Rebecca Zanetti - Against the Wall

Her heart gave a nasty thud. Sophie shook her head. Even indoors the man was as primitive and dangerous looking as he’d been controlling a powerful stallion. His presence overwhelmed the small conference room with its tan leather chairs and burnished wooden table. Light filtered softly through several open windows, and the breeze carried the scent of wildflowers through the small room.

The scent of man tempted her much more than the flowers.

A long-sleeved black T-shirt emphasized strength and muscle, while faded jeans hung low on tight hips over his long legs. Black cowboy boots crossed negligently at the ankle, and he’d tied his dark hair back at the nape, throwing the sharp angles of his face into stark relief. Black eyes reflected humor and determination in equal parts as he held firm. The panoramic window behind him framed rugged mountains and a placid lake in gentle stillness.

The wildness outside only enhanced his.

His watchful intelligence made the floor beneath her pumps shift like quicksand. She smoothed curls back from her face and blinked to keep from glaring. “I thought I was meeting with a tribal elder today.”

“You will. But the chief wanted me to explain our legal position to you first.”

“You don’t look like a lawyer.” She said what she’d been thinking for the last hour.

“Good.” Jake grinned an even row of white teeth. “I’d rather you didn’t see me as a lawyer.”

“What do you want me to see you as?” Good God, she was flirting with the man.

The grin narrowed, and his dark gaze roamed across her rapidly warming face. “Hopefully someone you’d like to get to know better while you’re in town, City Girl.” His eyes hardened to deep coal.

“What?” She would’ve taken a step back had she been standing. As it was, her body tensed as she focused on the large man seated across the table from her.

The oak door behind Jake swung open, which prevented him from responding. An elderly man with long, shockingly white hair strolled into the room and crossed over to Sophie.

She rose to her feet. His hands clasped hers warmly, and two dark brown eyes twinkled at her. “Miss Smith, I’m Chief Lodge of the Kooskia Tribe.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Chief Lodge.” Sophie smiled up at a face similar to Jake’s. Strong features set into a bronze face with lines created by laughter, though the sculpted jaw hinted at a stubbornness she’d already encountered in Jake, who had to be related. Charisma and charm surrounded the elder. If the chief were anything to go by, her new nemesis would age well. “Please call me Sophie.”

“Ah, Sophie. Such a pretty name.” The chief gestured for her to retake her seat as he turned and sat at the head of the table. He wore faded jeans over scuffed brown cowboy boots with a deep red button-down shirt. “I see you’ve met my grandson and lawyer, Jake.”

“Yes.” The warmth deserted her as she eyed Jake. His grin in return made her want to throw something. At his head.

“So.” The chief’s upper lip quirked. “What can I do for you, Sophie?”

Sophie focused on the elder’s calm facade. Those deep lines sat comfortably on a smooth face—he could be anywhere between fifty and a thousand years old.

“I’m here to explain the golf course proposal and earn the support from the Kooskia Tribe.” She hoped to have better luck with the elder than his grandson.

Wisdom flowed through the chief’s eyes along with amusement. “Is that why you’re here?”

“Um, well, yes.” Sophie tossed a quick look to Jake. Did the chief know anything about her proposal or not?

“Oh, I’ve studied your design,” the chief reassured her. “Sometimes what we think we know isn’t what we really know.”

“I don’t understand.”

The chief shrugged. “You don’t need to.” He reclined in his chair. “I have to tell you that your design is magnificent.”

Sophie’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yes. Wonderful—looks like a great course to play. I love to golf, you know.”

Sophie slanted a glance toward Jake, but his implacable face revealed nothing. She turned back to the chief. “The development will bring money to the tribe and casino.”

“Yes, I believe that it would.” He clasped broad hands together on the hard table. Hands that reminded her of Jake’s. The breeze tossed the sweet scent of berries through the room as the chief breathed deep in appreciation. “Huckleberries. Should be quite the crop this year.” He focused on Sophie’s face. “They grow wild all over your client’s property.”

Sophie maintained her smile. “I understand huckleberries grow wild across all the nearby mountains, even by the roadside.”

The chief flashed an amused grin. “That they do. You’re a spunky one, Sophie Smith.”

“Thank you.” Sophie ignored Jake’s sudden grin.

