Page 21 of That Fateful Ride

Cy. Now she trembled for entirely different reasons. His large hard body pressed against hers. His heat offered her warmth.

“I don’t know who’s out there, so stay quiet, okay?”

If she didn’t respond would he continue to hold her so close and tight?

“Answer me, Rebecca.”

He called her by her name, oh dear Lord. It didn’t matter it wasn’t the first time, her body reacted as if it was. And he’d done a great job of doing it when they were alone cooking together.

She removed a sodden glove, wanting to touch his skin and tapped the hand covering her mouth. He didn’t immediately release her. His fingers flexed against her flat stomach and he pressed tighter to her back.

Goodness, she felt hot. Her skin flushed and her heart pounded like a heard of stampeding cattle. One odor she could only identify asmanhad replaced the musty scent she’d first smelled upon entering.Cy smelled of horses, leather, the outdoors, and even rain. As well as a masculine scent. She wanted to roll in it. Soak in it. He smelled divine. A man’s man.

She tapped again and he removed his hand. Still didn’t stop the tensing she did when callused fingertips dragged teasingly along her lips. Her breaths came sharp and shallow.

“Keep your voice down.”

She couldn’t speak immediately. Her mouth was as dry as the ground around her had been before the rain. The through process of her brain was addled and slower than normal. Obviously, he meant he wanted an answer now.

His large hands were remarkably gentle as he spun her to face him. Although it was hard to make out his features, she still tilted her head back as if she could clearly see him.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I came looking for you.” He huffed. “This is why you shouldn’t be here. You’re a distraction.”

She drew back a bit at the venom in his voice. His fingers tightened on the flesh of her upper arms, returning her to the close proximity he’d had her at before. She bit back a moan of pain when he squeezed her injury. “No one knows I’m a woman except you. So how is it my fault you’re distracted? I never asked you to come looking for me. Nor did I expect it.”

“Because,” he growled, his warm breath spreading over her skin. “I know what you’re hiding behind those damn clothes.”

She’d imagined him wanting her for a while now but this was almost too much, to be face to face with that reality. “Still not my fault.”

He knocked her hat off before tearing the bandana off as well. When his lips covered hers, all sense went out the window. He had firm lips, which moved tantalizingly over hers. He swallowed her gasp of shock as she gripped his large arms for stability, her legs didn’t want to support her anymore.

His tongue trailed along the seam of her lips before sliding into her mouth. He tasted so good. A moan bubbled up as he began to explore.

She’d not enjoyed her previous kisses. They had been rough, sloppy, and not at all anything she cared to repeat. However, this one,thisone, astounded her. He didn’t force and Cy didn’t seem to be in any huge rush. He took his time. He delved, stroked, and dipped through her mouth.

The longer the kiss went on, the closer and tighter he held her. His hands left her upper arms to settle upon her lower back and the curve of her butt. Her hands relocated to his chest, fingers flexing upon the hard plane.

He was nothing but muscle. She could feel the strong staccato of his heart beating beneath her right palm.

“Rebecca,” he mumbled against her mouth.

Hunger surged up through her, scaring her with its intensity. Reckless and out of control, that was how she felt. And she loved it.

She didn’t answer. At least not verbally. She reconnected their mouths and slid her arms up around his neck. To hell with what she should do. Right here and right now it was about want. Moreover, she wanted this. Him. All of it.

“Baby, you’re killing me here.” He blazed a path from her mouth down her throat to the base. “All I’ve thought about is you.”

She warmed at his words and the pulse in her core grew heavier. More insistent. He swept up and carried her to a pile of hay. When she realized there was a blanket on it, she relaxed back, welcoming the heavy, hard and warm weight of Cy on her.

His hand moved deftly under her shirt, the callused palm warm and rough against her skin. She trembled and gasped at the sensations flooding her. Closing her eyes, she arched her body into his investigative touch. Not sure what she asked for but trusting her body with his hands and touch.

“I wish it were lighter out so I could see you better.” His voice poured over her like the aged whiskey her father had shared with her once. Warm with a hint of bite. Made her feel amazing and slightly light-headed.

“Please.”

“Patience,” he muttered, despite the way his hands tugged at her clothes in frantic motions.

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