by Liv Brywood
The shock of contact with a woman for the first time in years sent shivers down his spine. As he deepened the kiss, her lips parted slightly. He swept his tongue across her bottom lip before claiming her mouth. In a slow, sensual exploration, he didn’t stop until she moaned and tried to climb into his lap.
He pulled back. Breath whooshed from his chest. What the hell was he doing? He’d just met her and he was already one step away from carrying her off to his bed. As his heart pounded in time with his bear’s rumbling growl, he guided her back into her chair.
“I’m sorry, I just—”
“Got caught up in the moment. I get it,” she said.
“Maybe we should head in for the night,” he said.
“Right. Okay.”
She stood and waited while he kicked dirt over the fire. He’d been so caught up in the conversation and her beauty that he’d almost done something he couldn’t take back. Kissing her had been enough of an upheaval. Carrying her off to bed would be ten times worse.
But as he followed her into the house, he wondered if he was making a mistake by not pursuing her. In the last three years, no other woman had made him feel even a fraction of the way he felt around Jessica. He’d never wanted to even kiss anyone, let alone wonder if they had the kind of connection that could last a lifetime.
When they reached the top of the stairs, she hurried toward her door.
“Goodnight,” she whispered.
“Goodnight.”
He turned toward his door and placed his hand on the doorknob. Then he paused. He hadn’t heard her door close. He swallowed. He should open up his door, go inside, and take an ice-cold shower. He’d be able to think more clearly in the morning. But he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t ignore the tug of his heart that told him to turn around.
As he slowly released the handle, his pulse raced. If he turned around, there would be no going back.
Chapter 4
Jessica met Clint’s sensual gaze. When their eyes locked, molten heat rolled through her core. It had been so long since she’d been with someone who made her body shiver with desire. She’d never been particularly bold, but right now, she wanted to be.
She swallowed as she pulled the door to her room closed. As she strode across the hall, his lips parted. He swiped his tongue across his bottom lip, moistening it as if expecting a kiss. Which was exactly what she intended to do. But not out in the hall where anyone could see them.
In a daring move, she took the room key card from his hand. He stepped back to allow her access to the door. She could hardly make out the click of the lock over her bear’s roar of approval. The creature leapt around in her chest as her pulse jumped.
When she crossed the threshold, there would be no going back. But she didn’t care. She craved Clint with an all-consuming intensity that left her panties damp. Without a word, he closed the door behind her.
She stepped into the center of the room. A large, four-poster bed beckoned, and she trailed her fingers over the soft quilt at the foot of it. She had no idea how far he wanted to go, but he wanted her. She could read it in his eyes.
He crossed the room with near-silent steps. The moment he came close enough, he reached for her face. He cradled her cheeks in the palms of his hands. Using slow strokes, he brushed her flushed skin.
He stared at her for so long that she almost lost her nerve. Maybe she’d read him completely wrong. Maybe he didn’t want to peel her clothes off and carry her to bed. When he finally spoke, his voice came out husky and thick with yearning.
“I can’t promise you anything,” he whispered.
“I don’t need promises.”
“What do you need?” he asked.
“You,” she murmured.
His eyes flashed for a moment in the darkness. With only the light from the moon to illuminate the room, shadows fell across his face as he leaned down to kiss her. The ethereal caress of his lips awakened her senses. She inhaled the fresh scent of cedar soap on his skin and sighed. The moment she opened her mouth, his tongue slid in to caress hers.
She wound her hands around the back of his neck and drew him closer. What started as a sweet, gentle kiss evolved into one of unbridled passion. His hands drifted from her face down across her back. With one large hand, he pulled her closer, while the other dipped to caress her waist.
When he broke away for a breath, she smoothed her hands across his chest. Through the fabric of his shirt, rock-hard muscle rose up to meet her. She touched him with two years of pent-up need. She hadn’t done anything for herself in so long that she forgot what it was like to want something bad enough to take a risk.
Maybe nothing would come of this, but at least she’d have the memory of one night in Clint’s arms. Her body hummed with longing. She reached for the top button on his shirt, then gazed up at him. His eyes blazed with red-hot lust. It was enough to make her knees go weak.
As she freed each button on his shirt, her heart kicked up another notch. When she reached the bottom, she tugged the fabric free from his jeans and pushed it over his shoulders.
She slowly explored the ridges and valleys of his abs. Every sharp muscle trembled under her touch. He reached for her chin and tilted it up. With a possessive sweep of his arm, he captured her and drew her against him. She cursed her thick, long-sleeved shirt which was preventing her from feeling his chest against hers. But she didn’t have to wait long.
While his deft fingers quickly unbuttoned her shirt, she bent to kiss the corner of his mouth. She dragged her lips down to taste the length of his throat, and he arched his head back to give her room to savor his taste.
Only a hint of salt played across her tongue as she licked his quivering flesh. She loved that he was just as overwhelmed and aroused as she was. It put them on an even playing field. They’d both spent years alone with their kids. It didn’t leave much time for dating, and in her case, she hadn’t dated at all. She’d been too afraid to bring more chaos into her life. But now, as her shirt puddled at her feet on the floor, she was more than ready for one night of passion.
