Page 71 of Spilling the Tea

“That’s a rather huge barn,” she said, motioning to the barn that was not far from the cabin.

“Trevor built it a few years ago. He made sure it was large enough to store, in addition to his horses, his kids’ Jet Skis, a couple of canoes, and trail bikes.”

“Horses are kept here?” she asked, glancing around.

“Yes, whenever he and his family are occupying the cabin. Otherwise, his horses are boarded at Whispering Pines. Are you ready to go inside?” he asked her.

She thought the cabin on the massive lake was beautiful, with picturesque flowering trees providing a peaceful setting. On the opposite side of the lake, more trees and high plains appeared as if they were touching the sky.

“Yes, I’m ready.”

Taking her hand, they walked up the steps.

Chance stood aside as Zoey entered the cabin. He watched her closely, leaning against the door as she moved around the living room, taking in the furnishings, decor, and layout. He was taking in her. Every inch. Every curve. She looked so damn good in those jeans. With every move she made, he could feel it in his lower extremities. He was definitely in need of a sexual fix and wished like hell his horniness wasn’t kicking in something fierce.

“Anything look familiar?” he asked after a while, trying to fight his intense attraction to her.

When she met his gaze, more heat flared through his body. That happened whenever her gaze would roam over him as if she was fully aware of him. But then, he did the same with her whenever she was within his focus.

“No, nothing. I guess I should not have expected anything to remain the same. I like the decor, though. Do you mind if I take a look around?”

“Help yourself. It’s spacious with two bedrooms, two baths, this living room, and an eat-in kitchen. I understand this is the original layout, except for that uncovered patio that faces the lake.”

“Nice pool table,” she said, noting the huge pool table in the spacious living room.

“It is nice. I’ve played pool with Trevor on that table a few times.”

“I always wanted to learn to play pool, but Aunt Paulina wouldn’t allow such a thing.”

“I’d be glad to teach you,” he said, quickly regretting the offer. He could just imagine the torture he would endure standing behind her, close enough to show her the proper way to hold a cue stick or make a shot. Then there would be her scent. It was a scent that even now was reaching him across the room and sending his hormones into overdrive.

“I’ll look around,” she said, interrupting his thoughts.

“Take your time.”

He went to the window. The lake was just as large as the one on his property and was a beautiful blue. He recalled swimming in it when Trevor threw a party after buying the place. He had been in his last year of high school then.

“I’m ready to walk around the lake now, Chance.”

He slowly turned around. Their gazes met, held. The dark look in her eyes made his entire body ache. He wondered if she knew what it did to him whenever she stared at him like that. And when she moistened her lips, he felt his gut tighten.

“You’re ready?” he asked as if she hadn’t just said that very thing.

“Yes,” she said softly.

Of their own accord, his feet began to move toward her. When he stopped in front of her, all the reasons why he shouldn’t kiss her dissolved in his mind. At that moment, knowing her taste was elemental to him. With all his willpower gone, he lowered his head to her.

For a heartbeat, their lips were mere inches apart. He paused, giving her time to step back, but she didn’t, so he leaned in and captured her mouth with his. He heard her moan the moment their mouths touched. Or was it him moaning? It didn’t matter when their tongues began tangling and dueling in one sensuous dance of desire. Just knowing he was claiming her mouth the way he had in his dreams made him hungrily deepen the kiss.

There had been an intense attraction between them from the first, and they were finally acting on it. He was convinced he’d never tasted a more sensual and passionate woman. It was there in the way she was kissing him back. The way her tongue was mating with his and the way her arms were wrapped around his neck.

It seemed like forever before they ended the kiss. Neither said anything as they continued to stare at each other. Whenshe licked her lips as if recapturing the last of his taste, he struggled to regain his composure. Unable to stop himself, he leaned down and kissed her again. This one was just as hot and passionate as the last.

He lifted his head from the kiss and rested his forehead against hers while breathing deeply. Finally, he pulled back to stare into her eyes. Her passion was just as heated as his own. Unable to resist, he leaned in and lightly kissed her lips. He loved the taste of her. Too much. At the same time, thinking neither kiss was enough.

“I guess we need to talk about what’s happening here, Zoey,” he said in a throaty voice. “Especially when we agreed there would be nothing between us but friendship.”

He watched her take a deep breath before she replied. “Considering our strong attraction to each other, we could say the kisses were inevitable, Chance.”

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