Kade: Armed and Dangerous (9 page)

“Now don’t you look nice,” Chuck said when she entered the room.

Kelsey smiled, enjoying his country charm. “You’re quite the dashing gentleman.”

“Hey, Kelsey.” Trent whirled into the room. His hair was combed and parted on the
side, and he wore jeans and a western shirt. “Are you going with us?”

“Yes, sir.” She put her hand on his shoulder and smiled. “You’re so handsome. Will
you save a dance for me?”

“Okay.” Trent bounced on his toes and turned to his grandma.

“Is it time to leave? Jamie Perez is coming and I wanna show him my snake rattle.
I’ve got it in my pocket.”

“We’re ready.” Sadie picked up the foil-covered pan of enchiladas. “Chuck, will you
take this out to the car?”

“Sure thing, sweetheart.” He kissed Sadie and took the pan.

Sadie grabbed a pen and notepad off the counter and scrawled a quick note, then laid
it on the table. “I’m letting Kade know where we’ll be. Who knows if he’ll remember
about the dance tonight. Since he’s late, it’s possible he’ll be too tired.”

Kelsey nodded, pushing away a wave of disappointment that she didn’t want to feel.

After they drove the two miles to the clubhouse, they all piled out of Sadie’s SUV.
It was early evening and lights were blazing through the windows, the dirt and gravel
parking lot crammed with vehicles. The clubhouse wasn’t much to look at from outside—a
long, narrow building that must have been at least fifty years old and had the scars
to prove it. Scraggly trees grew behind the clubhouse, and if Kelsey wasn’t mistaken,
there were “hers” and “his” out-houses in the back.

She hid a smile as she followed the Turners up the concrete steps to the clubhouse.
Country-western music blared into the night, along with laughter and conversation.
As they walked into the building, everyone they passed greeted Sadie and Chuck, and
Kelsey’s head spun with the names of all the people she was introduced to. The clubhouse
smelled of fried chicken, sawdust, and sweat. Couples danced on the sawdust-covered
hardwood floor, people were laughing, talking, and eating, and children dodged underfoot.
In the corner a band was set up with a couple of bales of hay around them. For atmosphere,
she supposed.

“This is Sal, a Border Patrol agent and friend of Kade’s.” Sadie gestured as the familiar
dark-haired man walked up to them. “Sal, this is Kelsey, the reporter who’s staying
with us.”

“Hello, Sal.” Kelsey had to raise her voice to be heard over the toe-tapping song
the band was playing.

“Buenas noches.”
His mustache curved upward as he squeezed her hand. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Kelsey turned to Sadie and explained how she and Sal had met at the CPB checkpoint
outside of Tombstone. The song ended, and the band started another tune. “How about
a dance?” Sal asked Kelsey.

Her cheeks grew hot—she hadn’t danced with anyone since high school. “Ah—”

“Get out there.” Sadie ushered them toward the dance floor. “I’m going to make sure
Chuck set the enchiladas on the buffet table. I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided
to keep the whole pan for himself.”

Kelsey’s gaze darted from Sal to the dance floor and back. “I, ah, don’t know how...”

“It’s easy enough.” Fine lines at the corners of Sal’s eyes crinkled and his mustache
twitched as he guided her onto the floor.

Sal turned out to be an excellent teacher, and he didn’t seem to mind Kelsey stepping
on his boots at least half a dozen times. Soon she was getting the hang of it and
actually enjoying herself. Every now and then, though, she couldn’t help glance at
the door, wondering if Kade would show.

When they stopped to drink a cup of punch, Kelsey was asked to dance by a man who
was chewing on a toothpick. Before she knew what was happening, she was swept onto
the dance floor again.

John Stevens introduced himself as they danced around the room. A pleasant-looking
man, he was built like a bulldozer, had hazel eyes, a slightly receding hairline,
and long sideburns.

He leaned close and said over the music, “I hear you’re staying with the Turners.”

Kelsey tilted her head while at the same time trying to avoid getting jabbed by the
toothpick. “Sadie mentioned you. Don’t you own a ranch by the name of Sweet—”

“Sweetwater.” He drew her out of the way of a couple twirling into their path.

Her interest perked up. “I’m interviewing ranchers about the illegal immigrant situation.
Would you be free to chat with me?”

