Summer Nights (Fool's Gold #8)

She found herself getting lost in his dark eyes. This was the Shane she liked most, she thought, wanting to lean in and feel his mouth on hers. The teasing, fun guy who made her heart beat faster.

Nearby, someone cleared his throat. Annabelle saw that Marcus had returned. She took a quick step back and sipped her coffee.

Shane didn’t look the least bit chagrined. “We were discussing the digital temperatures in the shower.”

“Ah, I see. You should look at this one. It changes color as the temperature changes.”

Shane grabbed her hand and drew her along after Marcus. “It changes color. I like that. Maybe we can find one that makes the water different colors, too.”

* * *

“YOU DID REALLY WELL,” Annabelle said four hours later as they drove back to Fool’s Gold. “We got everything you needed from the store. It will be shipped to the job site and make your contractor very happy.”

“Good. Because she has serious attitude if she’s not happy.”

Annabelle didn’t want to think about how much money Shane had spent in a single afternoon. All those fixtures added up, especially since he tended to choose high-end materials. She supposed she was going to have to integrate the fact that he wasn’t just a guy who worked with horses. He was a successful breeder and racehorse owner. She had a feeling he paid more in taxes than she made.

“With the measurements for what you bought, construction can continue,” she said.

“Yeah. I’ll get a two-day break and then she’ll be on me about lighting fixtures.”

“The electrician is going to need to know what goes where.”

He turned off the main highway for the road to the ranch. “Want to pick them for me?”

“No, but I’ll go with you.”

“Thanks.”

Their eyes met for a second and she felt the familiar flutter in her chest. He was good, she thought. Better than good.

As he made another turn, they passed a flatbed truck with the name of a delivery service going the other way. Shane groaned.

“What did she buy now?”

“At least it’s not an animal,” Annabelle said, looking at the flatbed, hoping to see a clue. “They always come in enclosed trailers.”

“Unless it was in a cage or something. Like a lion.”

“Your mother wouldn’t buy a lion.”

“You sure about that?”

Annabelle thought about May’s eclectic menagerie. “Um, no. Not really.”

They drove onto the ranch only to see a shiny new red truck parked by the house. It was big, with massive tires and an extended bed.

Shane slowed his truck and stared. “Because the Cadillac wasn’t enough?” he muttered.

“Cadillac?” She stared at the truck. “You think Clay bought it?”

“No one else would want anything that flashy. That has my little brother written all over it.”

“When does he arrive?”

Shane came to a stop and turned off the engine. “Earlier this afternoon.”

She glanced toward the truck and saw a man standing on the porch. He was obviously a Stryker brother—with dark hair and eyes. The same broad shoulders and long legs. But he was also different.

He wasn’t just good-looking. He was handsome in a whole other league, his features just a little more perfect than everyone else’s. And his appeal didn’t stop there. The man had an amazing body, expertly shown off in tight jeans and a formfitting T-shirt.

“You can close your mouth now,” Shane grumbled.

Annabelle tore her gaze away from Clay. “My mouth wasn’t open.”

“It kind of was. Don’t worry. We’re used to it. Clay has always been the pretty one in the family. Try not to drool. It makes things awkward.”

He was joking. Sort of. She looked at Shane and thought of how much she enjoyed everything about him. Then she undid her seat belt and leaned toward him.

“You’re very concerned about my reaction to your brother. I think the person you really have to worry about is your bathing lady.”

As she spoke, she put her hand on the back of his head and drew him to her. When he was close enough, she leaned in and kissed him. She thought about how he made her laugh and how she looked forward to spending time with him. Then she thought about all the ways he amazed her in bed and let her kiss do the talking, so to speak.

When she finally drew back he smiled. “Nice.”

She raised her eyebrows.

“I got the message,” he added.

“Good. Remember that.”

As she got out, she wondered if Shane’s reaction to her looking at Clay had been about her or if this was another example of his dealing with his ex. Had she been a little too interested in Shane’s brother? Because if she had been, this was more proof of Annabelle’s uphill journey to prove she was someone Shane could trust. That she would never betray him or trick him or hurt him.

Easy enough to say, she thought. But much, much harder to prove.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“I’M SO HAPPY,” MAY said, checking the roast she’d put in the oven, then closing the door and straightening. “All my boys are home with me.”

Shane collected plates and flatware to set the table, as instructed. “Were you this excited when I moved back?” he asked, his voice teasing.