Dallas’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t know, Amber. I think I’m in over my head.”

“You?” Amber’s brown eyes sparkled. “Must have been quite a night.”

Dallas felt her flush returning.

“I just knew it!” Amber crowed. “There’s something about the way he carries himself that practically shouts what a good lover he’d be. Have you noticed how he draws women to him? He could have anyone in this place, but you snagged him. Good going, girl.”

Dallas sank back onto the arm of the swivel chair. “I could be making the biggest mistake of my life. He’s a bounty hunter, Amber. A soldier of fortune. He admitted he lives for adventure. He’s probably attracted to me because I have Neal Parnell following me around. Once I’m not in danger, I’ll be dull and boring and he’ll move on. “

Amber gazed at her thoughtfully. “And I take it that would bother you?”

“That’s what’s scaring me. I doxi t want him getting to me like that.”

“I think he already has.”

“Life used to be so simple: Dallas rubbed her forehead’I used to know exactly what I wanted-to own a business, maybe even franchise someday, live in the country and raise purebred dogs. If the right guy came along, he’d be icing on the cake.”

“And not the main ingredient in the batter.”

“Fxactly.” Dallas glanced up at her. “I swore I’d never be that vulnerable. We hear it in country songs all the time-“I’m nothing without you; “I can’t live without you; and on and on. I hate that idea.”

“But love can make you feel that way,” Amber said gently.

Dallas skipped away from the word, but it kept flashing like neon in her mind. “Then who needs it?” she said finally in frustration. “Why trade our independence for an emotion that puts us at the mercy of some guy who will probably run off and leave us?”

Amber put down her manicure tray and sat in a chair opposite Dallas. “This is partly my fault. I told you to ask Gabe about your problem. Sure, I thought you two might get it on, but you always seem to handle things so well. I thought if anything you’d be the one to break his heart. I guess I never imagined you getting hurt. I’m sorry. “

Dallas smile felt forced. “I’m a big girl. I didn’t have to go to bed with him.”

“If I’d been in your shoes, I would have. He’s gorgeous , Dallas. I don’t blame you for flipping out. But what if you’re wrong about him? Maybe he’ll end up making a commitment.

“Amber, he told me he woxi t even keep a dog because of his life-style.”

“Oh.” She frowned. “I see your point: Then she turned and glanced toward the pool tables where Gabe whipped a cue stick forward, scattering balls in a powerful break. His back to Amber and Dallas, he leaned across the table for his next shot. Amber sighed. “Nice buns :

‘


Dallas looked away from the tempting sight of Gabe’s backside. “I’m well aware of that fact.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Cut some hair.” Dallas pushed herself up from the chair. “We have customers approaching.”

THE NqGHT SEEtvqED endless. Thankfully Neal was totally engrossed in Beth, so Dallas didn’t have to deal with him. His preoccupation with the waitress made it seem even less likely that he’d been the prowler who had set Gretchen off the night before.

About ten o’clock the stream of customers had slackened off, and despite all her misgivings about their relationship, Dallas longed to be with Gabe. She glanced out to where he sat at the bar, an untouched mug of beer in front of him. Apparently he’d been watching her, because he raised his glass in salute before taking a sip.

“Take a break and go see him; Amber said.

“Yeah, that will sure help: ‘

“Go see him. People change their minds about things. And whether you want to be or not, you’re hooked, so why not spend time with the guy?” She gave Dallas a little push toward the door. “Go on.”

“I suppose.” Dallas adjusted her hat and walked toward the bar.

Gabe watched her approach, his dark eyes glinting, a small smile on his face.

“You haven’t been out on the floor tonight, she said as she drew near. As busy as she’d been, she’d kept track of him, and although the usual number of women had asked him to dance, he’d turned them all down, to her immense satisfaction.

“I’ve been waiting for you; he said, rising from the stool.

“Oh, well, I didn’t mean that we ” She realized a line dance had begun. “Do you know this?”

“You can teach me.”

When she hesitated, he took her hand and led her to the floor.

Dallas knew the song and the dance, which was why she’d hesitated. The song was about making love, and the dance-the Tush Push-included suggestive hip movements to match the words. But Gabewas already lining up with the other dancers, and she had to coach him or they’d be run over.

“Like this;’ she demonstrated. Gabe stuck his thumbs through his belt loops and followed with the fluid movement that had carried them ttvough the magical waltz. But this dance was a different story. She got him through the kicks and foot stomps. “Now pump your hips like this .”

He iznitated her perfectly, and her mouth went dry at the sight of his lean hips moving in the rhythm that had brought her such pleasure hours before. A dancer bumped into her as she stood staring at him.

She quickly got back in step, and then realized Gabe had slid to the next movement without being told.

“You knew this already!”

He grinned and continued the dance. “I liked the way you demonstrated it;’ he said as they whirled into the next phase.

“That’s unfair!”

“All’s fair in love and war.” He spun away from her.

And which is this? The music pounded at her. Love. Love. Love.

They moved in perfect synchronization. His body lured her with every swing of his hips, and she paid him back in full with suggestive rotations of her own. Each time he caught her glance, his eyes promised that this was only a pqelude to what they’d enjoy later. Her blood pumped in time with the staccato beat of the music as the lyrics asked when they would be making love. Soon, said his eyes. Soon, she silently replied.

