Page 27 of Cougar Chronicles

“You too,” Holly said and meant it. “I’m looking forward to our cooking lesson on Sunday.”

“I thought you said you could cook,” Jack said to Holly, his gorgeous full lips curved into that lazy half-smile she adored.

“I can. American, French, a little Japanese even, but not Mexican. I want to learn.”

“Luisa’s the best, then. I’ll stay out of your way on Sunday.”

They laughed as Luisa left.

“I took your bag upstairs for you,” Jack said, pulling Holly to her feet.

“I suppose you have a guest room?”

“I do. But I was hoping you’d stay with me.”

Her tummy fluttered. “You know I’d love to, but Sam…”

“I’m a grown man, sugar. Sam doesn’t have any say about who I sleep with.”

“Are you sure?”

“Well, I could put you up in the guestroom, but I’d be sneakin’ in there with you. And if Sam woke up in the middle of the night lookin’ for me and I wasn’t there, that’d sure be more traumatic for him then finding a hot woman in my bed.”

Holly couldn’t help but laugh. Why was he so damned wonderful?

“What do you want to do tonight? We can watch a movie. I have a great DVD collection.”

“How about a walk? I’d love to see more of your ranch.”

“I do like the sound of that, sugar, but I sent Luisa home. I can’t leave Sam.”

“Oh.” The warmth of embarrassment coated Holly’s cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to being around kids. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“It’s okay. I hope you’ll get used to Sam, though. I want you to get to know him. He’s a wonderful kid.”

“I know that already.” She cupped his cheek tenderly, let her fingers scrape over the rugged stubble of his night beard. “And he has a great dad.”

Was that a blush on his neck and cheeks? He was so handsome, and his humility made him more adorable.

“I promise you a great tour of the place tomorrow, with Sam and me as guides.” He covered her hand, still on his cheek, with his own.

Its warmth radiated through Holly’s skin all the way to her core.

“Tonight, though, I can give you a bird’s eye view of the Big Dipper from my deck, if you’d like. You can see stars out here that you just can’t see in the city, sugar. It’s amazing.”

“I’d love that.” She leaned upward and brushed her lips gently over his.

He deepened the kiss, but only for a moment. “We can make love under the stars, Holly.” His low voice hummed against her lips.

“How is it that you do this, Jack?”

“Do what?”

“Make me want you so much? It’s like I’m not myself anymore. I can’t see. I can’t hear. I can’t even breathe.”

His lips moved against hers in a smile and he nipped her chin. “I’m so glad this isn’t all one-sided. You’re so beautiful. I can’t get enough of looking at you. And right now, I want to look at you under the Big Dipper.”

Nine

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