She reached behind her back to unhook her bra. The moment her breasts were free, he bent to kiss the edge of her throat. She moaned and tangled her fingers in his hair. As his lips brushed across her collarbone, she whimpered. Her belly churned as her bear’s excited prancing knocked against it. She pulled back slightly and placed a hand over her stomach. Sometimes she wanted to strangle her bear. The beast didn’t know when to quit.
“It is your bear?” Clint asked.
“Yeah, she’s getting a little too excited.”
“I know what you mean. I can hardly keep myself from shifting,” he admitted.
She smiled, knowing that she was the reason his bear wanted out. The heady knowledge of how much he wanted her inflamed her desire. It had been years since she’d had a man look at her the way he was looking at her—as if he’d die if he didn’t take her right now. But she didn’t want to rush; she wanted to savor every kiss, every touch, and every caress of his huge hands.
He led her toward the bed. When they reached the edge, he stopped and turned to take her into his arms again. This time, his lips pressed against hers with increased urgency. She moaned into his mouth as his tongue glided against hers. She melted against him. A smattering of hair covered his chest. She ran her fingers through it before flicking the pad of her thumb over his hard nipple.
He groaned and dropped a waterfall of kisses down the side of her throat. When he didn’t stop, she tossed her head back. Her hair tickled the curve of her lower back, but she hardly noticed. She was too fixated on his roving tongue. He licked and sucked the swell of each breast before teasing her nipples into taut peaks. Drowning in ecstasy, she gasped as he dropped to his knees in front of her. His mouth seared the tender flesh on her belly.
When he reached for the button of her jeans, she whimpered. He unzipped her pants and slowly pushed them down past her knees. He cupped the backs of her thighs as he pressed his face into th
e V of her panties.
He looked up at her with hungry eyes. As he slipped his fingers into the elastic band of her panties, her mouth went dry. He smoothed the fabric down her legs before letting it drop to her feet. She stepped out of them and stood before him, completely exposed. And yet, she didn’t feel vulnerable. Instead, a surge of feminine power coursed through her veins. She lay back on the bed and parted her thighs.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered.
“Thank you.”
He unzipped his jeans and wriggled out of them. Clad in only a pair of navy cotton boxers, he crawled onto the bed and between her thighs. Even though she knew exactly what he was about to do, she jolted when his lips nibbled the inside of her thigh. She giggled nervously.
“Shh,” he murmured. “I got you.”
She trembled as he nuzzled her sensitive skin. The closer he drew to the apex of her thighs, the more she shook. But she couldn’t stop. Adrenaline surged through her. She’d never been worshiped like this before and she could hardly draw a breath.
The moment his tongue brushed against her sex, she cried out.
“Mmm,” he whispered. “You taste so sweet.”
She bit the edge of her lip as her eyelids fluttered. She gripped the sheets in her fists. A floating sensation overwhelmed her. Was it possible to faint lying down? Because if it was, she was in big trouble.
Each stroke of his tongue brought her closer to the brink. She writhed until his hands gripped her hips. Held in place, she wasn’t able to move more than an inch in either direction. He chuckled against her.
“Not funny,” she panted.
“No, but sexy as hell,” he said.
Before she could respond, he captured her clit between his lips. His tongue flicked against her in ever increasing strokes until her entire body clenched. Time stood still for a split second before she shattered. Undulating waves of pleasure racked her body. She screamed as rhythmic pulses of sheer ecstasy flowed through her like an electric current.
He moved between her thighs. As he wrapped her in his tender embrace, she groaned. He slid into her with such exquisite grace that she couldn’t tell where she stopped and he began. His lips sought hers. She returned his fervent kisses with a passion she hadn’t felt in years.
Every roll of his hips rocked her closer to total abandon. She clung to his shoulders, reveling in his soft moans. He buried his head in the curve of her neck as she spiraled into ecstasy.
A shuddering orgasm ripped through her body. In the same moment, he cried out and filled her with pulsing waves of heat. He shivered in her arms. She held him until he stilled. When he leaned back to gaze down at her with hooded eyes, her heart soared. For the first time in years, hope radiated through her and she started to believe that maybe she could find love again.
***
Clint stared up at the ceiling with a heavy heart. He hadn’t slept with anyone since he’d lost his wife. Guilt ate at his soul. Was he betraying Nicole’s memory by moving on with someone new? Was she up in Heaven staring down on him with accusatory eyes? Would he ever be able to make love again without feeling the crushing pain of his wife’s loss?
He rolled onto his side and pulled Jessica closer. He felt horrible for even thinking about Nicole when he had a wonderful woman lying next to him. She gazed up at him with a tenderness that tore at his guts. His bear huffed.
She’s our mate, his bear insisted.
But could he actually have two mates in one lifetime? He’d never considered it before meeting Jessica.
“What are you thinking?” she whispered.
He hesitated for a moment. He couldn’t confess that he felt like he was betraying his wife. But he also didn’t want to lie to Jessica. They’d only known each other a few days, but they’d already developed a bond he couldn’t deny. Not that he’d try to; his bear sure as hell wouldn’t let him forget it.
