Reckless Territory by Kate Watterson Page B

there next to him so unselfconsciously nude, but the open admiration in his dark eyes and his own lack of concern over his nudity, combined with the wild setting, made it all seem perfectly natural. She said, “Even sheltered English ladies know that you bleed a little when you lose your maidenhead. There was some discomfort for a short while, but I somehow managed to forget about it. Maybe you noticed.” Her smile was arch.
    “I notice everything about you.”
    She wasn’t sure what to say to that almost curt declaration.
    “I probably should have left you alone. But I have to say, sweetheart, of all the things I’ve done I shouldn’t have, and that’s pretty long list, I regret this one the least.”
    “Why should you regret it? You didn’t force me…I think maybe it was the other way around. I tempted you.”
    “You sure as hell did,” he murmured, the fringe of his thick lashes lowered slightly over his eyes. “I didn’t exactly fight it, though, did I? I’ve been imagining this since the day we found you. And none of us would ever force you. I’d stake my life on it.”
    Had she imagined it too? She wasn’t sure. Certainly from that moment when she opened her eyes and saw Cole looming over her, she’d been very aware of him as a man. The problem was, of course, she was just as aware of Jace, with his quicksilver smile and edge of wildness, and Robert, with his intelligence and thoughtful good manners.
    It was confusing, considering she’d been raised within the strictures of a society preoccupied with conventionality and rules.
    As if he could read her mind, Cole leaned up on one elbow, the muscles in his lean torso rippling impressively. His sleek, dark hair brushed his powerful shoulders, and the look he gave her could only be described as penetrating. “You made a choice today. What you need to remember, Lady Victoria, is you get to continue to make choices. None of us will ever push you into a situation you don’t want.”
    That didn’t exactly clarify her indecision on how to interpret her actions, but when he scooped her up suddenly and stood, wading back into the river, she decided to dismiss her unsettled emotions and instead revel in the cool rush of the water over her heated body, in the strength of his embrace and the soaring cobalt sky darkening above them.
     
     
    The spectacular sunset left them with starlight vistas against velvet black, the air like fine wine, though Cole had to admit he barely recalled the vintages his father used to serve back in Boston. Now he drank whatever rotgut whiskey was available like everyone else, when he drank at all. Staying alive wasn’t all that easy to begin with when a man was alert and on guard. Compromising that seemed damned foolish.
    More foolish than ever now. He had something to live for and it had been a long time since he’d felt that way. Even purchasing the ranch, while it represented a new life, hadn’t affected him like the woman sitting across the fire.
    Victoria had combed her shining hair and was braiding it simply in the way he’d taught her, her fingers graceful. At first he’d been astonished to find a young woman who didn’t have such a simple skill, but then again, she’d explained with a hint of defensive embarrassment, her personal maid had always done her hair. Once on the wagon trail with her aunt and uncle, she’d just tied it back with a ribbon and tucked it into the bonnet she wore to protect her complexion.
    Already, since riding with them, though she kept her hat on almost all the time, she was no longer the epitome of the pale English rose but had acquired a hint of gold on her skin.
    Both Jace and Robert also were riveted, and it was evident she’d noticed that no one was talking but all three of them were just sitting there by the fire, watching her. She secured the end of the braid with a small leather thong and moved the thick rope of golden hair over her shoulder, and her dark blue eyes considered each