Zane’s hand found the back of Callie’s neck, and he cupped her nape in his big palm, the connection so sweet that it took her a second to remember that it wasn’t real. She stood suddenly while Nate continued to interrogate the director.
“You better have a permit for every gun you keep in this place.”
Bill’s gaze went positively arctic. It was at times like this that Callie remembered the sixty-year-old used to run a monumentally successful business. He’d retired at forty and spent his time running his true love, this peaceful community.
“Sheriff, I believe you will find there is no permit required to purchase either shotguns or handguns in the state of Colorado. And none of us needs a permit to carry concealed. We don’t conceal anything here, Sheriff.”
Callie stepped forward. Her heart ached a little. She hadn’t meant to bring down Nate’s condemnation on a place she loved so much. Tears pricked her eyes. How could he not see how much of her was here, in this place, in Bliss? He could take her out of Bliss, but she would always be the same girl. She could never be what he needed. “I’m sorry, Bill. I think I made a mistake. We’ll find somewhere more suitable.”
Bill opened his mouth, but Nate stood up, hat in his hand. “No, Callie, we won’t.” He was quiet for a moment. “I apologize, Mr. Hartman. I know the gun laws. I’m a bit on edge, and it has me growling at everyone. You upped your security when I took over as sheriff.”
Callie turned to Nate. “It had nothing to do with you, I’m sure.”
Zane’s eyes looked back and forth between the director and Nate. “You’re wrong, babe. Nate made an ass of himself at some point in time. Your friend here was worried he wouldn’t give a crap about the hippie nudists if something went wrong. I bet he didn’t have trouble with the former sheriff.”
Bill’s shoulder came up negligently. “I have always found Rye Harper to be a tolerant man. He and Mr. Talbot helped install our security. And, Callie, you and your friends are welcome. I begrudge no one. Please stay. I promise that the sheriff and I will find a way to get along.”
“Damn straight,” Nate said under his breath. “Let me make it easier. I apologize if I made you think I wouldn’t help you. This community is a part of Bliss. I might be a right bastard, but I do my job. If something happens here, I’ll be right beside you, Mr. Hartman. Not just because it’s my job, but because you’re obviously important to Callie. I love Callie. I’ll try to be less judgmental.” He stood beside her, his hand on the small of her back.
A little smile crossed Bill’s face. “As I said, you’re welcome. I would love to have a better relationship with law enforcement.” He stood and clapped his hands together. “Now, I believe our daily horseshoe contest is beginning. I shall leave the three of you to work out who gets the best room.” His eyes narrowed.
“Uh, Callie.” Zane stood awkwardly.
Bill pointed at the big guy and gave him a wink. “That is the proper answer, son.” He picked up the keys sitting on his desk and passed them around. “Callie is in a suite. The two of you have single rooms. Please remember, we are clothing optional except in the pool. No clothes allowed in the pool or the hot tub. Towels are available throughout the resort. Use one when sitting on the furniture. Have a nice stay.”
Bill strode out of his office after handing Callie the keys. A silence descended, and Callie awkwardly stared at the keys. There were three of them. She’d started the morning fairly sure they wouldn’t need separate rooms. God, she was going to be so lonely tonight.
Zane strode up, and his hand was on her nape again. “I’ll stay with you tonight.”
The very arrogance of the statement put her on edge. She thrust a key at him. “No, you won’t.”
He grinned down at her. She felt his satisfaction at her defiance. “Yeah, I will. You’re the one who wouldn’t let me leave, babe. I was ready to die to make sure you were safe. Look, Callie, I thought about what you said. I can’t stop thinking about it. You were right. I was looking for something easy because that’s what I’ve done all my life. But I love you. I won’t leave you again, not until they carry me away in a body bag. I’m so sorry for what I said before. This is the truth. I love you. You can’t get rid of me. You want me to fight? I’ll fight. Besides, you trashed my bike. You owe me.”
“I do not, Zane Hollister. I made myself clear back at the office. We’re through.”
He shrugged, and there was a little light in his eyes that had been absent ever since he’d read that note back in Nate’s office. “I don’t accept your refusal. And I’m not taking this key. I’ll sleep in your bed, or I’ll sleep in your doorway. If you think I’ll get a minute’s rest with you away from me, you’re wrong. Lock me out. Slam the door in my face. I won’t leave you. You made your decision, Callie. You made it when you trashed my bike. You’ll never get rid of me now.”
She wanted so much to throw herself into his arms and sob out the tension of the day, but his previous words came back. Which Zane should she believe? The one who said he loved her, or the one who said she didn’t matter? Callie took a step back. It was far past time to protect her own heart.
She thrust the key at him. “It’s your room. Sleep in it or not. I don’t care.” She turned to Nate and handed a key to him, as well. “Here’s yours. Hopefully all of this will be over in a week or two, and we can get on with our lives.”
Nate’s hand shot out, forming a manacle around her wrist. “You won’t get rid of me so easily, either. I told you I loved you. I won’t be dismissed.”
“You don’t love me. I’m just convenient, and you think I’ll be easily moldable. But, Nate, I’ll never fit into the niche you want to put me in. You would resent me after awhile.”
“Don’t tell me how I feel.”
She was surrounded by them. Nate crowded her front, and Zane was at her back. They didn’t respect her personal space. They were up against her, not attempting to hide the fact that they were aroused. She felt them. Nate against her stomach. Zane’s erection pressed against the small of her back. It should have made her want to run. But, she just wanted to drown in them, in their love, their care. It was false. It was a chimera waiting to rip her heart out.
Callie pushed them aside and made for the door. The keys dropped to the floor because neither would take them from her. She was left with one. The key to her room. “I’ll see you when it’s time to go back into town for the meeting.”
Callie practically ran down the hall.
Zane watched as Callie slammed the door behind her. Damn it. He’d screwed up on every level possible. He’d meant to keep her safe, and all he’d managed to do was break her heart. His every instinct told him to chase her down, get her under him. She wouldn’t listen to a word he said, but maybe he could show her. Or maybe, another voice said, maybe he should try to work everything out with Nate and present a united front.
“I hope you’re happy.” Nate’s frown covered most of his face. His nose was still a nice shade of red and pronouncedly swollen.
“Why would I be happy? You’re the one who fucked up. You’re the reason we’ll sleep alone tonight.” As much as he wanted peace between them, he wasn’t about to take the blame for this debacle. Zane wasn’t the one who had made Callie feel self-conscious. Zane had just made her pissed. That he could deal with. Callie thinking she was less than she was made him mad.
He wasn’t sleeping alone tonight, he decided. He’d meant every word he’d said. She’d made her choice. She hadn’t let him walk. She would deal with the consequences, and one of those consequences was putting up with him in bed. He thought back to that moment when he realized just how far Callie had gone to keep him here. He’d yelled at the time and moaned over the temporary loss of his bike, but damn she looked pretty when she got mad. Only the thought that he’d really hurt her had kept him from tossing her over Nate’s desk and having his way with her again. Her brown eyes had dulled, and he hadn’t seen them flare back to life yet. He had some serious damage control to do, and he couldn’t do it by sleeping in another room. He glanced down at the key on the floor, but made no move to pick it up. “I was trying to save her, Nate. What’s your excuse?”