Fake Christmas Date Cowboy, page 8
Could she beat Ethan to it? She knew a lot more than he did about tech. Her parents liked to brag that she’d studied philosophy in college, but the truth was, she’d taken a lot of computer courses and spent a fair amount of time with the tech nerds. And they’d taught her things.
It was one of the tidbits of information she kept from Ethan. Knowing his penchant for adrenaline rushes, she was always wary of him asking her to perform something that went against not only her morals but the law.
She turned to Declan. “I have a headache. I’m going back to the bunkhouse now.”
“I’ll walk you.”
She started to protest and saw that there would be no arguing with him. “All right.”
She had to get to her computer tablet. She’d brought it thinking that if she got bored, she always had books loaded into her online library, but now she saw the merit of having the device at her fingertips.
She had to find a way into the security office’s mainframe before her ex did.
Chapter Eight
Declan paced along the back wall of the office. The beauty of the fields and the distant mountains was a view that he originally thought would offer him some peace during times of stress, but he was far from peaceful after his conversation with Belle the previous night.
Her sudden change of demeanor at the charity auction set his senses roaring. Something happened when she got up to use the restroom—something he was sure he could have prevented by accompanying her.
But his duty came first. Stepping away from his post wasn’t an option. While she went to the restroom, he couldn’t help but follow her with his gaze, and that got Boone’s attention. With a single hand gesture he alerted Boone that he needed to go after her, but in seconds she’d returned, telling him she was stepping out for some air.
Boone’s voice had filled Declan’s ear, giving him the greenlight to watch over her.
Then her talk took an even scarier turn as she questioned the existence of a security office onsite and whether or not they were patrolling.
If she hadn’t been threatened, he didn’t know what caused the shift in her.
After dropping her at the bunkhouse, he debated standing guard outside the door, but that would only make people ask questions. He was undercover. His rigid work ethics wouldn’t allow him to break his role.
But dammit, he could—and would—get more security on Belle when he couldn’t be by her side.
The man rounding the outside corner of the office brought Declan’s pacing to a halt. He faced Boone.
“You needed to talk?”
“Yeah. Last night, something went down.”
His brows shot up. “And you’re just now sharing this with the team?”
“It’s not like that, but it’s worth mentioning. That woman I’m posing with as her date—”
“Belle Robb. What about her?”
Robb. He didn’t even know her last name until this very moment.
“Her ex is here in attendance with his fiancée. I think there’s something going on that has her frightened. The asshole cornered me in the bathroom and said a few things. I shot him down, but there is definitely some tension between him and Belle. I suspect the fiancée also cornered Belle.”
“So what happened last night that got your neck prickling?”
He shot Boone a direct look. They understood each other. “She asked if there is security on the premises for the event. And she brought up the WEST office.”
Boone stared at him for a long heartbeat. “Her family knows mine. Of course she’d hear things.”
“That makes sense how she knows the office exists. But that doesn’t explain why all of a sudden she’d have need of protection.”
“I’ll look into the ex and this fiancée of his. And let the others know of your concerns.” He paused. “You stick by Belle. I’ll get someone else to stand in for you all day and tonight at the gala.”
Declan didn’t experience emotions of any kind on the job. He was a machine—he threw himself into the thick of a situation, did his duty and got out. It helped him cut through the bullshit and see issues for what they were.
But knowing that he was actually assigned to Belle’s safety sent one emotion—relief—coursing through his system.
Now he wouldn’t be split between his job and protecting her. Even though his desire to claim her every time he got close to her lingered, now his reason for being close to her had shifted from wanting into needing.
“Where’s she staying?” Boone asked.
“Bunkhouse.”
“Okay. I’ll post more sets of eyes on the building. I’m assuming that the ex isn’t staying there with her?”
“He brought an RV.”
“Right. I’ll shift everything around accordingly. Keep your comms close so you can alert us if anything happens.”
Declan nodded. “Thanks for taking this so seriously, Boone.”
“Safety comes first. Especially on this ranch. If we can’t protect people in our own back yard, we don’t deserve to be in business.”
“I’ll keep you updated on our moves. I’ll hang around the bunkhouse and wait for her to come out.”
“Today everyone will be spread out on different activities. Do you know what Belle wants to do?” Boone asked.
“I’ll keep you posted.”
Some of the events included a bonfire, a trail camp setup on the mountain and sledding. If Belle didn’t want to do any of those things, she could hang out in the barn around the fireplace and sip apple cider.
Or his activity of choice—keeping her in bed all day, tucked safely beneath him.
He and Boone exchanged a nod before Declan set off for the bunkhouse. Reporting to one of his bosses about his concerns took a small burden from his shoulders, but he still felt his knuckles aching from clamping his hands into fists.
It was still early enough that the sun hadn’t totally cleared the ridge of the mountain. He had barely slept the previous night after dropping Belle at the bunkhouse door. At one point in the wee hours of the morning, he got up and dressed, thinking to check on her.
