Chapter 33 #3
Now they were fully grown, and he still felt the driving need to please her.
Except now he wondered how much she dated in Scotland.
His had been few in number when Cooper had gotten past the toddler age, but nothing had come of those rare encounters when he was away on business, mostly because none of it had pleased him much.
Sure, physically there had been release, but when the sum total of your sexual experience had been with the one woman you loved and wanted like no other, nothing could come close to reaching it.
With his duties on the ranch and raising Cooper, he’d settled into taking care of things himself.
Faster, easier, and fewer emotional hassles.
Despite some women saying they were only looking for a good time, their follow-ups hinted they wanted more.
Being Ben McAllister’s wife came with certain privileges.
Certainly, financial security. He’d gotten more cynical, he supposed, seeing the greed in their eyes.
“You set the pace,” he told her, rubbing that sweet little point of her chin. “Always. I figure you know that once we open that barn door, there’s no closing it.”
She gave a shaky laugh after an unguarded sound slipped out. “Ben, how do you see us getting together this time? Logistically, I mean.”
“Because my twin brother and my son are in my house, and you have your work husband in yours?” He gave an amused snort. “Two houses between us, and we’re probably going to end up in the hayloft.”
Her amused laughter lit up his heart. “I don’t mind a good hayloft tryst every once in a while, but I don’t want to feel rushed or like someone might walk in and hear us.”
“You were always the loud one,” he teased.
She gave him a good shove. “Can I help it that I’m a passionate woman?”
His lips twitched as fresh desire surged within him. “Wouldn’t want you to stop, but a good moan travels. Can’t be helped.”
She pointed across the land to the east. “What about the old hunting shed on the other side of Wild Mountain? Do you think we could fix it up and meet there?”
“Neil could move his stuff into the bunkhouse,” he observed, arching his brow.
“No, he couldn’t. First, he’s not a cowboy. Second, he’s my guest of sorts, being that he’s here for me.”
He clamped down on his lip to keep from asking when the man was going to leave. He knew better than to ask.
“I don’t want us sneaking off all the time.” He sighed heavily at the logistics. “The shed requires daylight to ride over, and I wouldn’t have long to be with you. We’ll need to figure out something closer—after Cooper goes to bed. How do you feel about sprucing up the old root cellar?”
The twinkle in her eye suggested she remembered the old joke between them. “I can see it now. You accidentally rearing back and knocking a jar of pickles off the shelf. Reba would have your hide.”
He playfully winced. “She would indeed. I’d probably smell like pickling spice for days.”
She gave a soft sigh, one that sounded filled with good memories. “You and I have been trying to figure out places to have sex since we were teenagers. Who could imagine it would be equally as challenging as adults?”
Grumpy at the thought, he rose and told himself to be grateful. They’d finally kissed and were talking about making love. Take that as a win. “Would you like to eat now? I’m in need of some distraction.”
She looked down pointedly, her lips twitching. “Sorry, cowboy. Don’t worry, we’ll find a way.”
“I know that.” His mouth twisted as he realized the root of his frustration. “It’s just…I want more than this for us. Besides, taking you around town again—”
“Which will only cause more talk,” she reminded him.
The thought galled him. People had their opinions about their breakup, something that had already hurt Cooper. They’d have strong ideas about any reconciliation. He didn’t need them butting into their relationship—whatever it was—or saying more to cause his son distress.
“We’ll have to figure out how to have some dates. I love spending time with you, and you like romance. I want to give it to you.”
A warm smile came over her rosy, well-kissed lips while her eyes filled with what he wanted to believe was love.
“Sweetheart… Don’t you understand? Being with you again…
making love with you…that time together of us being a man and woman deserves the best. I want to give you that.
Hell, I loved waking up in cold bathwater with you wet in my arms that one time or the other, when the pillows all but swallowed us up.
I want you to have a big fireplace and a thick rug with a big ole bed full of those pillows you like.
I want a claw-foot tub like that bed-and-breakfast we splurged on for our anniversary when we were in college.
” He gripped her tightly, trying to make her understand.
“I want you to have everything. Right now, I feel like I’m only giving you a mediocre version of us being back together when all I want to do is show you the best.”
There, he said it.
“Is that what you’re trying to do?” she whispered, cuddling closer and tracing his jaw as his heart pounded in his ears.
He nodded, his throat backing up at the worst time. But it was do-or-die time. All cards on the table. He was helpless in her arms.
“I thought so.”
When she leaned in and gave him a slow kiss filled with tenderness, he found he could let out a strangled breath. “I need to hear you say it. That you’re giving me a second chance.”
She locked her gaze on him. “Ben McAllister, I’m giving you a second chance.”
This time, he did close his eyes and lift his head skyward. “Thank God!”
“Although I can’t believe you had to ask me when I kissed you like that,” she murmured with an impish laugh.
He shook his head as he smoothed her braid over her shoulder. “I may be a man of few words, but I know the ones that matter.”
She leaned in and gave him the sweetest kiss this side of heaven before leaning back and saying softly, “Yes, you always did.”
Then she kissed him more and took him to the edge where words fell away, fire raged, and dreams forged into reality.