Rebecca Zanetti: Against the Wall

Preston sighed. “Our science is just as good as theirs, and the lake will be fine. But you still have to get the conditional-use permit with the county, and the tribe may have the influence to sway them.”

Her skin prickled. “Yeah, I know. That hearing isn’t until a week from next Monday, so I thought I’d see what headway I could make with the tribal elders tomorrow.” She leaned against the pillows and forced her muscles to relax.

She loved to design land, but the legal issues involved in land-use planning caused a drumming in her temples. An ache between her eyes. A rolling in her stomach that forced her to take deep, measured breaths. “I don’t understand why we need a permit from the county, since this is privately owned land.”

“Well, the land is zoned rural, meaning you can put a house on every five acres. One of the possible uses is a golf course, but you have to get a conditional-use permit to build it as well as the houses surrounding it.” Preston took another deep swallow. “You need a public hearing in front of the county commissioners before they can make their decision. Sometimes those hearings get a bit, well, energetic.”

“Great.” Sophie sighed. “I meet with the Maverick Chamber of Commerce early next week as well as with a citizens’ group concerned with development. Maybe having their support will help at the hearing.”

“Sounds like a good plan. I’ll let you get some rest before your big day tomorrow.” What sounded like ice clinking in a glass chattered across the line. “But give some thought to my idea about our, er, personal merger. I think we’d be a good match.”

Sophie started to reply when a loud beep came across the line.

“Oops, that’s my second line. I’ll talk to you later, Sophia.” The line went dead.

Sophie powered down her phone and switched off the light, then stared at the muted ceiling. Moonlight glinted off the brass rail from the open window and lent a coziness to the room. She wondered who would be calling Preston so late in the night. And she wondered if she wanted to be merely a good match. She doubted it. She wanted passion and desire and comfort. All feelings, no planning.

Her mother would be disgusted.

Sophie’s thoughts flew again to the mad dash through the forest in the hard arms of a modern warrior. She had felt safe and protected in those arms, even before she knew who he was or why he’d grabbed her. Even before she knew that she was, in fact, safe. His eyes had shown interest—and promise. A fluttering winged around her abdomen that had nothing to do with her fear of horses and everything to do with the man who controlled wild beasts. Would she see Jake again?

Surprise filled her at how badly she wanted that to happen.

Jake put the truck in park, slipped the manila files into his briefcase, and tried to focus on tomorrow’s hearing. It was a big one, and if he won the motion for his client, the other side would settle. As a lawyer, he liked a good trial, but it was always better for a client to settle before all the stress started. Unlike him—he thrived on stress and challenge.

As a working single-dad to a six-year-old, it was a good thing he liked a challenge.

But as he stepped onto the gravel drive, his mind kept flashing to the pretty blonde who’d so bravely tried to steer his horse the previous day. Guts and beauty in such a small package was a temptation he’d never resist.

He glanced down at his watch. Damn it. He was late.

Why had he agreed to meet at the tribe’s main lodge instead of in his office? He grimaced. He hadn’t wanted Sophie to be uncomfortable, and the lodge was a thing of beauty. Next he was going to agree to her terms.

Which he couldn’t do.

So he marched into the lodge and headed toward the main conference room, sliding inside the door.

The woman sat at the far end of the table, looking spring-fresh in a flimsy blouse and pencil skirt.

God. He loved a woman in a pencil skirt. She looked like every hot-librarian he’d ever dreamed about. “Miss Smith,” he said smoothly.

Her eyes opened wide, her gaze sweeping from his boots to his face. “What the hell?”

Amusement filled him, and he fought the insane urge to tug her from the chair for a kiss. “Not who you were expecting?”

Her eyes narrowed. “No. I was expecting a lawyer.”

“I’m the tribe’s lawyer.” He couldn’t help reaching for her hand to shake. His palm enclosed hers, and he made sure not to squeeze the delicate bones.

“You’re kidding me.” She tugged her hand free, a pink flush wandering across her high cheekbones.

“Afraid not.” He slid into the nearest chair, inhaling her fresh scent of strawberries. “I’ve read over your proposal, and while I think the golf course is magnificent, it doesn’t belong on the site you’ve chosen.” Much better to get the business out of the way before he asked her out.

Sophie smiled then, and he felt his first sense of unease. Maybe this wouldn’t be as easy as he thought.

Sophie wondered if she’d be arrested if she cold-cocked Jake Lodge across his arrogant face. “Mr. Lodge—”

“Jake,” he reminded her. Again.

Sophie growled low in her throat. “ Jake , you are not being reasonable.”

“Yes, I am.” Strong arms crossed over a hard chest as he sat back in the dark leather chair.

“Are not,” Sophie spouted before she could stop herself. A raised eyebrow and glint of amusement met her frustration head-on. She took a deep breath. “You. Do. Not. Own. The. Land.”

“I. Know. That.” The amusement turned to a full-out grin. “I hate clichés.”

“Excuse me?”

“Clichés. They’re boring.” He placed two broad hands on the oak table between them and leaned forward, into her space. “But you are absolutely stunning when angry.”

Her heart gave a nasty thud . Sophie shook her head. Even indoors the man was as primitive and dangerous looking as he’d been controlling a powerful stallion. His presence overwhelmed the small conference room with its tan leather chairs and burnished wooden table. Light filtered softly through several open windows, and the breeze carried the scent of wildflowers through the small room.

The scent of man tempted her much more than the flowers.

A long-sleeved black T-shirt emphasized strength and muscle, while faded jeans hung low on tight hips over his long legs. Black cowboy boots crossed negligently at the ankle, and he’d tied his dark hair back at the nape, throwing the sharp angles of his face into stark relief. Black eyes reflected humor and determination in equal parts as he held firm. The panoramic window behind him framed rugged mountains and a placid lake in gentle stillness.

The wildness outside only enhanced his.

His watchful intelligence made the floor beneath her pumps shift like quicksand. She smoothed curls back from her face and blinked to keep from glaring. “I thought I was meeting with a tribal elder today.”

“You will. But the chief wanted me to explain our legal position to you first.”

“You don’t look like a lawyer.” She said what she’d been thinking for the last hour.

“Good.” Jake grinned an even row of white teeth. “I’d rather you didn’t see me as a lawyer.”

“What do you want me to see you as?” Good God, she was flirting with the man.

The grin narrowed, and his dark gaze roamed across her rapidly warming face. “Hopefully someone you’d like to get to know better while you’re in town, City Girl.” His eyes hardened to deep coal.

“What?” She would’ve taken a step back had she been standing. As it was, her body tensed as she focused on the large man seated across the table from her.

The oak door behind Jake swung open, which prevented him from responding. An elderly man with long, shockingly white hair strolled into the room and crossed over to Sophie.