“I’m just wondering where this might go,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
“I haven’t dated anyone since I lost my wife,” he said.
“I know,” she said. “I didn’t date at all after my ex-husband went to prison. I was too embarrassed to even try. I also didn’t want to end up with someone like Bart again. So I kept to myself. Also, it’s not easy to date with a child.”
“Tell me about it. I have enough trouble leaving Hailey with the babysitter when I’m at work.”
“Would you ever want to date again?” she asked.
“I think about it sometimes,” he said. “I get lonely and miss having a partner in life. I don’t know how it was for you with your marriage, but when Nicole and I got married, it felt like I could share all of the responsibilities of life with her. We were able to prop each other up when we were down.”
“Bart was like that too in the beginning. Whenever things got too overwhelming, I had someone to lean on and he did the same, at least in the beginning. In the end, we were hardly speaking to each other. If I did try to have another relationship, it would have to be with someone who was good at communication.”
“Someone who would tell you exactly what they’re feeling?” he asked.
“Yeah. Sort of like right now.”
“I shouldn’t be talking about Nicole right now. I’m sorry.” He entwined his fingers with hers. “I just feel so comfortable with you.”
“I do too,” she murmured.
As she snuggled against his side, he brushed his lips across her shoulder. She gazed up at him with passion in her eyes. He rolled a bit more until his body partially covered hers. He already wanted her again. It wasn’t just years of celibacy that made him want to claim her again—there was more to it. He loved being with her, and he already didn’t want to think about letting her go.
His bear roared with need. Her soft, pliant flesh heated his until he couldn’t resist her a second longer. As he moved between her thighs, she arched her back and flashed a sultry smile.
“Again?” she asked in a husky tone.
“I can’t get enough of you.”
“We have all night,” she whispered.
He silenced her with a searing kiss. Every inch of his body hardened with longing. As he pushed into her slick, moist heat, she moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist. He sunk into her and shivered from the intensity of their connection. All thoughts disappeared as she became his whole world. Every hitch of her breath, every whimpered sigh and cry of pleasure spurred him on until he couldn’t hold back.
Amidst her screams of orgasmic bliss, he buried himself in her trembling pussy. The clenching, pulsing waves coaxed him into the most explosive orgasm of his life. He growled as he came, spilling every last bit of himself into her.
As he lay holding her, a raw and exposed piece of his heart struggled to make sense of his feelings. He wanted to be ready to move on, but he still wasn’t sure. He couldn’t lead her on if he didn’t intend to follow through. Until he figured out what he truly wanted, he couldn’t give her false hope.
He glanced out of the window, surprised to see a faint hint of light on the horizon.
“It’s almost morning,” he said.
“I guess I should go back to my room. I don’t want anyone to realize that I was the one screaming my head off all night,” she joked.
“Yeah.”
“Is everything okay?” She twisted to face him. “You’re not regretting this, are you?”
“No,” he said. “I just can’t promise you anything. I don’t want to hurt you.”
She slid to the edge of the bed and stood. With jerky motions, she pulled her clothes back on. She avoided eye contact with him the whole time.
“Please don’t be mad.” He swung his legs over to the edge of the bed before standing to join her.
“I’m not mad,” she said in a clipped tone.
“Would you rather I lie to you?” he asked.
“No. I just…” For a moment, she met his gaze. A spark of anger flickered in hers. “I don’t expect anything fro
m you. I know better than to hope for something that may never happen.”
She slipped her feet into her shoes and stalked toward the door. He couldn’t let her leave mad.
“Wait,” he said. He hurried to the door to stop her from leaving. “Please don’t be angry. I just need time.”
“If you’re not interested in having another relationship, I get it. I didn’t want one either. Let’s just forget about last night. We’re two lonely people who found one night of solace in each other’s arms.”
He drew back. Did she really believe that? He was too stunned to do anything but watch her walk out the door. As he stood staring at the closed door, emptiness filled his heart. He turned and padded back to bed. Her scent clung to the sheets. He crawled back into bed and buried his face in her pillow.
If he hadn’t been so afraid of falling in love again, he would have run out and thrown himself at her feet to ask for forgiveness. But he couldn’t move. Fear kept him rooted in place. He’d have to figure out how to get over it if he truly wanted to pursue a relationship with her.
As the sun rose over the mountains, he searched his heart. Could he risk being in love again? What if he lost her? What if she ended up with cancer too? Could he really put Hailey through losing another mother?
The dinner bell rang. Breakfast was ready, but he didn’t even try to get out of bed. Weariness infused his bones. Maybe making love to her had been a mistake. How could he go out and face her now?
They had five more days at the ranch. He couldn’t avoid her the whole time, but he could skip one meal and hope that she’d be less pissed later in the day. His belly rumbled along with his bear. The beast wanted food and he wanted Jessica. But right now, he couldn’t have either one.
Chapter 5
Over the next three days, Jessica avoided Clint’s questioning gazes. When she did look up over the breakfast table to meet his eyes, he quickly looked away. She took another bite of sourdough toast. Butter melted in her mouth as a drop spilled over the edge of the bread.
