Page 61 of The Backup Bride Proposal

“No, that’s not it at all. I can smell it, too. I just always go by the animals. They’re restless. Some can sense an upcoming storm well before we can. They’ll huddle and find shelter under the trees. I think they sense the change in atmospheric pressure. So we watch them for clues to the weather.”

“I see. I guess I’m not as sophisticated as animals. I just smell the rain when it’s close. But now I’ll keep an eye on the horses at the Bellinis’ place or at Clay and Alice’s ranch.”

He laughed. “I can show you what I mean.”

She stopped and turned to face him. “How?”

“Thanksgiving is coming up, which means the production will break for the week. I plan to head to the ranch.”

The thought of him leaving made her stomach clench. “Oh. Of course you will. You’ll want to be with family.”

“Right. How about you come with me?”

She was so taken aback she was momentarily speechless. And she was rarely, if ever, without words. Finally, she swallowed. “You want me to go to your ranch?”

“Well, yeah. And that would be with me. I mean, I’d be there, too. Just in case that wasn’t clear.”

“I think I was clear on that part. Thank you, Kane. I appreciate the invitation.”

He cocked his head to the side. “You have other plans.”

“No, actually, I have no plans. I mean, of course the Bellinis invite me to their Thanksgiving every year. But otherwise, no.”

“Then will you come home with me for Thanksgiving?”

His words were so warm, so inviting. So terrifying with the thought of meeting his family.

She let the words tumble out before she changed her mind. “I’d love to.”

He pulled her into his arms, moving her backward until she was pressed against the trunk of a thick tree. She looked up to see the canopy of limbs above her, the sky obliterated, encasing them in a hushed forest. Now all she focused on was the very hot man in front of her.

His lips met hers in a slow, delicious kiss that heated up in a hurry. She lifted on her toes to wrap her hand around thenape of his neck, drawing him closer. And when he pushed himself against her, it was exactly that closeness she needed.

Breathless with desire and anticipation, she palmed his cock, taking in the rough sound of his groan, the way he pushed against her hand while she fought to draw down the zipper of his jeans. He popped open the snaps of her coat, slid his hand inside and teased her nipples. Even through her shirt and bra, she felt the zing of erotic sensation, but oh, what she’d give to be naked out here, to feel the cold air and his warm hand on her skin.

She intended to touch him, but he got to her first, stroking his hand across her sex, finding all the right spots until she saw stars. Not the literal kind, but the ones that made her brain cells gopow. She gripped his arms, holding on so she wouldn’t collapse as every sweet move of his fingers over her clit drove her closer and closer to orgasm.

Between his mouth and tongue and his ever-so-expert fingers, she was lost, suddenly struck by waves of climax that hit her like a bolt of lightning, making her feel out of control in the best way. She moaned against his lips as she rode it out, feeling the thunder with every beat of her heart.

It was only as she came to her senses that she realized the thunder was real, and the first pelts of rain had finally made it through the canopy of tree limbs. And then the skies opened and the rain came down in a heavy stream.

They ran like hell, Kane taking her hand to guide her out of the woods and back to the trailers. By the time they made it back inside his trailer, they were both soaked. Mae stood there, staring at Kane.

“Well,” she said. “Normally I hate getting caught in a storm, but I have to say that was totally worth it.”

He laughed, then shrugged out of his coat. “Hell yeah itwas. But we need to get out of these wet clothes. How about a hot shower?”

“Love that idea.” She handed him her coat and kicked off her boots, silently bemoaning the suede that might never recover from her wet, muddy run. Still worth it, though.

For a trailer, it had a surprisingly roomy bathroom. Not exactly luxurious, but at least the two of them could stand in there together, though they occasionally bumped butts as they stripped off their clothes, which made both of them laugh. The funny thing was, she wasn’t the least bit self-conscious around him. Being around Kane seemed normal. Natural. Which was totally weird, but she wasn’t going to question it. He had already turned on the shower and they climbed in.

Between the hot water and Kane’s body pressed against hers, her chilled body warmed quickly. She let the spray hit her in the face, then grabbed the bodywash to scrub off her makeup.

“Let me wash your back,” Kane said.

She turned around and reveled in the feel of his soapy hands gliding over her skin. When he reached around to cup her breasts, his fingers lingering as he teased and plucked her nipples, she leaned back against him, letting arousal take over.

She pivoted to face him. “My turn.” Filling her hands with soap, she stroked her fingers across his shoulders, his chest, down to his rock-hard abs. And lower.

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