Page 44 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

“So are you. But help a girl out, would you? You’re still wearing far too many clothes.”

He chuckled as he rolled off the bed and stripped naked in a matter of seconds.

“That better?” he asked as he climbed back onto the bed.

She swallowed as she nodded. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was all hard muscle, and hard … she licked her lips as she eyed his cock. He wrapped his hand around it and tugged.

“I’m trying to be good here, Ev. But … damn, darlin’. Our first time might be fast, but I’ll make it up to you. I want you so bad that I can hardly think straight, but …” He reached into the drawer in the nightstand and took out a condom. “I’m clean. I know you might have your doubts about me given … well, you know … but I promise I’m always careful. I always suit up, and I get tested regularly. Last time was only a couple of weeks ago and I got a clean bill of health.”

Her heart melted in her chest when he held her gaze – he looked so earnest as he added, “I promise you.”

“It’s okay. I believe you.”

“Thanks.”

She wondered if they could carry on now that they had that out of the way – and then it dawned on her. “Oh! Sorry. I am, too – clean. No damage or diseases, or whatever it is they say. I … shit.” She was going to have to tell him the truth – it was only fair. “I only get my checkup every year and it’s been almost a year but … but there’s nothing to worry about.”

He frowned.

“I mean that there’s no way I could have picked anything up since my last test.”

His expression turned from puzzled to shocked. “You mean …?”

“Yeah. I mean I haven’t had sex since.”

“In almost a year?”

She screwed her eyes shut as she told him, “For a whole lot longer than that.”

She didn’t know what reaction she expected from him, but it wasn’t the one she got. He lay down next to her and wrapped his arms around her, crushing her against his chest as he kissed her forehead.

When she finally opened her eyes, his big green ones were right there, staring back at her.

“What?”

He brushed his lips over hers in the gentlest kiss. “I’m just trying to take in what a lucky bastard I am. You need to understand that I know it.”

She made a face. “I feel like it’s the other way around.”

He shook his head solemnly. “No, darlin’. You’re like this precious prize. You’re one in a million, and I know how lucky I am that you even gave me a second glance – never mind …” He tightened his arm around her “… letting me get this close.” He kissed her deep and slow until she was writhing against him. When they came up for air, he held her gaze as he said, “I promise I’m going to be the best I can be for you.”

She nodded slowly. She had no doubt that he was about to be the best she’d ever had, but it felt like he meant more than that, too. Either way, she was desperate to find out.

Chapter Eleven

The world seemed to fade away when Tanner kissed her again. His lips were soft and warm as his tongue explored her mouth.

She clung to his shoulders as she kissed him back. It’d been a long time since she’d been with a man – her memories might be hazy, but she knew damn well that it’d never been like this.

Tanner held her close against his big, hard body. The feel of his broad, muscular chest brushing against her nipples sent little bolts of electricity zinging through her veins. His hot, hard length pressed into her stomach, and his hand closed around her ass, pulling her closer still.

He slid his knee between her thighs, opening her up, and then his hand was there – between her legs, and she moaned and started to rock her hips.

He rolled her onto her back and ran his fingers down her cheek. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Ev.”

She didn’t speak; she didn’t know how. Her brain was completely scrambled as she looked up into his eyes.

She gripped his hip tight as his hand continued its path. He trailed his fingers down her throat, and then teased her nipple between his finger and thumb. She slid her hand around his back and cupped his ass, trying to pull him to her.

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