Page 96 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

He dropped a kiss on her lips. “Are you ready for bed?”

She nodded.

“I’m not trying to pounce on you while you’re emotional. We can just cuddle. I thought that might make you feel better.”

She laughed. “If you’re not going to pounce on me, I’ll have to pounce on you. You were so honorable in Salt Lake, and then this weekend was just too awkward with Cash right there on the other side of the wall. Now …” She looked around. “We have our perfect little cabin all to ourselves and …”

His arms tightened around her, and he started walking backward, taking her with him toward the bedroom. When they reached it, he closed the door behind them before pressing her up against it.

He dropped his head and claimed her mouth in a kiss that soon had her rocking her hips against him. His hand slipped under the hem of her T-shirt, and the feel of his callused fingers sliding up over her ribcage sent goosebumps racing over her skin.

She clung to his shoulders as he kissed her deeper and moaned into his mouth when he covered her breast with his hand.

He lifted his head and breathed, “Fuck, Shay!”

She laughed. “I hope you’re finally going to! So far, you’ve been the biggest tease.”

He grinned and pulled her T-shirt off. Then he dropped his head and pulled the cups of her bra down so that he could tease her nipples with his tongue and fingers.

“Ty,” she breathed.

He grinned up at her. “Say it again.”

She held his gaze. “Ty.”

He nodded. “You can say you choose me, if that’s what you want. But I know how it is for me – you own me, Shay. Heart, soul, all of me.”

She slid her fingers into his hair. “Then stop teasing me – take me to bed and own me right back.”

His eyes filled with lust as he spun her away from the door and toward the bed. He tugged his shirt off and she got rid of her bra. She shimmied out of her jeans while he kicked out of his boots, and then they were on the bed with only their underwear between them. He propped himself up on one elbow and ran his hand down her side.

“You’re beautiful, Shay.”

She reached up to touch his pecs. “So are you!”

He closed his eyes. “I guess we should have talked about this before now – it’s not like we haven’t had the time. I’m clean. I … Shit, I don’t know how this sounds, but I got tested before I went to Salt Lake. I wanted to be able to tell you that you have nothing to worry about – and you don’t.”

“Oh! That didn’t occur to me. I … I guess you could say that I’m out of practice – it’s been a long time for me. I still get tested as part of my annual physical, though. I’m clean, too. And …” She frowned. “I’m on the pill. I have been since I was eighteen. It’s to regulate my periods, not because I’ve needed it as a contraceptive.”

He held her gaze with an intense look.

“What?”

“Are you saying that I don’t need to suit up?”

“Yeah. I guess I am – if you’re good with that? I mean, there’s always the chance …”

He dropped a kiss on her lips. “Never in my life have I wanted to take that chance, but I have to tell you, Shay – if you were to get pregnant, I wouldn’t be heartbroken.”

She inhaled sharply.

“Shit! Sorry. I …”

“No, it’s okay. I’ve always wanted kids, but I want to get established in my career first. I’m not …”

He ran his hand over her hair. “I know, and I’m not saying I want to knock you up and keep you barefoot in the kitchen! But … you think it’s a possibility for you and me – down the line?”

She grinned. “I’d love to think that it might be –ifyou want to be a hands-on dad. After growing up without my dad around, I don’t want that for my kids.”

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