Caught in the Act: Book Two: Independence Falls (7 page)

Katie let out a low moan. This was her seduction. But the way his hands moved, brushing her thigh, running up the bare flesh, dipping below the hem of her skirt—he’d taken over.

His touch—it was wild and wicked. She’d craved this for so long, the way he never held back. She knew desire. But Liam ignited her needs in a way no other man ever had.

His hand moved higher, slipping beneath the fabric of her dress. Drawing soft, teasing circles on her inner thigh, sweeping closer and closer, then pulling away. She shifted, trying to guide his hand to her center. There were people all around, but she no longer cared. She needed this, him—now.

“Patience, honey.” His lips brushed her ear. “I’ll get you there.”

His voice blended with the music, barely audible, but still she clung to the promise. His fingers circled higher, brushing the fabric of her underwear. She widened her stance, offering him access. But he didn’t take it. His fingers remained outside the barrier, gliding back and forth. Teasing her, playing with the pressure, he drew her closer and closer.

She reached behind her, grabbing hold of his thighs, wanting to touch him. Again, she waited for his hands to slip beneath her underwear, but instead he brushed the pad of his thumb over the one place that needed him most.

“Liam,” she gasped. “Oh God, Liam.”

The music was too loud. He couldn’t hear her. But she couldn’t stop saying his name, hoping he’d deliver more. She rocked her hips, arching her back, asking with her body for what she wanted.

Without releasing her, he drew her further into the dark corner. Not that anyone was paying them any attention. They were too busy dancing, grinding against each other.

“They can’t see,” Liam said, his lips still touching her ear. “They don’t know. This is just for you. For us.”

Hearing those words, Katie froze. No one knew for now. But she planned to change that. And if her brothers caught them now . . .

No. She wished to keep this moment for herself. Next time, she’d stick to her plan. Tonight, in this not-so-country bar, she wanted to experience the man who’d once captured her heart. In this place where they couldn’t go too far, she wanted Liam.

Rocking her hips against the bulge in his jeans, she silently asked for more. His fingers answered her plea, teasing her, drawing her closer and closer . . .

But she didn’t want to be the only one lost in need. Gliding her hand up, she pressed her palm against the hard ridge of his erection.

“Lower your arm.” He punctuated his command with a nip at her ear. “This is for you.”

Ignoring him, she moved her hand up and down against his jeans, wishing she could slip her fingers beneath. But the darkness, the music, it only offered the illusion of privacy.

His teeth grazed her ear a second time while his thumb pressed lightly against the one place guaranteed to skyrocket her into orgasm territory. “You’re not listening?”

“No.” She ran her palm down his length, cupping him through his jeans.

“Katie.” Hearing the warning mixed with desire in his tone, she didn’t let go, refusing to obey. This time.

Liam thrust against her hand and a thrill coursed through her. She wanted him out of his mind with lust—right back where they’d started seven years ago.

Only this time, she’d keep her L-words straight.

Chapter 8

B
ENEATH THE LUST
blanketing his common sense, Liam knew that this was too much, too fast. They needed more time to get to know each other again, and to move on from the past. But when he was with Katie, the pull was so damn strong.

And the way she refused to move her hand, to stop torturing him here, in a dark corner where he couldn’t do a damn thing about it . . . Liam closed his eyes and groaned. Thank God for his jeans. Without the barrier, he wouldn’t be able to hold back. Not after all this time. Not with her.

Releasing her hip, he ran his hand over her ass, over the fabric of her dress as the song ended and another one started. He paused, giving her one light, playful squeeze before lifting his hand away an inch.

“Planning to punish me?” she said, her voice heavy with need as his other hand continued to tease her.

He was tempted, but he wrapped his fingers around her hip, holding tight. “Not here. Not yet.”

But the thought of it turned him on. Drawing her underwear aside, his fingers slipped beneath, searching for her entrance. Touching her—it wasn’t enough. But for tonight, it had to be.

Katie turned her head to the side and he watched her lips form his name. The music had grown too loud again. He couldn’t hear. But he knew. Here, in the dark corner of a college bar, she wanted him. All other thoughts vanished, leaving him with only one—
Don’t let go
.

Liam scanned the crowd to ensure no one was glancing at their dark corner of the room. His thumb brushed her sweet spot. The one place he knew would drive her wild. As much as he wanted to draw this out, he couldn’t. They didn’t have the luxury of time.

His lips touched her ear. “Come for me. Now.”

He felt her body tense. The hand rubbing the front of his jeans stilled. It was as if she’d been waiting for those words.

