Page 57 of Wild Mustang Security Firm

“Do you even hear yourself?” she hissed. “I don’t give a rat’s ass if I’m in federal custody. I’m still a citizen, and my taxes pay your salary.”

He laughed and pulled her to him.

“You’re still the same wildcat you always were, aren’t you? That’s okay. It was always so much more satisfying when I made you purr.”

He leaned down and lightly kissed her. Willa was mortified when her lips parted, seemingly of their own accord. She felt him press his mouth more firmly to hers, and feeling her acquiescence, he initiated a far more commanding and passionate kiss. Worse, she was kissing him with the same intensity. She welcomed the feel of his tongue as it slipped past her teeth, coaxing and dancing with hers.

Groaning, he wrapped his arms around her, and one of his hands dropped to her derriere, pulling her into closer contact. She stood on tiptoe and wound her arms around his neck, rubbing her stiffened nipples against his chest. It had been a while since she’d been with anyone, and Ethan McDaniel wasn’t just anyone.

Reluctantly, she disengaged from the kiss, brought her hands down, and laid them on his chest but didn’t push him away.

“It’s all right, Willa,” he said softly.

“No, it’s not. I don’t throw myself at men, even ones from my past.”

“You didn’t throw yourself. I caught you, and you didn’t run away. That’s the first smart thing you’ve done since you ditched me at the hospital. And for the record, you pull a stunt like that again, and you’ll have trouble riding a horse for a few days.”

This time she did push away from him. “You’re such a jackass.”

He laughed. “Maybe, but I’m a jackass you find attractive.”

“I did once. I don’t now.”

He laughed harder.

“The hell you don’t. First, you return my kiss as if I was the first drink of water you’ve had in a long, long time, then rub against me like an alley cat in heat. But it’s fine. You were standing close enough to know I feel the same way about you.” He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. “Now, why don’t I rustle up some dinner?”

“Why don’t you go to hell? I’m not hungry.”

That would have been a more effective parting shot if her stomach hadn’t grumbled at that moment. She turned and took a good look at the open-concept living space.

“This is nice.”

“You sound surprised. What were you expecting?”

“I don’t know, something dilapidated, kind of seedy, but this actually looks comfortable and kind of chic.”

Mac smiled as he walked past her.

“Most of the time, protected witnesses are good people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their lives are interrupted and sometimes, completely torn apart because they were trying to do the right thing, or like you, some bad guy decided they needed to die, so he could go on being a bad guy.”

“Bad guy?” Willa arched her eyebrow. “Is that a US Marshals’ technical term?”

“Only in limited circles,” he said, grinning. “Let see what they stocked the kitchen with.”

“I could eat, but as I recall, cooking wasn’t your strong suit. You know I’m a terrible snob about food.”

His eyes smiled. “That’s not the only thing I remember.”

“Stop it, Mac. We’re not going there.”

“Sure, we are. I’ll give you some time to think it over, but we aren’t finished, Willa—not by a long shot.”

“What do you want?” she said, the confused feelings he was evoking clearly registering.

“You,” he said simply. Shaking his head as if to clear it, he continued, “John says your business has grown since we split up. In these economic times, that’s impressive. You must be able to give them a unique experience each time.”

“Funny, most people don’t want unique experiences,” she said, grateful for his shift to neutral ground. “They want a unique setting, so I take them through different parts of the canyons or mountains, but they also like the familiar. By offering them the same guide, the same kind of food, and mostly the same horses, they can relax and enjoy each area I show them. For me, it’s fun because I see couples before they’re married, as newlyweds, then as the kids come along.”

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