Brody by Emma Lang Page A

His breath smelled of coffee and something else she couldn’t define. Olivia felt the urge to kiss him, not exactly an opportune time to do so. Some moments he was perfect, a man she could love so easily, and some moments she wanted to run from him.
    “I need to know,” she repeated. “Please.”
    His breath gusted past her cheek. Her body shook with all the emotions racing through her from head to foot. What was happening?
    “I need ...” She couldn’t even find the right words to say what she needed.
    “Me too.” He cupped her cheek, his thumb rough against her skin.
    This was loco. They were in the middle of Mexico, in danger and she was about to kiss him. Or he was going to kiss her. Either way, they shouldn’t even be thinking about kissing.
    His lips brushed over hers once, twice, three times. She turned into a beacon of heat, her discomfort completely forgotten. His arms crept around her, pulling her closer, even as she leaned into him.
    Yes, this was it. This .
    His body was so warm, so hard. She sighed at the familiar heat between them, so easily sparked. He pulled her even closer, pressing his chest into hers. Her nipples peaked immediately, aching against the minimal clothing separating them. A moan crept up her throat, but she swallowed it back down.
    Just as his mouth was going to close over hers, Mariposa pushed against Olivia’s back, shoving her into Brody. He pulled away from her, his breathing uneven.
    “Um, we need to get going.” He cleared his throat and turned to his horse.
    “Wait.”
    “What?” He sounded unfocused, so very unlike the stoic ranger.
    “I still need to know what to do.” She touched the pistol tucked into the waistband of her skirt. “Do I hide the pistol or keep it visible? What if someone talks to me? Do I answer in Spanish or English?”
    He threw himself up onto his horse. “You ask too many questions. Just follow my lead and let’s go.”
    This was definitely one of those times she wanted to simply run from him, to go home and be safe with her brothers and sisters and Eva. To escape from the incredible, intense way Brody made her feel.
    It would be a cowardly thing to do. Olivia was no coward. She would stay and she would fight. Benjy needed her.
    They traveled for hours in silence. That was what Brody wanted, for her to be quiet, so she was. And stewed in her own annoyance and fear the entire time. If only he’d just told her what she wanted to know, she’d feel more comfortable.
    Instead, she had to wonder exactly what was in store for them and how she should act. She’d just have to watch him and hope she didn’t make a mess of things. The murky shadows of buildings rose in the distance and Olivia’s throat tightened at the sight.
    It was almost time.
    “Is that it?” She couldn’t keep quiet any longer.
    “Yes. It’s Fogata.”
    “Bonfire” was an unusual name for such a dark, tiny place. She knew what lurked beneath the shadowed exterior could be a lot worse than the name Bonfire.
    “Who are we?”
    “I hope you’re not asking because you’ve gone loco and can’t remember.” The man just couldn’t seem to help himself.
    “No, because I thought you might want us to be someone we’re not once we get there.”
    Brody didn’t answer, not a surprise. He kept the horses at a slow trot, even though she wanted to ride hell for leather toward the pueblo.
    As she watched, heart pounding, mouth dry, they reached the outskirts of town. Olivia stared at the rough-hewn boards held together with rusty-headed nails. There were scrubby bushes around the outside, along with various sizes of succulents, rocks and dry grass.
    Not so different from any town in southern Texas.
    She managed to swallow dry spit although it tasted like dirt and anxiety.
    Brody led them around to the end of the buildings, then turned left to ride into the town. Her damp palms slipped easily on the reins. She tugged to get a better grip, which made Mariposa shake her head in