Free KIDNAPPED COWBOY by Lindsey Brookes

into his mouth.  “Mmm...delicious,” he said with an exaggerated groan. 
    “Wait until you see what I serve you for lunch,” she said, laughing softly. 
     
    Dalton couldn’t keep the smile from his face.  Caitlin might sing like a screeching cat, but her laughter was refreshing.  Just like the candy in his mouth.  Candy that tasted like Caitlin’s kiss – all pepperminty and sweet. 
    He sat back with a contented sigh.  “Do you ever hear from your parents?”
    She rested her head on the back of the sofa, looking up at the pine-planked ceiling.  “No.  They didn’t even come home for my grandmother’s funeral.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “It’s okay,” she said with a brave smile, but he sensed the pain behind it.  “I didn’t expect them to.  My grandmother had alienated them both years before with her hatred of my mother.
    “But what about you?  Who was there to take care of you after your grandmother died?”
    “Myself.  Just as I always had.  Besides, I was in college at the time.”
    He shouldn’t be angry, but he was.  He shouldn’t care, but he did.  Dalton nodded, deciding it best not to speak.  The words he was biting back in regards to the way her family had treated her weren’t nice and she’d had enough of the ‘not so nice’ in her life.  To think he’d grown up believing his life sucked, but he’d had it good compared to what she’d gone through.
    “Dalton?  You okay?” she asked, breaking the silence.
    He hadn’t meant to upset her with his question.  And though she pretended not to be affected by it, he could see right through her.  It was time to distract her from the bad memories his question had undoubtedly stirred up. 
    “I’m fine.  Hey, how about a game of cards?”  He nodded toward the deck of cards lying on the table behind her. 
    “I’m game.  Gin Rummy?”
    “I was thinking more along the line of strip poker...”  He ducked as the remaining sofa pillow sailed past his head.  “Dare I hope that was a yes?”
    “In your dreams, cowboy,” she replied, her smile returning full force.
    She had no idea how right she was.  He’d dreamed about kissing her again, about sliding his fingers through those silky auburn strands before slowly undressing her... 
    The growing pressure beneath the fly of his jeans had him reining in his thoughts.  He’d teased Caitlin about playing strip poker to make her smile again, not to get her into bed.  Not that he’d object if she offered.  He’d never been so attracted to a woman before.  Maybe she was right.  Maybe he was suffering from that Stockwhoever syndrome.
    *              *              *
    “Don’t worry about the window.  It’s all coming down anyway.”
    Dalton’s eyes flew open at the sound of his brother’s voice outside and the crunching of snow.  Sunlight too bright for morning streamed in through the frosted windowpanes, making him squint.
    He attempted to sit up only to find himself pinned down by the slender arm flung over his bare chest and a jean covered leg twined about his own.  Caitlin was sound asleep and it was no wonder.  They had stayed up late into the night again, this time playing cards and talking.
    His gaze settled on her face, which was nestled snugly against his shoulder.  Delicately curved cheekbones.  Full, rose-colored lips.  She had no need for artificial makeup.  She was a natural beauty. 
    “Caitlin,” he whispered against her ear, nudging her gently.  “Wake up.”  He didn’t want to startle her awake, but he didn’t exactly want to be caught lying in bed with her either. 
    Too late.
    The cabin door swung open, sending a blast of cold air across the room.  His brother, Alan Martinson and a man he didn’t recognize stepped into the cabin.
    “Dalton?”
    “Morning,” he replied with a smile, attempting once again to appear relaxed when he wasn’t.
    Caitlin let out a soft, sleepy groan.  Her eyes fluttered