“Ferrone?”

  “Spider.”

  “Yeah, that is weirder.”

  “I’ll say. I hate pancakes. Not as much as scrambled eggs, though.”

  When Casper got up and went to the lavatory, I leaned over and whispered, “Was she in your dream too?”

  Winslow nodded slowly.

  “Oh boy.” I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the details.

  “She and Spider were together.”

  “Meaning?”

  “A couple,” she whispered.

  I couldn’t help but raise a brow.

  We landed at the airfield at Austin-Bergstrom and were about to get into the SUV that would take us to King-Alexander Ranch when I realized Casper wasn’t with us. I asked Shredder where she was.

  “Crash and Angel are flying her to New York today.”

  Had I known that, I would’ve thanked her before we exited the aircraft. However, she could’ve communicated her plans too and said goodbye.

  “Everything okay?” Winslow asked.

  “Yeah, it’s all good. Casper is heading to Lake Placid right away.”

  She didn’t react to the news other than acknowledging she’d heard me, and remained quiet on the drive to the ranch.

  Along the way, I told her stuff about the place, including that Quint Alexander, Z’s son, and his wife, Darrow, lived in the main residence. And while I’d never been on the ranch, word was the dining hall had some of the best food in all of Texas.

  “Rebel Edgemon, whose husband is one of the partners in the company Steel and I work for, is an amazing cook, and so is Tee-Tee Rodriguez. She’s been the main cook there for years.” Shredder rubbed his stomach. “Makes me hungry just thinking about it.”

  Like before, Winslow acknowledged he’d spoken but had little else to say.

  “There are several security protocols we’ll need to review with you,” Shredder said once we drove up to the ranch’s main gate.

  “Roger that,” I responded for both of us.

  “There’s the main house.” Shredder pointed as we drove by. “We’ll be staying about a mile from here.”

  “I thought we were staying in a guesthouse,” Winslow said when we pulled into a driveway. I could’ve been mistaken, but she sounded disappointed.

  “You are,” Shredder responded. “This one is where you and Cowboy will be. Steel and I will be next door.”

  “It’s so big,” she mumbled.

  Shredder’s eyes met mine, and I shrugged. Everything about Winslow’s demeanor seemed off today. However, taking a closer look at the house, I had to admit the place looked mighty fancy.

  It was a miniature version of the main residence Shredder had pointed out, and like it, looked to be built from timber and stone. There were tall windows on the front and side and huge wooden posts topped with thatched roofs covering the outdoor seating areas. It was hard to tell for certain, but it also looked like there might be an outdoor kitchen.

  I brought Winslow’s and my bags inside, and Shredder led us into the kitchen. It looked out over a great room with cathedral ceilings made of unfinished wood and retained by the same massive wooden posts as outdoors. One of its interior walls was covered in stone with a cutout for the range and cupboards, and there were stools set up on one side of an L-shaped island, with more at a breakfast bar.

  “There’s a gym on the other side of the house, if you want some exercise,” he said. When he winked, I realized he must’ve been briefed on the favor I’d asked Doc to help facilitate. Maybe he’d even been the one to organize it.

  “The best part, though, is the master bathroom.” He opened a door, and we stepped into a bedroom twice the size of the one in the place where we’d stayed in East Aurora. I dropped our bags on the floor and followed him across the room to another door. He opened it and motioned for Winslow and me to go ahead of him.

  Inside, there were marble steps leading to a bathtub large enough to hold two people comfortably—even when one of them was my size. It was surrounded by black and white marble that matched the floor as well as the sinks in the double vanity.

  Across the room was a shower that, like the tub, could easily fit two people. I peeked behind the double glass doors and saw two showerheads and two benches on either side. Those and the walls were made from the same marble as the rest of the bathroom.

  “There’s radiant heat throughout the room.” Shredder motioned to a control panel. “I haven’t tried it out myself, but Edge told me even the walls are heated.” He wriggled his eyebrows.

  I glanced at Winslow, who looked like she was listening but appeared unimpressed.

