Cowboy Payback by Donna Michaels Page B

body. Fast. She cleared her throat and nodded. “I can do that. But what about when there are no flirtatious guests, or observing staff members?”
    “I want you to have fun. I want you to take advantage of everything Royal Pines has to offer.”
    She blinked. Her mind had to be playing tricks. She could’ve sworn his tone dropped on the word everything . Which was ridiculous. Why would he do that?
    “Okay. Is that it?”
    “Actually, no,” he said, gaze suddenly serious, posture straight. “I could use your help with the daily activity, if you’re game.”
    “Oh?” Surprise found her tongue. “How so, s…?” She swallowed the rest of the sir , thankful he let the slip-up drop.
    “Our spring season was hampered by a lot of rain and a busted dam,” he replied, moving toward the bed to set his Stetson on a post. He held her gaze as he sat on the edge of the mattress to remove his boots.
    Lose the pants .
    Stupid inner voice. Was there an off switch? Or a mute button?
    “Finn managed to get it all fixed up, but now our clientele from the spring has booked what was left open of our summer season. We’re going to need a few more guides.”
    Thrilled by his confidence in her, Trisha smiled in earnest for the first time that day. “Then I’m your man. I wanted to do all those things anyway. So use me as you will.”
    The captain’s gaze darkened and dropped to her lips, then her chest. She opened her mouth and tried to rephrase, but an invisible hand was squeezing her throat. His gaze lazily rose to meet hers, and she watched as he scratched his temple with his thumb, that darn, sexy, lop-sided grin softening his features to irresistible.
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Trisha smiled a half-smile and shook her head. “You know what I meant.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” he repeated, amusement and desire turning the blue of his eyes to a deep cobalt.
    “Then I don’t need to rephrase?”
    “No, ma’am. I’m quite happy with how you phrased it.”
    She laughed. “I’m sure you are, but you and I both know that is never going to happen.”
    Trisha walked away from him toward the kitchen half-expecting another yes, ma’am . When he remained silent, she had to fight to keep from turning around to read his expression.
    No…I am in control here , she told herself and promptly opened the fridge for something to do.
    His soft chuckle met her ears along with some rustling. Dear God , he just lost his pants . Her body gave an oorah shudder, while her mind did its best to keep her focused on the task of opening a water bottle.
    Lordy, it was going to be a long night.
    ****
    It had been another long night.
    Brett stifled a yawn as he adjusted a strap on the saddle of his palomino the next morning. The corporal— Trisha —had occupied his thoughts and dreams most of the night. The memory of her kisses had fueled several fantasies, which turned into a hot dream once he’d fallen asleep…alone…on the couch.
    His desire to not mess with her head or heart was the only thing that had kept him from initiating a kiss inside the cabin last night. Given the way the woman had responded in the dining hall, he knew she was just as lost, just as affected by the chemical thing going on between them.
    She had tasted so good, and felt so damn incredible crushed up against him, he no longer cared that she was one of his own. The attraction was just too damn strong to combat that argument. It was shot. Gone. Out of the window. He could no longer use that as a deterrent to keep her at arm’s length.
    But her mental well-being was a different story.
    And the reason he’d retreated to the bathroom and stood under the cold spray of the shower for a good twenty minutes after she’d mended his shirt. He even remained behind the door until the cabin went dark. No way could he resist touching the woman if she even so much as glanced his way. Retreat had definitely been his best move last night.
    But now, watching the beauty laughing and talking to