High Country Hideout. Elle James

waited what he thought was enough time, he walked out of the kitchen and right into Reggie. His arms came up around her automatically to steady them both.

      She squealed and braced her hands on his chest.

      Angus chuckled. “This is becoming a habit.” Though neither one of them was at risk for falling, he was reluctant to let go of her. Her warm, soft body pressed against his was too tempting. She smelled like honeysuckle, bringing back memories of his happy childhood on a ranch in Texas.

      “Anyone ever tell you that your hair is the color of hay?” he said before he could stop himself.

      “Most women might count that as an insult,” she said, her voice a little breathless, probably from having been surprised by him.

      “I think the color of hay is beautiful and that it represents stability and a plentiful harvest.”

      Reggie smiled. “My thoughts exactly. So I’ll take your comment as a compliment.”

      “As you should.”

      Her back stiffened. “I believe I can stand on my own.”

      “I know,” he said, staring into the prettiest blue eyes he could remember looking into. He wanted to tell her that, too, but he figured, following his last compliment, it might be too much, coming from a ranch hand. God, she smelled like home.

      “You can let go of me now.”

      He shook his head. “Sorry, darlin’.” Before he could think past the consequences, he cupped the back of her head and leaned in, his lips hovering over hers. “For some reason, I can’t seem to.” He wanted to kiss her, but more than that, he wanted her to want to kiss him. Instead of taking her lips, he left it up to her. His breath caught and held, waiting for her response.

      For a moment she stiffened, her eyes widening. Her gaze shifted from his eyes to his lips. Then she melted against him and stood on her toes to close the distance, pressing her lips to his.

      Once she did, there was no going back for Angus. He deepened the kiss, sweeping his tongue in to claim hers in a long sensuous glide. She tasted of minty toothpaste, clean, fresh and sexy as hell.

      Her fingers curled into his shirt and dragged him closer.

      Angus’s hands slipped low on her back, holding her against the hard ridge of his arousal. At that moment he wanted this woman more than he’d wanted anything in his life. He slipped his hands down over her bottom and started to lift her—and a lightning bolt of pain ripped up his leg. He broke the kiss, sucking in a sharp breath and clenching his jaw to keep from yelling out.

      “What’s wrong?” Reggie’s hand rested on his chest, her gaze on his face. “Did I hurt you?”

      “No.” He pushed her to arm’s length. “I just...can’t...” He dropped his hands to his sides and backed away, limping more noticeably. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

      Her kiss-swollen lips pressed into a tight line. “I’m just as at fault, but I can assure you, it won’t happen again.” She turned to walk away.

      Angus doubled over. He hadn’t felt an attack this strong in weeks and he struggled to beat it back. Hiding his pain was a losing proposition, but Angus bit down hard, refusing to show weakness.

      Reggie stopped and turned back.

      Angus straightened immediately, his stomach tightening.

      Reggie stared at him for a minute, her eyes narrowing. Finally she sighed, “Tad wanted you to tuck him in. Don’t feel like you have to. He’s probably already asleep anyway.” With those parting words, she left him standing in the kitchen, alone with nothing but his pain as a reminder of all he’d lost.