A flicker of something passed across his features, but it was too brief for Kelsey
to get a feel for what it might be. He shrugged and said, “You’re welcome to come
on out to Sweetwater anytime. Just give me a heads-up.”

By the time she finally made her escape to grab something cold to drink again, Kelsey
had danced with a few men and once with Trent. Droplets of sweat trickled between
her breasts, the heat of exertion warmed her face, and the backs of her heels surely
had blisters.

Sal eased up to her as she ladled punch into her cup. “All danced out?”

Kelsey laughed and sipped her punch. “I haven’t had this much fun in ages.”

She agreed to one more dance with Sal, but when he led her to the floor, she realized
the band was playing a slow tune. A twinge of nervousness gripped her stomach. It
had been fine dancing to fast numbers, but being too close to any man made her uncomfortable.

Any man but Kade.
The moment she amended the thought, she immediately chastised herself. She just couldn’t
get that man out of her head.

Fortunately, Sal held her at a respectable distance, one hand on her shoulder and
one at her waist, with plenty of room between them. “I’m surprised Kade isn’t here,”
Sal said as they moved across the floor.

Kelsey shrugged, pretending it didn’t matter. “Apparently he had to work late. He’s
probably too tired, anyway.”

Sal winked. “I’d bet next month’s paycheck that nothing will stop him from coming,
just knowing you’re here.”

Face heating even more, she shook her head.

Tingles erupted at the base of Kelsey’s neck. She cut her gaze to the doorway and
caught her breath. Kade had his shoulder against the door frame, his arms folded across
his chest. His blue eyes were focused on her, his expression unreadable. He looked
so good, dressed in a dark blue western shirt, faded jeans, a black cowboy hat, and
worn brown boots.

Good enough to eat. Whole.

Sal leaned close, and she forced herself to turn away from the sight of Kade to hear
what Sal had said. When she glanced back to the doorway, Kade was gone.

***

Fire simmered in Kade’s gut. He clenched his jaw as he watched Kelsey dancing with
Sal, her face flushed and her eyes bright. She smiled and blushed at something Sal
said. She was obviously enjoying being with him. She’d barely been giving Kade the
time of day, yet there she was, dancing too damn close to his friend.

He’d studied Kelsey awhile before she noticed him, and then their eyes locked. Until
Sal drew her attention back to him.

Even though Kade knew he wasn’t thinking clearly, at that moment he would’ve liked
nothing better than to smash his fist into Sal’s jaw. He tossed his Stetson onto a
hat rack, then moved through the dancers until he was behind Sal. Kelsey was looking
to the doorway, where he’d been standing.

He touched Sal’s shoulder, trying not to look like he was ready to kill him. His friend
glanced up and with a nod, let Kade cut in. Kelsey turned her gaze back from the door
just as he replaced Sal, and her jaw dropped.

“Kade,” she said, her eyes wide.

“You don’t mind me cutting in, do you?” He studied her incredible brown eyes. “Or
would you prefer Sal’s company?”

“No. I mean yes.” Kelsey shook her head and turned a pretty shade of pink. “Yes, I
would like to dance with you, and no, I don’t prefer Sal’s company.”

“Good.” He smiled and eased his hands around her waist. “I’d hate to be out here all
alone.”

The song ended, but they remained at the center of the floor as a mellow tune began.
Kade drew Kelsey to him, her head under his chin, her body close to his.

She pulled away enough that she could look up at him. “I don’t know if this is a good
idea.” Her voice was low.

“Trust me.” Kade leaned close to whisper in her ear. “It’s a great idea.”

She remained stiff in his embrace as they moved in time with the music, but gradually
she relaxed, her head against his chest, his arms secure around her. He drank in the
scent of her, reveled in the feel of her soft body against his. The swell of her breasts
against his chest, the curve of her waist beneath his hands. Her hips and thighs were
so close to his he was all but making love to her on the dance floor.

Well, hell. Damned if he wasn’t getting rock-hard just dancing with her. He muttered
another curse under his breath and eased away from her as the song ended and the band
stopped to take a break.

“Did you say something?” she asked as they parted.

He took a deep breath and willed his body to behave. “Would you like a cold one?”

She nodded, her honey-blond hair brushing her shoulders.