In the end, he refrained, leaving her protection in the hands of the guards posted around the property. But it had taken a hell of a lot of control to keep himself from going to her.
If he were honest, this need to keep her safe, and happy too, went beyond anything he’d felt for a client or ward. In a short time—just days—she had shown him so much of herself. When she revealed that edge of panic that first night, his urge to jump in and save her from whatever placed that horrified look on her face had been too strong to back away from.
Loving her out in the open of the garden was a memory he’d carry with him for the rest of his days. He knew she harbored a fear of riding horses from a past trauma but she was sweet enough to treat them with apples stashed in her pocket like a true country girl.
He was pretty damn sure that most of the women here would never deign to carry a piece of sliced fruit around in their pockets to give to an animal they didn’t enjoy riding.
He knew she preferred whiskey to champagne, that her last name was Robb and her family knew the Wyntons.
And to think that he hadn’t shared even a small amount of his own life with her.
He didn’t have much choice in the matter, being under contract to keep the guests safe. After his talk with Boone, Declan was a little freer and intended to spend more time at Belle’s side. Maybe he’d get the opportunity to share something personal with her.
After he drove the short distance to the main ranch and parked at the corner of a long line of vehicles in front of the garage, he jumped out of his truck. With his hands deep in his coat pockets, he strolled toward the bunkhouse.
An older gentleman dressed in riding clothes emerged from the front door and shut it behind him. He caught sight of Declan and gave him a nod of greeting.
“Are you looking for that brunette you’ve been with?” he asked.
Declan nodded. “I thought I might surprise her with an early walk.”
“Nice morning for it. I’m surprised you’re not staying in the bunkhouse with her.”
Delan dropped his stare to his snowy boots. “She’s a little old-fashioned. Wants to save living together for after the wedding.”
His face brightened. “So you’re engaged?”
“Well, not yet,” he hedged. “Soon.” He tipped his chin toward the bunkhouse that housed a woman he wasn’t close to popping the question to.
But just the thought of someday getting to that point with a woman like Belle? He could suddenly picture it.
Fucking hell.
He could picture her.
“Good for you two. It’s nice to see young people finding happiness.” He moved off toward the barn, probably to select a mount for a morning ride.
Declan hesitated only a heartbeat, mulling over the small talk that had morphed into a “someday” dream. A someday dream with possibilities.
He pushed out a breath, grabbed the door handle and twisted. The prospect of searching bunks for Belle didn’t worry him as much as how she’d react to him waking her. But it was a chance he was willing to take just to ensure she was actually sleeping, safe and sound.
The big room was set up with a small kitchen area, a long table with chairs scooted in around the perimeter and a couple sagging leather sofas that had seen better days. One wall revealed several doors that led to the bunks where the cowboys who worked on the ranch slept. For this event, they’d all been moved to other points on the ranch or around town.
His gut instinct told him to choose the door on the right. As soon as he stepped in, he saw her. Asleep on her side, facing him. Her beautiful face was relaxed in sleep and her long hair tumbled over her breast. One arm hung out of the covers.
God help him, she was wearing red buffalo plaid PJs. His heart melted a little bit more. Watching her sleep seemed like the most intimate of gifts. One he would treasure as much as their first night together in the garden.
She shared the quarters with five other bunks. Somebody snored on the bunk above her, and the other guests seemed equally unconscious. Slowly, he approached the bed, careful to remain quiet.
When he reached her side, he stood staring down at her lovely features. Goddamn, she tugged at his heartstrings. Something he never thought would happen. He sure as hell didn’t expect to find a woman like her on the ranch during the Christmas charity weekend. Nor did he think he’d be protecting a woman that he was developing feelings for.
As he reached out to touch the back of her hand, he breathed shallowly. Stroking a fingertip across her silky skin made his heart flex. And the feel of her cool skin made him want to crawl into that bunk with her and warm her with his own body.
She issued a low sigh in her sleep. Her full upper lip resting on the plump bottom one was damn near too much to resist, but Declan held himself in check. Kissing his sleeping Christmas princess dressed in buffalo plaid PJs might seem like a good idea, but he wouldn’t put it past her to take a swing at him right before screaming bloody murder.
Dipping to one knee beside the bed, he closed his fingers around hers. “Belle. Wake up, honey.”
Her eyes flew open. She sat up fast—good thing she was on the shorter side because her head cleared the bunk on top of hers. The heavy quilt fell off her chest to reveal more of that plaid sleep shirt.
She peered at him, hair straggling into the other eye. “Declan…” She closed her eyes and flopped back down on the mattress. “You scared me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What do you want?”
He opened his mouth and then closed it again. Now he couldn’t recall why he walked into the bunkhouse looking for her. Seeing her in such a vulnerable state had punched a hole in his chest.
He took her fingers again and brushed his thumb over her knuckles. “I just wanted to ask what your plans are for today.”
She blinked at him as if trying to keep them from slamming shut again. “My plans?”
