“You look relaxed,” he murmured.
“Hmm? Yes, I am relaxed. Which I didn’t think was possible earlier.”
“And less sad,” Kaleb leaned closer. “Anything you want to talk about?”
“No, but it wasn’t anything important. I was being silly. Goes to show how unimportant it was, considering I’d all but forgotten it.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Kaleb tightened the arm he had around her shoulders, and pulled her closer to him. With his other hand, he caressed her face and looked into her eyes. “I want to kiss you, Bree.”
Instead of answering, she leaned forward and kissed him. Her head was swirling as she opened her mouth under his. This was so unexpected, but, oh, so welcome. She rested her hands against Kaleb’s chest, loving the hardness of his body beneath the sweater he’d changed into earlier. The police officer clearly took good care of himself. Bree ran her hands over his strong shoulders and down his powerful arms.
She leaned back, just slightly, against the cushion, and Kaleb followed, the weight of his body, resting against hers.
“What the hell?”
Bree jerked away from Kaleb and looked up into Jace’s eyes.
“Bree? What the hell?” he said again.
She wiped the back of her hand across her lips and looked at Kaleb.
“Someone you know?” he whispered softly. He didn’t look bothered by Jace’s outburst. In fact, he had a grin on his face.
“Yeah, I know him.”
“Big brother?”
“Uh, no.”
“Oh, sorry to hear that.” Kaleb’s grin widened.
Jace hadn’t moved. His hands were on his waist, and he was staring at them. Kaleb moved away from Bree and stood.
“Kaleb Akerman,” he said, extending his hand to Jace.
Jace didn’t respond.
“And you are?” Kaleb asked.
“Jace Rice,” he spat out between clenched teeth. “How the hell do you know Bree?”
Kaleb turned and looked back at Bree, his smile broadening. “I had to arrest Bree, earlier this evening, for speeding. And here, in Crested Butte, we take beautiful women to dinner rather than to jail.”
Jace looked confused. And pissed. Bree couldn’t stop herself from giggling.
“He’s kidding. Well, sort of. I mean, he did pull me over for speeding.” Bree giggled more.
“Jace, did you find her?” she heard someone say. The blonde from earlier came out from behind him.
“Bree? I’m going to ask one more time. What the hell is going on?”
She shrugged and closed her eyes. When she did, her body weaved a little, landing her up against Kaleb.
A man who also looked familiar stood next to the blonde. “I think she’s drunk,” he said to Jace.
Who were all these people, and why did they care whether she was drunk or not?