He placed a light kiss on the top of her head. If he didn’t ease her out of his arms, he was going to have an obvious erection. That wouldn’t go over well right now.
“Better?” he asked gruffly, pulling her away just enough to look into her half-closed green eyes. Damned if he didn’t see arousal in them. A deep ache began within his heart. He knew what love was. And he knew what love was not. Just the way her lips parted, he wanted to lean down, brush her mouth with his, an invitation. A promise of so many good things to come if she’d only trust him fully with herself.
Roan saw confusion come to her eyes and then Shiloh pulled away, moving his hand against her hair, pushing it away from her face. Yeah, he was confused too. Did arousal show in his gaze too? Most likely. If Roan could see it in her face, she was experienced enough to see he wanted her. He wasn’t made of stone. He was a flesh-and-blood man. And it felt as if the heated air was vibrating between them, filled with possibility. With whispered promises.
Swallowing hard, Roan forced himself to take a step back from Shiloh. His erection was pressing painfully against the zipper of his Levi’s. He needed to move it to ease his discomfort.
“I’ll clean up tonight. Why don’t you take a long soak in the bathtub?” His gruff words came out almost guttural because Roan wanted her so damn bad he could taste it. He saw Shiloh nod, frowning, the arousal doused in her wide, green eyes.
“Yes,” she said, her voice almost wispy sounding, “that’s a good idea. . . .”
Roan watched her turn and pad down the hall. Just the way her hips swayed, he felt the ache intensify his erection. Damn, but the woman was hot. Running his fingers through his short hair in an aggravated motion, Roan got busy cleaning up the kitchen.
As he worked, he didn’t try to fantasize about Shiloh stripping out of her clothes, or sliding into the welcoming warm water, her skin glistening like diamonds. Taking the bar of soap, lathering up his hands and washing her. Every last, square inch of her. By the time he’d gotten the dishes into the dishwasher, wiped the table and counter down, Roan decided to get the hell out of the house. If he didn’t, he was going to open that bathroom door.
Stepping out the front door, he saw the sun had set. There were high clouds above the valley, swirling like pink cotton candy across the sky. Roan sat down on one of the two rockers, the wood creaking beneath his weight. Across the street, everything was quiet. The tourists were all eating at the café. The other wranglers had called it quits for the day, heading home to the town of Wind River. He was sure Maud, Steve, and their family were dining at their ranch house right now. The lowing of the cattle soothed some of Roan’s fractious energy. He moved slowly, arms on the rocker. The creak was pleasant and calming.
What the HELL had caused this reaction in him? Roan scowled and stared out toward the wildlife loop road, the gate locked, pink clouds drifting silently above the valley. Shiloh had been genuinely scared as she talked about her stalker. His mind moved like lightning across possibilities. He didn’t doubt Shiloh. He believed her because he’d lived with her for a month and gotten to know her fairly well. She wasn’t the type of woman to become dramatic or blow things out of proportion.
Rubbing his bristly jaw, Roan gazed around the quiet ranch that was settling in for night to fall shortly. He knew something had happened to Shiloh today. There was no way to pretend that level of fear. He could see it in the depth of her guileless eyes.
He decided to go see Steve Whitcomb tomorrow after breakfast, and check the logbook on the tourists who had visited the ranch for the loop drive at the time she’d felt her stalker. That was a first step because each tourist had to put down their name, phone number, and where they lived. He could hand the list to Shiloh and see if she recognized any of the names, addresses, or phone numbers. It was a start. But that was all. Roan wished mightily that if this ever happened again, Shiloh would get on her cell phone and head for the safety of the main office. If her stalker was here, he could kidnap her. Kill her.
Roan’s mouth thinned, his dark brows drawing downward. His heart contracted with worry for Shiloh. Whether he liked it or not, he knew he was falling for her. He didn’t want to go as far as admitting it was love. She was gun-shy and he knew she couldn’t know how he really felt toward her. And yet, when she needed safety, she ran to him. And he swore he saw arousal deep in her eyes. So it wasn’t all about protection between them either.
There really was something beautiful, something hopeful, growing between them, regardless of their situation. But would Shiloh ever step out of the fear that held her, to walk into his arms?
Chapter Fifteen