Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
In the dim light Zinnia couldn’t see the gleam in Monty’s eyes, but his tone was the same one he’d used when he’d taken on Speckles’ foaling. He was all in.
Thrilling. Scary, too, because now the conversation was over. It was go-time. Her fingers trembled as she unzipped her small cross-body bag. “I thought you might not be prepared, so I brought—”
“Very thoughtful. Let me take that.”
She handed him the bag. “Then I was right?”
“You would’ve been a week ago.” He set her bag on the nearest chair. “You were smart to bring some.”
“You picked up condoms a week ago?”
“Yes, but—”
“Listen, if there’s someone you—”
“I’m not dating anyone right now. It was a random purchase. I might have had a premonition.”
“About me? Did Uncle Graham say something that made you think we’d get along?”
“He only told Mom he’d taken you on as his assistant. Didn’t mention any details. I wasn’t the least bit prepared for the woman who stepped out of his truck.” He held out his hand. “But I am now. Come with me, pretty lady.”
She inhaled and slowly let the air seep from her lungs. This was it. Once she took his hand, there was no turning back.
She slid her fingers through his, absorbed the warmth and strength in his hand, and immediately started shaking. What was she doing? What if Tex had a bad dream and wanted Mari to go bring her back from the barn? What if Uncle Graham got up for a drink of water and saw her truck was gone?
Tightening his grip, Monty pulled her close. “On second thought, I don’t want to wait another minute for this.”
Contact with his deliciously bare chest increased her panic. She could still back out, say she’d made a mistake. She’d be home before Tex or Uncle Graham missed her.
“Thinking of making a run for it?”
The rapid pulse of his heartbeat against her chest reminded her she was playing with fire. “I know I started this, but….”
“Now you’re getting cold feet?”
She tipped her face up to his. “Yeah. I feel like a fool for saying that. I made the decision and now—”
“Want to go home?” He loosened his grip on her hand.
She sucked in a breath. Relief battled regret. “I really should.”
“Can I kiss you goodbye before you leave?”
She’d been wanting to kiss him ever since yesterday morning. One kiss, then she’d leave. “Um, okay.”
“Thank you.” Leaning down, he brushed his lips over hers, his warm breath carrying a whiff of mint.
She tensed. That was only the preamble. The real kiss would be quite different.
He lifted his head. “I’ve wanted to kiss you ever since yesterday morning.”
“I’ve wanted to kiss you, too.” The scent of soap and lusty male was a powerful aphrodisiac, but she’d have a much calmer life if she abandoned this wild scheme while she still could. As soon as he finished kissing her, she’d be outta here.
Except he seemed in no rush to continue. “Was that it, then? The goodbye kiss?”
He looked surprised. “You didn’t like it?”
“It wasn’t quite what I expected.”
“Sorry about that. Let me try again.” His mouth settled on hers.
He was still taking it easy. Gently those velvet lips coaxed her to open to him. That was fair. After all, this would be their one and only kiss.
If he wanted to get tongues involved, that was reasonable. They’d never do this again and it felt so good. She couldn’t help kissing him back, couldn’t stop herself from slackening her jaw and inviting him to go deeper.
With a soft groan, he accepted that invitation, pulling her closer, sliding both hands to her backside and bringing her in tight against his very hard cock.
A persistent throb of desire began in her core and spread like lava, heating her body, relaxing her tense muscles and taunting her with what she’d give up when she walked out that door.
He lifted his mouth a fraction, his breath coming fast, his voice gruff with passion. “Don’t go. Let me love you.”
His urgent plea landed like a rocket in her midsection, bringing a rush of moisture and an ache that he’d be happy to address if she said the word. She wanted… oh, how she wanted… but Tex….
But this. She’d spend the rest of her life wondering what being loved by Monty Bridger would have been like. Tex would grow up, find his own special person, and she’d have… so many regrets.
She sucked in air and let it out slowly. “I’m staying.”
“Thank God.” Tightening his grip on her tush, he picked her up. “Wrap your legs around me.”
“Hey, I’m heavy. I can—”
“I gots you.”
That startled a laugh out of her and wiped away the last of her misgivings. She wrapped her legs around his hips as he headed down the hall.
How effortlessly he cradled her against his lightly furred chest. The song Holding Out for a Hero played in her lust-scorched brain.
His dark, erotically scented bedroom teased her with the delicacy of wild rose, the tang of Ivory soap and the musky aroma of sex. The vague outline of a ginormous bed and rumpled sheets ramped up the drumbeat of arousal. She’d never been so turned on in her life.
Lowering her to the smooth expanse, he followed her down, his big body covering hers, his fleece-covered groin wedged between her trembling thighs. He balanced his weight on his forearms. “You drive me crazy.”
“Works both ways.” She unhooked her arms from around his neck and hugged his muscled torso. “I love the way you feel. You’re so solid.”
“Especially here.” He rocked forward, his cock pressed firmly against the damp material of her pj bottoms.
An enthusiastic response from her core sent a warning. “Um, you might wanna get out of your—”
“Yes, ma’am. But first, how about some light?”
“Sure.”
“Close your eyes.”
She squeezed them shut as he shifted his weight and clicked a switch.
“Wow.”
Slowly opening her eyes, she gazed into his. So blue. So filled with awe.
He dragged in a breath. “I can’t believe you’re here. That you’re in my bed. That your hair’s spread out on my pillow.”
“I can’t believe it, either. I can’t believe I can finally touch you.”
“Please do.” His voice was thick, his breathing uneven.
When she began stroking the bunched muscles of his back, he shivered. “Are you ticklish?”
“No, I just…” His chest heaved. “I’ve never been so….”
“Me, either.” Moving her caress lower, she slipped both hands under the loose waistband of his sweats, cupped his ass and squeezed. Oh, baby.
He gasped. “Careful.” He backed away. “Time to ditch these.” Leaving the bed, he shoved down his sweats and kicked them away.
She sat up and watched. Oh, did she ever. She hadn’t seen a naked man in ages, and she’d never seen one equipped like Monty Bridger.
He took a step toward the bed. “Let me take off your—”
“Never mind me. Just locate those condoms you bought last week.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She pulled her tank top over her head only to find he hadn’t moved an inch. He stood frozen in place, his entire focus on her chest.
Ah. She’d forgotten she could immobilize a man with a scooped-neck shirt and lobotomize him if she took it off.
He blinked, shook his head and gave her a sheepish glance. “Sorry. You’re probably sick to death of guys reacting like that.”
He got it? That was new. “Yeah, but you’re the first one who’s apologized. Besides, I ogled you just now. You’re probably sick of that, too.”
He smiled. “No.” Holding her gaze, he came over and sat on the bed. “You were disappointed when I stared. I saw it in your face.”
“Which means you switched gears and looked at my face. That puts you in a different category right there.”
“And I’m looking at your face now.” He slipped his hand under her hair and cupped the back of her neck. “You have world-class breasts, but I want to make love to all of you. Maybe you don’t even like to be touched there.”
“Well…” He was quickly rising above the level of every male she’d ever allowed to kiss her, let alone the few who had been permitted more than that. “I do like it, but not if a man is….”
“Obsessed?”
“Yes. Exactly.”
“I promise not to be that man.”
Her heart cherished his promise, cherished it hard. She could fall for this cowboy. She hadn’t factored that in. She’d be wise to do so.