Page 60 of Mountain Rescue
After his rescue and his time in the hospital, he’d come home, and hadn’t been tempted or interested in fulfilling that wish. How could he when he couldn’t stand to be touched? Now here was a woman awakening the desire that he’d feared was gone forever.
He buried his face against her neck, afraid she’d see the grateful tears in his eyes. It scared him how much he needed her, maybe forever. What if she was the only woman whose touch he’d ever be able to tolerate? How was he supposed to walk away?
“Don’t be sad,” she said.
Before he could think why she said that, she began moving. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He’d thought their first time would be hot and heavy, frantic even. Instead, it was tender and dreamy. He almost felt like he was floating on air. He’d never experienced anything like it, and he never wanted it to end.
But it did. When she clenched her core muscles around him, telling him she was close to the edge, he found her mouth, needing that connection, too. Their tongues tangled, dueled, and explored. Their breaths mingled and he felt like they were breathing for each other. He could feel her heart beating against his chest, and when she moaned into his mouth, and her hands fisted his hair, and her body shuddered, he let go, soaring with her.
“You want me to trim your hair?”
Dallas loaded the last dinner plate in the dishwasher, then stepped behind Rachel and nuzzled her neck. “But then what will you hold on to?” He’d noticed that she liked to curl her fingers around his hair when they kissed.
She peered back at him. “Oh, I think I can find a thing or two.”
“Now you have my attention.”
“I just bet.” She dried her hands on a dishtowel, then turned to face him. “I like your hair the way it is, but you mentioned it was getting too long. Up to you.”
“Maybe just trim it up a little?” If he didn’t let her cut it, eventually he’d have hair down to his waist. He wondered if she’d have a problem with him showing up once a month for a haircut once this was over and she returned home.
“Sure. I saw scissors somewhere the other day. Go get a towel and your comb while I find them.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Shirt off,” she said when he returned.
He grinned. “I like it when you’re bossy.” If she’d told him to take off his shirt a few days ago, he would have walked out of the room. It was a minor miracle that he didn’t hesitate to do as she asked.
Turned out getting a haircut was torture. Every time her breasts brushed across his shoulders or one of his arms, he wanted to pull her onto his lap and make love to her again. To keep from doing just that, he mentally recited the names of all the horses at the ranch.
She stepped in front of him. “You’re muttering things.”
“No, I’m not.” Was he?
“Yes, you are. I clearly heardLego. Is getting a haircut upsetting to you? We don’t have to finish.”
“No, let’s get this done.”
“Okay.” She moved behind him and combed her fingers through his hair. “So, who or what is Lego?”
Apparently, he had muttered his horse’s name out loud, but Lego he could talk about. “My rescue mustang.”
“Oh, cool. Why’d you name him that?”
“I didn’t, Cheyenne’s little girl did. Wasn’t what I planned to name him, but I dare you to say no to your four-year-old niece. They cry when they don’t get their way.”
She leaned around him and smiled. “You’re a softie, Dallas Manning.”
“Only with little girls who cry.”
“Nuh-uh.” She pulled the towel from his shoulders and used it to wipe away pieces of hair. “All done. Go look in the mirror and tell me if you’ll let me come near you with scissors again.”
She followed him to the bathroom, leaning against the doorway as he took a quick look at his reflection. “Well?”
“You can come near me with scissors again.” He loved the sweet smile she gave him. Even though his scars didn’t seem to bother her, he still wasn’t comfortable walking around without a shirt on. He headed for the bedroom to get a shirt.
“Who said you could get on the bed, Bella?” She gave him a quick glance before turning her attention back on the small lump darting around under the covers.
