Page 19 of Loving Justice
“Tell me something about you that I can’t possibly know,” he asked.
She shifted slightly. “I’m sure I have a long list, but the first thing that comes to mind is that I love to paint. I find it therapeutic.”
“And where could I find something you’ve painted?”
“You won’t unless I show you.”
“Maybe if I can get in your good graces you’ll let me take a peek.”
“Keep working that charm and I just might let you.” Her eyes sparkled in the light.
What he really needed was to reach into his jeans and fix his bent dick before he lost all blood flow.
Up ahead he saw the sign for Graveyard Road. He turned onto the narrow backroad that he considered more of a driveway than a road. The truck's wheels thumped and swooshed in the dips and potholes. With each bounce, his hard body wrenched in agony.
Luckily, they’d only driven for less than a mile when she told him to find a place to pull off while she slipped her boots on.
He stopped the truck, shoved it into park, and before he could turn off the engine, she was out her door. By the time he rounded the front of the truck, she had her arms spread open as if she were praying to the sky.
He was mesmerized by her beauty. Her chin was tilted up toward the sky, and her long, silken hair hung in waves down her back. The glow of the full moon cast a bluish light upon her face, making her appear goddess-like.
Somewhere over the course of a few months he’d started caring for her. That was a dangerous path, but he guessed it was too late to backpedal.
She turned and smiled—a radiant smile made more phenomenal by the moonlight.
“Come with me,” she said in a soft voice and grabbed his hand.
It felt natural as their fingers intertwined like they’d been holding hands all their lives. He’d never been much of a romantic, but something about their chemistry tweaked parts of him he didn’t even know he had.
She led the way on the narrow trail, and when she came to a stop, he kept his gaze on her.
“Here’s what you’ve been missing.” She motioned for him to step forward into the clearing.
They stood along the edge of a crest, and in the distance, the sun was a large bright orb behind the craggy-topped mountains. The sky was painted with brilliant orange and red splashes of color. The same sunset could be seen all over Sagebrush Pine, but here, in this remote spot, it felt like a magnificent wonder.
The lake was calm and quiet as if it were settling down for the night.
“This is amazing.”
“My sisters and I used to come out here and watch the sunsets. They always seem much brighter and bigger out here.”
Although the sky was stunning, something else held his attention—something far more intriguing. He couldn’t remove his gaze from her. The sunlight's dusky light graced her flawless skin. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman or one who held his interest.
She uncapped the bottle, took a long drink then held it out to him. He took a long gulp.
“You like it?” Her eyes dazzled in the light.
More than I could ever express.The words burned his tongue as they raced for freedom, but he shut his mouth. Instead, he stayed with the safest response. “Amazing.” He took another long chug and swallowed the unsaid words with the spicy whiskey.
What if he laid his feelings on the line and came clean about the photos he’d taken for Sam?
And lose his position at the ranch? And possibly any opportunity with Justice.
He had to be able to take care of Ilene.
He could find another job. Maybe even closer to the farm.
But that didn’t help with his desire to spend time with Justice.