Rangers: Silver-Star Seductions: A Two-Book Box Set by Ciana Stone Read Free Book Online

land. Besides I have my animals and loaded shotgun that I know how to use.”
    “Not good enough, Willa. Now don’t give me that look. I’m more than willing to do what it takes to prove to you that I lo—that I care, but you’ve got to give a little too. I can’t be worrying about you night and day. You need to go stay in town or at least ask Ronnie and Polly to move in here for the time being.”
    “No. I can’t do that, Zeb. I can’t. If Ellis is a threat then I can’t level that at Ronnie and Polly. They’re my family. And I can’t let him bully me. I can’t. I just can’t.”
    Zeb stared at her for a long moment then nodded. “Fine, then I’m staying with you.”
    “Ooooh, that’s a real bad idea.”
    “Why?”
    “You know why.”
    “Well too bad. Look. I get that you’re stubborn and won’t be bullied and I can respect that but I’ll be damned if I’ll leave you unprotected.”
    “Zeb--”
    “At least until I can arrange for protection.” He gave in a bit.
    She was quiet for a few moments. “Okay, but just temporary. And you sleep in Ethan’s room.”
    “Seriously?”
    “Seriously.”
    “Damn you’re a hard woman, Willa Hale.”
    “Just one covering her own ass.”
    “Pun intended?” he asked with a smile.
    Willa chuckled and leaned over to give him a short, soft kiss. “You’re a bad man, Zeb Childress.”
    “Oh honey, you don’t know the half of it.”
    Willa grinned and stood. “I just bet I don’t. I’ll go get the bed made up for you.”
    Zeb watched her leave the room then flopped back on the couch, suddenly tired. It’d been a very long time since he’d let himself open up to anyone and let those old feelings of childhood return. It had him pretty worn out.
    And also, oddly comforted. For the first time since he was fifteen he thought maybe his mother was wrong. Maybe he did have a shot at love.
    He sure hoped so.

Chapter Five
     
     
    Zeb had just thrown back the shower curtain and was reaching for a towel when the bathroom door opened. Willa stopped dead in her tracks. “Oh!  I’m—uh…”
    “Sorry?” He didn’t miss the catch in her voice or the way her eyes moved down his body. He plucked the towel from where he’d draped it across the top of the toilet but kept his eyes on her as he wrapped it around his waist. He was a little surprised she hadn’t turned and fled.
    Quite the opposite. “Hardly.” She leaned against the door jam, her arms crossed lightly in front of her. “I’ve been wondering about this most of my life.”
    “And?” He stepped out of the tub.
    “Kinda like the kiss thing. It might take more than just one look.”
    “You propositioning me, darlin’?” He moved across the small bathroom to her.
    She smiled at him, straightened and reached out to hook the fingers of her right hand in the towel. “Do you want me to?”
    “More than you can imagine.”
    Her eyes widened a bit and for a moment he was sure she was going to flee. When a sassy smile appeared on her face, he was surprised. It was more of a surprise when she snatched the towel off and let it fall to the floor.
    Willa could no more stop her eyes from tracking down his body than she could stop the sun from rising. God in heaven he was a beautiful man. Everything she’d dreamed he would be and more, she realized at the swell of his erection.
    She made the return trip with her eyes just as slowly and finally made contact with his eyes. “Something you been wondering about for a while?” he asked.
    “Yep.”
    “So does the reality live up to the fantasy?”
    She could have lied. Could have turned and walked away and avoided answering. But it wasn’t in her nature to lie. “You are so beautiful. More than I dreamed.”
    “Then why are you standing there with all those clothes on?”
    Because if I touch you I’ll be lost and you’ll leave me and it will kill me . She didn’t have the courage for that much honesty. “I have work to do.”
    “Chicken.”
    Even as