Wanted: Fairy Godmother by Laurie LeClair Page A

ranch records on his computer. It will make your life simpler and it’s a great way for him to learn about the running of the place, don’t you think?”
    Suddenly, the water stopped. Thick, blanket-like silence hung in the air. Did I hit a sore spot with him? she wondered, remembering how quiet and sullen he’d been when Stan mentioned the computer.
    “Psst!”
    Callie shifted quickly, facing the bedroom door. Stan, Marvin, and Lance stuck just their heads in the room. She stomped down on a bubble of laughter when she spied the three of them. Talking heads.
    Lance crawled over to her. “Gotta smell pretty for Jake.” He held out her perfume bottle, squirting liberally.
    “Cut that out.” She slapped his hand away. She heard Jake move around in the bathroom, the squeaky faucet being turned on, and then shut off.
    “Callie?” Jake asked. His muffled voice held a hint of puzzlement.
    “It was nothing,” she called out, nearly choking on the powerful blast of fragrance suspended in a thick cloud all around her. Then, in a hushed tone, she said to Lance, “Scoot! And take your interfering brothers with you.”
    “No way. We want to see what’s going on. We can help.” The happy, expectant look on his boyish face caused her heart to sink. She had a feeling they wouldn’t stop meddling until she and Jake were an item.
    Stan and Marvin tiptoed across the bedroom, and then squatted down beside Lance.
    Callie groaned inwardly. “Out!” she mouthed, pointing to the exit.
    The guys slowly shook their heads in unison.
    “Callie, what’s going on out there?” Jake’s voice grew closer.
    Marvin whipped out a comb and began to run it through Callie’s tangled hair.
    “Stop that,” she hissed.
    “Gotta make you pretty for Jake,” Stan said, pulling out a tube of lipstick from his top pocket. He uncapped it, and then brought the bright red stick close to her mouth.
    She panicked. Shoving the guys aside, she crawled into the bathroom, and then slammed the door shut.
    Their chuckles were muffled and then she heard their footsteps recede. They’d gone.
    Resting against the solid wood, Callie glanced upward. She stilled. Jake stood two feet in front of her, with a towel wrapped low over his hips. White foamy shaving cream covered the lower half of his face and he held the razor in his right hand. He grabbed a hand towel and swiped away most of the foam as he turned fully to face her.
    “You shouldn’t be in here,” he warned.
    Her heart hammered in her chest. Her breathing became ragged and perspiration dotted her forehead. Nervously, she darted out her tongue and licked her lower lip.
    He moaned, low and deep. Hunching down, he locked gazes with her. “Do you do that on purpose?”
    Confused, she asked, “Do what?”
    “Your lip trick.”
    For a moment she had no idea what he referred to; then, out of long habit, she started to lick her bottom lip. Dawning flooded her mind.
    “That,” he whispered hoarsely, inching closer, “turns me on more than I can say.”
    Alarm rang in her belly. “About the boys. Like I said before, Stan would learn so much if he put the records on his computer. And Marvin is great at fixing things. He could tinker with some of the ranch equipment. Lance is a fabulous cook. He could help on the chuck wagon. You’ve got to admit they’ve done a wonderful job at helping you get ready for the rodeo.” Suddenly, just as quickly as she began, Callie stopped babbling.
    “Is that right?” Jake leaned near, so near she could detect the little flecks of gold in his intent, questioning eyes.
    “Jake,” she said in a breathy voice she barely recognized. Tentatively, she reached out. Her fingers brushed the dark springy curls covering his wide, muscular chest. A wave of heat pooled in her.
    He hissed as if he burnt from her touch. “You need to go. Now.” But his actions defied his words. Slanting his lips over hers, he captured them in a searing kiss.
    Lava-like desire trailed a fiery