Page 18 of The Wrangler

He took a casserole of chicken and cheese enchiladas out of the freezer and put them in the oven to bake. He served her dinner and then ignored her while he cleaned up the kitchen. She’d been playing with fire all night—pushing him with her words, with her body, with that damn mouth of hers—he couldn’t decide if he wanted to kiss it or put a ball gag in it.

Jesse turned away from the sink to find her standing right there, staring up at him with a challenge in her eyes, her chin tilted in defiance. The soft glow of the lamp cast warm shadows across her face, and Jesse could see the rise and fall of her chest, could feel the undeniable pull between them.

“You don’t scare me, you know,” she whispered, voice low.

Jesse stepped in, closing the distance so fast she gasped. “That a fact?”

Her lips parted, her breath coming faster, but she didn’t move away. Didn’t push him back.

“You want to test me, Keely?” His voice came out rough, more growl than question. “Because I don’t think you understand what happens when I stop holding back.”

Her hands pressed against his chest, but not to push him away. She was feeling him, testing the strength beneath his skin, the barely leashed control in his muscles.

“I think you like it,” she whispered, the words pure provocation.

Jesse cursed under his breath, and then he was on her.

He spun her hard, pressing her against the counter, his hands resting on hers as she gripped the edge, his body caging her in. Her body went soft against his, her breath catching, her hands slipping from beneath his and running up his forearms, nails digging in just enough to drive him wild.

Jesse’s mouth was at her ear, his breath hot against her skin. “This what you want, darlin’?”

She shuddered. He brought his hands down to her hip. His grip tightened, one hand sliding back up to her jaw, holding her still, making her look at him. Making her see exactly what she’d unleashed.

“You don’t play games with a man like me,” he warned.

Keely licked her lips. “Maybe I don’t want to play.”

Jesse cursed again, his resolve cracking. His fingers slid into her hair, tilting her head back, his other hand sliding up from her hip to the curve of her waist, pinning her where he wanted her.

When his lips finally crashed against hers, she gasped into his mouth, her fingers tightening around his arms, pulling him closer, deeper, harder. She was heat and softness, all wrapped up in defiance and need, and Jesse wanted to devour her. Keely moaned against his mouth, shifting, pressing her body into his, her hips rocking just enough to send his blood boiling.

Jesse groaned, gripping her hips, anchoring her in place. “Be still.”

Keely shivered, but obeyed. And damn it all, that did something dangerous to him. Jesse pinned her harder, his lips trailing down the curve of her neck, his teeth grazing just enough to make her squirm. He could smell her arousal, feel her nipples stiffening under her thin sweater.

She wanted this, and God help him, he did too. He always had, but then reality crashed back. He was supposed to be protecting her; not taking her in his goddamn kitchen. Jesse cursed and wrenched himself back, his body still pulsing with need, his breath ragged.

Keely blinked up at him, her lips kiss-swollen, her eyes dark with desire and frustration.

Jesse scrubbed a hand over his face. “This can’t happen.”

She swallowed, her chest still rising and falling, her body still pressed against the wall like she wasn’t sure her legs would hold her.

“Why?” Her voice was shaky, and Jesse hated that he liked it.

“Because you’re in danger,” he ground out. “And I don’t cross that line when I’m supposed to be keeping you safe.”

Keely rolled her lips together, trying to regain control. And then—the challenge was back. Jesse should have known she wouldn’t let this go.

She tilted her head, observing him cautiously. “So, if I wasn’t in danger…”

Jesse’s jaw flexed. “Don’t.”

She stepped forward, testing him again, and Jesse had to force himself to hold still, to not reach for her the way he wanted to.

“You don’t play fair,” he muttered.

Keely’s lips curled slightly. “I never said I did.”

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