Page 13 of The Rancher

Lyris took a bite. The burger was hot, juicy and cooked medium, just like she liked it and the cheese was melted not just tossed on before serving, like most of the burger chains do. “Mmm, this is the best burger I think I’ve ever had.”

“Told you they were fantastic.” He dabbed at the corners of his mouth with a napkin.

They ate in silence.

She was nearly half done with the burger and fries when she put it on the plate. “I’m stuffed but I want to continue eating.”

“We’ll get a to-go container and take it home. They reheat in the microwave just fine. Thirty seconds and you’re good.”

After they finished their drinks, they took the containers Joanie handed them, put their leftovers in and headed out.

Ray put the food in the back seat and then slid behind the wheel.

Lyris buckled her seatbelt and turned to Ray. “Where to now? It’s still early.”

He lifted a brow. “You’re not tired?”

She grinned and shook her head. Her hands were lying clasped in her lap. “Nope. I’m having a great time.”

“Okay, I said I’d take you to one of my favorite places, so let’s go there.” He started the engine, put the car in gear, and drove off, heading west on Colfax Avenue.

He drove all the way into Golden and then turned left at the light.

It looked like they were going into a residential neighborhood. But he drove right through.

The next thing she knew, they were on a winding road that led up the mountain.

On one of the curves, Ray pulled off to the side, killed the engine and got out. He came around and helped Lyris out, too.

She was glad of the assistance because she didn’t enjoy trying to balance in her shoes on the uneven dirt.

“Look at that.” He waved his arm in a wide arc in front of him.

She looked, and the view was amazing. Spreading out in front of her for as far as the eye could see, were the lights of Denver and the suburbs. “It’s beautiful.”

“This particular curve is called Windy Saddle. There are a couple of other places to pull off on the way up, but this has the best view. See that brightest line of lights heading east? That’s Colfax Avenue. And the dimmer line just south a little bit is Sixth Avenue.”

“I know those are the two main roads in and out of Denver going east and west but I’ve never been this way before. I’ve been to Golden before for the Coors Brewery tour but never been up here.”

“The road is called the Lariat Trail. In the early 1900s, this was the only way to get up here. On the way up, you saw the giantMright?”

“I did.”

“That’s for the Colorado School of Mines. They had to put a fence around it because the kids would climb up and do graffiti on the rocks.”

She rubbed her arms up and down. “I wish I’d brought a jacket or shawl. It’s much colder up here.”

“Here, take this.” He removed his jacket and put it around her shoulders. His movement stilled, and he looked at her.

She appreciated the immediate warmth from the jacket. And his cologne surrounded her. The scent calmed her. The light provided by the full moon was lovely, but not enough for her to see his eyes.

Slowly, he lowered his head until his lips were just a breath away. “May I?”

Lyris answered by wrapping her arms around his neck and letting her lips meld with his.

The kiss was hot and thorough. The spark traveled through her like lightning making her knees weak.

Ray pulled her close to his body as he ravaged her lips.