Hunter's Moon (Hunter Family Saga; Half-Moon Ranch 1) (18 page)

Crystal led the way, and when she reached the
creek she walked along the bank. Brent was slow
to follow her down, for he was just enjoying
watching her. He was surprised when she sat down
on the bank and began to take off her boots and
socks.

"What are you doing?"

"I thought it would be fun to go wading."

"Wading? Fun?"

"When was the last time you went wading?" she
challenged him.

"I don't know-it's been years. I don't have time
for playing in creeks."

"Today you do. Come on." Crystal stood up and
walked daintily to the water's edge.

Brent stayed right where he was, watching her
make her way. He found his gaze drawn admiringly
to her shapely legs as she hiked up the riding skirt a
little and stepped into the water.

"Oooh, that's cold!" She shivered as the flowing
stream circled around her.

"Be careful; it might be slippery in there," he
advised as she began to tiptoe around, exploring.

Crystal looked up at Brent, standing tall and
proud on the bank before her. He looked like the
man who ran this ranch-the boss. His arms were
folded over his chest in a pose of authority, and his
expression was serious, commanding and critical.
She realized he was an intimidating man-but he
didn't intimidate her.

Crystal smiled wickedly to herself and decided
right then and there that she wanted to see Brent
smile again. He was far too stern for his own good,
and she was going to change that.

"How would you know it's slippery if you haven't
been in here in years? Why don't you come in with
me?"

"That's all right."

She'd known before she'd asked that he would
refuse her invitation, and his refusal played right into
her scheme.

"What are you afraid of, Brent Hunter?" she
taunted. "Are you afraid to get wet?"

Unable to resist the temptation to break through
his controlled demeanor, Crystal quickly bent down
and, before he could react, splashed water at him
with all the force she could muster. Her aim was
excellent.

"Why, you...!" Brent was shocked-and
soaked-by her unprovoked attack.

The change in his expression was so quick and
so complete that Crystal started laughing out loud.
Her glee was only momentary, though, for his
shocked look quickly turned to one of fierce
determination.

"So that's the way you like to play," Brent said
ominously. He wasn't worried about getting any
wetter. She'd already soaked him thoroughly.
Revenge was all that was on his mind. He smiled a
devilish smile and went after her.

Crystal had wanted to see him smile again, but
she hadn't intended for it to be the one that was on
his face now. She started giggling and let out a
squeal of sudden fear as she tried to flee upstream
from his coming assault.

She managed to elude Brent for a moment, but
she discovered that he'd been right all along-the
creekbed was slippery. A startled shriek escaped her as she lost her balance and started to tumble
backward.

In an instant Brent was there to save her. He
lifted her up in strong arms and kept her from being
drenched. He held her childlike against his chest as
he carried her out of the creek.

"You've rescued me again," Crystal said
breathlessly.

"That seems to be my fate lately," he
acknowledged with a half grin.

"You are always there when I need you most."

Once they were on solid ground, Brent stopped
and gazed down at her. Gone were all thoughts of
revenge for the soaking she'd given him. The only
thing that mattered to him now was holding her
close and kissing her again.

"Do you need me now?" he asked quietly.

"Oh, yes." Her answer was a passionate whisper.

His mouth found hers in a rapturous exchange
that left them both breathless. Lowering her to the
bank, he stretched out beside her on the lush grass.
They lay in the sun-dappled shade, aware only of
each other and the glory of each kiss they shared.

Crystal reached out to Brent, wanting him even
closer. She touched his wet shirt and couldn't help
giving a throaty giggle.

Brent drew back to look down at her, a smile
curving his lips. "So you think playing in the water is
fun, do you? I can take you back in the creek right
now if you want to go."

"I think I like playing with you here on the bank
better," she purred.

Crystal pulled him down to her and kissed him.
She wanted him close to her. She needed him close to
her. She had never been so intimate with a man
before. Since her parents had died, she had been
under Dan's control. She had never had any serious
suitors-he wouldn't allow it.

But now there was Brent. She had never felt so
close to anyone, and his kiss was proving to be
heaven.

The invitation in Crystal's embrace stirred the fire
of Brent's desire for her. He sought the sweet curve
of her breast in a gentle caress. Crystal shivered at
the intimacy of his touch and instinctively arched
against him in an unspoken offering. His lips left
hers to trace a path of excitement down the side of
her neck. Pleasure radiated through her. When he
parted her blouse and pressed heated kisses to the
tops of her breasts, she gasped in delight.

Brent wanted Crystal more than he'd ever wanted
any woman. She was beautiful and loving, and they
were there alone.

He was tempted to take her right then and there,
to lose himself in the glory of her lovemaking. He
sensed no resistance in her, but he forced himself to
stop.

He had to move away from the temptation that
she was to him. He left her to sit a short distance
away. He didn't trust himself any closer to her.

"Brent?" Crystal was surprised and disappointed
that he'd stopped kissing her. "Is something
wrong?"

"No, sweetheart, nothing's wrong."

Brent couldn't look her way. He took pride in
being a man in control, but Crystal had tested him
to his limit. He wasn't sure he'd be able to deny
himself again if he did dare look at her. Brent
decided to watch the stream flow by instead, and he
realized he just might need to go wade in the water
after all. It was cold, and he certainly needed to cool
off a bit.

Crystal felt humiliated. She realized she'd all but
thrown herself at Brent, and he'd rejected her. She
quickly refastened her blouse as she sat up. He had
his back to her, and she was glad that he couldn't see
her shame.

