Caitlan got the distinct impression that J.T. didn't discuss his private life freely, yet he'd been so open with her. "They say confession is good for the soul." She resisted the urge to pull back the hand he caressed so softly. The way he stroked the sensitive skin in between each of her fingers made her knees weak and heat shimmer up her arm. Clutching her sketch pad to her breasts in an effort to stop the tingling in the sensitive tips, she forced a smile. "At least I'm good for something, huh?"

"You're good for a lot of things, I'm sure," he said, his suggestive tone adding to Caitlan's already overloaded senses. Leaning close, he grinned. "Don't tell Paula, but those cherry tarts were better than hers."

He looked so much like the young boy she'd drawn, so carefree and full of mischief, that she allowed an unrestrained grin to grace her lips. "I'm glad you liked them."

"Oh, I did," he murmured. "Very much." Suddenly growing serious, he let go of her hand and caressed the dimple creasing her right cheek with his finger, his touch feather-soft and reverent.

A shiver swept down Caitlan's spine. His gaze darkened hungrily, and deeper, she saw the desire and need that matched the building tension in her. Her breath caught, and a delicious anticipation sped up her pulse. Leave before it's too late, she told herself, but she ignored the warning, too caught up in the essence of J.T. A powerful force kept her rooted to the spot.

J.T. moved closer, his bare toes touching the tips of hers. Sliding his hands along her jaw, he cupped her face in his warm palms and lifted her mouth to his. Slowly lowering his head, his lips whispered over her cheek. Then his tongue darted out to stroke her dimple, a warm, damp caress that electrified her.

His assault was so gentle, so sensual, her lips parted on a soft moan.

J.T. glided his thumb across Caitlan's bottom lip, his mouth hovering inches above hers. "I'm gonna kiss you, Caitlan," he said, his voice husky with barely leashed restraint. "If you want me to stop, tell me now."

Even if she had wanted him to stop, she couldn't have found her voice to say so. The only sound she could manage was a whimper when his mouth skimmed over hers, then pressed more intimately. His fingers slid into her hair, and he cupped the back of her head in his hand, angling her mouth just so for his heated invasion.

Before Caitlan could catch her breath his tongue surged into her mouth, taking possession and stealing what little sanity she had left. His other hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her so close, the only thing separating them was their scant clothes and the tenacious hold she had on her sketch pad. Automatically, she splayed her free hand on his chest. The moment she touched his warm, firm flesh, her body swelled with awareness and an intense heat flooded her. Her connection to J.T. was stronger, more powerful than ever.

A groan of surrender rumbled up from his chest, and his kiss gentled. He made love to her mouth like a man who had all the time in the world. Like he couldn't get enough of her. Like she was water and he was dying of thirst.

She yearned to give him any sustenance he craved.

He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers, both of them struggling to regain a normal breathing pattern. Caitlan ran her tongue over her swollen lips, tasting the unique flavor of J.T., cherries, and chocolate.

Eyes closed, smiling, she whispered, "I like the way you taste."

He brushed his mouth over her lips again, his tongue following suit. Fingers still tangled in the hair at the back of her head, he gently pulled her away, waiting until she blinked her eyes open to look at him. "And I want to taste more of you. Everywhere, Caitlan. In every way possible. That kiss wasn't nearly enough."

She shivered at the wicked promises glittering in his eyes, wanting everything as much as he. Somehow, a semblance of reason stole through the desire making her lethargic, and she stepped from his embrace. She hated the chill that replaced the heat of moments before. "We can't. We shouldn't."

"Yeah, I know." His voice was rough, like sandpaper. "But it doesn't stop me from wanting you." Shoving his fingers through his hair, he glanced away, as if he'd revealed too much.

Finally he released a heavy sigh. "Go to bed, Caitlan."


The following day at noon, restless and unable to concentrate on the columns of figures in front of him, J.T. left his office. Strolling into the kitchen, hoping to catch a glimpse of Caitlan, he instead found Paula and Laura making sandwiches for lunch. His guest was nowhere to be seen.

"Hi, Dad." Laura greeted him with a huge smile, eyes sparkling. Abandoning her chore of shredding chicken, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Nice to see you've come out of hibernation. Are you going to stay in the office all day today?"

J.T. couldn't suppress a grin at his daughter's impudence. He was feeling pretty good, despite his lack of sleep last night. Refusing to admit Caitlan was responsible for his pleasant mood, he replied, "I thought I'd check the creek for blockages."

