The Fall of Shane MacKade by Nora Roberts Page A

stepped toward her. “What are you doing here, Rebecca?”
    â€œI told you, I was out walking.”
    He lifted a brow, hooked his thumbs in his front pockets. “And you decided to visit with the cows?”
    â€œI didn’t have a plan.”
    â€œI think it’s safe to say you usually do.”
    â€œAll right.” He was, of course, on target, no matter what she’d told herself when she started through the woods. “I suppose I felt we’d left something unresolved. I don’t want things to be difficult with you, since I’m dealing with so much of your family while I’m here.”
    â€œUm-hmm…” He wasn’t precisely sure which side of her he was dealing with at the moment. “I was pushy. Do you want an apology?”
    â€œUnnecessary.”
    That made him smile again. He had a growing affection for that cocky tilt to her chin. “Want to try it again? I’ve got an urge to kiss you right now.”
    â€œI’m sure you have an urge to kiss any woman, just about anytime.”
    â€œYeah. But you’re here.”
    â€œI’ll let you know if and when I want you to kiss me.” As a means of defense, she turned, wandered, frowned intently at a container labeled Udder Balm. “The problem I have is that as long as we have this…”
    â€œAttraction?” he put in. “Lust?”
    â€œTension,” she snapped back. “It makes it difficult for me to follow through on my plan to work here. I do want to work here,” she said, turning to him again. “But I can’t if I’m going to have to deflect unsolicited advances.”
    â€œUnsolicited advances.” Instead of being annoyed, he nearly doubled over with laughter. “Damn, Rebecca, I love the way you talk when you’re being snotty. Say something else.”
    â€œI’m sure you’re more used to women keeling over at your feet,” she said coldly. “Or bringing you peach pies. I just want to be certain that you clearly understand the word no. ”
    He didn’t find anything amusing about that. She had the fascinating experience of watching his grin turn into a snarl. “You said no last night, didn’t you?”
    â€œMy point is—”
    â€œI could have had you, right there on my brother’s kitchen floor.”
    The color that temper had brought to her cheeks faded away, but her voice remained steady and cool. “You overestimate your appeal, farm boy.”
    â€œWatch your step, Becky,” he said quietly. “I’ve got a mean streak. You want to dissolve some tension so you can get on with your project. I’ve always found honesty goes a long way to cutting the tension. You wanted me every bit as much as I wanted you. Maybe you were surprised. Maybe I was, too, but that’s the fact.”
    She opened her mouth, but found no suitable lies tripping onto her tongue. “All right. I won’t deny I was interested for a moment.”
    â€œHoney, what you were was a long way up from interested.”
    â€œDon’t tell me what I felt, or what I feel. I will tell you that if you think I’m going to be another notch on your bedpost, think again.”
    â€œFine.” In casual dismissal, he walked over to check on his cows. “ No isn’t a word I have any problem understanding. As long as you actually say it, I’ll understand it.”
    Most of her nerves smoothed out. “All right, then, we—”
    â€œBut you’d better keep your guard up, Rebecca.” He shot her a look that had all the nerves doubling back and sizzling. “Because I don’t have any problem understanding a challenge, either. You want to play ghost hunter in my house, you take your chances. Willing to risk it?”
    â€œYou don’t worry me.”
    His smile spread, slowly this time. “Yeah, I do. You’re standing there right now wondering what in hell to do