She hugged her father back, torn between fighting off tears and laughing.
Jim grinned at her and then waved to the distant figure who appeared at the top of the plane’s steps.
Wes Thorne, in a black suit, looking every inch as intimidating as ever, waved back at Jim. Callie glanced away, her entire body heating up with embarrassment. She knew her face had to be beet red. The last time she’d seen him, he’d been ruthlessly kissing her in the tack room of the barn. It was not an experience she could ever forget. In fact, it was branded in her mind, like a flaming beacon, both alluring and frightening. She hadn’t been able to make it one day without thinking about that kiss and how it had changed her. It had changed her; she couldn’t argue that. She hadn’t been able to get him out of her mind. The way his lips felt against hers, the heat of his body, and the secret longing to know more of what could be between them. And at the same time, she hated herself for that curiosity and desire.
“Come on, Callie.” Her father’s rumbling baritone made her jolt as she realized he was already disappearing into the plane, no doubt to get a good look at what was inside.
Wes strode down the steps, meeting her at the bottom. She nearly stumbled back because he towered over her, making her feel instantly vulnerable.
“Hello, Callie.” Her name was exotic and beautiful when he said it, and he made it sound like saying her name tasted good on his tongue. When she thought of his name it escaped her lips in a breathless sigh so easily.
With a little shake she forced herself to regain control. “Mr. Thorne, nice to see you again. You really didn’t need to fly me to New York like this. I could have flown commercial just fine.”
Wes’s cobalt eyes narrowed. “Callie, everything I do has a distinct purpose.” His tone was almost cold, and she swore she could feel its icy burn. For some reason that infuriated her.
“Everything you do has a distinct purpose? Is that what you call kissing me in the barn? What purpose did that serve? Was it all part of your plan to seduce me?” She dropped her bag at her feet and jabbed him in the chest with one finger. Rather than retreat from her, he leaned in even more.
“It did indeed have a purpose, and when you’re ready, I shall tell you,” he explained in a silky tone that seemed more dangerous than sensual.
“You can’t use me, Mr. Thorne. I’m not that kind of girl,” she warned him, not really sure how she’d be able to prevent him from doing anything to her. If he dared to touch her again, she might lose her senses.
“Someday you will beg me to use you, Callie, and when that day comes, I will concede to your wishes and satisfy us both.” He brushed the back of his knuckles over her cheek and she shivered, not backing down. He wouldn’t dare do anything like kiss her again, not while her father was close by.
“That will never happen,” she reminded him.
A flash of something dark and wild shadowed his eyes for the briefest instant before he masked his reaction with cool indifference.
“We’ll see. I do have thirty days to change your mind, after all.”
She bit her bottom lip and bent to grab her bag.
“Don’t be silly,” Wes murmured and beat her to it. He wrapped his long elegant fingers around the straps of her duffel and hoisted it up. Then he turned his back on her and marched up the plane stairs, where he handed the bag to one of the attendants. Wes turned and held out a hand to her as she ascended the steps.
She reacted without thinking and placed her hand in his. As his fingers closed around hers, she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d accepted a devil’s bargain. The gleam of approval in his eyes warmed her to the tips of her toes.
“Pick any seat you like.”
She had to squeeze past him to get into the cabin. He always did that, got into her space and made her aware of his physical dominance and strength, and how small and delicate she felt in comparison to him.
Her father was at the back of the plane stroking one of the leather seats and shaking his head with a smile.
“This is quite a plane, Wes,” Jim announced with obvious approval.
“Thank you, Mr. Taylor. I agree. Make yourself comfortable, Callie. We have drinks and food at your request. Just ask Lindsay, the attendant.” He nodded at the middle-aged blonde-haired woman who was seeing to their luggage.
“Do you mind if I have a word with you, Wes?” Jim moved to stand in the doorway of the plane and with a subtle jerk of his head indicated Wes to come outside with him. Wes glanced at Callie before following her father down the steps and out of view.
Uh-oh, I hope Dad doesn’t threaten to shoot him. Callie smirked. Maybe putting some buckshot in Wes’s ass was what the man needed.
* * *
Wes followed Jim down the steps of the small ladder leading to the tarmac. When they both were standing away from the open plane door Jim shoved his hands into his pockets and studied Wes.
“My baby girl is hurting,” Jim noted.
“Yes,” Wes agreed. The image of her standing in her bedroom, her face contorted with pain, her body trembling as she unraveled before him…It was a punch to his gut. The anger at thinking of her loving Fenn, a man who didn’t want her, had vanished in an instant and the need to hold her, comfort her, had overridden his other thoughts. She brought out the strangest urges in him, and it was damn uncomfortable, but if he had to put up with feeling unbalanced just to have Callie in his arms, in his bed, he’d take it.
“I like you, Wes.” Jim’s compliment sounded more like a warning. He took a step closer to Wes.
“The feeling is mutual,” he replied, uncertain how to respond. The old rancher had won him over, which was not an easy thing to do.
“Good. Now, since we like each other so much, it would be a good idea not to do anything to jeopardize our budding friendship, right?” The rancher’s eyes were twinkling with mischief.
The question sounded rhetorical and Wes didn’t answer.
“I know you want her, boy. And I’ll say this. She’s a grown woman, free to live her life, and I want her to do that.” Jim rolled back on his heels, in a casual manner, hands still tucked into his pockets.
“That’s why I’m taking her to Paris. It’s the best place for her to live, to try a life of adventure and discover who she really is.” He hadn’t meant to let that last part slip out, but it did. Maybe Jim wouldn’t think him a romantic, because he certainly wasn’t, but he knew this was what Callie needed more than anything else.
Jim’s eyes narrowed but only slightly. “Paris is the city of love.”
“And art. Callie is talented. Gifted. I want her to see what she could become if she applies herself and gets the best instruction.” He had the strange need to justify why he wanted to take Callie to France. It wasn’t all about seduction. He wasn’t a villain intent on ravishing an innocent maiden. Well, he did want to ravish her, but he wanted her to see where her talent could lead if she was willing to explore her passion for it.
“Fine. Sounds like a trip she’d enjoy. My baby girl’s never left the state of Colorado before now and she needs to see the world.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small leather box and handed it to Wes.
“What’s this?” Wes asked. He opened the box to find a small seashell bracelet and a folded piece of paper.
“I meant to give it to Callie on her twenty-first birthday but now’s a better time than any. I knew she’d be upset about Fenn. This bracelet was her mother’s. I made it for her from shells we picked up on Venice Beach, where we went for our honeymoon. It was the only trip we could afford when we got married. It’s Callie’s. Give it to her when you feel the time is right.”
“Thank you.” Wes tucked the leather box into his pocket.
Jim suddenly smiled. “Oh, just one more thing.” He leaned in, a menacing feral gleam in his eyes. “It doesn’t matter where you are, if my baby gets hurt and it’s your fault, a Winchester rifle works just as well in France as it does in Colorado and I have an up-to-date passport.”