“And the course really does look like a fun one; I especially like the water hazards.” The chief nodded.

“So you’ll support the project?” Her heart leaped into full gallop.

“Oh, no,” the chief said sadly, still with a twinkle in his deep eyes. “I can’t do that.”

Even though she’d expected his rejection, a ball of dread slammed into her gut. “Could I ask why?”

“The land doesn’t want a golf course there.”

Not this again. “The land?” Sophie tried not to sigh in exasperation.

“Yes.” The chief grinned. “Have you asked the land?”

Sophie’s spine straightened at Jake’s quiet snort. “Um, no, not really.”

“Well then, it’s all settled.” The chief rose.

“What’s settled?” Sophie lurched to stand.

“Jake will take you tomorrow to talk to the land. You two can ride over the northern ridge and maybe have a picnic overlooking the lake.”

“Grandpa,” Jake started to protest as he took to his feet. His chair echoed his annoyance as it slid back with a creak.

“That’s an order from both the chief and your grandpa, boy,” the chief said with a hard glint in his eye.

Jake turned to Sophie, his broad form blocking the sunlight. Humor creased his cheek, adding charm to the lethal angles of his face. “I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow morning.”

“Wow.” Sophie smiled at the chief. “Can you order him to stop being obnoxious and arrogant, too?”

Jake shot her a warning glance.

The chief roared out a deep laugh. “Sorry, Sophie. Those traits are from his grandma’s side.” The elder chuckled as he ambled out the door.

“I am not going horseback riding with you.” Sophie rounded on Jake and threw her hands in the air before leaving his office to head outside. Sure, she needed to see the area to get a better idea for her design—just to make sure she’d covered all her bases. But she’d drive there.

“It appears you are, darlin’. Where we’re going is only accessible via horseback. No vehicles.” He moved silently, his scent of man and musk swimming over her as he reached the door and opened it.

Damn it. Now she needed to ride another horse.

Jake turned her around, and a broad hand at her lower back propelled her into sunshine. Natural pine scent filled the air, and gravel crunched underneath their feet. He walked her to the Jeep and opened the driver’s door, his hands sliding around her waist.

The gentle touch slid right under her skin, zinged around, and throbbed between her legs. She coughed. “I can get into the Jeep.”

He grinned and lifted her inside. “I know, but my mama taught me to be a gentleman.”

Sophie swallowed. “That wasn’t gentlemanly.”

His chuckle caressed her skin as if his tongue traced each inch. “I didn’t say I was good at the lessons.” His hands lingered on her waist, and his midnight dark eyes caressed her heated features.

Sophie tried to ignore the strength in the hands at her hips. He had lifted her into the Jeep like she weighed nothing. And his broad chest blocked out the sun. In fact, all she could see were those onyx eyes devouring her. Interest and something even darker lurked there. Flutters cascaded through her belly.

The man wanted to kiss her.

Jake captured her lips, the jolt of instant lust shocking him.

So he forced himself to slow down and explore softly, gently, at his leisure. He wasn’t a man who lost control. Ever.

One hand cupped her head, holding her where he wanted her. Her eyes closed, and he took the kiss deeper, his cells exploding as heat shot through his blood. His gentle hold kept her firmly in place as he controlled them both.

Desire and a shocking intimacy careened through him. Under his touch, the woman stilled, no doubt fighting to keep sane. It was too late for sanity. Way too late. With the hint of a growl, his tongue invaded her mouth. He took his time learning her texture, memorizing her taste. The hand at her nape threaded into her hair, and he pressed her against the seat.

She clenched his shirt and slid her tongue against his.

Fire boiled through him, and his groan of approval filled her mouth. His hand slid from her waist and relaxed against her thigh, her toned muscle tempting him to yank the material away. Then he tugged her around, and her breasts flattened against his chest, her nipples pebbling.

Lava cascaded down his spine to spark his balls. He wanted her naked. Now.

Obviously, the woman had no clue how close to the edge he’d slipped. She burrowed farther into his body, returning his kiss. They both panted when he finally lifted his head.

Her eyes had darkened to dangerous blue depths, wide and unseeing on his.

His hand released her curls before stroking along her jaw to cup her chin. He watched the path of his thumb as it ran along her swollen bottom lip. Tempting. Too damn tempting. Her tongue slipped out and grazed his thumb.