The Rebel of Copper Creek by R.C. Ryan

and for the life of him he didn’t know how it happened, his mouth was on hers.
    At first it seemed an innocent mistake. But the moment his lips touched hers, everything changed. He was engulfed in heat. The simple kiss was no longer simple. It had fireworks going off in his brain. A brain that had gone completely blank, except for a wild surge of hot, shocking arousal.
    His arms tightened around her as she returned the kiss, and then he could feel himself sinking into her, into the heat…
    â€œHow dare you!” Her words were followed by a sharp, stinging slap across his face as she pushed free of his arms and jerked backward.
    Once again her foot encountered whatever had caused her to stumble the first time, and she was forced to grab hold of his arm before staring down at the floor.
    Beneath her foot was one of the metal trucks.
    Though his mind was still fogged, Griff managed to bend and retrieve it. When he glanced at her, he realized that she was close to tears.
    Sadness?
    Anger? Or something else entirely?
    â€œLook. I’m sorry…”
    â€œYou should be. I didn’t invite that kiss.”
    â€œNo, ma’am. You didn’t.”
    â€œI know what men think. They think, because I’m alone now, that I’m some kind of love-starved, easy mark. Poor little widow Juliet Grayson. She’ll be so grateful for some crumbs of affection.”
    â€œI wouldn’t…I didn’t…” He stopped himself in midsentence. He really had no defense for his action, and anything he said now would only make things worse, since her temper was beginning to grow into a full-blown rage.
    Carefully banking the fire raging inside, he softened his tone. “I don’t know what came over me. But you’re right. I was out of line.”
    He handed her the metal toy before turning away. Even that brief contact sent a sizzle of heat along his arm.
    Though it took all his willpower, he walked the entire distance to the Cessna without once looking back.

Chapter Four
    G riff made a careful preflight check before climbing into the Cessna and flipping on the instruments.
    He allowed himself a glance at the old ranch house and saw, framed in the upper window, the figure of Casey. The little boy lifted a hand and Griff returned his wave before moving the throttle forward, sending the plane surging along the little strip of asphalt.
    As always, Griff felt a quick rush of excitement as the plane lifted free of the earth. But there was something else lifting his spirits. The sight of that little guy framed in the window. Despite all that had gone wrong in his young life, he was so innocent. So trusting.
    Once in the air Griff circled the house and, seeing Casey still at the window, dipped his wings and waved a hand before heading toward home.
    When he’d reached a comfortable altitude, he allowed his thoughts to drift back to Juliet Grayson.
    What the hell had happened back there?
    One minute he was just being gallant, and keeping her safe from a nasty fall. The next instant his mouth was on hers. It wasn’t even much of a kiss. Hell, he’d kissed dozens of women with a lot more passion. But never, never had he felt that kind of reaction from a simple contact.
    One kiss and his blood had been so hot, he’d been on fire. One kiss and his mind had been wiped clean of everything except her. Her taste. Her body, pressed to his. Such a slender body. No wonder he’d mistaken her for a girl. But once in his arms she’d been all woman.
    Even now he was achingly aware of the way those small, soft curves had fit so perfectly against him.
    She’d tasted of peanut butter and desire. And right now, he couldn’t think of a more potent combination.
    He knew he’d crossed a line from that first moment. But though dozens of alarm bells had gone off, the blood had already left his brain and rushed to his loins, creating a fire that had him trembling.
    She’d had every right