Reaching down he clasped her knee and lifted her, opened her. He slid his erection over her core, feeling her soften, feeling her move. Whoa. She had some moves.
Nash held her leg in place around his hips as he filled the other hand with her breast. She gasped into his mouth and he drank the sound, tasted her response.
The feel of her breast against the palm of his hand sent desire careening through him. She was lush, firm, and the thrust of her nipple against his fingers threatened to send him over the edge.
“Sweet.” His voice went rough. His thumb gently flicked the tender spot and he felt it go stiff beneath the pads of his fingers. Looking down, he watched as he plied her nipple.
Scarlet gasped and her head dropped back. “Nash.”
“I want my mouth there.”
“Yes.”
“Too soon.” He thrust his length between her thighs, felt her heat burning through layers of cloth. Too many damn clothes.
Nash knew he’d die if he didn’t touch her skin. Releasing her breast, he dipped his hand down and then cruised it up again beneath that little, stretchy top. Her belly was warm, her flesh resilient.
God.
No bra.
The hot, quivering, flesh of her breast sank into his hand like a prayer. Muttering a curse against her lips, he plucked the tiny hard nipple with his fingers, heard her breath suck in, and he plucked again, offering to ease the delicious torment. He wanted his mouth there. He wanted to taste that flesh with his tongue and suckle hard until she went wild against him.
Like a flash fire burning strong, whipping out of control, he thrust against her heat. She was wet. He knew she had to be. Every curve she possessed, and she possessed plenty, quivered as she tried to get closer.
“Damn,” he murmured, backing out of the kiss. He looked down at his hand burrowed beneath her top. He flexed his fingers.
“Nash. Yes.” She gasped the words.
He’d had enough and not nearly enough. Yanking his hand from her breast, he flipped open the button on her shorts, heard the zipper rasp, before he plunged his hand into her panties.
“Ah, yeah. Wet.”
“Please.”
“Damn. You feel so good.” His fingers found her slick center. She was swollen. Yeah. He found the little knot and plucked it gently.
Scarlet cried out and buried her face against his chest. “Give it up, honey,” he whispered against her hair. Sweat beaded his brow as he fought for restraint. He was drowning in an ocean of temptation. “A little more. That’s it. Almost there.”
She moved like lightning against his questing fingers and then he plunged two of them deep into her hot, little body. Scarlet splintered apart with a wild cry, jerking against him.
Her head went back and he saw tears on her face.
This was a woman a man could love.
Hell.
Searching for some calm in the center of the storm, he leaned down and sipped the tears from her cheeks as he pulled his hand from her slick warmth. Her leg slid down his side and Nash kissed her parted lips as he tenderly fastened the zippers and buttons.
“Nash.”
“It’s okay. I’ve wanted to test your sweetness for myself. Since last night, it’s all I’ve thought of.”
Her gaze flashed down. He was thick and hard behind his jeans. They both knew it. “But you—”
Kissing her quick, he looked at her. “Later. Come on. Let’s fix some supper.”
****
Anticipation curled warmly through her belly, as they carried their empty plates to the kitchen. The way he’d touched her before dinner played over and over in her mind like a sexy movie in which she was the central character. This was crazy.
It was completely nuts to go head over heels over a man who would one day be a glimmer of memory, a part of her past. Common sense told her this was a huge mistake but the man was irresistible.
Tonight they’d dined on thick steaks, baked potatoes and salad. The fruity wonderful Pinot Noir he’d picked up was a perfect addition to the meal.
She ran some water in the sink and felt his presence behind her as he dove into the clean-up process as if he’d done it a million times before. Hoping for a continuation of their light mood, she looked back over her shoulder as Nash put the leftover salad into the fridge.
“Hey, you’re a pretty good hand in the kitchen.”
Nash grinned. “Had to be. There were twelve of us boys at the ranch and everybody had to pitch in after meals.”
Stunned, she turned to him. Bubbles dripped from soapy fingers. “Twelve? You can’t be serious.”
