Anger glinted for an instant. “I wouldn’t call it that, more a mutual parting of the ways.” The smile he summoned looked forced. “But you aren’t Heather, are you? You’re a beautiful woman, and if you’re in the market for a good time, I’m happy to oblige.” He tipped his head toward the man at the back of the room. “Unless you’re more interested in your employer.”

“Kade just gave me a ride into town since I’m new to Coffee Springs.”

The hungry gleam was back. “I promise you, sweetheart, I can give you a far better ride than Kade Logan.”

Ellie smiled at him from beneath her lashes. “I’ll give it some thought.” She watched Rance swagger off to wait on a customer at the other end of the bar, amazed at how easily people gave up information. Then again, time changed everything. After eight years, Sullivan wasn’t worried about being linked to a murder investigation. He just wanted to get laid.

Which Kade seemed to realize as he strode up to the bar, his square jaw in a rigid line.

“I thought you wanted to visit with your friends,” Ellie reminded him.

“I talked to them. They’re fine.” He took her arm and urged her down from the bar stool. The band was playing Willie Nelson.

“I want to talk to Maisie,” she said.

“Later. There’s something I want to show you.” His eyes were dark and hard as he led her down a hall at the back of the bar.

“Where are we going?”

Kade opened the door to a storeroom, dragged her inside, closed the door, and turned the lock. Ellie gasped as he pulled her into his arms and his mouth crushed down over hers. Firm soft lips mixed with iron-hard determination, and heat engulfed her. Dampness slid into her core. She found herself gripping the front of Kade’s western shirt, kissing him back with the same hungry need she sensed in him.

His hands moved down to her breasts, cupping them over her sweater, then sliding underneath, reaching around to pop the hooks on her bra, filling his palms with the fullness. He abraded her nipples, turning them diamond hard, and she moaned.

Kade’s hat fell off as he deepened the kiss, turning it hotter and even more demanding. She felt dizzy and out of control. She was in a storeroom in the back of a bar. Through the fog of lust, it occurred to her that Kade’s former lover was the owner and that he had probably done the same thing in here with her.

Ellie broke away, her breath coming in quick sharp pants. “Did you bring her here? Did you have sex with Maisie in this storeroom?”