Page 25 of Promise Me Never

Then I feel it, the whisper light brush of his lips over mine. The first sweep of his tongue against mine as I open for him. The kiss begins slow and cautious but builds as we lose ourselves to it. I’m hyper aware of everything about him, his full lips moving over mine, the scratch of his stubble against my skin, the way his fingers sink into my flesh.

The whinnying of the horses is what breaks us out of the trance we’d fallen into together. He presses his forehead against mine as he exhales. Then he looks up at the mountain peak behind us.

“We should go.”

We swim side by side back to where our clothes are. He walks out of the water, completely calm as if being naked in front of me is an everyday occurrence. I, however, hang back, nervous about him seeing me nude in the harsh summer sun.

He turns and looks at me after picking up his underwear, his cock jutting out proudly. And my god, does it jut it out. He’s like a goddamn tripod. He better know what he’s doing putting that thing inside me.

“Like what you see?” He shoots me a cocky wink to go with the grin on his face.

“Just wondering what it’s like to run your own three-legged race.” I give his cock a pointed look when he tilts his head to the side.

As soon as he gets it, his head falls back with loud laughter. He shakes his head as he pulls his underwear on, followed by his jeans. “You say the wildest shit, Eli Hart.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“What are you doing still in that pond?” He props his hands on waist bringing all my attention to the sexy v of muscle dipping beneath his waistband.

“I’m a bit shy. Would you mind turning around?”

He looks at me for a long moment before doing as I ask. “I will be seeing you naked soon, Eli.”

“I know. I just wasn’t prepared for it today.” I walk out of the pond quickly, wiping down as many drops of water from my skin as possible before putting my clothes back on. I wish I would have thought ahead and brought a towel. Skinny dipping isn’t something I usually do though, so it wasn’t even a thought in my head.

Once I give him the all clear, he turns around and hits me with the burning intensity of his full attention. “For the record, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve seen in a long time. There’s nothing about you that I don’t find gorgeous.” He closes the distance between us and cups my cheek. “Also, the next time you come up here alone, make sure you don’t set your bear spray down and leave it so far away.”

He struts away and gathers the horses. We share heated glances and secret smiles the whole way back down the mountain, but neither of us speaks aside from pointing out things along the trail. I’m burning with curiosity and need, but I manage to hold my tongue. I have to play this cool because, regardless of how intimidated I am, I know I want this. I want him.

Ten

LUKE

* * *

We moved the cattle to the high pasture over the last few days, so I haven’t had a chance to get Eli alone. What I have a lot of time for is thinking and worrying. I’m not ready to invite her into my space, which is still very dominated by quiet whispers of Amy. From her skis in the corner to the photos I keep. I can’t just put those things out of sight and pretend she isn’t still very much in my heart.

I could always climb into Eli’s room, and I probably will at some point. But the problem is that if I get her in a bed, I’m not sure how long I can hold out. I know she thinks she just wants to get it over with, but I can’t just fuck her and be done. I’ll need more. I’llwantmore.

One of the reasons I haven’t dated or even slept with another woman since Amy’s death is that I know myself too well. I’m not a casual guy. If there’s enough chemistry for me to want to sleep with a woman, I’ll be driven to explore the connection thoroughly. I am obsessive and possessive.

Even acknowledging all that, I can’t seem to talk myself out of this.

When I tire of the worry, I let myself fantasize and plan. That’s how I find myself loading the freshly washed bed of my truck with an air mattress, blankets, and pillows. A cooler filled with snacks and drinks sits in the backseat next to the makeshift bed I keep for Charlie when she decides she’s going to spend the day as my four-legged shadow.

I texted Eli earlier in the day to meet me out by the machine barn after she finishes dinner with Paul and Jo. The sun is just beginning its slide down the back side of Hayes Peak as Charlie comes running around the corner on her clumsy, oversized paws. I bend down and lift her wiggling body into my arms, scratching her head while she attempts to lick my face.

“I’ll never be able to sneak up on anyone with that dog around,” Eli says as she rounds the corner.

I set Charlie down, giving myself a moment to take in the little, white sundress that Eli has on. It hits her at mid-thigh with lace trim and dainty straps, popping against her tanned skin. Her hair falls down her back in dark waves.

She’s so damn pretty.

“Hard to sneak up on someone who’s expecting you anyway.” I clear my throat and walk around to the passenger side of the truck to open the door for her. If I had my way, she’d never know the feel of the handle beneath her fingers. “You look beautiful.”

Her skin flushes the prettiest shade of pink from her ears down to her chest. “Thank you,” she says as she slides onto the seat.

I feel her eyes on me as I round the front of the truck. Her curiosity is almost palpable. It’s as endearing as it is annoying.

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