He leaned against the fridge. “I grew up, for the most part, on the Rocking R Ranch. Buck and Rose Walters have taken in dozens of foster kids over the years. I was one of them.”
“I didn’t realize.”
He shrugged those very broad shoulders. “No reason you should. I was lucky they took me in.” Nash continued to help her tidy up the kitchen. “I hit the rodeo circuit when I was twenty and I’ve done pretty good at it for the past dozen years. Won my share of buckles and saddles. Got some pretty big checks, too. One of these days though, I want my own ranch. I have a little nest egg now. I just need to find it.”
“I hope you get it, Nash.”
He smiled and poured a measure of wine into their glasses and took one in each hand. “Come on, honey. That’s enough. Let’s sit out on that nice patio of yours and enjoy the night.”
Nodding, she loaded soap into the dishwasher and started it up. Leading the way, they went through the back door and into a night that was cool and brisk. Huge trees dominated most of the yard cloaking it in heavy shadows but the leafy canopy occasionally allowed a glimpse of the star-spattered sky. In the distance, a dog barked. A child laughed. It wasn’t unusual on a Friday night to hear kids playing in their backyards long after dark.
The tiled patio was the newest addition to her home. Her dad had built it for her last summer and she loved to come out here, usually in the company of her girlfriends. It was, for her, a perfect place to chat the night away. Tonight it was downright peaceful.
Nash led her to a comfy sofa she’d upholstered in a red and gold pattern. Nearby a bumblebee droned near the crape myrtle bush outside her kitchen window. They sank down, thigh to thigh, and he wrapped one arm around her. His fingers stroked slowly over her bare shoulder. “This is nice,” she said, relaxing into the caress, leaning her head against him. She propped her bare feet onto the glass topped coffee table.
“You have cute toes.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “Thanks, I think.”
He laughed. “No, really, they are. I love to see a woman running around her own house looking all comfortable.”
“If you’re not planning to run off anywhere soon, why don’t you take of those boots? Then we’ll match.”
“Ah, now you’re talkin’.”
Scarlet watched him reach down and tug off each boot. Beautiful, she thought. Black ostrich skin with the tops sewn with fancy gray stitching. Nash didn’t stop there and rolled his white socks off his very big feet and stuffed them in the boots. He set them aside and settled back again, smiling at her.
“Tell me more about this huge family of yours,” she said when he looped his arm around her and drew her close.
“Not much to tell, I reckon. Mom died young and I never knew my dad. She tried really hard to make a good life and I know she loved me.”
“How old was she when she died?”
“Mm. About thirty, I guess. I was ten. Ovarian cancer.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, me too.” He let out a long breath then took a sip of his wine. “Mom had no family that I ever knew of so I went into the system and turned into a really bad kid. In and out of juvie. Made running away an art form. Big trouble. That was me.”
Trying to lighten the mood, Scarlet grinned. “I’ve always had a thing for bad boys.”
Nash chuckled and brushed a kiss over her forehead.
“That’s good to know since I’m not sure if I’m completely reformed.”
“What happened?”
“Ended up with Buck and Rose Walters down in New Braunfels. Their own sons were grown and gone and I guess they figured why not take in some foster kids.” Nash leaned forward and set his empty glass on a long table she kept in front of the sofa. He turned to her. A quick breeze fluttered his hair. “They’d been taking in rough and rowdy boys for several years when I got there. Buck took me in hand, taught me about life and hard work. I straightened up.”
“Is that how you got involved with the rodeo?”
He nodded and settled back again tugging her closer. “Yeah, I guess. I took to the horses mainly. Buck trained some of the finest cutting horses in the state and I showed an aptitude for it. He showed me the ropes.”
“Cutting horses?”
“Ranchers depend on cutting horses to move cattle,” he explained. “Exceptionally smart animals. Highly trained, and one of the most valuable assets for the working cowboy.”
“And Buck taught you all about them.”
“He was a fine man.”
Scarlet envisioned Nash, a young, lonely boy, desperately missing his mother and her heart went soft in her chest. Emotion grabbed her, swift, powerful. “You were happy there.”
