Rawhide and Roses by Maddie James Page A

to his face, it was like carved marble. “I can do that myself,” he said. “You don’t have to wait on me.” His eyes were glinted steel and full of warning. Warning her of what, she just wasn’t sure.
    Not to cross him? Or get too close?
    “It’s not my nature to wait on anyone, Thad, unless I choose to. Now if you’ll kindly unhand me, I’ll get us both some cake and coffee.”
    He did and she picked up her plate, stepping away from the rickety old picnic table that held the larger-than-life male behind her. An erratic tattoo beat against her chest and her brain registered the fact that she needed to breathe.
    What the hell was wrong with her? Could it be that Thad Winchester did more to her than just kick her hormones into full gear? Could it be that those fleeting vulnerable and irresistible looks he gave her were getting to her?
    “And why am I bringing him cake and coffee?” she muttered. Why did she even want to do that? She was more used to men bringing things to her , rather than the other way around.
    She wanted him. That was why. She wanted him bad.
    With every molecule of her being. She wanted him unlike any man she’d ever wanted before. And admitting that only fanned the flames more. But even at that, she knew it would be a cold day in hell before he would entertain any notion of wanting her. Especially for anything other than a quick romp in a sleeping bag. There was nothing permanent about what Thad could offer her. He was not the kind of man she needed.
    And she wasn’t up to a vacation romance. It was obvious that that would be all they’d ever have. Picturing Thad in her world was ridiculous. Picturing herself in his was...was, well, almost....
    Ridiculous.
    Well, no matter. She would not be a party to the whims of Thad Winchester, no matter how inviting. She had to control those raging hormones inside of her, tamp them down and settle them all prim and proper and ladylike. She wouldn’t settle for anyone who didn’t scream permanent relationship. Or at least long-term. Very long-term. Thad was a quickie waiting to happen and she was as ripe as an August tomato.
    She couldn’t fall under that rugged spell of testosterone. She couldn’t let herself be drawn into his sexy web of maleness. She’d been tricked into a two week pack trip that wasn’t nearly as bad as she’d originally thought—in fact was actually enjoying, to a point — and then she was going home. To Kentucky . To her students. The career she’d worked so hard for. And to the real world.
    It all boiled down to one thing: I have to stay away from Thad . The smell of rawhide was just too darn appealing these days.
    Absentmindedly, Kim looked down and tossed the dirty dishes into an empty dish pan, glanced once at the coffee pot and pound cake, then turned on her heel and headed for the privacy of her tent.
    Forget dessert. Of any kind.

Chapter Eight

    Across the leaping circle of orange and red flames, Thad sat alone and stared into the fire. He had intentionally separated himself from the group. There had been marshmallows to roast on thin branches, and lively conversation from the guests and his men, but he hadn’t gotten involved. He couldn’t let his guard down long enough tonight to allow himself camaraderie. He was afraid he’d slip, drift over to Kim’s side, and before he realized it, pull her close to him. It was an image that kept creeping into his mind; he had to get rid of it.
    It was extremely important that he keep his guard up for the remainder of the trip. It would be all to easy for him to let it down to a point where he’d never get it back up again.
    He wasn’t up for that risk. He had to set the example for his men. Hadn’t he just fired one of his best wranglers less than two weeks ago because he’d sneaked off with a guest for a little afternoon delight? Yes, he had. And Ben and Luke would be watching, not that they were deliberately trying to catch him at anything. They were good men, and