“Keller was dishonorably discharged four years ago for failing a drug test. According to Conn, because of the danger involved in handling a bomb, EOD is especially concerned with that.”

“Drugs. Not smart in his line of work.”

“That’s for sure. Last known address was an apartment in Denver. Moved out the end of summer.”

“Before he came here.”

“No record of where he is now.”

Kade grunted. “Somewhere close enough to kill two steers, blow up a mine shaft, and shoot my dog. I’ll call Carver and let him know.” He’d phoned the sheriff the morning after they’d found Smoke, but with the severity of the storm, Carver was up to his ass in alligators. Kade understood that. Now he had the name of a likely suspect. With any luck, Carver would find and arrest him.

“I’m heading into town in the morning,” Ellie said. “I know you have plenty of work to do here.”

He couldn’t argue. “That’s an understatement. I haven’t really had a chance to thank you for what you did out there.” He rounded the desk and walked toward her. He closed his hand into a fist to keep from reaching out to touch her.

Ellie looked up at him. “I’m glad I could help.”

“I promised to take you dancing at the Elkhorn,” he reminded her.

Ellie smiled. “The storm had other ideas.”

He wanted to say more, tell her how impressed he had been with the way she’d handled herself, how grateful he was for what she had done. He looked into her pretty face, but instead of speaking, his hands encircled her waist, and he pulled her against him. In less than a heartbeat, his prized control faded, and his mouth came down over hers.

Ellie stiffened for an instant, then her lips softened under his. Her palms slid over his chest, and she kissed him back, opening to invite him in. She tasted sweet as honey and a little bit naughty, and the desire he’d been fighting broke free.

Kade deepened the kiss, turned it wet and hot and erotic. Cupping her round behind, he lifted her into the vee at the front of his jeans and let her feel his arousal. Ellie moaned, and her nipples budded. He was hard and throbbing as he slid his hands beneath her sweater and unhooked her bra, then filled his palms with her soft, full breasts.

He wanted to put his mouth there, feel her smooth skin against his tongue. He wanted to strip her naked, drag her down on the rug, and bury himself inside her.