This is a small town. Its not necessary. She smiled and backed out of the parking lot.
T-Rex waited until she disappeared down the winding drive heading away from the community center. Then he climbed into his truck and drove to his temporary quarters at a bed-and-breakfast off Main Street.
As he pulled into the parking lot, he noticed that one of the other vehicles parked at the very end looked familiar. He parked and got out. Could it be? He entered the big, rambling colonial home the owner had converted into a six-room bed-and-breakfast. Standing in the large living area was Sierra, talking to the owner, Mrs. McCall, two suitcases on the floor beside her.
She looked up as he entered, and her brow furrowed. You didnt have to follow me.
Mr. Trainor, Im glad I caught you. I hope you dont mind, but I had the handyman here today. He worked on the balcony door to keep it from sticking.
Thank you, Mrs. McCall, he said, his gaze on Sierra, not the owner of the bed-and-breakfast.
Oh, have you met Miss Daniels? Mrs. McCall asked.
T-Rex nodded. I have had the pleasure.
Shell be staying with us while her apartment is being renovated.
He nodded. Thats nice. Youll love Mrs. McCall. She makes the best scones this side of the pond.
Mrs. McCall blushed. Oh, youre too kind. Thank you.
No need to tell me about her scones. Sierra smiled and patted Mrs. McCalls arm. Ive been eating Mrs. McCalls scones since I was a little girl visiting her with my mother. And youre right. Theyre wonderful.
Thank you, sweetie. Mrs. McCall smiled and pushed back her shoulders. Now, if youll excuse me, my program is coming on television and I dont want to miss it. She winked. An old woman needs something to look forward to. She scurried away, entering a door marked Private.
Let me help you. T-Rex grabbed the handles of the suitcases.
I can do that, Sierra said, reaching for the cases.
I know you can. But weve already had this discussion about chivalry. It isnt dead. At least not where Im concerned. My mother taught me better. He headed for the stairs. What room?
She gave him the number, and his brows rose. It was the room next to his. He wanted to groan, but he didnt say anything. Shed find out soon enough.
For a man who didnt want to start something with the pretty day care employee, the odds were stacking against him.
I didnt know you were staying here, she said as she followed him up the stairs.
In a town as small as Grizzly Pass, the lack of hotels forced us to scatter out among the few privately owned establishments. He stopped in front of the door to her room and stepped back to allow her to use her key in the lock.
She entered and held the door for him to carry her luggage through.
T-Rex set the two cases on the wooden floor and turned. Welcome to the McCall house.
Sierra giggled. You dont look like a bellboy, but I appreciate the help. She reached her hand into her purse and dug around. What do you require in the way of a tip?
He laid his hand on her arm. No money. Just this. Before he could stop to question his motives, he lifted her chin with the tip of his finger and claimed that kiss hed been thinking about since shed left him at the community center. One quick, toe-curling kiss. That was all he wanted and hed be out of her way.
But it didnt happen like he planned. As soon as his lips touched hers, fire exploded in his belly and his blood ran like heated mercury through his veins, angling downward to his groin.
He raised his other hand, cupped the back of her head and deepened the connection.
She laid her hands on his chest, but she didnt push him away.
And he was glad she didnt. Because, now that he was kissing her, he didnt want it to end.
* * *
SIERRA HAD BEEN shocked and tinglingly aware of the man when hed stepped through the front door of the bed-and-breakfast. Shed completely forgotten what shed been saying to Mrs. McCall. All shed been able to do was stand there and stare at the broad-shouldered hero with the reddish-brown hair and hazel eyes, and just barely been able to stop herself from drooling. He was the kind of man every girl dreamed of. Tall, dark, handsome and willing to fight for her honor.
Now he stood in her room, kissing her. Her knees trembled and she curled her fingers into his shirt, pulling him closer. She raised up on her toes, deepening the kiss of all kisses. Clay had never kissed her like this. Like she was special and the only person in the world. She pressed her body into T-Rex, loving the hardness of his muscles against her soft curves. He was a man a woman could lean on in tough times. He didnt need to have his ego stroked to make him feel more of a man.
His tongue darted out, tracing the line of her lips. She couldnt resist him, opening her mouth to allow him in. Part of her felt a little guilty. She had to remind herself she was single now. She could kiss anyone she liked. And she liked kissing this one.
He caressed her tongue with his, gliding in and out, taking her along on a rising wave of passion. The only thing that could have been better about that kiss was if they were both naked. Skin to skin.
Heat built low in her belly. An intense ache made her sex clench and her body long for more. She felt more alive than she had in years, and it was all due to this stranger, who asked for a kiss for his tip.
All too soon, T-Rex lifted his head.
Sierra dropped back onto her heels and glanced down at where her hands crumpled his shirt. She licked her swollen lips, tasting him on them. Well, that was quite the tip, she managed to say, appalled at how squeaky her voice sounded.
Id apologize, he said, his tone low and husky. But I cant. That was incredible.
She nodded and dared to look up into his eyes. Then reality set in. Having divorced only six months before, she wasnt sure she was ready to get right back into a relationship. If anything, her seven years of marriage to Clay had convinced her that she wasnt very good at long-term commitment, or was she just terrible at choosing the right man for her? Either way, it was too soon.
Sierra backed away. I have to ask you not to do that again.
He nodded. Agreed. It wouldnt be a good idea for you to get involved with me. I wont be around for long, and, despite our little charade, Im not very good boyfriend material.
Sierra hadnt expected him to agree with her so quickly. Disappointment filled her chest. Pushing back her shoulders, she lifted her chin. Why should she care? Hed only confirmed her desire to avoid anything sticky growing between them. Still...
He turned and walked toward the door.
Before he crossed the threshold, she asked, Why?
He stopped and half turned toward her. Why what?
Why do you make bad boyfriend material? She shouldnt be interested in his answer, but she was and she waited for his response.
He shook his head, a hint of a smile tilting his lips. Trust me. Im no good for you, or any other woman. With that, he walked out of the room and shut the door.
All of the starch leached out of Sierras shoulders and she sagged, raising her fingers to her mouth. Holy hell, the man could kiss. Her brows dipped and her eyes narrowed. And what kind of nonanswer was that? Im no good for you, or any other woman.