His teeth flashed white and strong when he grinned. “Yeah. Mama Rose spoiled us to death with love and good food. We boys had a bunkhouse, close to the main house, and hell, it was rowdy. Remember meeting Shorty today?”
“Sure.”
“We bunked there together for six years. Now he travels with me. He was a foster kid, too.”
“Seems like a nice guy.”
Nash blew out a breath. “Yeah. Anyway, Buck died recently and his grown sons, at least two of them, moved back to take over the ranch.”
“So, do you work there when you’re not rodeoing?”
“I drop in sometimes to see if they need any help. But, hell, Scarlet, a man’s gotta make it on his own. Buck taught me that much and that’s what I plan to do. One day I’ll find my own place. Build a home.”
Scarlet turned in his arms. He touched her on so many levels and she didn’t know why. Sure, he was ultra hot and sexy but she sensed an innate honesty that she found vastly appealing. Needing to touch him, she reached up and lightly stroked his cheek. “Home is important. I hope you find it.”
“Enough about me. I’m boring as hell, honey. Already know you aren’t.”
Laughing, she pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “Small town girls are really dull, I promise.”
His grin was quick and wicked. “You’d have to go a long way to convince me of that.”
“Bet you think I’m a huge slut.”
“Huh? What the hell?”
“Ah, I’m just kidding,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “It’s just that earlier, um, I mean—” Embarrassment swamped her. What a big mouth!
Silencing her words with a finger over her lips, he bent close. His eyes were solemn, serious. “Don’t say things like that. I was the one who started what happened in the kitchen. Not apologizing for it though. Hell, I loved it.” His thumb stroked smooth and slow over her jaw making her shiver.
“But why?”
Nash closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. It was almost as if he were breathing her in, then he looked at her with those whiskey hot eyes. “I wasn’t going to make it through supper without touching you at least once. Don’t you know what you do to a man? From the moment I saw you strolling across that crowded room straight toward me, I’ve wanted you, wanted to test your responsiveness to me.”
“So this was some kind of test?”
“Not at all. Don’t tell me you haven’t felt the heat that burns between us. Hell, I can’t keep my hands off you. You’re a beautiful woman and I’m a healthy man.”
“Don’t you mean a horny man?”
He laughed. “That, too.” His gaze turned solemn. “Did I move too fast for you, darlin’? Cause I can do things slow, if you want. Real slow.”
Nash trailed his hand over her bare shoulder then cruised one finger over her breast. She sucked in a hard breath and shivered.
He cupped her gently, his thumb rubbing over her nipple. That quick, hard breath she’d drawn released in a languid sigh. She closed her eyes and leaned against his sturdy shoulder knowing she was lost.
“You do slow real good, Nash. I like slow. I like it a lot.”
Chapter Five
If she wanted slow and hot, he was just the man to give it to her. Taking her hand, he led her through the house knowing he might be making the biggest mistake of his life. A smart man wouldn’t mess around with a woman like Scarlet. She was the real thing and better than he deserved. She needed a stable man, one who’d be here. Hell! He was pulling out of town Sunday and who knew when he’d return? Maybe never.
But fighting the attraction was a lost cause. He had to have her. That was the bottom line.
Holding her hand tightly, he stopped by a doorway in the living room and gave her a look.
“In here,” she whispered, taking the lead and drawing him down a short hallway into her bedroom.
God, her room smelled sweet and fresh, just like her.
Impatient, he pressed her against the wall and took her mouth with a voracious hunger. “You sure about this?” He panted the question against her mouth.
Scarlet turned back into the kiss, then looked at him, those wide eyes sparkling in the shadowy room. “Yes, I’m sure. I’ve never wanted anyone more.”
“You know I’m leaving.”
She paused then whispered, “I do.”
Did her voice sound just a little bit sad about that? His heart thumped hard enough to rattle his ribs. If she drew out this kind of response from him now, what would it be like for him if he let himself stay? No. Staying in Sweetridge was out of the question.
