Hooves clashed against the gravel driveway and the rocks flew behind Champ as they raced to the barn. Pulling him to a stop, Reese quickly dismounted and walked him into the barn. Cal took the stallion and watched him turn around. He walked across the driveway and climbed the porch steps. Pulling the door open, he climbed the stairwell and walked down to her room.

The room was dark and he hurried back downstairs. He found his sister in the kitchen working on dinner and she looked up when he reached the counter.

"What's wrong?"

"Where's Joe?"

She put the knife down and said "I think she took Daemon out for a ride."

His usually calm face tightened and she asked "What happened?"

"Her brother found out."

She watched him leave the room and he took a deep breath as he walked outside. Cal was approaching and he waited on the porch.

"What's going on?"

He took a moment to scan the pasture line and said "We'll have company in a few days."

"What?"

Amber eyes settled on the man and he heard "Cliff knows."

Cal sighed and shook his head. Things had been going well, almost too well, for a while now and he wasn't sure if any of them were ready for the end to come. He glanced back at his employer and watched him head into the barn. He saddled Champ again and guided him to the pasture. Swinging into the saddle, he flicked the reins and the stallion raced into the green land.

Reaching the top of a hill, he stopped Champ and looked over the land. He spotted Joe by the ravine edge with Daemon resting and Bear curled up next to her. Quietly he had Champ head that way and watched her look up as he swung to the ground. The stallion walked off a little and he sat down next to her.

"What are you doing out here?"

Joe looked back at the ravine and said "Trying to figure out how long it will take to get home."

"Not that long."

His tone was slightly off and she turned back to him. She could see the tension sitting in his shoulders and knew.

"Which one?"

"Cliff."

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and said "That gives me to the end of this week."

He looked back at her and said "You could always refuse to go."

"I don't have that option."

Her brown eyes skimmed over his face and she said "I have a lot of responsibilities waiting for me."

"Joe."

She tried to smirk and said "We knew this would happen."

He brushed hair out of her face and met her gaze again. Bear lifted his head and looked back toward the house. She scratched his ear and looked back at Reese.

"I promised Teddy he could come visit me when Calli says it's okay."

He nodded and said "He'd like that."

She looked away and tried to fight off the thoughts plaguing her at night. Taking a deep breath, she felt his hand catch her chin and turn her to face him.

"Reese."

"I want you to take care of yourself."

Her eyes held his gaze and she nodded. Her pulse was jumping under his thumb and he brushed his lips along her brow. The touch loosened a tidal wave of emotions and she caught his hand.

"We can't do this."

"I know."

They both understood the consequences surrounding this moment and she said "No matter what happens, I'll remember this."

"It doesn't have to end."

She lowered his hand and said "You and I both know nothing could come from this, no matter how much we want it."

Looking away from her mesmorizing eyes, he took a deep breath and tried to push all the feelings aside. The only way he knew how to block this was by going back to being cold and guarded around her and he couldn't do it. He is going to have to wait until she leaves before he can turn inward and block off this new stream of emotions. Her hand settled on his and he looked back at her.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

She smirked and said "For being honest with me."

His amber eyes stared back at her and she nudged Bear aside. He stretched as she stood and a strong hand caught hers. She looked back at Reese and he stood up. She could see the uncertainty in his eyes, mixed with a determination she hadn't seen in a long time. He slid his hand through her hair and captured her mouth with a hungry kiss.

The spark that shot through her broke past the well built wall and she couldn't hold her arms at her side. They wrapped around his neck and he pulled her closer to him. Lungs burning, he lifted his head and looked into her slightly dazed gaze.

"I can't watch you leave."

She nodded and brought her arms down to her side once more. He gave a whistle and Champ trotted over to them. Daemon rolled up onto his feet and approached as Reese climbed into the saddle. She mounted her ride and looked back at him.

"You won't have to if you can't keep up."

He smirked and watched her and Daemon take off. Bear ran alongside barking and he allowed Champ to pursue. The ride through the pasture was almost as exhilerating as kissing and holding her and left his blood pumping. The problems to come this week disappeared as they raced through the green land and forgot the rest of the world. When they were in sight of the barn Champ caught up and they slowed to a trot.

As they drew closer Cal came outside and waited for them to dismount. He took the stallions in for the night and Bear led the two into the house. Joe left him at the stairwell and climbed the steps to her room. Bear jumped onto her bed when she let him into the room and she walked over to the far window. The sun was slipping behind the horizon and she leaned against the wall as the adrenaline subsided.

When the sun no longer touched the sky she heard a knock and looked over her shoulder. She met the amber gaze and watched him set a plate of food on the table. He looked back at her and shut the door behind him. Silently she left the window and met him in the middle of the room. His mouth crushed against hers and her arms wrapped around his neck.

He picked her up and carried her to the bed, making Bear jump to the floor. He let out a whine and walked into the bathroom. She smirked when he laid down and turned her gaze back to Reese. His hand slid through her hair and she closed her eyes. Her breath teased his skin and he looked down at her.

"Sorry about that."

She smirked again and said "It wasn't just you."

"This is going to make things complicated."

Nodding, she met his gaze and said "I think you should head to your room for the night."

That was sound advice but he knew it wouldn't happen. He'd been able to reel the hunger back in but he wasn't going to be able to leave her for the night. Holding her against him brought back all the memories he had tried hard to suppress and right now he didn't care. It had taken them a long time to reach the truce and now their time was almost up. Looking down at her, he watched her sleep and could feel the dread for morning settling in.

Watching her brothers enter the tavern, she walked down the street a little and ducked into the bordering stable. Feeling the hand catch her wrist from the side, she let herself be pulled out of site and met the hungry kisses. Her fingers slid through his sun blazing hair and she closed her eyes as his mouth trailed down her neck. Falling into a high stack of hay, she caught the burning amber gaze and pulled him down to her. The hunger was overwhelming and devoured every inch of her as she gave in.

"Meet me in the hotel tonight."

Smirking, she nodded and he took a deep breath. He rose silently and helped her to her feet. Brushing the hay off themselves, he held her as their pulses settled and their actions disappeared. She looked up into his gaze and left without a word.

Opening his eyes, he could feel the warm body next to him still and glanced out the window. The sun was up and the sky was clear, making it ideal for riding. Glancing down at the woman next to him, he found her still resting in his side and her arm was resting on his chest. He caught the limber hand and watched her continue to sleep. He knew one of them had to leave this room before anyone came looking but disturbing her was much worse.

If Cliff headed out this morning the man would arrive by sunset unless he stops in town for the night. He couldn't be sure which call the twin would make but knew no matter what Joe would be gone in the next twenty-four hours. His hand slid through her soft hair and he carefully slid out of bed. Walking to the window, he took a deep breath and mentally prepared for the day. Letting his emotions have control the last day she would be here was beyond unacceptable.

They couldn't risk something happening from that poor judgement. Looking back at the bed, he couldn't hold back the smirk and left the room. Shutting the door quietly behind him, he moved down the hall to his room and stepped inside. He dug out some clean clothes and disappeared into his bathroom. A warm shower was going to be necessary if he wanted to keep his head clear and above that woman's grasp.