She'd never acted so brazenly before. She'd never
wanted any man the way she wanted Brent-his
touch had been ecstasy.

She'd never cared so deeply for a man beforeeven now she wanted to go to him and wrap her
arms around him and hold him to her heart.

Crystal froze as the knowledge came to her: She
loved Brent.

The truth frightened her even as it thrilled her.

Crystal told herself she barely knew Brent. In her
heart, though, it seemed she had known him forever.
She had been drawn to him from the first moment
she'd seen him at the Six Gun Saloon, but it seemed sadly obvious to her, as he sat there ignoring
her, that he didn't share that tender emotion.

"Are you ready to go back?" she asked a bit stiffly
as she got to her feet.

Brent was surprised by the coldness of her tone.
He turned to see how uncomfortable she suddenly
seemed, and he rose to go to her. He thought she
was upset with him for being so forward with her,
and he intended to apologize.

"Crystal, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken such
liberties with you. I should have had Abby ride with
us.

Suddenly Crystal realized what Brent was
really saying-he had stopped kissing her not
because he didn't want her, but because he did.
She smiled.

"But if your sister had come along as our
chaperon, I wouldn't have gotten to kiss you."

She reached out and rested a hand against his
chest as he stood before her. That simple contact
sent a jolt of sensual awareness through Brent.

"Don't tempt me, woman," he said in a growl.

"But I like tempting you," she teased.

"You do a fine job of it." Brent held her close and
kissed her once more, this time with restrained
tenderness.

She wanted to tell him of her love, but held back.

"We'd really better be getting back to the house,"
he said reluctantly.

They shared one last, sweet kiss before finally moving apart. He brought her boots and socks to
her.

"Are you sure you don't want to go wading in the
creek again?" Crystal asked with a mischievous grin
before she started to put them back on. "This is our
last chance."

"I think I'm wet enough." His clothes were still
damp from their earlier adventure. "I hope I dry off
on the ride back."

He went to get their horses. Then they mounted
up and started to ride away.

Crystal's gaze lingered on the cabin one last time.
"It is a shame you can't live here."

"I know. I've had to stay at the main house to run
things, and to take care of Abby."

"And you've done a wonderful job. I like your
sister, and the more I see of the Half-Moon, the
more impressed I am with what you've
accomplished."

"Thanks." Her praise meant a lot to Brent. It was
a rare day when anyone paid him a compliment.

It was almost time for dinner, and Abby had been
watching for Brent and Crystal to return. She
went out to greet them when she saw them riding
in.

"It's about time you got back," she said. "Did you
have a good time?" She eyed them speculatively,
wondering why her brother's clothes looked slightly
damp.

"Oh, yes," Crystal answered first, "It was great
riding such a wonderful horse."

"Honey?" Abby had never thought of the
mustang as anything special.

"Yes. She's not only pretty-she's fast, too.
Honey and I beat Brent and Storm in a race down
by the creek."

"You let her beat you?" Abby looked at Brent in
shock.

"She cheated," he said defensively, knowing his
little sister would use the news against him.

"No, you lost." Abby fought down a grin at the
thought. "Come on inside. Frances has dinner just
about ready to go on the table."

"Go on in," Brent told Crystal. "I'll see to the
horses."

She dismounted and followed Abby inside.

"Abby, I think I'd better change before dinner,
and I do have to apologize for something."

Abby looked her way.

Crystal went on. "When Brent and I were down
at the creek, I got wet."

"And so did Brent, from the looks of things,"
Abby remarked with good humor.

"Well, I did splash him," she confessed with a
grin.

And you're still alive to talk about it?" Abby was
amazed. She tried to picture the scene in her mind.
"I wish I'd been there to see it. How did my big
brother react?"

"The look on his face was priceless," Crystal told
her, still smiling. "But he wasn't about to let me get
away with it!"

"I understand. You don't mess with Brent
Hunter."

"So I found out."

"Go on back in my room to change. All your
things are still there."

"Thanks."

"And Crystal?" Abby found herself wanting to
make her feel welcome.

Crystal looked up.

"Why don't you take these riding clothes with
you so you'll be ready for another visit?"

Crystal liked the sound of that. Another visit. She
wanted to spend as much time with Brent as she
could.

A short time later Abby, Crystal, and Brent were
gathered around the dining room table. Brent had
taken the time to clean up and change clothes, and
they were now ready for dinner.

"It's not over between us yet." Brent's tone held a
mock threat as he looked at Crystal across the table.
Their gazes met and locked. Tension flared between
them.

"I know," Crystal said, her heartbeat quickening
in response.

"Do I get to watch the next time?" Abby asked.
"Providing, of course, that there is a next time."

"Oh, there will be a next time, all right," Brent
said firmly.

"That's right," Crystal said with confidence. "And
Honey and I will be ready for you. You just name the time and place for the race, and we'll be there."

"What race?"

Jack's question interrupted their conversation as
he came into the room.

"Papa. We were wondering where you were,"
Abby said, surprised to see him.

"I had things to take care of." He deliberately
didn't tell them what he'd been doing. It was none
of their business. He went to sit with them at the
table.

Brent knew immediately by the way he was
acting what his father had been doing-he'd been
drinking. Brent shared a knowing look with
Abby, but said nothing. He didn't want to start
an argument in front of Crystal. It enraged Brent
to realize that his father must have brought back
a bottle of liquor from town and kept it hidden
among his things.