Caught in the Act (Independence Falls 2)

His gaze locked on hers as the mare ate the second piece. “Only when I’m coming to visit you. So how about a ride?”

She shook her head. “I can’t. I have plans tonight.”

“Hot date?”

She heard the edge in his voice. It left her wondering what would happen if she said yes. Would he demand that she cancel? All because of one kiss on his bike? That long-held anger rose to the surface. Liam didn’t have the right to make choices for her. He never had.

She drew her shoulders back, reaffirming her desire to seduce the man gently feeding her mare carrots. But with the meeting scheduled for Monday, and Liam’s determination to take things slow, she didn’t have much time.

“More like a research project.” She hooked a lead line to Princess’s halter and released the crossties. “I hadn’t planned on taking a date with me. But you’re welcome to ride along.”

Liam trailed behind her as she led the horse into her stall and closed the door. “I’m game. What are we researching?”

“Surprise. I’ll pick you up at eight. This time, I’m driving.” She turned, leaning back against the stall door. “Plan on a late night.”

He took a step back. “Katie—”

“And wear your dancing shoes.”

WITH THE FULL moon rising in the Oregon night sky, Liam climbed into the passenger side of Katie’s station wagon and reached for his seat belt.

“Want me to drive?” He’d never liked riding shotgun.

“You don’t know where we’re going.”

“You could navigate.” Seat belt secure, he looked over at her. She’d changed out of her usual jeans and T-shirt into a short, pale pink dress that did amazing things for her long legs. Hell, maybe she should drive. He’d rather watch her skirt inch higher on her legs.

She put the car in reverse and backed out of his driveway. “I can do both. Settle in. Relax. We’re going to be here for a while.”

“I like how you dress for research, but I’m wondering if my jeans and boots will make the cut.” He glanced up at her profile. She’d blown out her hair again and put on makeup. A light coat of shiny gloss on her lips, which left her looking like she wanted to be kissed, and a dusting of something that highlighted her green eyes. “Mind telling me where we’re headed?”

“Surprise. But I think you’ll fit in just fine.”

He shook his head. “You have an independent streak a mile wide, don’t you?”

“I couldn’t stay eighteen forever.”

“Honey, you knew your own mind back then. Your headstrong spirit is part of the reason I never realized how innocent you were. I never imagined it was your first time.”

She stole a quick glance at him before returning her attention to the road. Putting on her blinker, she steered the wagon onto the highway. “We don’t need to talk about this.”

“I think we do.”

He hadn’t been looking forward to this conversation, but he knew it needed to happen. She’d told him the other night that she didn’t hold a grudge, but he suspected that was a lie. Maybe she hadn’t admitted it to herself. Either way, if he wanted to move forward with Katie, they needed to revisit the past. Here, in her moving car, where he couldn’t invite her to sit on his lap, was probably the best place.

And there was one question he’d been dying to ask for seven long years. One he should have addressed to her that night instead of shutting her out. “Why didn’t you tell me it was your first time?”

“I was afraid you’d stop. I didn’t want you to walk away.”

“I would have,” he cut in.

“I know. And I told myself that it didn’t matter. I thought you—” She bit her lower lip as if trying to stop herself from letting another word escape.

“That I’d fallen in love with you?” He kept his voice soft and gentle as if speaking to one of her skittish horses. “Katie, I never meant to hurt you. Never. But I was young too. And pretty damn stupid. I wasn’t looking for love back then.”

“And now?” she demanded. “What are you looking for now?”

Liam hesitated, staring out the window. It was too soon to tell her that he wanted a second chance at that moment when she’d offered him her heart, her future, her everything. He needed more time to prove that he deserved her, show her that he’d cherish her. This time it would be about what she wanted and needed from him.