  We followed Shredder, retracing our steps back to the hallway. “That’s about it. There are three other bedrooms, all with their own bathrooms. Oh, and there’s an SUV in the garage you’re welcome to use.”

  I walked him to the front door and thanked him after he said he’d give us some time to get settled before briefing us on the ranch’s security system.

  “Just holler when you’re ready.”

  “Roger that,” I responded.

  “Everything okay?” he whispered.

  “Not sure, but I’m about to ask.”

  He nodded and walked out, closing the door behind him.

  “Can I get you anything?” I asked Winslow, who was standing by a window in the great room.

  “I’m good.”

  I walked over and stood beside her. “What’s bothering you?”

  She shrugged. “I expected it to be different.”

  I waited for her to continue.

  “Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate this so much.”

  “But?”

  She turned her head in my direction. “I was hoping it would be simpler. I know that makes me sound horrible.”

  I smiled. “Impossible.” I motioned for her to follow me. “Let’s check out this gym.”

  She didn’t look too excited but was polite enough to come with me anyway.

  I opened the door and switched on the light. “Hey, take a look at this.”

  When she stepped in, her eyes opened wide and she put her hand in front of her mouth. I watched as she slowly walked around the machine that looked even more high-tech than the one she’d used at the ski shop. “Garrison? Did you—” Her eyes were full of tears when she rushed over and put her arms around me. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you so much.”

  “Looks pretty fancy.”

  She smiled. “Wait until you see what this baby can do.”

  “I’m ready.”

  “Now?”

  Damn if I didn’t want to reach out and cup her cheek with my palm. Instead, I kept my hands to myself. “Tell me you aren’t itchin’ to test it out.”

  “Thank you,” she repeated. “Not just for arranging this but for everything. You’re a good man, Garrison.”

  She climbed on, got in position, and hit the start button that was on a pad she could reach rather than needing someone to do it for her.

  The slalom simulator they’d had at Kissing Bridge looked archaic compared to this one. I’d thought about trying it out myself, but watching her, I knew that would be as ridiculous as it was stupid. I’d probably break both my legs and arms within the first twenty seconds.

  Fifteen minutes later, she stopped the machine and climbed off. She was out of breath and sweaty but had a huge smile on her face. “I have to admit I never would’ve dreamed you’d get my parents to do something like this.”

  I tossed her a towel I’d found in a cabinet against the wall. “They had nothing to do with it.”

  “But…this is a sixty-thousand-dollar training machine. Who…I mean, whoever arranged for this, please let them know I’ll pay them back.”

  “He’d never agree to it, and before you say another word, the proper response when receiving a gift is to thank me.” I winked.

  “I can’t accept—”

  I cut her off, once again doing something I probably shouldn’t. “Give me a proper thank you, Winslow.”

  “Thank you, so much—”

  I shook my head.

  “No?”

  “Not with words.”

  I loved the way her eyes glazed over with desire when she reached up to chastely kiss my cheek. Instead of letting her, I turned my head at the last moment, and our lips met. She took a step back but rested her palm on my chest.

  “That was a proper thank you, darlin’.”

  “It was?”

  “For now.”

  Not yet, but soon, I didn’t doubt things would heat up between us, and it would have nothing to do with Texas weather.

  16

  WINSLOW

  Something had shifted between Garrison and me. While, to this point, I’d been more of the aggressor than he was, now that he appeared to be taking control, I wanted nothing more than for him to bend me to his will.

  Even as innocent as the kiss between us had been, I was dizzy with desire for him, ready to grind my body against his.

  “Thank you,” I repeated as we stared at each other.

  “You’re welcome.” He tweaked my nose with his finger before pulling me by the hand, not to the bedroom—or the completely over-the-top bathroom—as I’d sillily hoped, but to the kitchen.

  “We need to eat.” He pulled open the refrigerator door, and we both looked inside at the empty shelves. “Damn,” he muttered, pulling his phone out of the pocket of his jeans.

