Her stomach rumbled when she got a whiff of lunch. She slung her duffel over her shoulder and started down the stairs. She nearly missed the bottom tread when Devin walked in the front door, decked out in full rancher gear: a summer-weight cowboy hat, a long-sleeved white shirt, jeans, boots, spurs and chaps. Chaps. Jesus. The man should always wear fringed leather chaps to showcase his long legs and lean hips. Plus, the cutaway triangle below his belt buckle emphasized what was behind his zipper.
The spurs jingled as he moved toward her.
Somehow she managed to tear her gaze away from his groin and look at his face. “Hey. Uh, wow. I wasn’t expecting you. Or to see you in this. Nice, ah . . .” She gestured to his clothing.
“Fletch dropped me off early. Bran was already saddling up, so I tagged along to help out.”
“Nice of you. Is that your stuff?”
“All but the chaps and spurs. Why?”
“Because you can wear those for me again sometime. Damn, Devin, you look hot all cowboyed up.” Had she really said that out loud? She looked over her shoulder to see if her nosy sister had overheard.
Then Devin’s fingers were on her jaw, turning her face back toward his. “You tryin’ to get me to haul you up them stairs and bang that headboard?”
Yes. “No. I just . . . wasn’t thinking.”
“I don’t like hiding this, either, Liberty. But not for the original reason I wanted it kept under wraps.”
She frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“I didn’t want anyone to know you were my personal security because I wanted to save face about needing a bodyguard, let alone a woman bodyguard.” He tenderly stroked her face. “Now I’m protecting us. As far as anyone knows, we met for the first time last night.”
“Even Fletch?” she asked skeptically. “After I chased you outside and commanded you to get in his truck?”
Devin smiled. “I told him the Mud Lilies probably sent you to run interference. He’s been around enough times that’s happened to me that he doesn’t question it.”
“So why does it matter that everyone thinks we met for the first time last night?”
“Because when this tour is over and we are a couple, we’ll have that story as the unofficial version of how we met and we can keep our real story just for us.”
But wasn’t that still a cop-out? Was he really protecting their privacy? Or just saving face? Why hadn’t he asked her if she intended to stay with him? He just assumed.
A noise echoed from the kitchen, reminding her they weren’t alone. She stepped back. “Did you need to talk to Harper?”
“No. I came inside to clean up before lunch.”
“You can use the guest bath upstairs since I’m done.”
Devin inched closer. “It’s been five f**king days, Liberty. Do you really think I can be in a room that smells like you and not go f**king crazy because I can’t have what’s mine?”
She couldn’t resist poking him when he got all sexy, possessive male on her. “Maybe we should sneak off to the barn. You could bend me over a hay bale—”
His growl was cut off abruptly when Harper said behind them, “Hey, there you guys are. Lunch is ready.”
“Devin was just wondering where he should wash up. It’s okay if he uses the guest bathroom?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks, Harper.”
“No problem. Liberty, I could use your help in the kitchen.”
“I’ll be right there.”
As soon as Harper was out of sight, Devin moved in. His lips brushed her ear. “I could use your help in the bathroom.”
“Doing what?” she said a little breathlessly.
His palm skated up her side and cupped her breast. “Jerking off. It’s your fault I’m hard. The next hand that’ll be around my c**k will be yours.” He scaled the stairs without looking back.
Her sister had gone all-out for lunch. French dip sandwiches, homemade sweet potato chips and a veggie tray with dinosaur trees—aka broccoli—that Tate snapped up like candy. She’d have to remember these little tricks when she had kids.
Since when have you thought kids might be in your future?
Against her better judgment, her gaze sought out Devin.
Get that out of your head, Liberty.
Bran and Devin talked about their morning chores. Tate chimed in and Harper coaxed a sleepy Jake to eat two more bites.
When Jake started to fuss, Bran plucked him out of his booster seat and held him against his chest.
Harper sent her husband and son a soft smile.
“Liberty, would you mind givin’ Devin a ride into Rawlins when you take off?” Bran asked. “Since it’s on your way?”
She took her time chewing the last bite of her sandwich, because her brain conjured up all sorts of naked scenarios that’d happen once she and Devin were alone. “Sure.”
“Aw. You’re leavin’ already?” Tate said with a pout.
“I’ll be back.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” Liberty looked at Harper. “The road runs both ways. You guys could take a weekend and come see me in Denver. I hope to have a bigger place soon.”
“How much time you got left with the j-e-r-k that demanded you change how you look and dress for this assignment?”
Shit. “Three weeks or so.”
“As happy as I was to help you find your style, I’d like to throttle the guy. Who says something like that? Especially to your face? Like you’re some kind of robot who doesn’t have any feelings? Entitled j-e-r-k-s, that’s who.”