She was so involved that she almost missed seeing Neal standing by the rail surrounding the dance floor. But Gabe didn’t miss him. She saw his body stiffen as his gaze locked with Neal’s. Gabe didn’t miss a step, but Dallas could sense the power of that single glance, feel the hate pulsing between the two men. Then Neal turned his head, and his blue eyes blazed as he glared at her.

In an instant the sexy dance took on a sinister tone. The fun of taunting Gabe vanished as she realized Neal had been watching every sensuous move. He gripped the rail, his jaw clenched and his full lips curled in disdain

“I have to get back; Dallas said and left the floor, sick dread curdling in her stomach.

CAUTION AND CONTROL had guided Dallas her entire life, yet she couldn’t grasp the concepts now. When Gabe took the truck keys from her as they walked to the parking lot that night she relinquished them and allowed him to drive home. When his hand reached for , hers across the seat, she slid her fingers unresistingly through his.

Lord help her, she was starting to weave fantasies that included Gabe. Sure, his marriage had ended because his wife was too dependent and now he lived like a vagabond who didn’t seem to want any ties, but as Amber said, people change.

In the darkness, with only the dashboard lights illuminating their faces, she felt easier about prob inga little more into his life. “Do you… have any family in Tucson?”

“Just my sister.” His answer was short, but not unfriendly

“Your folks live somewhere else, then?”

“No, they’re dead.”

“Oh, Gabe, I’m sorry. There I go again, butting in.”

He squeezed her hand. “It’s been ten years.”

She wanted to ask how they’d died, but didn’t have the nerve.

After a brief silence, he continued. “It wasn’t very pretty. Some guy d been arrested for a hit and run, and he posted bail. Then he took off, but his car quit on him, and he flagged down my folks on the highway.” His fingers tightened, but his voice remained steady. “My dad was the type to stop and help anybody. They gave him a lift. He directed them off into the desert, shot them and took off with their truck.”

“That’s horrible.”

“A bounty hunter helped track him down. I went to thank the guy and learned a lot about bail enforcement Seemed like a hell of a lot better job than digging stuff out of the ground.”

She took his clenched hand in both of hers. “That explains a lot.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” His hand relaxed in hers. “I suppose a shrink would say I’ve been avenging my parents ever since. That might have been part of it at first, but the truth is, I was bored with working in the mine, and I love this job. I couldn’t go back to a regular routine for all the gold in China .”

Or all the love in my heart? She hit the wall of reality once again. How many times did he have to warn her that he was an untamable rogue before she finally started to listen?

GABE HAD BEIN EXPECTING the question about his family A cautious woman like Dallas would want to know a guy’s background before she got too involved with him. She might even have some crazy idea he’d give up his job if she asked him to. But if she wanted him, she’d have to take him as he was. He didn’t think there was much chance she’d do that, but he’d always been drawn by a long shot.

If she’d give up her notion that all of life fit into neat little compartments, they might, just might, be able to build something together. For now he was satisfied with little victories, like that spontaneous lovemaking session today and convincing her to kiss him at Rowdy Ranch.

He wished she’d take Parnell more seriously, but apparently the scum ball wouldn’t come around as long as Gabe was in residence. That was okay. He liked being in residence. Probably liked it more than was good for him.

“I doxi t think Parnell followed us out here,” he said as he disengaged his hand to swing the truck into its parking space. “I’ve been checking the mirror, and no black Corvette showed up. Not that he couldn’t drive out later, but I doubt he will .”

“He seems pretty involved with Beth.” “don’t be fooled by that.” He turned off the engine. “A guy like Parnell gets tired of a woman who makes a conquest too easy for him.”

She gave him a smile that made his heart feel tight in his chest. “How about you? Do you get tired of a woman when there’s no challenge?”

He wanted to take her right there, on the seat of the truck. Tired of her? Not in a million years. “I’m not like Parnell, he said, climbing down from the cab. The vision of seeing her naked on the rumpled sheets of her bed made him tremble as he helped her down from the truck and opened the gate.

“Watch out for Gretchen; she warned, grabbing the dog’s collar.

He shoved the gate closed behind him and took her hand. “I must admit Gretchen’s not my top priority right now.”

She got that shy, excited note in her voice that he loved. “Maybe I should leave Gretchen out in the yard for a little while.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea.” That hesitant sexiness of hers made him want to beat his chest and yell out a wa ming to any male within ten miles that this was his territory. A primitive reaction, and one he wouldn’t admit to her, but true, nevertheless.

“I’ll get her lighted collar, so I can see she’s okay out here.”

She could get a rhinestone overcoat for the dog as far as he was concerned. Just so she did it in a hurry.

The three of them went in the front door and Gabe took off his jacket and hat while Dallas opened a drawer in the kitchen and took out a studded collar. She buckled it around Gretcheris neck and flicked a small switch. G abe shook his head in amazement. What had looked to be studs were really little red lights that blinked in sequence, like a Las Vegas sign.

“There.” Dallas opened the door and Gretchen bounded back out, her collar signaling her whereabouts even though the darkness swallowed her up. Dallas closed the door and glanced out the window. “I feel better when I can see where she is .”

He admired the way her denim shorts cupped her firm bottom. “That’s not exactly what would make me feel better.”

“Oh?” She turned, a gleam in her gray eyes. Then she took off her hat and combed her fingers back through her hair. “And what would make you feel better, cowboy ?”

He stared at her, mute with need.