figure.” Shrugging, his thumb began making circles on her wrist. “My family has a big farm. We grow corn, pinto beans, Great Northern beans, soy beans, and sugar beets. Mom has a thirty acre area where she grows Nebraska native plants. She sells them to nurseries around the country. I’ve helped with all of it since turning five.”
The stunned expression on her face almost made him laugh. “How many acres does your family have?”
“A lot, Kat. Here’s how it’s going to work. I’ll be in charge of overall operations. As the manager, you’ll report to me. Everyone else will report to you.”
Lips parting, her breath slowed. “Manager?”
“Unless you aren’t interested, then—”
“I’m definitely interested.”
“Do you think reporting to me will be a problem?” He lifted her hand, brushing a kiss over her knuckles, feeling her shiver.
“Um…no?”
Chuckling, he tugged her closer. “Are you sure?”
“No. I mean, yes. I’m certain.”
“That’s good, Kat. Fair warning, outside of work, I intend to get to know you a whole lot better.”
“You do?”
His smile was warm. “Absolutely. For now, I’d like to take you to dinner.” Standing, he helped her up. “You ready?”
Staring up at him, she pulled her hand from his, taking a step away. “Wait. I want to get this straight. Your MC is buying a nursery. You’ll lead operations and I’ll be the manager. And, I’ll report to you. If that weren’t enough, you want to get to know me better.”
“A lot better, Kat.” He moved closer, but she held up both hands, warning him off.
“What if I don’t care to know you better, Gunner?”
“Then I’d say you’re lying to yourself.”
Slipping a hand around her waist, he tugged her against him. “Just being honest.”
Lowering his head, he covered her mouth with his. Minutes passed, the kiss deepening, his tongue plunging inside. She met him with each thrust, moaning into his mouth as he crushed her to him.
Their hands roamed over each other’s arms and backs, his resting on her hips, desire pulsing through them. His broad hand reached under her shirt, moving to cup one breast, his thumb sweeping across the taut nipple through her sheer bra.
Lifting his head, he wanted nothing more than to remove her shirt and bra, sucking one peaked nipple into his mouth, then the other. Instead, he smoothed the top down, kissing her again before stepping away.
Confused, glazed eyes met his. “If we don’t stop, I’ll be carrying you to the bedroom.”
Before she could respond, the sound of an engine had Katrina jumping back, her gaze jerking to the front door. “It’s my mother.”
Reaching out, he smoothed her hair before running a hand through his own. He thought they looked pretty good after one of the best make-out sessions he’d had in a long time.
Sitting down on the sofa, he grabbed his beer. Katrina did the same, except this time, she sat in a chair instead of next to him. The front door slowly opened.
“Hey, Mom. Do you need help?” Katrina started to stand when her mother shook her head.
“No, I’m fine.” Closing the door, Teri stopped a few feet inside, her gaze landing on their guest. “Gunner, right?” She saw the cut, saying nothing. Teri had met him a couple times at Robbie’s.
Standing, he smiled. “Hello, Mrs. Snowden. How are you?”
“Doing real good.” She flashed a grin at Katrina. “I got the job.”
“Oh, my gosh. That’s great, Mom.” She jumped up, wrapping her arms around her mother.
“I wasn’t too sure after the first five minutes. He kept asking questions about my experience, and acting as if my answers weren’t close to acceptable. Just when I thought he’d thank me and show me the door, he offered the job.” Teri’s eyes danced, illustrating the depth of her excitement.
“Kat and I were about to head out for dinner. Join us and we’ll celebrate.”
“Oh, I don’t want to interfere. I’ll fix something here.”
“Gunner’s right, Mom. Come with us.”
“Seems you’re outvoted, Mrs. Snowden.”
“Tell you what. I’ll go if you start calling me Teri. Mrs. Snowden makes me feel old, and tonight, I definitely don’t feel old.”
Throwing back his head, Gunner laughed. “It’s a deal. Are you two ladies ready? My truck’s right across the street.” Holding the door, he stepped around them toward his truck.
Looking up and down the street, he didn’t see the man he’d thought stalked Katrina and her family. Still, the hairs on the back of his neck prickled in warning.
Opening the passenger door, he helped them inside, Katrina positioned next to him. Running around the truck, he climbed