He was looking for his home. His ranch. Nash knew a place was out there somewhere just waiting for him so any kind of future for them was out of the question. An ache rose from his chest to clog his throat. Sometimes life wasn’t fair and he knew that better than anyone but there was no law against grabbing happiness when it stood right here in his arms.
Nash leaned in and settled his cheek to hers. “Come on then,” he breathed. “I don’t want to wait anymore.”
Lust sucker-punched him as impatience coiled through his belly. He’d never been so desperate to get inside a woman. Leading her to the side of the bed, he reached for the hem of her top, pulled it from her body then tossed it aside to expose her breasts.
They were a temptation no man could resist and he wasn’t about to try. Nash settled his palms at the dip of her waist loving the feel of her pliant, warm flesh beneath his palms. His gaze fixed on her breasts, he stroked upward until filled his hands were filled with them. When he flexed his fingers on the plump mounds, Scarlet whimpered.
“Gotta taste,” he muttered, bending to take a sweet, pink tip into his mouth to suck. The bud hardened in a flash, pushing against his tongue. Flicking tenderly, he heard the sound of Scarlet’s breathing as it changed, grew labored, and then, he switched to the other breast.
Her hands swept his back and clutched him to her. Restless fingers began a slow study of his body then dashed up through his hair. She held him closer as if she couldn’t get enough.
Heat shot liquid fire through his veins and he released her breast with a little pop of sound. Needing her naked, Nash went for the button and zipper on her shorts. The sound of the metal bits releasing sounded loud in the otherwise hushed room and Nash blew out a breath when a single tug sent the shorts downward leaving her wearing only a tiny pink thong.
Nash stood back and looked his fill. “God, I love these things.” He reached out to slip his thumb into the elastic then dragged the flirty garment from those rounded hips to send it sailing down her legs. When the tiny bit of fluff settled around her ankles, she brazenly kicked it away yet surprised him by covering her brea
sts with her hands.
For all her sass, she wasn’t comfortable being naked around a man and that little tidbit of information satisfied some deep primitive urge inside him. Gently removing her hands from her breasts, he sent his gaze down the length of her body. “Don’t hide from me.”
Tension rose between them as he took in the lush curves of her breasts, her pale torso, the slight mound of her belly, and the shadowy juncture between her thighs. Behind the fly of his jeans, he hardened. Needing to touch, he reached for her, sending one palm over her belly, then lower to stroke her hot center. Scarlet made a small sound of encouragement as he succumbed to his need to touch her sex, stroke her, part her. Her drenched flesh became his undoing as his hand came away damp with the proof of her desire.
“This isn’t fair,” she whispered. “Too many clothes.”
“Let me fix that.” Nash gave her a quick grin then whipped his t-shirt over his head and tossed it aside. When his fingers found the zipper of his jeans, he looked up at a soft sound and knew he’d never forget the expression on her face. All traces of inhibition were gone as if they’d never existed in the first place.
Her mouth tilted slightly at one corner, Scarlet moved close and sent her touch over the planes and angles of his body. Nash froze as her fingers teased his flesh and he knew he’d never felt a warmer, sweeter touch. It was enough to bring a lonely man to his knees. She settled her lips over his heart then smiled up at him. “Ah, Nash, what am I gonna do with you, honey? I’ve never taken a man quite this gorgeous to bed before.”
“Bet you figure it out.” A low, rumbling moan built in his chest as Scarlet explored his body. Impatient fingers brushed his nipples then traced a long line from sternum to belly. Lust whipped like a lash to leave him gasping.
Scarlet pushed the jeans from his hips and when she reached for his erection, Nash caught his breath. Gripped by sexual hunger, he closed his eyes to better absorb the impact of her touch as she stroked from base to tip, flexing her hands over him. Pleasure slashed through his body and his balls seized up, high and hard.
“Better slow down,” he rasped low, stilling her movements. He was ready to explode like a horny teenager and he didn’t want that. He’d promised some slow loving and that’s what the lady was going to get.
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