Rebecca Zanetti - Against the Wall

Sophie powered down her phone and switched off the light, then stared at the muted ceiling. Moonlight glinted off the brass rail from the open window and lent a coziness to the room. She wondered who would be calling Preston so late in the night. And she wondered if she wanted to be merely a good match. She doubted it. She wanted passion and desire and comfort. All feelings, no planning.

Her mother would be disgusted.

Sophie’s thoughts flew again to the mad dash through the forest in the hard arms of a modern warrior. She had felt safe and protected in those arms, even before she knew who he was or why he’d grabbed her. Even before she knew that she was, in fact, safe. His eyes had shown interest—and promise. A fluttering winged around her abdomen that had nothing to do with her fear of horses and everything to do with the man who controlled wild beasts. Would she see Jake again?

Surprise filled her at how badly she wanted that to happen.

Jake put the truck in park, slipped the manila files into his briefcase, and tried to focus on tomorrow’s hearing. It was a big one, and if he won the motion for his client, the other side would settle. As a lawyer, he liked a good trial, but it was always better for a client to settle before all the stress started. Unlike him—he thrived on stress and challenge.

As a working single-dad to a six-year-old, it was a good thing he liked a challenge.

But as he stepped onto the gravel drive, his mind kept flashing to the pretty blonde who’d so bravely tried to steer his horse the previous day. Guts and beauty in such a small package was a temptation he’d never resist.

He glanced down at his watch. Damn it. He was late.

Why had he agreed to meet at the tribe’s main lodge instead of in his office? He grimaced. He hadn’t wanted Sophie to be uncomfortable, and the lodge was a thing of beauty. Next he was going to agree to her terms.

Which he couldn’t do.

So he marched into the lodge and headed toward the main conference room, sliding inside the door.

The woman sat at the far end of the table, looking spring-fresh in a flimsy blouse and pencil skirt.

God. He loved a woman in a pencil skirt. She looked like every hot-librarian he’d ever dreamed about. “Miss Smith,” he said smoothly.

Her eyes opened wide, her gaze sweeping from his boots to his face. “What the hell?”

Amusement filled him, and he fought the insane urge to tug her from the chair for a kiss. “Not who you were expecting?”

Her eyes narrowed. “No. I was expecting a lawyer.”

“I’m the tribe’s lawyer.” He couldn’t help reaching for her hand to shake. His palm enclosed hers, and he made sure not to squeeze the delicate bones.

“You’re kidding me.” She tugged her hand free, a pink flush wandering across her high cheekbones.

“Afraid not.” He slid into the nearest chair, inhaling her fresh scent of strawberries. “I’ve read over your proposal, and while I think the golf course is magnificent, it doesn’t belong on the site you’ve chosen.” Much better to get the business out of the way before he asked her out.

Sophie smiled then, and he felt his first sense of unease. Maybe this wouldn’t be as easy as he thought.

Sophie wondered if she’d be arrested if she cold-cocked Jake Lodge across his arrogant face. “Mr. Lodge—”

“Jake,” he reminded her. Again.

Sophie growled low in her throat. “Jake, you are not being reasonable.”

“Yes, I am.” Strong arms crossed over a hard chest as he sat back in the dark leather chair.

“Are not,” Sophie spouted before she could stop herself. A raised eyebrow and glint of amusement met her frustration head-on. She took a deep breath. “You. Do. Not. Own. The. Land.”

“I. Know. That.” The amusement turned to a full-out grin. “I hate clichés.”

“Excuse me?”

“Clichés. They’re boring.” He placed two broad hands on the oak table between them and leaned forward, into her space. “But you are absolutely stunning when angry.”

Her heart gave a nasty thud. Sophie shook her head. Even indoors the man was as primitive and dangerous looking as he’d been controlling a powerful stallion. His presence overwhelmed the small conference room with its tan leather chairs and burnished wooden table. Light filtered softly through several open windows, and the breeze carried the scent of wildflowers through the small room.

The scent of man tempted her much more than the flowers.

A long-sleeved black T-shirt emphasized strength and muscle, while faded jeans hung low on tight hips over his long legs. Black cowboy boots crossed negligently at the ankle, and he’d tied his dark hair back at the nape, throwing the sharp angles of his face into stark relief. Black eyes reflected humor and determination in equal parts as he held firm. The panoramic window behind him framed rugged mountains and a placid lake in gentle stillness.

The wildness outside only enhanced his.

His watchful intelligence made the floor beneath her pumps shift like quicksand. She smoothed curls back from her face and blinked to keep from glaring. “I thought I was meeting with a tribal elder today.”

“You will. But the chief wanted me to explain our legal position to you first.”

“You don’t look like a lawyer.” She said what she’d been thinking for the last hour.

“Good.” Jake grinned an even row of white teeth. “I’d rather you didn’t see me as a lawyer.”

“What do you want me to see you as?” Good God, she was flirting with the man.

The grin narrowed, and his dark gaze roamed across her rapidly warming face. “Hopefully someone you’d like to get to know better while you’re in town, City Girl.” His eyes hardened to deep coal.

“What?” She would’ve taken a step back had she been standing. As it was, her body tensed as she focused on the large man seated across the table from her.

The oak door behind Jake swung open, which prevented him from responding. An elderly man with long, shockingly white hair strolled into the room and crossed over to Sophie.

She rose to her feet. His hands clasped hers warmly, and two dark brown eyes twinkled at her. “Miss Smith, I’m Chief Lodge of the Kooskia Tribe.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Chief Lodge.” Sophie smiled up at a face similar to Jake’s. Strong features set into a bronze face with lines created by laughter, though the sculpted jaw hinted at a stubbornness she’d already encountered in Jake, who had to be related. Charisma and charm surrounded the elder. If the chief were anything to go by, her new nemesis would age well. “Please call me Sophie.”

