Caught in the Act (Independence Falls 2)

“If that’s what you’re hungry for.”

“Food first.” She offered him a devilish smile before disappearing down the hall. “But don’t think I’ve forgotten my promise. Even if it was made in an orgasm-induced haze.”

He pulled on a pair of jeans and headed for the kitchen, feeling as if he was breaking the magical spell with every step. He found her by the coffeemaker furiously typing on her phone.

“Everything OK?”

“My brothers sent a barrage of messages last night, text and voice, demanding to know where I was.” She poked the screen one last time and held up the phone. “This is why I need to move to another town. I told them I was safe and would be home in the morning. They don’t need to know where I’m spending the night. I’m not twelve! I wouldn’t have said anything to them if I didn’t need one of them to check on the horses.”

“Maybe something is up with the animals?” Liam opened the fridge and pulled out the orange juice and a carton of eggs. He knew better than to take her brothers’ side, but he also had a little sister. He’d spent years worrying about Georgia. It was hell.

Katie traded him a glass of juice for a skillet. “No. They made it clear in their messages that the animals were fine. It was me they were worried about. And they had no reason.”

No, the Summers brothers had every reason to be concerned. For all they knew, Katie had headed into the woods alone. If they learned she’d spent the night with him—the man who’d broken her heart years ago and now wanted to buy their company—they would throw punches first and ask questions later. He’d do the same in their shoes.

Liam lit the gas burner and set the pan over the flame. When he turned back, she handed him a bowl.

“For the eggs,” she said. “I’ll make the coffee.”

They continued moving around the rented kitchen as if this was routine—breakfast together after a wild night of sex.

“Did you call them back and let them know you’re OK?” he asked, pouring the whisked eggs into the pan.

“I sent Chad a text. He’s the most reasonable of the bunch. Most of the time.” She poured two cups of coffee. “Milk and sugar?”

“No thanks.” He took the mug and returned his attention to the stove. But it was hard to focus while trying to figure out how to tell her about Eric’s offer.

“Do you track Georgia’s every movement?” she demanded, setting plates on the counter.

“That’s Eric’s job now.” When his little sister lived with him, after her stint in the army, he’d tried.

Katie stared at him over the rim of her coffee cup. “You’re as bad as they are.”

“When it comes to my family? I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Her lips curled into a devilish smile. “How does it feel to be on the other side?”

Liam raised an eyebrow. “The other side?”

“This time you’re the one giving them a reason to track me down. If they knew I was here, with you . . . well, I don’t think they’d invite you in for a beer this time.” Katie headed for the bar stools at the kitchen counter. “Might make it hard to close the deal. You’re risking a lot by being here. With me.”

Were her words a warning? He’d known that pursuing Katie might backfire. Had she taken that into account and made plans to blow up the deal?

Setting the plates down on the counter, he looked her straight in the eye. “I am. There’s a lot on the line here.”

“Am I worth it?”

He heard the challenge in her voice, underscored by a hint of unease. And he remembered something she’d said while walking home with her goats. Most of the guys she’d dated ended up hanging out with her brothers instead of her. This bold, beautiful, and stubbornly independent woman needed someone who would fight for her, risk everything for her.

“Yes.”

Chapter 15

KATIE LEANED BACK on the stool, but didn’t look away. She couldn’t. Not with that one word hanging between them.

Yes.

Part of her couldn’t believe she’d asked the question. Did it matter if he was willing to put his hard-earned success at Moore Timber on the line for her? Yes. He