And then she exploded. Liam watched as her eyes closed and her lips parted. Maybe it was the way she moved her lips, or her silent cry, but he swore he saw the same sense of awe and wonder in her expression that he’d witnessed years ago. That look—it pushed past the physical, touching something deep inside him.

Katie stepped forward, breaking free from his hold as she adjusted her skirt.

He smiled down at her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Want another drink, or are you ready to go?”

She stared out at the crowd for a moment before turning to him. Moving closer, she ran her hand up his thigh, stopping short of his crotch. “I think I’ve done enough research for one night. And you might be more comfortable in the car.”

Her words held a sensual promise. Before he could tell her that he planned to take a rain check, she abandoned their quiet corner, weaving her way through the crowd toward the door. Liam followed close behind. Outside, in the cool night air, they headed for her wagon.

“I’ll need your keys,” he said, holding out his hand.

Katie turned, leaning back against the trunk. “In a hurry to get home? Without even a good-night kiss?”

She took his hand, pulling him close. Staring down into her green eyes, Liam placed one hand on either side of her head, palms flat against the wagon. Moving closer until his thigh touched hers, he leaned down and brushed her lips, a simple, chaste kiss.

“I’m done with stolen moments in parking lots, or out under trees,” he said. “Next time, I want a bed.”

Her hands reached for his hips, trying to draw him closer. He didn’t budge. This was too important. If he wanted to find his way back to the moment when she’d looked at him, her eyes filled with love, he couldn’t rush to the finish line.

“What makes you think there will be a next time?” she said, her tone light and teasing.

“I’m not giving up on you. On us. Not this time.”

K
ATIE STARED INTO
his brown eyes. She still felt the lingering effect of his touch. When this man took over, her body obeyed as if acting on pure instinct. She’d made plans, dammit. But he touched her and she set them aside.

Turning her gaze to the full moon high in the sky above them, she struggled to collect her thoughts, one question rushing to the forefront. She looked back to him, taking in the hard line of his jaw, set and determined.

“Why now?” she asked. “Is it because of my family’s company?”

His gaze sharpened. “Hell no. If anything, I should steer clear of you until the deal is done.”

“Then why?”

“Because I didn’t have anything to offer you back then.” He stepped back, lifted his hands, running them through his short hair.

“That morning, in the field, I saw the love and hope in your eyes, and I panicked,” he continued. “I was one year out of school, living at home and caring for my mom while she battled cancer, knowing she was losing the fight. I was following in my father’s footsteps, working in the industry that had kept a roof over our heads and food on the table, but not much more.”

“I wasn’t asking you for anything,” she said. She had stupidly believed she’d already won his heart.

“Honey, you looked at me like I was your future, and I was taking life one day at a time. I wasn’t ready. And shit, I’m sorry I led you on. I’m sorry for the way it ended.”

He was sorry. Hearing that now snuffed out her lingering desire, making room for the feelings she’d carried around for years.

“Most guys panic and they stop calling.” Her voice trembled with the ancient hurt. “My brothers confronted you and you told them everything. You—”

“Not everything, Katie,” he said.

“Liam, you said that you regretted what we’d done. You opened my eyes to a world of pleasure, and then you walked away, leaving me feeling as if I’d done something wrong.”

Liam closed his eyes, bowing his chin to his chest. “At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing. Your brothers demanded that I leave you alone if I wasn’t serious. And I refused to make promises that I knew would end up broken.”

“Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was?” she said, pressing her palms flat against the side of the wagon as if the car could anchor her. “Look at me, Liam.”

For once, he obeyed her.

“You could have told them it was none of their business,” she continued. “Or you could have talked to me.”

“I didn’t know what to say to you, Katie. I met you out there because I couldn’t stand to go home. I know it sounds awful, but I wasn’t looking for love. I just needed a break.” He shook his head, his hands falling to his sides. “Watching my parents struggle, knowing I was headed down the same road . . . I felt like my future was doomed. I didn’t want to think about it.”

“We both went to that field looking for an escape.” She felt the heat of her argument fade away. She understood loss. No, she couldn’t imagine watching a parent die from a slow illness. But she knew the empty feeling of losing someone you loved. Forever.

“In the span of a few days, I lost my grandfather and my dad,” she continued. “It was so sudden, so overwhelming. It took me a long time to recover.”

“I know, honey. And I knew you were still grieving. It didn’t stop me from meeting you under those trees. But it should have.”

“No,” she said, her voice firm. “I didn’t need you to make that choice for me. I wanted to be with you. Everything else in my life felt as if it was beyond my control. It felt as if my life was happening to me.”