“Ah, Sophie. Such a pretty name.” The chief gestured for her to retake her seat as he turned and sat at the head of the table. He wore faded jeans over scuffed brown cowboy boots with a deep red button-down shirt. “I see you’ve met my grandson and lawyer, Jake.”

“Yes.” The warmth deserted her as she eyed Jake. His grin in return made her want to throw something. At his head.

“So.” The chief’s upper lip quirked. “What can I do for you, Sophie?”

Sophie focused on the elder’s calm facade. Those deep lines sat comfortably on a smooth face—he could be anywhere between fifty and a thousand years old.

“I’m here to explain the golf course proposal and earn the support from the Kooskia Tribe.” She hoped to have better luck with the elder than his grandson.

Wisdom flowed through the chief’s eyes along with amusement. “Is that why you’re here?”

“Um, well, yes.” Sophie tossed a quick look to Jake. Did the chief know anything about her proposal or not?

“Oh, I’ve studied your design,” the chief reassured her. “Sometimes what we think we know isn’t what we really know.”

“I don’t understand.”

The chief shrugged. “You don’t need to.” He reclined in his chair. “I have to tell you that your design is magnificent.”

Sophie’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yes. Wonderful—looks like a great course to play. I love to golf, you know.”

Sophie slanted a glance toward Jake, but his implacable face revealed nothing. She turned back to the chief. “The development will bring money to the tribe and casino.”

“Yes, I believe that it would.” He clasped broad hands together on the hard table. Hands that reminded her of Jake’s. The breeze tossed the sweet scent of berries through the room as the chief breathed deep in appreciation. “Huckleberries. Should be quite the crop this year.” He focused on Sophie’s face. “They grow wild all over your client’s property.”

Sophie maintained her smile. “I understand huckleberries grow wild across all the nearby mountains, even by the roadside.”

The chief flashed an amused grin. “That they do. You’re a spunky one, Sophie Smith.”

“Thank you.” Sophie ignored Jake’s sudden grin.

“And the course really does look like a fun one; I especially like the water hazards.” The chief nodded.

“So you’ll support the project?” Her heart leaped into full gallop.

“Oh, no,” the chief said sadly, still with a twinkle in his deep eyes. “I can’t do that.”

Even though she’d expected his rejection, a ball of dread slammed into her gut. “Could I ask why?”

“The land doesn’t want a golf course there.”

Not this again. “The land?” Sophie tried not to sigh in exasperation.

“Yes.” The chief grinned. “Have you asked the land?”

Sophie’s spine straightened at Jake’s quiet snort. “Um, no, not really.”

“Well then, it’s all settled.” The chief rose.

“What’s settled?” Sophie lurched to stand.

“Jake will take you tomorrow to talk to the land. You two can ride over the northern ridge and maybe have a picnic overlooking the lake.”

“Grandpa,” Jake started to protest as he took to his feet. His chair echoed his annoyance as it slid back with a creak.

“That’s an order from both the chief and your grandpa, boy,” the chief said with a hard glint in his eye.

Jake turned to Sophie, his broad form blocking the sunlight. Humor creased his cheek, adding charm to the lethal angles of his face. “I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow morning.”

“Wow.” Sophie smiled at the chief. “Can you order him to stop being obnoxious and arrogant, too?”

Jake shot her a warning glance.

The chief roared out a deep laugh. “Sorry, Sophie. Those traits are from his grandma’s side.” The elder chuckled as he ambled out the door.

“I am not going horseback riding with you.” Sophie rounded on Jake and threw her hands in the air before leaving his office to head outside. Sure, she needed to see the area to get a better idea for her design—just to make sure she’d covered all her bases. But she’d drive there.

“It appears you are, darlin’. Where we’re going is only accessible via horseback. No vehicles.” He moved silently, his scent of man and musk swimming over her as he reached the door and opened it.

Damn it. Now she needed to ride another horse.

Jake turned her around, and a broad hand at her lower back propelled her into sunshine. Natural pine scent filled the air, and gravel crunched underneath their feet. He walked her to the Jeep and opened the driver’s door, his hands sliding around her waist.

The gentle touch slid right under her skin, zinged around, and throbbed between her legs. She coughed. “I can get into the Jeep.”

He grinned and lifted her inside. “I know, but my mama taught me to be a gentleman.”

Sophie swallowed. “That wasn’t gentlemanly.”

His chuckle caressed her skin as if his tongue traced each inch. “I didn’t say I was good at the lessons.” His hands lingered on her waist, and his midnight dark eyes caressed her heated features.

Sophie tried to ignore the strength in the hands at her hips. He had lifted her into the Jeep like she weighed nothing. And his broad chest blocked out the sun. In fact, all she could see were those onyx eyes devouring her. Interest and something even darker lurked there. Flutters cascaded through her belly.

The man wanted to kiss her.

Jake captured her lips, the jolt of instant lust shocking him.

So he forced himself to slow down and explore softly, gently, at his leisure. He wasn’t a man who lost control. Ever.

One hand cupped her head, holding her where he wanted her. Her eyes closed, and he took the kiss deeper, his cells exploding as heat shot through his blood. His gentle hold kept her firmly in place as he controlled them both.

Desire and a shocking intimacy careened through him. Under his touch, the woman stilled, no doubt fighting to keep sane. It was too late for sanity. Way too late. With the hint of a growl, his tongue invaded her mouth. He took his time learning her texture, memorizing her taste. The hand at her nape threaded into her hair, and he pressed her against the seat.