Kade put his hand to her elbow and guided her to the buffet tables. “Looks like the
folks are getting ready to leave with Trent.” He inclined his head toward where his
parents stood talking to Stan and Marnie Perez, and their son, Jamie. Sadie held her
empty enchilada tray and Trent was showing Jamie his snake rattle.

“Would you like to stay?” Kade asked, hoping she’d say yes. “I’ll drive you home.”

Kelsey glanced at him for a second before looking away. Was that fear mingled with
desire in her eyes? “I should be getting back with everyone else.”

“Why?” Kade tilted his head and gave Kelsey that sexy smile that made her toes curl
and her insides melt into pools of liquid silver. “Afraid of being alone with me?”
His tone was low and husky.

Kelsey sighed. “Yes. I am.”

“Don’t be.” He took her hand, his incredible blue eyes looking at her as if they were
the only people who existed. “I’ll be the perfect gentleman.”

“I know. But...” Her heart pounded as she glanced toward his parents. “It’s late.”

He squeezed her hand, sending shivers throughout her body. “The dance won’t last much
longer. I promise to take you right home.”

“Are you two staying?” Sadie asked as she came up behind them.

Kelsey jumped and snatched her hand away from Kade. She was sure she managed to turn
ten shades of red for the umpteenth time.

“I was just convincing Kelsey to stay,” Kade said, never taking his eyes from her.

“Maybe a little longer.” Kelsey glanced from Sadie to Kade. “But not too long. I’m
worn out from all of this dancing.”

Sadie smiled. “We’ll leave the light on.”

“Thanks,” Kelsey murmured as Kade laced his fingers with hers and led her to the buffet.

He released her to ladle punch into a plastic cup and then handed it to her. She accepted
it and swallowed the drink that tasted of pineapple and sherbet. When she finished,
he tossed their cups into the garbage, then led her onto the dance floor.

A song with a fast beat was playing, and she said, “I just learned to dance to country-western
tonight, so I’ll probably stomp on your toes a few times.”

He smiled and slid his arm around her waist. “You can step on my toes all you want.”

“Stomp.” Kelsey gave a mischievous grin as they started to two-step. “I figure I owe
you.”

Kade smiled. “Thanks for the warning.”

By the time they’d danced to a couple of songs, she was relaxed and enjoying herself.
Kade was an excellent dancer and teacher, even better than Sal, and she managed to
stomp on his boots only two or three times.

At the end of one particularly fast number that she’d had a hard time learning, Kelsey
was laughing so hard she stepped on Kade’s foot and she almost fell. He caught her
and slid his arms around her waist. Her laughter died in her throat as the lights
dimmed and a slow tune started—and she saw the look in Kade’s eyes. So intense. Burning
with desire. For her.

She tried to back away, but he held her tight. “I’m all sweaty, Kade.”

“So am I.” He moved his lips to her ear. “Just relax and enjoy the dance.”

Kelsey nodded, the top of her head brushing his chin. She allowed him to hold her
snugly to him and rested her head against his chest. Kade felt solid and warm, his
masculine scent so earthy, so potent to her senses.

His breath feathered her hair as her body merged with his and the heat of his muscled
form burned through her blouse. Judging by his erection against her hip he was most
definitely attracted to her. Heat rose in her cheeks and she was glad he couldn’t
see her face. Despite his obvious desire, she didn’t feel threatened. Deep within
she knew he wouldn’t push her. He could have the one time they’d kissed—but he’d been
the one to back away.

When the song ended, Kade lifted his head and lightly caressed her shoulders. “Ready
to head on home?”

“Yes.” Kelsey let him take her hand and he linked his fingers with hers.

He plucked his cowboy hat off the hat rack as they left. A single light illuminated
the small parking lot as he led her to his truck. Gravel crunched underfoot and music
from the clubhouse pounded out into the night. He opened the passenger door of the
big black Ford truck and helped Kelsey up and in, then closed the door behind her
before climbing in on his side and starting the vehicle.

Kelsey studied Kade in the amber glow of the dashboard lights as they headed back
to the ranch. She was fascinated by the strength of his arms as he drove, the dark
hair curling from his wrist along his forearm. His masculine profile, his strong jaw.

Yearning curled in Kelsey’s belly. It was more than lust. It was the desire to be
wanted, needed, and loved.

Warmth crept over her when he caught her watching him. “I had a great time,” she said,
her voice slightly husky.