Page 145 of Sin With Me

He gently kissed me and pulledaway.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. How was I supposed to reply to that? Eric’s forward yet gentlemanly nature somehow took away all those witty words that usually came out of my mouth.

“Now, let me show you to our bedroom.”

“Our?”

“It’s mine, but since you’ll be using it, it’s yours. Making it ours.” He grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ll be sleeping somewhereelse.”

“Toobad.”

Eric halted mid-step.

Crap! Did I say that outloud?

“It is, isn’t it? Look at it this way. The better you’re able to concentrate and find Huntz, the quicker I can give you all the attention that you deserve. And believe me, I want to give you all my attention, Emma.”

“That’s very forward.”

“I don’t play games. And I hope you won’t either.”

For the first time in my life, I didn’t want to play games either. I’d had enough of the cat and mouse chase with men I was so used to. I loved Eric’s determination and confidence. And most of all, I loved how much I wanted to learn more about this cowboy. There weren’t enough dates I could have with him that would have bored me. I wanted to know what he liked to eat, about his favorite games as a child, how he got that scar in his brow and whether beyond Huntz he had any fears. I’d seen the way his temple twitched at the mention of Huntz’s name. It took all my strength not to kiss it and ease Eric’s pain. I’d do anything to erase that dreadful past, but I couldn’t. Instead, I’d do everything in my power to give him the kind of justice he sought, and once the bastard was behind bars, I’d soothe his agony with my kisses, until he could only remember my mouth grazing all over his skin, his abs, his chest.

I followed Eric inside the house, which reminded me of one of our family cottages up in Colorado, and my cousin Gabe’s home in Austria’s Alps, except this one appeared a bit smaller and it was a bungalow. Wooden beams stretched across the wall, exposed joists supported the roof, and right smack in the middle of the house was a fireplace, splitting the family room and the dining area in half. Beyond was a kitchen that opened up onto a wooden patio. The open concept of the home with country tones and artifacts filling every nook and corner felt warm and inviting. It gave the home more interior space than I would have thought from the outside. Fluffy blankets spread across the two couches and chair. Fat pillows lay in one corner of a room, right by a basket filled with books, all spread over sheep skin. The smell of vanilla candles and farm air filled me as I felt a slight tug at myhand.

“This way,” Eric led me to the right side of the house where he opened the bedroomdoor.

A standard king-size bed was the focal point. A rocking chair was set in the corner of the bedroom with a dresser right besideit.

“The sheets are fresh. Please make yourself at home. This is not a five-star hotel, but I hope it’s sufficient for what you need. I’ll freshen up and go make some food. We can visit Ogden after weeat.”

Was he kidding? This was the best hospitality I’d had in a long time. No hotel host could have been as personal or kind as Eric hadbeen.

“Great, thankyou.”

“And if you need anything, Emma, don’t beshy.”

What I really needed now was Eric on that bed. I’d been curious about those muscles hidden underneath his shirt since the evening we’d met at the strip club. Now that I’d felt his pecs with my hands, I couldn’t wait to see those jewels decorating his nipples. A Cowboy with piercings – that must be a first! But something inside me snapped. I’d never been this quiet or timid in my life. I didn’t think this could actually be happening to me. Shy had never been part of my vocabulary, but with Eric at my side, I was beginning to feel more embarrassed about my usually bold ways each minute. What was happening tome?

“Thank you. I shouldn’t belong.”

Once Eric left, I released a long held breath and sat on his quilt-covered bed. The bounce lifted me up a couple of times, and I lay back on the bed, thinking about how many times Eric had slept here, and whether he did so naked. I swept my hand across the bed and flipped on my stomach to smell the bouquet of farm scents mixed with freshsoap.

I quickly changed into a fresh shirt and jean shorts, getting rid of my somewhat conservative clothing, and joined Eric in the kitchen. I froze midway, and with my mouth open stared at the nakedness in front ofme.

Eric was preparing food behind the kitchen counter, and seemed to have lost his shirt. I bit my lip, concentrating on his chest sprinkled with a dust of dark hair on his pec. I regarded his arm and the intricate detail of a horse on his shoulder. The design weaved down to his wrist in patterns of horseshoes, cowboy boots and hats, so beautifully connected by patterns and lines – I’d never seen anything this beautiful in my life. My gaze drew lower. I so hoped he still had his pants on, but I couldn’t see beyond the half wall. He was the epitome of perfectly sculpted body. And I was right. Two barbell piercings decorated his nipples. I felt my own buds pebble at the sight. Memories of the hard muscles I’d felt against me as he hovered above me on that plane, teasing me with his abrasive front, were all rushing back at once, slamming into me as if it was him, taking me all over again. Heat flew through me body, settling deep in my belly as the need to have that overwhelming feeling of being taken swept through me. Before he noticed me, I watched him chop vegetables and pour lemonade into two glasses. The smell of broiling meat in the oven wafted through the room as Eric bent over and removed a pan full of chicken wings, setting it on top of the stove, and finally catching my stare.

“You look hungry.” The tease rolled off his tongue, and my knees buckled. Taking a hold of the kitchen bar stool, I replied, “I am. Is it customary to cook naked in these parts of the country?”

“No, but I’m afraid I’m a klutz in the kitchen and spilled sauce on my shirt. Didn’t get a chance to get a fresh one from my bedroom and didn’t want to intrude on your privacy. Why don’t you grab the plates, and I’ll go get dressed?”

Crap!I shouldn’t have said anything. I’d prefer if he remained half-dressed all the time – better yet, undressed.

Eric returned to the kitchen a few minutes later. We ate the delicious brunch, and given that his collection of appliances lacked a dishwasher, I helped him wash the plates.

“So, what’s on the schedule, Cowboy? I’d like to get to Ogden as soon as possible.”

“The town’s about a half hour drive from here. I can get some supplies while you look around town. We can go see my parents tomorrow.”

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