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Thoroughly entertained, he acknowledged her comment with a nod.
“Do you like me?” No coquettishness in either her voice or her expression, just simple curiosity.
“Yes. Actually, I’m beginning to,” he amended, still smiling. “Why do you want to know?”
She shrugged. “Just testing to see if you really won’t lie. Are you attracted to me?”
A jolt went through him. “Are you flirting?”
Though she colored, she didn’t look away. “Maybe. Maybe not. I’m trying to find out where we stand with each other. I also noticed you didn’t answer the question.”
He laughed; he couldn’t help it. “I’d have to be dead not to find you attractive,” he told her. “But don’t worry, I won’t let it get in the way of the job I have to do. Or finding Renee. Both are too important to me.”
Color still high, she finally smiled back. “Fair enough. Now how about we call it a night and regroup in the morning.”
Though it was still early, he nodded. “Okay. Good night.”
She sighed. “I’m probably going to regret this, but...”
Before he could ask what she meant, she crossed the space between them, grabbed him and pulled him down for a kiss. Her mouth moved across his, nothing tentative about it. A wave of lust swamped him. Damn if it wasn’t the most erotic kiss he’d ever shared.
Standing stock-still, he let her nibble and explore, until he couldn’t take it any longer. Finally, he seized control, needing to claim her. He tasted her, skimmed his fingers over her soft, soft skin, outlining her lush curves. He couldn’t get enough, craving more, breathing her in until the force of his arousal told him he needed to break it off right now or they’d be in trouble.
He’d be in trouble, he amended silently. Despite the fact that he physically shook with desire, he stepped back, trying to slow his heartbeat and the way he inhaled short gasps of air. Drowning, that’s what this had been like. Drowning in her.
“Good night,” he rasped, and turned to go. The way he left felt more like a retreat than anything else, but so be it. “Truman, come.”
His loyal dog, man’s best friend, didn’t budge. So Cord left him there with Piper.
Once he made it all the way across the house, he headed toward his room, desperately trying to think of something—anything—other than how badly he wanted to be inside of her.
A cold shower later—which helped, at least for a few minutes—and he finally slipped beneath his sheets. He’d lived long enough to understand what had just occurred between him and Piper was a huge mistake. He needed to do his best to forget it had ever happened. If she brought it up again, he’d say the same thing to her.
And if she initiated another kiss?
Just the thought had him burning again. Even though he’d made a conscious decision to try and forget, he couldn’t help but relive the moment.
He’d held her. Close. Felt every curve and hollow of her body pressed tightly against his. He’d tasted her—or rather—she’d tasted him. Her self-confidence and boldness intrigued and aroused him, which only made her even more dangerous.
* * *
The next morning Piper woke and stretched, taking a moment to contemplate before jumping out of bed. She must have been exhausted, since she’d apparently fallen deeply asleep the instant her head hit the pillow. She remembered nothing after that, not even a single dream.
All her life, she’d been a morning person, to most of the family’s dismay. When she woke, she liked to face the day head-on, full of energy and optimism.
Today would be no exception, even if she’d gotten a little carried away last night.
But who could blame her? Being around gorgeous, sexy-as-hell Cord would tempt a saint. And Piper definitely wasn’t a saint. She, like any other red-blooded female, could appreciate a perfect specimen of a man. Cord, with his thick mane of dark hair, chiseled features and muscular body, definitely qualified. Every time she looked at him her mouth went dry and her body tingled.
Just thinking about him made her want to kiss him again. And more, if she was honest with herself, which she always tried to be.
The way she saw it, with the two of them in such enforced, close proximity, sex would be inevitable. Maybe she’d simply tell him that, so they could get past the tiptoeing around each other and get right to it. Honestly, she’d been celibate long enough. She didn’t know how much longer she could wait.
If he asked her, she’d tell him the truth. She wanted him. She felt certain enough of that fact to be honest and upfront about it. Though she couldn’t say she never lied. She didn’t truly believe Cord when he said he didn’t.
A soft whine came from beside her. From a large lump under the blanket. A second later, Truman poked his big head out. “What are you doing there?” she asked, scratching him in his favorite place just below the ears. He sighed and closed his eyes.
“You can sleep in, boy,” she told the dog. “I’ve got to get up. Things to do and all that.”
She pushed back the covers and headed toward the bathroom. Thirty minutes later, showered, makeup done and hair dry, she tugged on a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, chose sneakers over boots, and headed toward the kitchen.
Coffee. She smelled coffee, thank heavens. Some people claimed not to drink it, but she’d rather do without breakfast than her coffee.
Turning the corner, following the delicious scent, she ran smack-dab into Cord.
