Free Thunder Canyon Homecoming by Brenda Harlen Page B

first time they met, she hadn’t known him well enough for it to be anything more than a hormonal response to a good-looking man who practically oozed charm and sex appeal. But the more she got to know Corey, the more she found herself actually liking him.
    Despite the attraction that zinged between them, she felt comfortable with him. Comfortable enough to laugh when he teased her, to respond in kind when he flirted with her and to enjoy the conversations they shared as much as the silences that sometimes fell in-between. Yeah, she was definitely starting to like him, and the combination of lust and like was a lot more difficult to ignore than a purely hormonal reaction.
    But when they were alone together, as they were now, the pleasure she felt in his company grew into more, and she wasn’t completely comfortable with that.
    â€œSpeaking of the sauce,” she said, needing to break the spell that had woven around her like a spider’s web, invisibly drawing her closer to him. And just like a fly caught in a web, she knew that it would be dangerous to let him get any closer.
    â€œWhat about the sauce?” There was a hint of laughter in his voice, amusement sparkling in his eyes.
    â€œDon’t you need to stir it…or something?”
    â€œOr something,” he agreed and lifted a hand to trail a finger down her cheek.
    Her pulse pounded, her breath caught.
    Corey’s eyes stayed locked with hers.
    â€œYou’re a bundle of contradictions, Erin Castro.”
    She didn’t dare ask what he meant, or maybe she was afraid that she knew. As clearly as she could read the desire in his eyes, she was sure he could see the same want echoed in hers. But she’d told him that she didn’t want to get involved, and she’d meant it.
    â€œI’m not trying to be,” she told him.
    He held her gaze for another minute before he stepped back. “I know. And that’s why I’m going to focus on my sauce and let you set the table.”
    She exhaled slowly and turned to set her wineglass on the counter. As she reached into the cupboard for the plates, she assured herself that she was grateful he’d backed away.
    Grateful and relieved.
    And more than a little disappointed.
    Â 
    Half an hour later, they were seated at the table enjoying hot pasta, warm bread and crisp salad.
    â€œYou were right,” she admitted. “It tastes even better than it smells—and it smells fabulous.”
    He twirled his fork in his own pasta. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
    â€œAre you kidding? This is one of the best meals I’ve had since…” Her words trailed off.
    Since she’d come to Thunder Canyon, she suddenly realized and felt a pang of sadness thinking of the family she’d left in San Diego. But she’d had no choice. Not if she wanted to find the answers to the questions that Erma had planted in her mind. And she did want those answers. She needed the answers in order to understand who she really was.
    â€œSince?” Corey prompted.
    She forced a smile. “Since I can’t remember when,” she told him, keeping her voice deliberately light. “Really, this is amazing.”
    He took a slice of warm bread from the basket, tore it in half. “Do you want to talk about it?”
    She swallowed another mouthful of pasta, then wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Talk about what?”
    â€œWhatever’s on your mind.”
    She reached for her wineglass. “There’s nothing—”
    He touched a finger to her lips, halting the automatic denial. She set her glass back down, nearly sloshing wine over the rim.
    â€œIf you don’t want to talk about it, say so, darlin’,” he told her. “But don’t tell me there’s nothing because it was obvious when I got here this morning that there was something bothering you and I can tell that your thoughts are wandering again.”
    She