Right Here Waiting by Tarra Young

legs, and a halter top. She
felt vulnerable as she watched him approach. What did he want? Would he be rude
to her guest?
    She wanted to run, but there was no place to go. She was
trapped. She felt like a deer in the headlights of an approaching vehicle. Even
if she went inside and closed the door, locking it behind her, she knew it
wouldn’t stop him from getting inside. She found it ironic Blade always got
what he wanted, including in her bed with her. She cringed at the thought.
    “We need to talk,” he said when he was within a few feet
from where she stood.
    “Is there a problem?” she asked innocently. She could
tell he was upset about something by the spark in his eyes.
    “I know you noticed your friend arrived. Why didn’t you
tell anyone he was coming?” He looked put off and for a moment she felt guilty,
but she decided not to let him get to her.
    “I didn’t know I needed your permission.” She looked at
her fingernails, giving him and anyone passing by the impression she was bored.
    “That isn't what I meant,” he said, sounding frustrated.
She could tell he was having a hard time keeping his temper under control.
    “What did you mean?” she asked, smiling up at him.
    “Where do you plan for him to sleep? All the cabins are
booked solid for months. There are no motels for miles around. I think it’s too
much to ask any of our neighbors to take him in for a year.” Had she pushed
things too far? No. This was her ranch. She just needed to take care of some
technicalities to make it official.
    “I thought he could stay in my cabin. After all, Josh and
I will be working together.” She couldn't deny the look of jealousy that
crossed his face.
    “And where in your cabin is he going to sleep?” She could
see a flicker of anger in his steel gray eyes. She thought about yanking his
chain and playing around with him a bit, but she thought better of it. She
could tell he wasn't in the mood for it.
    "It’s not any of your business, but I’m planning to
let him sleep on the sofa. Do you have a problem with that?” she challenged
him.
    “As a matter of fact, I do.” Before she could respond, he
swept past her and entered the cabin, leaving her standing there in shock.
    * * *
    H e didn’t fully understand why, but he
always felt possessiveness when it came to Megan. Ever since the night he made
love to her and slept in her bed, his feelings for her grew. He wasn’t sure of
the type of relationship Megan and Josh shared, but he’d be damned if he’d let
this Josh fellow sweep in here and take her from him now. He waited too many
years for her return to lose her to another man.
    Of course they fought that morning after making love the
night before, but he'd been so sure she would come around. It pained him when
he realized she started avoiding him like the plague. There were times since
that night when he wanted nothing more than to be close to her, but he knew she
wouldn’t welcome it. It seemed as though she were going out of her way to avoid
any contact with him.
    When he saw her standing in the doorway of the cabin only
minutes before, dressed in those damn cut off shorts displaying her legs so
well, it drove him crazy with want. He wanted to run his hands up and down
those legs, and over the halter top showing off her midriff and outlining the
soft mounds of her breasts. He fought the strongest desire to lift her into his
arms, carry her inside the cabin, and make love to her forever.
    There was that word again. The word forever seemed to
creep into his mind whenever he thought about her. When he thought about being
with her forever, it didn’t seem long enough. Hell, an eternity wouldn’t be long
enough. He knew she didn’t realize it now, but she belonged here with him. If
it took the rest of his life, he’d spend it convincing her of this. There was
no way he was going to allow her to return to New York at the end of the year.
This was her home. It always would be. He couldn't stand by