“Whoa,” he said, steadying her with hands on her arms. Large, capable-looking hands, she thought, remembering the feel of them on her body with a delicious shiver.
Cord released her, stepping back, almost as if she’d voiced the thought out loud.
Unsure if she should be hurt or amused or both, she decided to ignore it, at least for now. “Coffee,” she intoned, stepping around him as she made a beeline for the coffeepot.
“Mugs are in the cabinet right above it,” Cord said. “Powdered creamer, sugar and artificial sweetener, too.”
After snagging a mug, a heavy white one with a local breakfast restaurant logo on it, she filled it. Then, raising it to her nose, she inhaled deeply before taking a sip. “Mmm. I like mine black.”
When she raised her gaze from contemplation of the delicious morning nectar, she saw him studying her, his expression unreadable. “What?” she asked. “Don’t tell me none of your previous guests drank black coffee.”
“None of the female ones, that’s for sure,” he said. “Are you always this...bouncy so early in the morning?”
“Yes.” Unrepentant, she grinned and then took another sip of coffee. “It’s my blessing, or curse, depending how you look at it. As to early...” She glanced around the kitchen for a clock, finally seeing a digital display on the microwave. “Since when is six thirty early? Getting up at four a.m. in the summer to work cattle is early.”
“I forgot you live on a ranch.”
Still grinning, she nodded. “I do. And Eldridge always made all of us help when we were young.” Though her smile wavered as she remembered the man she thought of as her father, she forced herself to continue on. “Most of us still help out around the ranch, along with pursuing our other interests.” Which, in her case, meant repurposing old furniture and curb-side treasures.
She took a deep breath. “Do you want me to make breakfast? I cook a mean omelet.”
“You cook?”
Realizing he still stood in the spot where they’d collided, near the doorway as if he wanted to be able to bolt from the room, she smiled. “I do. And I’m pretty darn good at it, too. Our ranch cook taught me.”
“Hmm.”
“An enigmatic response if I ever heard one.” She gestured toward one of the empty kitchen chairs. “Why don’t you sit down? I promise I don’t bite.”
Of course, the statement sounded a lot more provocative than she’d intended, definitely because the instant she’d uttered it, she pictured where and how she’d love to bite him.
Closing her eyes, she briefly allowed herself to linger over the fantasy. Then, she shook her head, took a big gulp of coffee and eyed him, letting a half smile play on her lips.
He still stood in the same spot as if rooted in place. “Look, Piper...” Shifting his weight from foot to foot, he dragged a hand through his hair. To her amazement, this ruffled look made him even sexier.
“We need to set up some boundaries,” he continued. “I don’t sleep with my clients.”
“I’m not your client,” she promptly replied, still smiling. “Technically, Fowler is.”
He sighed. “True. But I’m helping you try and find out what really happened to Eldridge and you’re going to assist me in locating my niece. You really need to take this seriously. It’s important.”
“You’re right.” Sobering, she nodded. “Sorry. I do take this seriously. It’s just you’re so darn good-looking, it’s distracting.”
After a second of startled silence, he burst out laughing. “Thanks, I guess. You’re not bad yourself. Now, that said, can we focus on business?”
“Of course.” Debating, even as she tried not to be offended that she apparently didn’t have the same effect on him as he did on her, she shot him a quick, narrow look. “After breakfast. If you have any eggs, I’m making an omelet. If you’d like one, you’d better speak up. Otherwise, I’ll just make one for myself.”
Just then, Truman came padding into the kitchen.
“There you are,” Cord said, setting down a large dog bowl full of kibble. “You’re late for breakfast.”
“He slept with me,” Piper volunteered. “He’s really an awesome dog.”
Cord nodded. “Yes, he is.”
She ended up cooking two omelets. He made toast and poured them each a glass of orange juice. He took a seat across from her and they both ate quickly and in silence, though she had to curb the impulse to speak.
Once they’d finished, he grabbed the plates, rinsed them off and put them in the dishwasher, an act that made her smile. She enjoyed watching him move around the small kitchen. Even if they managed to act completely businesslike around each other, she figured that would never change.
“More coffee?” he asked. When she nodded, he poured them both a cup.
“What’s on the agenda for today?” Eager to get going, she pushed to her feet. Since he hadn’t taken a seat, she figured that meant he was ready to get started.
He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got a personal errand to run first thing. After I get back, I figured we could discuss Renee. I can show you some pictures—she’s a big fan of selfies on her Facebook and Instagram pages. Maybe if you get a feel for what she’s like, her personality and looks, you might have some new insights into where she might be hiding.”
“How about we talk in the car?” she countered. “Once you tell me her info, I can pull up her social media accounts on my phone.”
