Page 43 of Rust and Stardust

“That was...” he started, then shook his head, smiling. “I don't even have words.”

“It’s always that way when I’m with you,” I replied, kissing him again.

Lucas stared at me, the smile on his face slowly fading away. “I wish…”

I nodded, pressing my forehead to his. “I know.”

Chapter 18

Lucas

“Come on,” Beau said, leading me by the hand toward the dark house.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked, looking back at his rusty truck sitting in the driveway. My rental car was still out on the side of the main highway out of town. “Won’t everyone realize what we’re doing if I stay the night here?”

“I’ll tell em you had car trouble,” he grinned, pulling me up the front steps. “And you needed a place to stay for the night. Besides, you can slip back to the guest room before anyone wakes up. They’ll never know.”

I felt like a teenager again, sneaking around behind my parents’ backs. I couldn’t help a wide grin. “Only if you’re sure cowboy…”

“I am.” He squeezed my hand. “I wanna know what it’s like to wake up next to you. Even if it’s just once.”

His words made my heart flutter and my stomach twist at the same time. Of course I wanted to wake up next to him, but I wanted to do it every single day. It seemed cruel that we’d only get to do it once or twice before I had to leave forever. And then once he foundout what I truly was, I’d never be welcome back even if I could afford the trip.

Beau fumbled with the key in the lock, his hands trembling slightly. I could feel the tension radiating off him, a mix of excitement and nervousness that mirrored my own. As we stepped inside, the floorboards creaked beneath our shoes, and I held my breath, afraid we'd wake the whole house.

“Shh,” Beau whispered, pressing a finger to his lips. His blue eyes sparkled in the dim light filtering through the windows. He stopped only for a moment to hang his hat near the front door before he led me up the stairs, each step careful and deliberate.

When we reached his room, he closed the door behind us with a soft click. For a moment, we just stood there, staring at each other in the darkness. Then Beau's hands were on my waist, pulling me close.

“I've been wantin' to do this since I met you,” he murmured, his Texas drawl sending a shiver down my spine.

His lips found mine in the darkness, soft and hesitant at first, then growing more urgent. I melted into his embrace, my hands sliding up his muscular chest to tangle in his blonde hair. The kiss deepened, my body reacting despite the fact we’d fucked less than an hour ago.

Beau's hands roamed my back, pulling me even closer until our bodies were flush against each other. I could feel the heat radiating off him, smell the mix of leather and sex that still clung to his skin. It was intoxicating.

When we finally broke apart, both breathless, Beau rested his forehead against mine. “I've been dreamin' about that for years,” he whispered. “Kissin’ another man in my own house… in my own room.”

“I’m glad I could help,” I whispered back.

He took a step back, his hands moving to unbutton his shirt. In the faint moonlight streaming through the window, I watched as Beau's sun-kissed skin was slowly revealed. My mouth went dry atthe sight of his sculpted chest and abs, the result of years of hard work on the ranch.

I stepped forward, running my hands over his warm skin. Beau shivered at my touch, his eyes fluttering closed. “Your turn,” he murmured, reaching for the hem of my shirt.

I hesitated for just a moment before lifting my arms, allowing him to pull my shirt off. Beau's calloused hands explored my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. His touch was reverent, almost worshipful, as if he couldn't quite believe this was happening. No matter how many times we did this, it never got old.

“Goddamn you're beautiful,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

I wanted to tell him that he was the beautiful one, that I'd never seen anyone more gorgeous than him in my entire life. But before I could say anything, those blue eyes met mine and his lips parted in a whisper.

“Lucas…” he said. “I… I want you to fuck me.”

My heart jumped into my throat, a light gasp escaping my lips. “Beau… you don’t have to do that.”

“I know that,” he smiled, pushing closer. He reached up, grabbing my hands and putting them on his waist. “I’ve never done anythin’ like that before and I… well I want it to be you.” He kissed me softly. “Because I trust you, Lucas Greene. I know you won’t hurt me.”

God, I wanted to die right there on the spot. If only he knew how terrible of a person I was, how I was trying to screw him and the entire town over just to get a promotion, pay off my student loans, and keep my shitty apartment. But at the same time, the fire his words lit in my belly wasn’t something I could ignore. I knew I should tell him the truth, that I should pull away and not let him go through with it. But the way he looked at me, the way his skin warmed under my fingers… well, there was just no way I could resist him. How could I tell my beautiful cowboy no?

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “Are you sure?” I asked, searching his eyes for any hint of doubt.

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