He glanced over his shoulder. “How much did she drink?”
“Let’s just say, around two in the morning, I wouldn’t get between her and the bathroom.”
“Thanks for the warning.” He turned back to Heidi. “You ready to get out of the truck?”
“All right.”
She took a step forward, only to realize she hadn’t gotten out of the truck yet. Her feet got tangled, and she would have fallen out of the cab face-first if Rafe hadn’t grabbed her.
He muttered something she didn’t catch and wrapped his arms around her. “I guess we’re doing this the hard way.”
He eased her out of the truck and stood her next to him on the driveway. Balancing was harder than she remembered, she thought, as she swayed and tried to stay upright. She had a vague idea that she should see Glen, and go get some of his post-bender elixir, but the notion faded as quickly as it had arrived.
“You’re not getting up the stairs on your own, are you?” he asked.
She was too busy staring at his mouth to answer. She liked his mouth, especially how it felt when it was busy touching hers.
“Charlie asked if there was tongue and I wouldn’t answer, but I think she guessed the truth.”
Rafe was sure Heidi thought she was whispering. Unfortunately, she was wrong. He glanced at the tall, broad-shouldered woman who’d driven Heidi home.
“You Charlie?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Mason’s your horse?”
Charlie nodded. “I heard you were riding him. I appreciate you giving him the workout. I’m less sure you should be messing around with Heidi.”
“Me, too. And I’m not.”
Her steady gaze didn’t waver.
“It was one kiss,” he added.
“That’s generally how it starts. She’s my friend. Don’t make me hurt you.”
Rafe sighed and put his arm around Heidi. As he helped her to the porch, he wondered why he couldn’t be back in San Francisco, at a baseball game with Dante, or even working late. Right now a financial crisis or lawsuit threat sounded pretty damned good.
“I promise not to hurt her,” he said. “Good enough?”
“We’ll see.”
He half led, half carried Heidi to the porch. Charlie closed the passenger door and went around to the driver’s side. She got into her truck and drove away.
“Bye, Charlie,” Heidi called after the retreating vehicle. She tried to wave and nearly slid to the ground.
He caught her and pulled her back to her feet. She rubbed his arm. “You’re so strong.”
“Thanks.”
“It’s very nice. I’ve seen you in a towel and that’s nice, too. If you weren’t trying to steal my home, I’d like you more. Want to change your mind about that?”
“This isn’t the time to have that conversation.”
“Sure it is. Or we could kiss.” She stared up at him hopefully.
“Are those my only two options?”
She nodded her head, then stopped. “You had a date.” Her tone was accusing. “With a woman.”
“Would you be happier if it had been with a man?”
She considered the question, then blinked. “I don’t know.”
He had a feeling that for her, it was a brand-new day.
“Did I mention the kissing?” she asked.
“You did.”
“Any thoughts?”
“None you want to hear.”
He knew he could break the mood by mentioning his date, but he didn’t want to talk about it. Bad enough he’d lived through it once already. While Julia had been perfectly lovely, he’d spent their two hours together trying not to get caught staring at his watch. He’d found himself thinking about Heidi and the ranch, wondering why he would rather be there than out to dinner with a charming companion. He’d ducked out early, and had turned off his cell phone so Nina couldn’t call to ask how the date had gone.
“Let’s get inside.”
He managed to guide Heidi up to the porch and into the house. Rather than risk her navigating the stairs, he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the second floor. From there, it was a short trip to her bedroom.
Once inside, he set her on her feet and turned on the light. She gazed up at him with wonder.
“You carried me.”
He nodded.
“That was so romantic.” She smiled. “You can kiss me now.”
She obligingly closed her eyes and pursed her lips.
The smartest thing would be to walk away. She was drunk, and he was just trying to get through the days without stepping in too much crap.
But there was something about Heidi. Something that tempted him beyond what was reasonable. She wasn’t his usual type, but that didn’t make her any less…appealing. He was drawn to everything about her. She was unguarded and funny. She worked hard, was loyal to those she cared about and, right now, even drunk, she was sexy as hell.
He leaned in and lightly brushed his mouth against hers. The heat was instant, as was the need. She swayed again, and he put his hands on her shoulders to steady her.
The second he touched her, he knew he was lost. That wanting couldn’t be reasoned with, and he wanted her bad. Taking advantage of a woman who was drunk wasn’t his style, though. Besides, he had enough ego to want Heidi to know what she was doing when she came to his bed. He drew back.
Her eyes were wide and unfocused. She yawned. “That was nice, but I’m sleepy.”
Despite the painful throbbing in his groin, he smiled. “You’re not tired—you’re about to pass out.”
She waved one hand. “Tomato, tomahto.” She edged toward the bed.
He helped her. When she sat on the mattress, he pulled off her shoes. No way he was taking off her clothes, he thought. The hows and whys of undressing her weren’t a conversation he wanted to have.
She stretched out on the bed, and he covered her with the comforter. He kissed her forehead.
“You’re going to be in a world of hurt tomorrow,” he murmured.
“No.
