Page 64 of Downpour

His eyes lowered. “Give me peace.”

I sighed. “I know. I keep your family from bothering you.”

Ray tensed, but didn’t say anything. He just cradled the back of my head in his palm and gently massaged my scalp.

I melted into him. “Maybe moving out of the house isn’t the right move. I guess the grass is always greener somewhere else. My grandma always said that. She could find the good in everything.”

“You know what makes grass green?”

“Water?”

“Nope. Bull shit.”

I laughed. “Is that what all the cowboys say?”

His smile was sad, but his arm around me tightened. “I’m not a cowboy, Sunnyside.”

“I think you are.” I took a chance, sliding around and straddling his hips so we could be face to face.

Ray slipped his hands around my waist and settled me on his thighs. I tried to keep my composure, but his touch electrified me.

“You’re headstrong and stubborn to a fault. You work in silence because you don’t need eyes on you. You just do what you have to do.” I raked my fingers through his thick hair, and he melted. “You have this ardent work ethic that transcends your physical abilities. You’re honest even when it hurts. It’s honorable. You have grit and patience. There’s not a single difference between you and your brothers. I see it every time I look at you, cowboy.”

Ray’s eyes lowered to my mouth. “Then you don’t know my reputation.”

“I don’t need to know your reputation because I know you. People selling click-bait headlines see the falling star. I see the galaxy.”

Ray’s nose nudged mine. I tipped my chin up. Our lips brushed. Flickers of heat licked up my spine, and anticipation welled in my chest. His brows furrowed as he brushed his bottom lip across mine.

“Did you just admit to Googling me?” he whispered with a hint of amusement.

I grinned against his mouth and whispered, “I heard you did some underwear modeling. Color me curious.”

Ray’s devilish smirk melted me as he slid his fingers into my hair, keeping me close. “Did you like what you saw?”

All I could do was nod. The man in the black and white photos, who had miles of muscle and tattoos, hadn’t stolen my breath.

The one in front of me had.

Ray’s grin was bright and brilliantly fleeting as his mouth crashed against mine. I wrapped my arms loosely around his neck, pressing my chest to his as he pulled against my lips until I yielded. His tongue slid against mine in slow strokes.

I couldn’t get enough. No matter how deep or how long we kissed, it wasn’t enough.

I smoothed my hands up and down his chest as he palmed my ass with one hand. The other hand tangled and twisted in my hair, keeping my head right where he wanted it.

A whimper escaped as he sucked my bottom lip between his teeth. The sound made his cock thicken beneath his shorts. It pressed between my legs, teasing me with forbidden pleasure.

I rocked against his shaft, my clit throbbing as a deep groan echoed in his chest. “Brooke,” he grunted.

But I just… needed… a little…

Ray stiffened. His hand shot up and shackled my throat. “Brooke?—”

My name, uttered as an order from his lips, made me freeze.

“Stop, or you’re going to make me come in my fucking shorts,” he rasped, half in demand and half in desperation.

My breath hung on that desperation. I wanted him to want me as much as I craved him.

---