Page 43 of Tangled Kisses
“You enjoy my ogling you?”
“Oh yes,” he says without hesitation. “Especially since I ogle you too.”
I let out a disbelieving laugh, waving him off. “Sure you do.”
His expression intensifies as he stands, closing the space between us until we’re toe to toe.
“Want to bet? It’s not just your smile, belleza.” His voice drops. “It’s the way you tug on your lower lip when you’re nervous.”
My breath snags as he grazes the curve of my mouth, slow and deliberate.
“You’ve got a hell of a mouth. Perfect shape. So damn kissable.”
But he doesn’t kiss on the mouth. Ever.
I’m frozen, every nerve ending on high alert.
“And here.” His hand shifts upward, brushing the curve of my neck, his fingers skimming the tender skin at my nape. “Just begging to be kissed.”
A shiver shoots down my spine. I might combust right there on the dirt path.
His hand slides lower, finding the small of my back. His thumb presses just above my waistband. “And these,” he murmurs, voice feral now, “the little dimples right here. You don’t know what they do to me.”
Hold the hell up.
Dimples? On my ass? Thirty-seven years in this body, and no one has ever mentioned dimples back there. Was I supposed to get a manual for that?
I crane my neck like an idiot, as if I can check for myself. “I have dimples above my ass?”
He chuckles low, thumb grazing the spot again. “Trust me. It’s a good thing.”
The air between us sizzles. My cheeks flame hotter than the midday sun. “Wait a minute. Were you staring at my ass?”
“All the time.” His gaze darkens, a flicker of satisfaction sparking there. “I ogle you too. Makes me feel good to know you’re returning the favor.”
Before I can form a comeback, he turns, grabs the handle of a water jug sitting nearby, and tips it over his head. Cold streams run down his chest, over his stomach, soaking into his waistband.
Holy. God. Almighty.
I whip my gaze toward the trees, but it’s too late—every inch of him is branded into my brain.
“Are you coming tonight?” His voice is casual, like he didn’t just detonate every nerve in my body.
“Huh?” I squeak.
“The local bar. I’m playing. Hope you’ll be there.”
“Oh. Right. Yes. Piper says I need to get a social life.” I scramble for composure, clutching the hem of my shirt like it might anchor me. “So, yeah. I’ll be there.”
His lips hitch into a knowing grin. “Are you going to stop avoiding me?”
Warmth shoots straight up into my face. Busted.
How the hell does he know? This cowboy might be a mind reader, on top of everything else.
“I wasn’t avoiding you,” I lie, too fast.
He smirks, eyes glinting like he’s already won. “Yeah, you were. But that’s going to change tonight.”
