Texas Heat by Bárbara McCauley Page B

Savannah should have laughed at the absurdity of it, but instead, her heart began to race. Wasn’t it what every woman truly wanted? To be loved so deeply, so absolutely, that a man would never let her go? To be possessed by one man, knowing he would die to protect her? Fantasy, she chided herself. Ridiculous.
    She pulled her robe tightly around her and turned so she wouldn’t brush against Jake. The only problem was, her back was against the wall now. She looked up at him, determined not to react to his closeness. His eyes, dark as blue midnight, skimmed over her throat and rested on her breasts. She couldn’t stop the thrill that leapt through her.
    She wouldn’t let him get to her. She couldn’t. She needed a clear head and heart when it came to Jake and the rest of the Stone family. They had the power to take away the one thing in the world she loved: Emma. She couldn’t let herself forget that for one minute.
    â€œYou’re living in the Dark Ages, Jake Stone.” She forced a cool smile. “Or should I say the Stone Age? Maybe it was that egotistical attitude that sent my sister packing. It’s far from attractive, you know.”
    It was his turn to smile now. “Are you cold, Savannah?” he murmured. “You’re trembling.”
    Her fingers clenched at the knot of her robe’s belt. “I’m angry. You’re passing judgment about a person and situation you know nothing about.”
    He stared at her for a long moment. “Maybe you’re right,” he finally conceded. “Maybe we both have a few things to learn. Questions to be answered. After all,” he said huskily, “we both want the same thing, don’t we?”
    Jake’s masculine scent assailed Savannah’s senses. His voice stroked her like a lover’s experienced hand. “And what’s that?” she asked, blinking slowly.
    He smiled and backed away. “The best for Emma, of course.”
    She felt ridiculous, nearly swooning because he’d moved too close. At least she could breathe now. She had to remember to keep her distance, that was all. “That’s the only thing I want, Jake. Don’t forget it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to say good-night to Jessica and Jared.”
    Jake raised one eyebrow. “That might be a little difficult. They left while you were in the shower.”
    â€œLeft?” Savannah turned her head toward the living room and realized it had been awfully quiet. “For where?”
    â€œJessica works in Cactus Flat at the youth center and has a place there. Jared lives in a trailer on his own property.” He looked at her curiously. “Did you think they lived here?”
    A sharp tight knot formed in the pit of Savannah’s stomach. “Well, I—I sort of assumed...”
    Jake’s brow furrowed. “Does that frighten you, being here alone with me?”
    â€œNo,” she answered too quickly. “It’s just that I, well, I hadn’t...” She lifted her gaze to his. It was ridiculous to lie. “Yes.”
    He took a step back. “I don’t want you, or Emma, to ever be afraid of me. You’re both safe here, Savannah. I promise you that.”
    He looked at her for a long moment, then said good-night and turned toward the living room.
    Savannah slowly let out her breath and watched him walk away. Does that frighten you, being here alone with me?
    She wondered what he would say if she told him that it wasn’t him she was frightened of, but herself.

Four
    H ands on his hips, Jake stood at the edge of the bog and scowled at the steer. It was stuck in the thick mud clear up to its underside—the fifth one he’d come across today—and by far the worst.
    The sky was clear at the moment, but for the past three days it had rained steadily, turning the area into a huge mud hole. Jake had always been careful to keep this section of land fenced