The Lawman's Betrayal by Sandi Hampton

have to be today.” He gulped down his coffee and reached for the pot, then yelped as he burned his hand.
    “Are you all right?” Naomi slipped over beside him and grabbed his hand. “Did you burn yourself? Are you all right?”
    His face hovered a mere few inches above hers. Blue eyes darkening, he leaned toward her. He was going to kiss her—and she wanted him to. Her lips seemed to part of their own volition. Even as her lips met his, warning bells rang in her head. Don’t…don’t…don’t. But the moment his mouth touched hers, she no longer heard them.
    At first, his lips were soft…tentative…gently brushing hers, as if asking permission. She looped her arms around his neck. He pulled her into his arms and deepened his kiss, his tongue probing for entry into her mouth. As she parted her lips, his tongue met hers in a frenzied mating, exploring the recesses of her mouth, sending exquisite sensations of need and desire tingling through every inch of her body. She pressed against him, entwining her hands in his dark hair. In all their years of marriage, Roy had never made her feel like this.
    Roy!
    It came back in a flash. U.S. Marshal Wes Cooper wanted to know where the stolen money was, and since his straight-on approach hadn’t worked, he now sought another way to get what he wanted.
    Well, two could play this game.
    Even though her brain told her to end this charade, her body told her different. His kiss had excited her, his touch driving her body to a fever pitch. Even now, his hands on her body, soft and caressing, sent her thoughts careening out of control in the wrong direction.
    But she needed him, needed his protection. He was using her, so why not use him? Her conscience pricked, it wasn’t in her nature to be deceitful, but she brushed it aside. Roy had exploited that part of her makeup, and she wasn’t going to let it happen again. Knowing she had to control her emotions, she slowly pulled out of his embrace. “Wes, please…I can’t do this…not now.”
    He released her immediately, as if his hands burned. “Sorry, Naomi. I shouldn’t have done that.” Without another word, he marched out of the cave.
    A sense of loss washed over her. She hadn’t wanted to feel anything, but God help her, she’d never felt more alive than in his arms. But while it was real on her part, he was only playing a role.
    Another betrayal.
    ****
    Wes cursed low under his breath. What the hell was he thinking? He was supposed to be investigating Naomi Brecker, not falling for her. But when she’d raised her lips to his, he’d not been able to resist. Even if someone had pointed a gun at his head, he would have died on the spot rather than stop. If he wasn’t careful, he could come to care for her, come to need her. He couldn’t let that happen—for that made him vulnerable. He reminded himself that this was the main reason he was single. The girls at the bordellos and saloons took care of his physical needs, and he liked it like that.
    Or did he?
    His profession made him a loner. When he was on a job, he’d go for days, even months, without contact with another human—until he caught his prey. It wouldn’t be right to subject a woman to that kind of life. Never knowing when he’d be home, or even if he’d come home. Sometimes the loneliness wrapped itself around him like a blanket and wouldn’t let go. Especially at night when no one lay at his side, and he felt all empty inside.
    Before he realized it, he’d walked about a hundred yards from the cave without any thought of what trouble might be waiting for him. He didn’t even have his rifle. He cursed again, slowed and studied the area. Nothing moved in the gray shadows. He scrubbed a hand across his jaw. This is what happens when I get too close to a woman. I’m liable to get myself killed for it.
    After taking care of his needs, he returned to the cave. He had to set things straight with Naomi—he wouldn’t mislead her. She’d already been