Free Always by Deb Stover

arms across her abdomen and searched for the right words. "You know why I left."
          Gordon drove in silence down the narrow county road that circled about a mile into the country. Eventually, it would horseshoe back to the far end of town.
          There were no other vehicles on the road, and a half-moon hung in the sky as if it had been painted on black velvet. She had forgotten how bright the moon and stars were at nine thousand feet above sea level.
          But watching the stars couldn't prevent her irritation at Gordon's prolonged silence. "Gordon Lane, you know why I left," she repeated without looking at him.
          He hit the brakes so hard, she was thrown against the seat belt and shoulder strap. "What–"
          "A deer."
          She turned to see the buck staring into the headlights. Gordon tapped the horn lightly. The deer vaulted into the trees.
          She faced Gordon, prepared to confront him again. Just as she opened her mouth, Henrietta sputtered and rumbled, then fell silent.
          "Uh-oh," he said.
          "Uh-oh?"
          "Could be the carburetor again. I'll have a look." He set the brake, then unfolded himself from the Jeep and raised the hood. The headlights and the moon were his only light.  
          Taylor dug through her bag and removed her penlight. It wasn't much, but it might help. Besides, she needed to get home and away from Gordon's charm immediately. Yesterday, in fact.
          Determined to extricate herself from this situation immediately, she climbed from the vehicle and walked around to the front. She flashed her penlight. "Tell me where to point this thing."
          He turned to stare at her and she aimed it at his face. His grin was infectious and she returned it. "All right, just find my hands," he said.
          She located his hands in the engine and aimed the narrow beam there. "How's that?"
          "A little lower. Perfect." He tinkered with the whatever it was, then sidled closer to her. "I need a different angle. See where I'm working?"
          Taylor squinted and reached over Gordon's back to aim the light from the opposite side. Unfortunately, she was practically draped over him. "I'll move to the other side."
          "No, I've almost got it." His voice crawled around inside her and did the tango.
          She could barely breathe with her breasts pressed against his muscular back. Her heart slammed against her ribs so hard, she suspected he felt it, too. Warmth oozed through her, pooling low and deliberately between her legs.
          Her nipples hardened and her breasts swelled against him. Perspiration trickled down the sides of her neck and a cool mountain breeze soughed through the pines and made her shiver.
          "Are you...almost finished?" she asked, her voice unnaturally husky.
          "Yeah." He sounded gruff and out of breath as he backed away from the vehicle, freeing Taylor from her duty.
          Cool air rushed across her breasts, which had been so very warm a moment ago. The contrast transformed her nipples into twin compass needles seeking magnetic north.
          Gordon faced her, moonlight gleaming off his hair in patterns of brilliant silver as he reached out to brush the backs of his fingers against her cheek. She sighed and closed her eyes for an instant as memories deepened her physical and emotional response. She tried to summon the image of Jeremy's face, but drew a blank. So much for "practically engaged."
          "Thanks for helping," he whispered, dropping his hand to his side.
          "You're welcome."
          "But I think you should know something, Taylor."
           He must've noticed... . "Wh-what?" She swallowed hard, preparing herself for humiliation.
          He grinned, his white teeth flashing in the moonlight. "I finished about the time you offered to