t stop the quiver low in her belly. It took all of her will to resist indulging in a once-over of Daniel’s hard body.

Instead, she focused on him slicing a thin sliver of his brownie – hardly enough to bother with and yet she knew it would mean the world to her son - and placing it on Cole’s plate. “Anything else happen at school today, Cole?”

“Nope. Mommy, can I have some juice?”

“Milk,” Avery corrected on auto-pilot as she headed for the cupboard next to the refrigerator.

“Can I have some?” She looked over her shoulder to see Daniel staring at her. He smiled a little, doing nothing to reduce or diminish the heated sensuality of his gaze. It was a look that reminded her she was a woman as well as a mother. “I love a good glass of cold milk.”

Swallowing, she nodded and turned away, closing her eyes for one long indrawn breath before she opened the cabinet and took down two glasses. While Cole and Daniel enjoyed their brownies and milk, she nursed a cup of coffee and observed their interaction. Avery slowly realized Daniel kept up a running dialogue meant to pry information out of Cole about the day, and any potential danger he might have faced, without Cole becoming suspicious or afraid.

Amused, she listened as Daniel explained to Cole that a soldier always cleans up after himself rather than expect someone else to do the job. The serenity of the moment vanished with the knock at the back door.

Daniel instantly moved, sweeping up Cole, ducking a little and moving to the far side of the back door. Kneeling he looked at Cole and placed a finger over his lips. Her little boy’s eyes were wide but he nodded. It unnerved her to see how quickly Cole went along with Daniel’s instructions.

Daniel pivoted a little, his hand going to his back. That’s when she realized that while he didn’t wear the shoulder holster she’d felt earlier today, he must have a gun at the small of his back. His eyes blazed with intensity when he looked at her, when he nodded for her to answer.

Her mouth dry, heart pounding in her chest, she looked at Cole who silently watched. With a forced smile to reassure him, she swiped her damp palms on her jeans and reached for the knob.

“Hi, Avery.”

Every bone and muscle in her went limp at the sight of the young man standing on the porch, his hat in his hand and his dark hair damp with sweat. From the corner of her eye, she saw Daniel straighten, place a comforting hand on Cole’s shoulder. “Hi, Randy. What’s up?” she asked.

“I was about to knock off for the day. Wanted to make sure you were here since you didn’t pick up the little guy from the bus.”

“I guess I lost track of time. But, thanks, Randy for bringing Cole home.” She managed a smile. “You know he loves riding a horse whenever possible.”

“I didn’t see your truck anywhere.” He glanced over his shoulder to where you could just make out the rear fender of Daniel’s truck.

“I had some engine trouble when I went into town. Lucky for me an old friend of Brad’s was following so I was able to ride with him.”

“Hello.” Daniel stepped around Avery, Cole held secure by his left arm as he extended his right hand to Randy. “I’m Daniel Sawyer.”

If Avery hadn’t been so nervous she might have smiled at the way skinny Randy swallowed his awe at the appearance of a muscular Daniel. After a few moments of friendly talk, Randy left. Closing the door, Daniel lowered Cole to the floor.

“Cole.” Avery drew in a deep breath. “Why don’t you go get your boots and we’ll go out to check on the horses?” Her suggestion did exactly what she’d hoped, Cole ran off like a bullet. She spun to face Daniel.

“You’re wearing a gun.”

“And I will until I put an end to the threats against you.” He stepped closer, crowding her even as she refused to back away so much as an inch. “I’ve been hired to protect you. And your son.” She knew he’d added that last bit to goad her. Still, she couldn’t argue when Cole’s safety mattered more than her own. “What I’ve not been hired to do is this. But, I’ll be damned if I wait until I’m done before I do it.”

With his hand curling around her neck, he pulled her against his hard chest. She looked up, seeing in his gaze his intent to kiss her. He hesitated, long enough for her to voice denial or push him away. Banding her arms around his waist, she shivered when she grazed the gun at his back. Moving her hands lower, she cupped his ass as she rose on her toes.

And had her world rocked to her core.

She wasn’t a virgin, and even before she’d had her first lover she’d kissed several boys. Nothing in her experience prepared her for the feel of Daniel’s mouth on hers.

He all but devoured her. His lips were firm, demanding, as he covered hers. As he had hers opening, inviting, accepting, making demands of her own.

This was no sweet, soft seduction. This was insistent passion refusing to be calmed. This was a kiss promising all kinds of naughty ways to make her body explode. She moaned a little, tightening her hold on the hard muscle of his ass, craving the climax his kiss incited within her. She nearly boosted herself up to wrap her legs around him so she could have, even through layers of material, the glory of his thick arousal satisfying her. Or, her dizzy mind considered, she could drag him to the floor, not caring one whit where they were, how long they’d known one another, or who might come upon them.

Only, that someone would be her son.

Like a cold splash of water in the face, the realization hit her, stopped her. She jerked her mouth free of his. Her hands were slower to get the release message. Daniel’s fingers relaxed but didn’t relinquish his hold on her neck.

“I probably broke one of the Brotherhood Protector rules,” he said, the claim soft under his labored breathing. His eyes remained locked on hers, searching for how she felt about his behavior. “But damn if I can care.”

“Since I was a more than willing participant, I could hardly ask that you be removed.”

He smiled, and a part of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and reach for him at the way his face changed from dark and dangerous to open and inviting. “Willing participant, hell. You practically jumped me.”

“I wanted to.”

Her bold statement had him taking a step forward. The loud clomp of small boots on the stairs stopped him.

“He’s your first priority,” Avery said, reaching out a hand and clamping it around his wrist. Her palm covered the cording and brass in the bracelet he wore. “I don’t care what you and Hank discussed. If it comes down to a choice between Cole and me, you choose my son.” Her fingers flexed a little. The needs Daniel had ignited within her were quieted for now by her concern for her son’s safety.

“Promise me that you’ll choose my son.”