  “Who are you calling?” I asked.

  “Shredder. We need him to go over the security protocols before we can leave the house.”

  Mere moments ago, I’d been hungrier for Garrison than I was for food. Now, I was famished. Still for him, but more for sustenance.

  “Hey,” I heard him say. “Can you come back over now?” He paused for a few seconds, listening. “Yeah, I hear you. We were thinking the same thing.” He ended the call and set the phone on the counter.

  “What did he say?”

  “He was hoping he’d hear from us soon. He and Steel are as hungry as we are.”

  “Is there any chance we could eat before we review the ranch’s security?”

  “We sure can. Also, Decker Ashford is going to meet us. He’s got somethin’ for you. A couple of things, actually.”

  I raised a brow. “More workout equipment?”

  Garrison laughed. “Nope. A phone and a computer.”

  I clapped my hands. “Thank God. I feel so out of touch.” I bit my lip when I realized that, while I’d have the means to communicate, I didn’t know if I’d be able to.

  “I know what you’re thinkin’.”

  I raised a brow. “You certain about that, Cowboy?”

  When he smiled and looked away momentarily, I was sure his cheeks were pink. Unlike him, I didn’t look away. I studied the man in front of me. Garrison “Cowboy” Cassidy was one damned fine specimen of male perfection.

  All the men I’d dated, not that there had been many, were skiers. They were tall and lean to the point of being thin, but with massive thigh muscles and big butts. Not the sexiest combination. Garrison, though, was muscular everywhere. Perfectly proportioned and comfortable in his own skin. He’d watched me work out on the slalom machine earlier, but if we had time later, I wanted to make use of the rest of the elaborate gym’s equipment—treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines, and free weights. And by make use, I meant I wanted to watch Garrison work out almost more than I wanted to, myself.

  “Winslow?”

  I realized he was waving his hand. “Did you hear what I said?”

  “Um, no. Sorry.”

  Before he could respond, there was a knock at the door. “You two ready?” Steel asked, sticking his head inside. “Shredder’s pulling the SUV up now.”

  “Wait. Do I need to change?” I asked. While I wasn’t as sweaty as I had been, I wasn’t sure I looked okay for wherever we were going.

  “We’re going to the ranch’s dining hall for lunch,” Garrison informed me. “If you do change, you might want to dress down a little.”

  I looked at my jeans and sweatshirt.

  “Maybe tomorrow we’ll see about gettin’ you a hat.”

  “Yeah? Where’s yours, Cowboy?”

  He leaned in closer to me so his mouth was next to my ear. “You play your cards right, and maybe I’ll show it to you.”

  Shivers ran down my spine, and once we were in the backseat of the SUV, I had to squeeze my thighs together in an attempt to ease the ache of need I felt from his voice alone. Who knew cowboys would do it for me like he was? Maybe it wasn’t cowboys at all. Maybe it was just the sexy-as-fuck man sitting in the seat beside me, who appeared to know precisely what I was thinking about.

  I’m not sure what I’d expected from the dining hall, but it was exactly as I should’ve imagined on a ranch the size of this one.

  It was bigger than those at some of the biggest ski competitions I’d been to, and there were ranch hands seated at every table. I suppose it shouldn’t have surprised me to see none of them were wearing their hats.

  After going through the cafeteria line, we followed Shredder and Steel to a table all the way in the back. “This is the family section,” Shredder explained, eyeing my plate. “You didn’t get any of Tee-Tee’s chili? You’re missing out, girl.”

  “It’s okay. I brought her some,” said a woman with a heavy Mexican accent, who set a huge bowl of it in front of me. “You can share with your boyfriend.” I’d noticed, like me, Garrison had filled his plate with salad and a slice of cornbread.

  “Hello, ma’am,” he said, standing. “I’ve heard the food at King-Alexander is the best in all of Texas. Thank you for having us here today.”

  “Yes,” I said, standing too. “Thank you.”

  She winked and nudged me. “Is this the one they call Cowboy?”

  “It is.”

