Page 19 of Mountain Man Grinch
My eyes go to the bed. So do hers. Red climbs her cheeks, and guilt slams into me. She’s too young. Too innocent. Too close to McGregor.
“Princess … I should slow this down.” But I can’t stop touching her, leaning in, resting my forehead against hers. She tips up her face, kisses me, and I’m drowning all over again. Yearning hums through her dainty fingers as she touches my cheeks, shoulders, and beard, then wraps her arms around my neck, drawing me closer and the kiss deeper.
“Whether we go fast or slow.” Her voice trembles. “Either way, I know what I want. I wantyou.” Her hand cups my face, thumb sliding over my cheek. The look in her eyes undoes me—warm, love-filled, dripping with trust.
“But in this dumbass little cabin?” My voice cracks.
“It’s not about the cabin, the snow, how long we’ve known each other. It’s aboutyou”—she presses her hand to my heart, then to her own—“andme.”
I want to believe her, but still I hesitate between the hearth and the bed.
Her eyes sear into mine. “I’ve never wanted anyone like this. Not ever. Don’t make me beg.”
Fuck. “Oh, I’ll make you beg,” I promise with a lopsided grin, heading for the bed.
She sighs, long and heavy. I lay her down, push the blanket to the side. Just breathing for a moment, memorizing her beauty, her openness.
“Tell me to stop, and I will,” I say, climbing on next to her, savoring the feel of her soft, warm body reclining next to mine.
“You won’t need to stop,” she says, pupils dilating, bottom lip trembling.
“I’m clean.” I stroke her jawline slowly, etching her memory into my eternity. “But I don’t have condoms … wasn’t expecting any of this.”
Her brows knit. “I’m clean, too. Not on birth control. But … but if what you said is true, that you won’t be able to let me go, then does it really matter?”
“Only if you’re not ready to be pregnant. Don’t think I need to give you a biology lesson.” Warmth pools in my chest, inexplicable.
“Just don’t want you to regret any of this.”
“Already told you, I never will. I’m a simple man, Arielle. I can protect you, provide for you, keep you warm ….and give you babies.”
Her hands are in my hair, a smile teasing her lips. “You already have three out of four figured out.”
I nod, running my thumb over her bottom lip. “In other words, if we do this, you’re it for me … and that sharp-toothed little gremlin, too. But I need to know what you want.”
“I want you, Davin. I wantthis. Always.”
Her words crash into my heart like my mouth crashes into hers. Ravenous, aching for more. My hands are in her hair as I angle her head, go deeper until she’s breathless and panting against me.
“I’ve got you,” I promise, feathering my lips over her face, taking her mouth more slowly, reverently this time. Soft kisses and tenderness breaking through my tough exterior.
Her hands slide beneath my thermal, fingers gliding over each angle like she owns them. She does.
My hands slide over her curvy frame, unbuttoning my flannel, falling in love with every inch of her impossibly soft heat. I pull her shirt free, absorb the lace, flesh, need. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman. Sexy as hell and all mine.
My hands cup her breasts, thumbs sliding over her nipples. She gasps, arching toward me as my head descends, and I flick her bra clasp free. I suck her into my mouth, taking turns adoring her perfect tits.
My hands glide to her waist, and she whispers, “Oh.”
“What?” I pant, craning my neck to look at her.
“I’ve got rolls there. You shouldn’t?—”
I stop, frozen in the spot. “What are you talking about? I love your rolls, your curves, every damn inch of you. Like you were made to be mine.”
“No,” she giggles, fire flashing behind her eyes. “Youwere made to be mine.”
“Prove it then.”