“Katie.” He reached for her. She held up her hand, unwilling and unable to let him touch her. She had so much she needed to tell him, and suddenly it felt as if she couldn’t wait.

“That’s what hurt the most. You made the decision that I was too young to handle breaking up with you. All by yourself.”

“I won’t make that mistake again,” he said, meeting her gaze. “I swear.”

No, he wouldn’t. He’d never get the chance. This time she was calling the shots. And she’d never let him get close enough to hurt her again. But still, hearing those words, part of her wished she could believe him.

Or maybe it was the lingering effects of his wild touch. An orgasm like that—it messed with a girl’s mind.

The ring of her phone cut through her thoughts. Turning her attention away from Liam and orgasms, she pulled out her cell and glanced at the screen.

“Hi Chad,” she answered, knowing her brother wouldn’t call unless it was important. And he’d keep calling until he reached her.

“Katie,” her brother said. “Where the hell are you?”

“Big Buck’s,” she said. “I’m checking out the bar for Georgia.”

She thought about telling her brother that Liam was with her, but something in Chad’s voice stopped her.

“You need to get back here right now,” Chad said.

Her grip tightened on the phone. “Is something wrong? I’m about an hour away from home.”

“The sheriff drove up about five minutes ago with a pair of rescued horses,” Chad said. “I caught a glance inside, sis. They’re skin and bones. The only sanctuary in the area is full right now. He wanted to know if we could take them for a while.”

“Yes,” she said, pulling the car key from her purse and handing it to Liam. Looking up at him, her lips formed one word.
Drive.

“Brody is out there now,” Chad continued. “And it doesn’t look like he’s unloading the trailer.”

“Go back out there and tell the sheriff we’ll take them.” Katie opened the passenger side door. “We have space in the barn.”

“Katie, I’m with you,” Chad said. “But Brody doesn’t want another mouth to feed.”

“It’s not his call,” she said. “Tell Brody I’ll pay for it.”

She ended the call and secured her seat belt. In the pit of her stomach she had a bad feeling her big brother would ignore her. Brody had led the family for so long it was as if he’d forgotten that his siblings were adults now—especially her. And her big brother didn’t have the right to make decisions for her.

“Katie?” Liam asked, turning the key to her wagon. “Are you OK?”

“Just drive.”
For once, please listen to me. Let me call the shots and do as I ask
. “Please. I need to get home.”

Chapter 9

L
IAM STOLE A
glance at his passenger. Her eyes were fixed on the road, her hands clutching her phone. He’d overheard enough of the call to get a sense of the situation.

“Can you go any faster?” she asked.

“Not if you want to get home in one piece,” he said. “Have a little faith in your brother. I’m sure he’ll do the right thing.”

“Brody always thinks he’s right. But if he sends those poor animals away, with no place else to go . . .” She shook her head. “How much longer?”

“Honey, we’ve only been in the car for five minutes.” It would take them another forty-five to get back to Independence Falls. “Sit back and try to relax.”

She grunted as if he’d suggested the impossible.

“Tell me, do you have any other places in mind for Georgia’s party?” Liam asked, hoping the conversation would distract Katie from her burning desire to get home.

“I do,” she said. “But the research for the next idea on the list, well, let’s just say it is a little more involved.”

“Than a mechanical bull?”

She nodded. “I want to check out a place on the west side of the Independence Falls Reservoir. I was hoping to drive over Saturday.”

“That side of the lake is surrounded by national forest. You’ll need to park your car a ways out and hike in.”

“I know, but it’s the next thing on Georgia’s list. And after seeing the bar tonight, probably the most practical.”

“As her brother, I vote for hiking and camping. But getting to that side of the reservoir is a mile and half mostly uphill.” Liam had no doubt Georgia could do it. She had traveled on foot while hauling a seriously heavy pack when stationed in Afghanistan. But the others?

“That’s one helluva way to kick off a bachelorette party,” he added.

“I know,” Katie said. “And getting everything out there will be a challenge.”

Liam stole another glance at her. She’d relaxed her death grip on her phone. “Everything? What are you planning to bring to the party?”

“Trust me, you don’t want to know. It’s one of your sister’s wild ideas, but Eric would hate it. And if we have to hike out there, it won’t happen anyway.”

“You could come at it from the other side. Cross the water by boat,” Liam said, knowing he should stay out of it. If Eric would hate Georgia’s plans, he probably would too. But the thought of more “research” with Katie kept the wheels in his mind turning.

