Chapter 9

Chapter

Nine

Shay and Paul ate a delicious dinner that Easton delivered, but luckily the cowboy had a ‘commitment' in town and couldn't stay. He flirted with Shay, but she could tell she disappointed him when she toned it down from earlier today. She felt close to Paul after an afternoon spent in the lake together, teasing and working on his stroke and swimming together. She didn't want to push him away or make him jealous. They chatted through dinner about his time in the Air Force and the transition to Aiden Porter's operation.

As they cleaned up, the conversation turned to their families. She felt badly that her brother still loathed Paul. Would that be a wedge between them? She should've laughed at that. There was no ‘them'. They both tiptoed around the subject of Darian.

After dinner and cleanup, they texted Walker to see if they could get out on a walk. One of the ranch hands knocked on the door about ten minutes later. Hunter introduced himself and said he was there to follow them on an evening walk .

The weather was gorgeous. They chatted as they walked, and she tried to eliminate the slang. Hunter stayed about thirty feet behind them.

Shay felt comfortable with Paul and had hardly thought about her dangerous situation and the impending trial next week. She did remember to pray for Agents Turner and Meacham, hoping they were alive and safe somewhere.

The scenery was gorgeous—the thick pine trees, undergrowth, towering mountains, and blue sky. They walked along the east side of the property close to the massive mountains.

"Why do you sometimes not use the teenage lingo?" Paul asked at a break in the conversation.

She shrugged. "I don't want you thinking I'm younger than I am because of my silly vocabulary."

"No, I don't." He brushed at his hair. "I mean, I enjoy the jargon. It makes me laugh. It's especially funny coming from such an accomplished and impressive woman like you."

"Thank you. That means a lot."

He nodded to her, and she could tell there was more he wanted to share, to explain. "I live in a very hardened world, Shay. A lot of darkness and death. I turn to God for light and purpose."

"What you do is very honorable. I wish I could ‘glaze' you properly telling you how tough and impressive and skilled you are. I pray God will strengthen and protect you."

"Thank you." They walked without speaking for a few moments. The sun was setting against the mountain peaks to the west, but they'd been in shadows for a while with all the trees covering the Colevilles' beautiful property.

"I'm glad I can make you laugh," she said .

"I appreciate it," he said. "You're a light, Shay. A breath of fresh air."

"Thank you." She put a hand to her heart. His compliments were more substantial to her than the hundreds of men who told her how ‘hot' or ‘beautiful' or ‘fit' she was.

She savored his words as they continued to walk, but something was tingling in her mind. If he didn't think her teenage vocab was immature and he thought she was funny, a light, and a breath fresh air ... "Then why do you feel …" She paused, unsure how to phrase what she wanted to say, to take her shot.

"Why do I feel …?" His dark gaze grew leery.

She had to grow very brave to spit it out. "Why do you think of me as a little sister?"

He focused on the pine-needle strewn path. "You are like a little sister. All my years growing up, you were there and so adorable and I always loved you … like a younger sibling."

Disappointment surged through her, but she wasn't ready to give up yet. "Paul. I don't know if you've noticed, but I've grown up in the years since you left home."

His gaze swept over her. It grew smoky warm. He swallowed and looked over his shoulder. Their guard was there, far enough back they could speak privately but keeping an eye out for them. Shay highly doubted any danger could come to this ranch, but she'd felt safe with her FBI buddies too.

"I actually have noticed that," Paul admitted, glancing askance at her before focusing on the trail.

She waited. Would there be more? A proclamation of interest? He'd pull her off into the trees and kiss her and their buddy would give them some space?

Nothing. Paul picked up the pace.

She realized they were heading back toward the cabins strewn throughout the trees. Maybe something would happen when they were alone. They finished their walk, thanked Hunter, and Paul used the code to open the door and disarm the alarms. He shut the door behind her, re-deadbolted it, and re-armed the system. The sun was down, but it was probably only eight-thirty. What would they do with the rest of the evening?

"Thirsty?" Paul asked.

"Sure."

They walked into the kitchen and each got a glass of ice water and drank it. The silence was starting to get to her.

She set her cup on the counter and scrambled for a way to get him to admit he was interested. The way he looked at her showed he was. Or so she thought. Maybe he gave everybody the full force of those enticing deep-brown eyes.

Paul smiled at her. "Are you okay if we turn in early? I didn't sleep much last night."

"That's my fault, no cap. Forgive me?"

His gaze swept over her, focused as if she were his world. "Always."

Shay had trouble catching her breath. A few beats passed. He drank another sip of water. The moment was definitely gone.

"You are sleeping in a bed tonight," she insisted.

"Do you feel safe?"

"Yes. I'll be fine."

"Okay." He grimaced and put a hand on his back. "Then I won't ache and creak like an old man."

She laughed at that. "There is nothing old about you."

"Really?" He set his cup down and turned toward her. He rested his hand on the counter next to her hip. "Even though I'm seven years older than you?"

"That's not much of a difference when we're both full grown adults." She got brave and rested her hand on his arm. His gaze dropped to her hand and then flew back up to her eyes. The room grew warmer, time slowed, and each soft inhale and exhale was significant. Did he lean closer or had she arched up?

"I guess you're right."

He held her gaze, but he didn't move or say anything else. Shay moistened her lips, and his gaze intensified. She ran her hand up his arm, over the smooth bump of muscle on his bicep, across his broad shoulder, and around the back of his neck. His breathing quickened. She threaded her fingers into his hair, tickling his scalp.

"Shay," he whispered huskily, and he definitely moved closer, his chest brushing her shoulder. He framed her hip and waist with one large palm.

Shay's heart raced out of control. This was it. Their moment. He would kiss her and then admit he didn't think of her as a little sister—not even close.

He didn't move, and she didn't feel it was out of line to gently encourage him.

"Paul …"

"Yes?" His gaze was a deep smolder, hot fudge and deliciousness.

She wanted to ask him to kiss her, but she choked. "What did you think glaze meant?"

His eyes widened and he straightened away from her. "Something like you said, bragging someone up, putting ‘glaze' on them."

"Oh." Disappointment surged through her.

Paul stepped back and gestured for her to walk up the stairs in front of him. The disappointment pulsed and prickled at her. Him stepping away was sharp and painful. She should've just asked him to kiss her.

Sadly, she feared the result would be even worse. He might explain exactly why he wasn't interested in her. Autumn? His career? Her brother? Her career? Her age? She wasn't certain what stood between them but feared her teenage crush would never morph into a relationship like she longed for.