Fencing You In by Cheyenne McCray

no one would have moved the perfume bottle on her dresser.
    A shiver ran up and down her skin. She’d felt like she’d been watched today. Could—
    “No.” She rubbed her arms with both hands. “Your imagination is running away with you, Tess.”
    Pushing the thoughts away, she slid her feet into a pair of comfortable wedges that she’d probably ditch soon enough. She preferred to go barefoot around the house, even with company.
    As it got closer to seven, more and more flutters tickled her belly. She lit a candle with a soft scent and made sure that the house was in perfect order even though she’d cleaned it earlier that day. She set the dining room table with crystal plates that she normally didn’t use and added a bottle of chardonnay and a couple of wine stems.
    When the doorbell rang, she smoothed her blouse and skirt, then headed for the front door. She peeked through the peephole and her heart beat faster as she saw that it was Gage.
    She took a deep breath and opened the door with a smile.
    His gorgeous grin made her knees weak. He looked so damn good in his white Stetson, white western shirt, Wranglers, and polished boots. His body was so powerful that he made her feel even more petite than she was.
    She hadn’t even realized she’d let her gaze drift down him and back up until she met his eyes and his grin broadened.
    “Like what you see?” he said in a teasing voice.
    Her cheeks warmed. “Very much.”
    He lowered his head and kissed her passionately enough to take her breath completely away. When he drew back she looked up at him, feeling completely off balance.
    “Mind if I come in?” he asked, his expression amused.
    She managed to regain her poise, stepped back, and opened the door wider. He took off his western hat as he stepped through the doorway and closed the door behind him. She took his hat from him and set it aside on the back of a chair that was rarely used.
    When she returned to him, he swept her into his arms again, catching her off guard. This time he gave her a hard, fierce kiss.
    “I’ve been wanting to do that all week.” He drew away, his eyes glittering in the low lighting of the living room.
    “Me, too.” She still felt breathless as she looked up at him. “I need to finish up dinner and then we can eat.”
    He followed her to the kitchen and she kicked off her shoes beneath the breakfast bar. She felt shorter than ever around him, but she didn’t mind at all. He leaned up against the counter as he watched her go to the stove.
    “Just need to steam the broccoli.” She glanced at him as she turned on the burner beneath the steamer that held the broccoli florets. “Everything else is ready.”
    He watched her, his gaze intent, but he was smiling. “You look adorable.”
    Warmth traveled through her veins. “Thank you.” She smiled at him. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “I look adorable?”
    She laughed. “Not exactly adorable, but pretty damned sexy.”
    He caught her by her waist and brought her close. Her blouse had risen at her waist and his hands were on her bare flesh. Ripples of awareness went through her and she felt her nipples tighten against the silk of her camisole and blouse.
    “I can’t get dinner finished if you keep touching me.” Her voice sounded throaty as she spoke.
    “I can’t help myself.” He held her waist with one hand while pushing a curl from her face with his other. “I’ve wanted to touch you for so long.”
    “The broccoli is going to get overcooked if you keep this up,” she said against his lips as he brushed his over hers.
    “So?” he murmured.
    “Overcooked or burnt broccoli smells horrible.” She put her hands on his chest and tried to lightly push him away.
    He squeezed her to him harder and gave her a deep and passionate kiss that caused her to moan. She just about forgot what she was supposed to be doing. When he drew away she looked into his eyes and almost couldn’t tear