Page 49 of On His Ranch

“You’re sure actin’ like a woman who doesn’t wanna have sex with me.”

His wolf-eating grin made her blush. She’d been caught. She tried to tug her hand away, but he held it firm. “What are you—”

“I won, remember? I intend to claim my prize.”

“Two out of three?” she ventured.

Chase stood and pulled her to her feet. Without a word, one hand claimed her waist while the other tilted her head up. And then his lips came toward hers.

Piper stood, inwardly cursing her own foolishness. As he tipped her chin up, she wished she had agreed to what he’d wanted. She’d been feeling prickly and hurt from being ignored earlier and when he’d admitted to wanting her, it had felt good to say no. But as soon as she had made contact with his skin, her entire body had awoken and she couldn’t deny that she wanted him more than she could remember wanting anything.

When his lips pressed against hers, she melted against him. The knots in her belly loosened, morphing into something churning and delicious and wonderful.

Then it was over. When he released her and stepped back, she blinked at him, dazed.

“Two out of three,” he echoed her earlier words. “Same stakes?”

She brought her hand to her mouth, touching her lips, trying to feel what he had done to them. Piper seemed to have lost her voice. Maybe he had taken it, somehow, with his intense, too-quick kiss. But she nodded her agreement and somehow stumbled over to the stool so that they could begin again.

“Get ready… get set…”

* * *

She was letting him win. He could tell. Whether it was by design or just because he was better at it—he’d be ashamed of himself if he wasn’t, given that he’d been milking cows since he was seven years old—she was making it too easy.

Not that he minded. No, sir, he did not mind one bit. He wanted to kiss her again—harder and longer this time. But when he won their second race, instead of claiming his victory then and there, he’d suggested that they finish milking all the cows and he’d take the kisses she owed him after they were through. She had agreed with a nod. She hadn’t said a word since he’d kissed her the first time.

Senior would have my head if he knew how long I was taking to get this done, he surmised. But he dismissed the thought. For the first time in his life, he didn’t give a damn.

After they had finished milking all the cows, their last race done, Piper stood with her arms hanging limply at her sides. She looked like she didn’t know what to do with her hands.

He, fortunately, had no such qualms. “Four more kisses, isn’t it?”

“Five,” she answered in a whisper.

“That’s right, five. You want to stand or sit?” He patted his knee invitingly. Truth be told, he was only teasing, letting her languish in her awkwardness. He already knew exactly how he wanted her, how he planned to capture and claim that sweet rosebud mouth of hers.

“I…” Piper trailed off, her eyes transfixed on his knee. “Um… I think… I’d rather stand.”

Wondering if she was remembering being face-down over his lap, Chase chuckled. “Your wish is my command, darlin’.” He stood and moved toward her, his steps swift and sure. He took hold of her hand and pulled her along to the barn wall.

“What—”

“Shh.” He pressed her to the wall, pinning her wrist above her head and looming over her. He silenced her with a kiss. It was firm and long. And also not enough. He was hungry for her—damn near ravenous.

“Chase—”

Seeing his opportunity, his tongue slipped inside. She fought him for a moment, apparently intent on telling him something, but there was nothing she could say right now that was more important than this—rediscovering the taste of her mouth. After a moment, she relaxed, and he seized her tongue with his own.

She melted against the wall.

That was when he knew he could have anything he wanted.

Take it slow, boy, take it slow. Savor it.Make her yours.

He pressed into her, firm and unyielding, deepening the intensity of the kiss. His free hand found her hip. A moment later, his fingers traveled, a mind of their own, and unzipped her jeans.

She pulled away. “Wait. Chase—”

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