Taming a Texas Devil - Katie Lane Page 0,35

Simple had shoulders that broad.

She stepped back into the shadow of a mesquite tree and watched as Lincoln ducked under again. A few seconds later, he popped back up and started swimming, his powerful arms propelling him through the glistening water. She didn’t count how many times he swam from one end to the other, but it was a lot. When he was finished, he did a breaststroke to the shore. She held her breath as his feet hit the bottom and he started to walk out, revealing inch after inch of hard pecs and defined abs and dark pubic hair and . . .

Before she could see the best part, Lincoln hesitated.

“Who’s there?” His dark gaze scanned the area and finally zeroed in right where she was standing. For a second, she thought about making a run for it. But her mama had taught her that running from a man was like running from a dog. They could easily chase you down and catch you. It was better to face them head on and bring them to heel.

She stepped out from the shadows. “How’s the water?”

His face looked like he’d just taken a big bite of a sour lemon. She wished she felt the same. But all she wanted to do at the moment was strip off all her clothes and join him in that cool water, and then lick off every one of those glistening droplets that trickled down his hard body to where the water lapped against his sculpted hipbones.

He must’ve read her thoughts because he took a few steps back until he was covered to the waist. And he was still a sight for sore eyes. Or maybe horny eyes. Because she was sure feeling horny.

“What are you doing here, Deputy Meriwether?” he asked.

She moved closer and tried to see what lay just beneath the surface of the water. “I’m lookin’ for a dog.”

“A dog?”

“Yep.” She lifted her gaze. “Boomer Lancaster to be exact. The hound dog ran off during a party at Devlin’s house. I found him walking on the road about a half-mile away. When I tried to get him in my squad car, he ran toward these trees.”

Lincoln studied her as if trying to figure out if she’d made the entire story up. Which was annoying, but not as annoying as his next words. “Fine. I’ll find the dog. You can go back to the office and do your nails.”

She gritted her teeth and forced a smile. It was getting harder and harder to smile around the man. “That’s okay. I wouldn’t want to take you away from your important ranger business.” She opened her hand with the cat treats and started searching for the dog. “Boomer! Here, Boomer! I have treats for you.” A rustling sound came from her left and she turned in that direction and moved through the underbrush.

“Stop, Deputy Meriwether,” Lincoln ordered.

But she’d had about enough of his orders, so she ignored him. She pushed back some mesquite branches and moved closer to the sound. But it wasn’t Boomer. It was a cute little gopher frozen in place and staring at something. The same something that was making the rustling sound.

Or not rustling as much as rattling.

Dixie froze and slowly turned to see a coiled rattlesnake not more than a few feet away. Before she could remember how far a rattlesnake could strike, it struck. Not at the gopher, but at her. Its mouth opened wide, its fangs sharp and deadly. But before it could sink those fangs into her, its head was blown off. When her ears stopped ringing from the gunshot, she heard Lincoln cussing.

“Dammit to hell! When I give you an order, Deputy Meriwether, I expect you to follow it. Do you understand me?”

She wanted to answer, but as she stared at the decapitated rattlesnake lying on the ground, her throat clogged up with fear and she started to shake. Not a little tremor, but a full out quake that she couldn’t seem to control. Behind her, she heard Lincoln sigh. A second later, she was turned and pulled into his arms.

“Take some deep breaths.” He rubbed her back. “There’s no need to be scared. You’re safe now.”

“But I c-c-could’ve died.”

“That’s doubtful. If treated, western rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal.”

That piece of information made her feel a little better. Or maybe what was making her feel better was being in Lincoln’s arms. His skin should be chilled from the cold water, but it wasn’t. It was