Laura shot him a disproving glance. "What about your head?"

"My head is fine, Smidget. I only want to check and make sure the creek is clear." Leaning his hip against the counter, he nabbed a piece of chicken and tossed it into his mouth.

Frowning, she spread mayonnaise on a slice of bread, then heaped it with chicken and a slice of cheese. "Why can't the other guys do that?"

"They can, but I want to get out for a bit. I won't do anything strenuous, I promise." To prove his point, he added, "Want to go with me?"

She looked at him, and he caught a flicker of pleasure in her eyes before it was quickly replaced by something much more mischievous. "No, but I'd bet Caitlan would like to go with you. She's been cooped up for two whole days. You can show her how beautiful it is here."

J.T. glanced at Paula, who gave him a light shrug and a I-had-nothing-to-do-with-Laura's-scheme kind of look before she continued slicing the loaf of fresh bread she'd made that morning. Paula might not have anything directly to do with Laura's ploy, J.T. thought, but she definitely wasn't against the idea.

Neither was he, which should have been enough to warn him he was getting too damned close to her. After their hot kiss last night, and the truce they'd established, taking things a couple of steps farther would be so easy…

Reminding himself of the complications of getting involved with Caitlan, he shored up his resolve. "We haven't had much time together lately, Laura. I'd really enjoy if you came with me."

She waved a hand between them. "I've got things I want to do around here today. And Karen might come over this afternoon. Caitlan was saying just yesterday how she'd love to see the ranch." A sudden smile lit up her features, her eyes dancing with excitement. "You know, I just thought of something."

"Really?" he said dryly. "I can hardly wait to hear this one."

"Dad, stop being so stuffy!" she huffed in exasperation.

He raised his brows. "Me? Stuffy?"

"Yes, you." Laura poked him playfully in the chest, then gave him her best impression of an angelic look. "I was thinking, why don't I make you a couple of sandwiches, and after you and Caitlan check the ranch you can take her on a picnic?" Satisfied with the merit of her plan, she began wrapping sandwiches in plastic wrap.

"Laura, I don't think that's a good idea-"

She gave him a pointed look. "If you're going to be out checking the ranch, then you're both bound to get hungry." Grabbing a knapsack from a kitchen drawer, she put three sandwiches inside. "Here, I'll pack you a few sandwiches, some potato salad, and apples."

Paula chuckled, and J.T. glared at her, somehow knowing he'd lost this round.

"The girl's right, you know," Paula said, handing over two shiny apples to Laura. "You need to get out of the house, and Caitlan would love to see the place. You both just might get hungry, too."

J.T. didn't mention that he could just as easily eat lunch before he went out. He'd always used ranching as an excuse to forget everything and clear his head. Now, cooped up in his office, he found he constantly wondered where Caitlan was and what she was up to. What harm could there be in taking her with him? And a picnic was an innocent enough gesture, considering they were bound to get hungry.

"Where is Caitlan, anyway?" He watched as Paula filled a thermos with lemonade and added it to the sack.

Laura handed J.T. the care package with an encouraging smile. "She went to take Missy some milk and scraps. She's probably still down in the barn. Why don't you go get her?"

"I guess I will." J.T. grabbed one of his old Stetsons off the coat rack and jammed it on his head. "We won't be gone long."

"Don't worry about hurrying back." Laura practically pushed him out the kitchen door. "Oh, and have a good time!"

J.T. shook his head at his daughter's match-making. In the back of his mind he knew he should at least be annoyed by Laura's meddling, but he found it difficult to get mad at her for something he wanted just as much.


"Hello, Missy," Caitlan said in a soft voice as she approached the momma cat and her kittens. "I brought you some milk and chicken." As soon as she placed the bowl and plate next to the cardboard box housing Missy's family, the feline abandoned her nursing kittens for the food. Caitlan laughed softly at the loud mews of protest coming from the box.

Missy feasted on her meal, and Caitlan stroked the cat's back and scratched her behind the ears. Missy purred deep in her throat and let out an appreciative meow.

Smiling, Caitlan turned her attention to the mewling kittens. Murmuring sweet words to them, she reassured each of them with a touch and a caress that their mother would be returning soon. She heard steps behind her and assumed it was one of the hands working around the ranch today. From what Laura had told her, on weekends the hands rotated days off, and most of the men spent their time lazing around the bunkhouse and barn area.