  She fanned her face. “El es guapo.”

  “Gracias,” Garrison said to her. “Usted está bonita.”

  The woman wiggled her eyebrows in my direction before walking away.

  “You’ll have to eat some of this,” I said, pointing to portion of chili big enough to serve several of us.

  “If you don’t finish it, I will,” said Steel, already scraping the bottom of his bowl.

  “Welcome to King-Alexander Ranch,” a man said, approaching our table a few minutes later along with a woman. “I’m Quint.”

  “And I’m Darrow, his wife.” The woman held her hand out to me after setting her own serving of chili on the table.

  “Decker should be here in a few minutes,” Quint added, taking a seat on the other side of the table when Darrow sat beside me.

  “So, I understand you’re a skier? An Olympic one at that? Well done.”

  I thanked her and glanced over at Garrison. He’d obviously heard her, and given he hadn’t reacted, her knowing who I was must not have been a problem.

  “I’m Winslow Greer.”

  She took a bite of food, and her eyes rolled to the back of her head. “I love Tee-Tee’s chili. I don’t know about you, but I’m an utter disaster in the kitchen.”

  “You’re learnin’, though,” said another woman, who sat on the opposite side of Darrow and turned to me. “I’m Rebel.”

  “Winslow,” I repeated, shaking her outstretched hand.

  “Hey, Rebel, what’s for dessert today?” Steel asked her.

  “Guess you’ll have to go look, won’t ya?”

  She winked at me and lowered her voice. “Steel and I go way back to when I was a bartender and he was a bouncer at a local bar. I like to give him shit sometimes.”

  “Rebel will tell you she ‘helps’ Tee-Tee in the kitchen, but she’s quite the chef on her own,” said Darrow, taking another bite of the chili I hadn’t tried yet. “God, this is so bloody good.”

  I took a bite, and my eyes almost rolled to the back of my head as well. As she’d said, it was really good. I nudged Garrison. “You may have to get your own bowl. It really is fantastic.”

  “Lemme try it.” He looked down at the chili and up at me. “Come on now, you can share a little.”

  I scooped some onto the spoon and raised it. When Garrison nodded, I brought it to his mouth. His eyes bored into mine as I watched him take the chili into his mouth, then lick the spoon.

  “More, please,” he said in that sexy-as-fuck voice of his.

  “If you’re trying to get me to feed it all to you, I have to admit, it’s working,” I leaned in and said when he swirled his tongue around the spoon a second time.

  “Here’s ol’ Deck, now,” I heard Darrow’s husband say, jarring me out of my food-sharing fantasy.

  “You must be Winslow,” the man said. “Welcome to King-Alexander.” He reached out, and I shook his hand before he turned to Cowboy. “Welcome, Cassidy. Glad to have you here.” He looked over at Shredder. “You talk him into comin’ over from the dark side yet?”

  I had no idea what they were talking about but chuckled when everyone else at the table laughed.

  It wasn’t long before the rest of the dining hall cleared out and Rebel left the table.

  “Please join us at the house for dinner later,” said Darrow when she and Quint got up too.

  “Hey, Quint. Would you mind if I borrowed Darrow for a bit?” Decker said to him.

  Quint smiled and kissed his wife’s cheek. “I’ll see you later, darlin’.”

  Once he walked away, Decker turned to me. “I want you to know how sorry I was to hear about your ordeal, and I want to assure you, Steel, Shredder, Darrow, me, and the rest of the team are committed to helping catch the people who did this to you.”

  “Thank you,” I murmured, admittedly feeling very much on the spot.

  “I’m not sure how much you were briefed on the company I work for, but we are made up of several folks who, like Cowboy’s crew, are former military, CIA, and MI6. Darrow here represents the latter.”

  The woman smiled and nodded.

  “If there is anything you need during the course of your time here, just say the word, and we’ll do our best to take care of it. The other thing I want to assure you of is your safety. We have a pretty good security setup here on the ranch. No one gets on or off it without our knowledge.”

 

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