Summer Days (Fool's Gold #7)

He half led, half carried Heidi to the porch. Charlie closed the passenger door and went around to the driver’s side. She got into her truck and drove away.

“Bye, Charlie,” Heidi called after the retreating vehicle. She tried to wave and nearly slid to the ground.

He caught her and pulled her back to her feet. She rubbed his arm. “You’re so strong.”

“Thanks.”

“It’s very nice. I’ve seen you in a towel and that’s nice, too. If you weren’t trying to steal my home, I’d like you more. Want to change your mind about that?”

“This isn’t the time to have that conversation.”

“Sure it is. Or we could kiss.” She stared up at him hopefully.

“Are those my only two options?”

She nodded her head, then stopped. “You had a date.” Her tone was accusing. “With a woman.”

“Would you be happier if it had been with a man?”

She considered the question, then blinked. “I don’t know.”

He had a feeling that for her, it was a brand-new day.

“Did I mention the kissing?” she asked.

“You did.”

“Any thoughts?”

“None you want to hear.”

He knew he could break the mood by mentioning his date, but he didn’t want to talk about it. Bad enough he’d lived through it once already. While Julia had been perfectly lovely, he’d spent their two hours together trying not to get caught staring at his watch. He’d found himself thinking about Heidi and the ranch, wondering why he would rather be there than out to dinner with a charming companion. He’d ducked out early, and had turned off his cell phone so Nina couldn’t call to ask how the date had gone.

“Let’s get inside.”

He managed to guide Heidi up to the porch and into the house. Rather than risk her navigating the stairs, he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the second floor. From there, it was a short trip to her bedroom.

Once inside, he set her on her feet and turned on the light. She gazed up at him with wonder.

“You carried me.”

He nodded.

“That was so romantic.” She smiled. “You can kiss me now.”

She obligingly closed her eyes and pursed her lips.

The smartest thing would be to walk away. She was drunk, and he was just trying to get through the days without stepping in too much crap.

But there was something about Heidi. Something that tempted him beyond what was reasonable. She wasn’t his usual type, but that didn’t make her any less…appealing. He was drawn to everything about her. She was unguarded and funny. She worked hard, was loyal to those she cared about and, right now, even drunk, she was sexy as hell.

He leaned in and lightly brushed his mouth against hers. The heat was instant, as was the need. She swayed again, and he put his hands on her shoulders to steady her.

The second he touched her, he knew he was lost. That wanting couldn’t be reasoned with, and he wanted her bad. Taking advantage of a woman who was drunk wasn’t his style, though. Besides, he had enough ego to want Heidi to know what she was doing when she came to his bed. He drew back.

Her eyes were wide and unfocused. She yawned. “That was nice, but I’m sleepy.”

Despite the painful throbbing in his groin, he smiled. “You’re not tired—you’re about to pass out.”

She waved one hand. “Tomato, tomahto.” She edged toward the bed.

He helped her. When she sat on the mattress, he pulled off her shoes. No way he was taking off her clothes, he thought. The hows and whys of undressing her weren’t a conversation he wanted to have.

She stretched out on the bed, and he covered her with the comforter. He kissed her forehead.

“You’re going to be in a world of hurt tomorrow,” he murmured.

“No. If I drink Glen’s secret mixture, I’ll be fine.”

“Want me to fix it?”

She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. “’Night, Rafe,” she murmured, sounding half-asleep already.

He took that as a no. “’Night, goat girl.”

He walked out, leaving her door open. After using the bathroom, he left the light on so it would be easier to find in a few hours, then made his way to his own room. He was about to close the door when he heard a strange sound. Was Heidi sick already?

He stepped out into the hall and listened. The sound came again. He realized the source was downstairs. A cry. Not of distress, exactly, it sounded like…

His mother?

He flinched and hurried back to his room. After closing the door, he grabbed his iPod and shoved the buds into his ears, then cranked up the volume. Fool’s Gold was, as he’d always known, his own version of hell. A place where his mother made time with the guy who had ripped her off, and where Rafe couldn’t have the one who seemed to be the only woman he wanted.

* * *

RAFE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP close to midnight, only to be awakened about an hour later by the sound of rapid footsteps in the hallway. The bathroom door had slammed. He’d rolled over and gone back to sleep. His phone had beeped at him just before dawn.

He dressed quickly, then grabbed his boots and stepped into the hall. He knocked once on Heidi’s door.

“Go away.”