“I have a friend who owns a small motorboat and docks it over there. We might be able to borrow it,” he continued. “If the water level isn’t too low this time of year.”

She cocked her head to one side as if considering the idea. “Too low even for a motorboat?”

“The reservoir is manmade on cleared land. Lots of stumps underneath when the water level is low. And we’ve had a dry few months.”

They were nearing the end of fire season, but this one had been rough. A few weeks earlier, Liam had fought a massive blaze on a piece of property he’d been harvesting. And afterward, he’d faced an investigation that had nearly cost him his job and his best friend. He was more than ready for the constant rains the Pacific Northwest was known for, but Mother Nature wasn’t cooperating.

“But I’ll make the call,” Liam added. “Are you free this weekend?”

“Saturday might work. I would need to see about the cabin first. And make some other arrangements.”

“Saturday’s great. If you don’t mind heading out in the late afternoon. We’re planning to get the last of the trees on Mrs. Wilson’s property harvested that morning.” And thank goodness for that. He wanted the excuse to stay the night with her alone in a cabin. After tonight, in the club, feeling her respond to his touch, he wanted her. But he planned to take his time. He’d meant what he’d said in the parking lot. He needed to do this right.

T
HIRTY MINUTES LATER,
Katie dropped Liam off on the street in front of his house with a promise to call the cabin about Saturday, and sped toward home. Turning down the driveway, her hands tightened around the steering as the house came into view. There was no sign of the horse trailer. But her big brother sat on the front porch.

Katie parked her wagon and climbed out, fighting to control her temper. She approached Brody, noting the way his eyes widened at the sight of her dress.

“Where are the horses?” she demanded.

“They’re in the barn.” He pushed off the steps, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Chad and Josh are feeding them now.”

Temper gave way to a flood of relief. Katie rushed over and threw her arms around her big brother, her face resting against his T-shirt. “Thank you. The whole drive back, I was so scared you would send them away.”

“The sheriff was out of options. We were his last hope. And I would hate to see them go to a slaughterhouse.” Brody hugged her back, but then drew away, looking down at her. “But we can’t afford to keep them, Katie.”

“We’ll have the money soon,” she said. “When the contract comes through and we put those new trucks to use—”

“I should never have let you buy those trucks.” Brody released her, stepping back. “We’re out a lot of money if Black Hills doesn’t sign. And I think Eric and Liam can smell our desperation.”

“Mr. Fidderman will come through,” she insisted. And she wasn’t desperate. But she had a bad feeling her brothers—Brody in particular—saw Moore Timber’s offer as their only option.

“Brody, do you want to sell to Moore Timber?”

Her brother ran his hand over his face. “I think it might be best. At some point, we need to take what we can get for the business and move on with our lives. You have a potential job waiting for you in Montana. Josh wants—”

“Stop,” she demanded. “You’ve put us first for the past seven years. You held us together after Dad died. It was always about us. Now it is time to think about what you want.”

“I’m proud of what we’ve built here,” Brody said quietly. “But—”

“No more ‘buts.’ ” Katie crossed her arms in front of her chest. “We’re not selling.”

Brody shook his head. “You’re just like them. Dad and Grandpa. So damn stubborn.”

Katie smiled, feeling a rush of pride at his words. Those men were her heroes. And though her brother might not realize it, she had fought an uphill battle to keep her backbone, to make her own choices. “Have a little faith in me, Brody. I can close the deal with Black Hills. Once we have those contracts, we can start to grow the business. Eventually, Chad, Josh, and I can step away.”

“What about Montana?”

“If I get the papers signed, and
if
they offer me the job, maybe I’ll take it. If not, well, I’m a big girl Brody, I’ll find something else eventually.” Katie looped her arm through his. “How about you introduce me to the new horses?”

“Do you want to change first?” Brody asked, looking pointedly at her skirt.

“Horses first.”

Arm in arm, they headed for the barn. “Mind telling me where you were dressed like that?”

“I was checking out a potential bar for Georgia’s bachelorette party.”

The muscles in her brother’s jaw tightened. “You went barhopping by yourself?”

“No. I brought a friend,” she said. “Don’t worry, he kept me safe.”

From the other guys, she thought. But if Liam thought for one minute that a heartfelt conversation in a parking lot would erase the old hurt she’d carried around for the past seven years, he was flat-out wrong. She wasn’t about to hand back the apology, but knowing why he’d walked out of her life after one heart-to-heart with her brothers didn’t change the fact that her loyalties lay elsewhere.

“Thanks again, Brody.” She gave his arm a squeeze. “For everything.”