The strength wrapped in such gentleness nearly undid her. She had to keep her wits about her, but it was way too late for that. She let him kiss her, sinking into the moment. So warm and firm and sensual. The man could write a book about kissing alone.

What else was he good at?

She blinked her eyelids open, and he lifted his head, his mouth curving into a smile.

“What?” he asked. “No more challenges?”

She couldn’t find any words. Her body thrummed with need, and her mind had gone fuzzy. A good part of her wanted to take him down to the hay-filled floor and have her way with him. The other part knew she should run for the house and her safe and solitary bed.

“Yeah,” he murmured, letting her slide against his angled body until her feet found purchase on the floor. “I’m not going to say no for your own good, Brigid. You come to me, offering what you almost offered, and I’m going to take it.” His hand in her hair slowly untangled. “If you’re lookin’ for a voice of reason, you’re lookin’ in the wrong place.”

She swallowed, her body pulsating with need. At least she knew he wouldn’t reject her. Humor tried to filter through her desire, but all of it mingled into an ache that was almost too much. Could she even walk back to the house? Her face warmed.

He released her and took a step back. “Go back inside.”

Cool air washed over her, and she had to fight her instincts to step right back into his heat. “What are you going to do?”

A rueful smile curved his talented lips. “Probably go jump in the creek over there. For a while.”

She returned the smile and backed out of the barn, all but running for the house when every impulse she owned wanted her to turn back around and take what he’d just offered.

* * *

After a sleepless night, and a day spent with a skittish Brigid showing him the ranch, Raider was about ready to lose his mind. Sean had been absent most of the day, working the farm, and Raider didn’t have time for this crap.

So after dinner, when Sean offered to show him the barn that Raider had already spent too much time in the night before, he jumped up and followed. It was time to lay his cards on the table and see if Sean wanted to play the hand. He had to make this good. Sean led the way outside, not speaking.

The moon rose high and bright and round, looking closer than it did in the city. Almost as if the glowing orb hovered specifically over the rows and rows of hay.

Sean hauled open the heavy door and stepped inside, flicking on a light as he did so.