“I thought you could stay here until I get back.”
“What?” She cocked her head. “You weren’t going to take me with you? Why not?”
Though he tried hard to appear annoyed, she could see the way he tried to keep from smiling. “It’s a personal errand,” he reiterated. “Which means it’s something I have to do alone.”
Suddenly, with a gut-wrenching realization, she understood. “Damn.” She only swore in certain situations. This definitely felt like one. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a girlfriend? I wouldn’t have come on to you if I’d known.”
Hurriedly, he bowed his head. At first, she thought it was to hide his anger, but as soon as she saw his shoulders shaking she realized he was laughing.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, her voice cross. “I’m not one to poach on another woman’s man.”
He apparently found her last sentence hilarious, because he busted out laughing. Arms crossed, she eyed him while he attempted to rein in his amusement.
“I don’t have a girlfriend,” he finally said. “And, Piper, you jump to conclusions quicker than anyone I’ve ever met. You take off at a tangent before I even get a chance to explain.”
She nodded. “I’ve heard that before. I’ve been told I might be a bit...overly enthusiastic.”
“That’s an understatement.” He spoke gently. “I’m going to pay a visit to an elderly widow who used to know my father.”
Of course her mind whirled at that. She could think of several different scenarios now, especially since she’d known his father. There were drunks and there were abusive drunks. Cord’s father fell into the latter category.
She ventured a guess, choosing the imaginary scenario least likely to offend him. “Collecting rent?”
“No.” Draining the last of his coffee, he set the mug down with a thump. “It’s actually none of your business.”
“Of course you realize your evasiveness only makes me want to know the truth, right?” She grinned. “Sorry, but I’m nosy like that. And if you didn’t want me to be all up in your business, you shouldn’t have insisted I stay with you.”
He nodded, conceding her point. “Fine.” Checking his watch once more, he faced her. “You can come with me. I’ll explain in the car. But on one condition. No matter what you think or believe or how you feel about the situation, I’d appreciate if you’d keep your opinion to yourself. Can you do that?”
She had no idea. In fact, she rather doubted it. “Of course,” she replied, intrigued. One thing she had begun to learn about Cord was that he certainly wasn’t boring. Or dumb. She’d met other male bodybuilder types before who were equally great to look at until they opened their mouths. Not him. He was the most fascinating man she’d ever met.
“When do we leave?” she asked, since he’d glanced at his watch a third time.
“Whenever you’re ready. It’s about a forty-five-minute drive each way, without traffic.”
“Okay.” Placing her mug next to his, she smiled her brightest smile. “Give me a minute to freshen up. I’ll be right back.”
He nodded, his expression either downright unenthused or simply resigned.
“We’ll also discuss your niece while we’re driving.” Glancing back over her shoulder, she raised her brows. “I promise I won’t waste your time.”
Back in her room, she checked her appearance in the mirror, then used her phone to see the outside temperature. November in Texas, even this late in the month, could run the gamut from freezing to downright balmy. Since today’s high had been forecast in the low fifties, she grabbed a light jacket, just in case.
When she reemerged just a few minutes later, Cord waited in the living room, jiggling his car keys in his hand. The sunlight streaming in the eastern window turned his dark hair to gold. “Ready?”
Temporarily struck dumb, she pushed away the aching need to touch him and nodded.
She waited until they’d backed out of his driveway and turned off his street before speaking, even though she wanted to bounce up and down in her seat like an impatient child. “Okay, so where exactly are we going?”
Unsmiling, he shot her a glance. “Did you ever know Ms. Berens? Most people called her the Widow Berens. Her first name is Lorraine.”
The name didn’t ring a bell. Piper finally shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t.”
“Her husband used to own the pharmacy on Main Street, though he passed away, probably before you were born. She sold it and banked the money, intending to use it to live on for the rest of her life. I believe she supplements her income by making and selling custom quilts.”
Piper nodded. “I’ve seen some of her quilts. They’re beautiful.”
“Yes they are. Well, back when my daddy was alive, he ran a scam on her. This was before internet dating scams, but he did something similar to her. She was lonely, he was a good-looking man, and he convinced her that he loved her.”
“Oh, no.” Piper feared she knew what he’d say next.
“He bilked her out of her entire savings.” His grim voice told her what he thought of that. “Ever since I learned about it, I’ve been trying to make restitution by paying her back a little at a time.”
Moved, she nodded, looking away so he wouldn’t see the rawness of her emotions in her eyes or face. She’d always felt things deeply, a trait she’d learned at an early age to keep hidden to avoid ridicule. “That’s kind of you,” she managed, glad her voice sounded even. “Not many people would feel responsible for their father’s sins.”