“Yes—”
“Oh! My plans!” She sat up and stared at the window on the far wall. The blinds were drawn, but the gray light of a winter morning shone through.
He watched her come more fully awake. After scrubbing both hands over her face, she dropped them and looked to him. “What are you doing today?”
“Whatever you are. That is, if you want my company.” He pitched his voice low.
“Uh. It’s too early. I’m not sure what I want to do yet. What are our options again?”
Seeing the struggle to shake the sleep fog from her brain, he pushed to his feet. “Just a minute.”
He walked into the kitchen and checked the coffeemaker. Some smart person had loaded it with water and coffee the previous night. All he had to do was press the start button. When the dark brew the cowboys preferred trickled out, Declan caught the first cup in a waiting pottery mug.
Minutes later, he carried it back to the room. Belle was lying down once more, this time facing the doorway. When their gazes met, his cock stretched longer behind his fly. What he wanted more than anything was to climb under those covers with her.
Kiss her and touch her. Cuddle her and stroke her bare skin until she quaked with need. Then he’d dip his fingers between her thighs and find her soaking-wet heat. The idea of drawing her to an orgasm she couldn’t vocalize—one he’d have to stifle with his kisses—turned him on even more.
“Here you go.” He held out the coffee, and she sat up to take it. When she brought it to her lips, he waved at the foot of the bunk. “Mind if I sit?”
“Of course not. You are my boyfriend.” Her lips twisted, and she brushed them over the rim of the mug to hide her smile.
His was unstoppable though. He might be hiding his reason for sticking close to her, but the only thing that mattered was that he was close to her.
After taking a sip, she lowered the mug. Above the rim, her striking eyes landed on his.
“What do you think about sledding today?”
Oh god. She hated being cold. Trudging to the top of a hill sounded like the most unpleasant idea ever when she could spend her time sitting around a roaring fire, sipping hot cocoa with itty-bitty marshmallows floating on top.
But she said sledding because of all the choices that her ex was presented with, he would definitely pick sledding. Though the biggest risk it provided was pink cheeks and cold toes, she just knew that her ex would be flying down that mountain slope on a sled with his awful fiancée.
She cradled the warm mug of coffee that Declan had so thoughtfully brought her. Waking to his ruggedly handsome face had confused the hell out of her because he’d been the star of her very…um, graphic…dream.
Bringing the mug to her lips, she darted a look at him from under her lashes. She was all too aware that he sat so close on the bed, yet they were not alone in the bunkhouse. Was it too early for a romp in the barn?
“Why don’t you drink your coffee and wake up? Get dressed for breakfast and then we’ll come back here for some warm layers to spend the day outside in.” He pitched his voice low to keep from waking the others in the room, but the guy in the bunk above her stirred.
She rolled her eyes upward at her strange companion, and a grin brightened Declan’s face.
Yes, brightened. Until that moment, she didn’t realize how solemn and serious he’d been. She didn’t know him well at all, but she had to question the change in him overnight. She hadn’t thought to ask about his reason for attending the weekend alone. She’d been so selfish not to ask. What if he’d suffered from a bad breakup and this was his escape too?
He made a move toward the open doorway to leave. Then he suddenly changed directions, walked to the bunk and leaned down. His piney scent warmed over her senses, bringing her dream about him to the front of her mind again. It woke her entire body with a crackle of electricity.
Unlike her dream, he didn’t press her down on the bed and sink between her thighs. He simply dropped a tender kiss between her brows.
The action had her breath hitching for a reason that had nothing to do with desire. He straightened and turned for the door again.
She watched his tight ass before he vanished from the room. What was that all about?
They might share a whole lot of chemistry, but that kiss hadn’t left her panting with need the way his other ones did. It felt…
Sweet.
After a few sips of coffee, she set it aside on a small shelf next to the bed. That drew her gaze to her weekender bag sitting on the floor below it—and her computer tablet sitting right on top.
What she’d done last night would get her kicked off the ranch and ruin her parents’ long-time friendship with the Wynton family.
They would not look kindly on her hacking into their mainframe. She could only guess how much they prided themselves on how secure their cyber division was, and they wouldn’t want to hear how breaking passwords and cracking codes to unlock their system had been the hardest thing she’d ever done in her life.
They’d frown on her actions, and they might actually want to press charges against her too.
From what she’d seen while in the system, no security breaches had taken place yet. But there was a small gap that people could enter through. She didn’t think Ethan possessed that kind of ability. On the other hand, Haileigh might.
Hopefully, with luck and a little skill she’d learned from her nerdy friends, Belle had created a patch to keep Ethan out, if that was his intention. And she’d dated him long enough to know how shady his morals were and how addicted he was to the adrenaline highs.
If the patch wasn’t necessary… Well, the system was strengthened against the next criminal.
She shoved the tablet deeper into her bag and grabbed her belongings to take to the bathroom. The shower had amazing pressure and tons of hot water. She guessed the ranch hands needed those things to scour the dirt off them and work their sore muscles after a long day, and she was very appreciative right now.
