Roping Ray McCullen by Rita Herron Page A

thought he’d get the message. She quickly texted back that she was busy.
    â€œWho is that?” Ray asked.
    Scarlet shrugged. “My coworker.”
    â€œIs there a problem?”
    â€œNo.”
    Silence fell thick for a minute. “You know we didn’t talk about old boyfriends,” Ray said quietly. “Is there someone in your past who would have cut your brake lines to get back at you for some reason? Someone other than Bobby?”
    Scarlet’s face flushed. “There aren’t any old boyfriends, Ray.”
    Another heartbeat of silence, and she shifted, wishing she’d worded her answer differently. She didn’t want Ray to see her as a total misfit. “Bobby hates me more than anyone. Although Lloyd Pullman has his reasons, too.”
    â€œThe deputy has a BOLO out for him,” Ray said. “Hopefully he’ll pick him up, and if he cut those lines, he’ll go to prison. Then you won’t have to worry about him anymore.”
    No, but she’d still worry about his little girl until the child’s grandparents were granted custody. Children needed parents, even if they weren’t available all the time. They needed to feel loved.
    Ray made a sound in his throat. “You know as much as I dislike Bobby, his argument made sense. Why would he sabotage us or the ranch before he learns what he inherited? Not only would he be hurting himself, but he’s risking jail when he stands to have a piece of Horseshoe Creek.”
    Scarlet contemplated what he’d said. “That’s true. Although sometimes when Bobby’s drinking, he simply reacts instead of behaving rationally.”
    â€œI can see that,” Ray agreed.
    â€œHow about other enemies Joe might have made? He was well-known in the ranching community.”
    â€œTrue. And Maddox just arrested a cattle-rustling ring. We’re looking into some men associated with that.”
    They reached her house, and he turned down the drive. Her head was throbbing now, the day’s events wearing on her. An image of her Wrangler diving into that brick building flashed back, and she shivered and reached for the door.
    Ray caught her arm before she got out. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
    â€œYes. I’m just tired and I have a headache.”
    Ray gently lifted her chin with his thumb and forced her to look into his eyes. Her heart fluttered again at the tender concern in his expression. “Call me if you need anything.”
    His gruff voice made tears burn her eyes. For a moment, heat flared between them, and she felt suddenly drawn to Ray. He was more like Joe than he realized. Of course, Joe had been a father figure.
    Ray was no father figure; at least not to her. He was...sexy. Strong. Protective. A tough cowboy who made her think of kisses on a long hot Wyoming night. Of touches that weren’t fatherly or brotherly, but titillating.
    Her gaze zeroed in on his mouth, and she had the insane desire to kiss him.
    He leaned forward, and she did the same, her body aching to be held, her lips craving the feel of his. His lingered near hers, his gaze darkening, as if he was torn.
    His heavy sigh echoed in the air—a sigh filled with need, desire, hunger...doubt.
    She should pull away. Stop this insanity before it got started.
    But their lips touched, and Scarlet closed her eyes and lost herself in the moment.
    * * *
    H UNGER BOLTED THROUGH Ray as Scarlet’s lips touched his. God help him, he couldn’t resist.
    He cupped her face in his hands and deepened the kiss, savoring the sweet taste of her desire. She lifted one hand to his shoulder, and he thought she was going to push him away. She should push him away, dammit .
    But she stroked his arm instead as if she craved his warmth and strength, igniting his own need to protect and comfort her. She had been through hell today. She could have died in that accident.
    And she was still in danger.
    That realization