Free Wildfire by Billie Green Page B

made her want to smack his face. "Lynda is still out there, and she's still got enough sizzle to melt a Hershey bar from fifty yards away. How am I ever going to get a shot at her if you give up now?"
    "That's not my problem."
    "I think Drew's losing interest in her." He leaned toward her, his voice low and tempting. "He must have gotten a good look inside the cereal box. Now would be the perfect time for you to make your move, before he goes hunting again and comes home with another one just like her."
    Frowning, she studied the devilish gleam in his dark eyes. "If she can't hold Drew's interest any longer than that, why do you want her?"
    He moved his shoulders in a brief shrug. "Different requirements. Drew thinks a meal should have meat and potatoes as well as dessert. Not me. Just hand me the pie and a fork and I'm happy. Come to think of it, forget the fork. I can—"
    "Do you really think he's losing interest?"
    "He came out to work with the men today while the lovely Lynda lay all alone by the pool.. . and you should have seen the bathing suit she was almost wearing today." He gave a low whistle at the memory.
    Rae caught her bottom lip between her teeth. Maybe Tanner was right. If Lynda had really spent the entire day alone, it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume that Drew was having second thoughts about the relationship. Maybe now—
    A sudden shiver shook through Rae, and she let out a helpless little moan.
    "What kind of face is that?" he asked. "You look like you just found half a worm in your apple."
    "Something like that," she said wryly. "I think hell's about to freeze over."
    She gave him a cautious look and rose to her feet. "You promise you won't make any more lewd remarks?"
    With a low, husky laugh he shook his head. "Sorry, I can't do that. Your definition of lewd is different from mine. How about I promise not to suggest a couple of days in bed again? Will that put your timid little soul at ease?"
    She rubbed her knuckles across her chin, glancing at him from the corners of her eyes. She didn't trust him. She didn't trust him for a minute. But she wanted Drew.
    "I'm out of my mind," she muttered. "Brain-dead. Over the edge and out of sight." She drew in a slow breath. "Okay, I'll do it."
    He grinned and walked to the window seat. "I knew you'd come around," he said as he raised the window. "It's the dimple in my chin. Gets 'em every time."
    After she had fastened the window behind him, after watching him vault over her back fence, Rae sat down on the window seat and closed her eyes, shaking her head slowly.
    She was going to put herself in Tanner's hands.
    God help her.

Chapter 5

    " O kay," Tanner said, "it's time to get serious."
    Rae, dressed in white slacks and a crisp peach-colored blouse, sat on the couch and stared warily at the man standing in front of her. For the past few days she had spent all her free time with him, trying, as he had told her she must, to feel at ease in his company.
    Although "at ease" was a state of mind not to be found in proximity to Tanner, at least her hackles no longer rose automatically whenever he walked into sight.
    She still couldn't claim she understood him. She doubted anyone really understood him. Trying to know Tanner was like trying to know a summer storm. Just when you got used to the torrential rain, you realized there was still more to come.
    Wind and hail. Thunder and lightning. And that occasional burst of brilliant sunshine that sometimes broke through the clouds and always managed to take your breath away.
    There were times when Rae would catch a glimpse of the moody wildness in his eyes. And there were times when, for no apparent reason, he would snap at her in anger. But more often than not, he made her laugh. Tanner had an unconventional, irreverent view of the world and all its rules, and he wasn't shy about sharing it.
    "Get serious?" She said now as she shifted her position on the couch. "I'm not sure I like the sound of that. It makes me feel