Page 52 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

Defeat filled her eyes, and Colt moved to her side, taking her hand. He asked, “How can we help, Agent Hamill? That’s what we’re here for.”

“For right now, just stand by.”

Colt gave him his cell number and the room number where they were staying. “Please let us know the minute you have something.”

Hamill gave them both one of his cards. “I’ll do that.”

***

Back at the room, Taylortook the first shower. Colt took the opportunity to call Dane. “Hey, bro, we made it here to Cumberland.”

“Great, so tell me what’s happening. Any word on JJ?” Dane asked quickly.

Colt filled him in on what little they knew. “We’re about as welcome as a hole in the head with the local police chief. I hope I can win him over.”

“You will. I’ve always said you’re the people guy and I’m the ladies’ man,” Dane said.

Colt guffawed. “You’re a pain in my ass, you know that?”

“Of course I do,” Dane said with a smile in his voice. “But, seriously, bro, good luck. I’ll be praying for you all.”

Taylor came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, and Colt took a quick shower. When he came out, he found her pacing the length of the room, her arms folded across her chest, her face in a deep frown.

He slid under the covers and patted the pillow next to him. “Come on, Taylor. That’s doing you no good. Come to bed.”

She whipped around. “How can I sleep when no one is looking for JJ? Anything could be happening to him, and I’m doing nothing!” Her face crumpled, and she turned away as she began to sob in earnest, her body convulsing with each deep lungful of air.

The sound tore at his heart, and he dove from the bed, took her into his arms, and held her tight against his chest. Her wrenching cries jarred his soul.

He drew her down onto the bed and slipped the covers over her as she continued to pour her grief out in deep, gut-wrenching sobs. This outburst had been a long time coming and it would do her good, so he didn’t try to stop her. Wrapping his arms around her, he let her cry as he kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and the tip of her nose.

At last, her cries turned to soft moans, then to silence. And in the silence, she began to hiccup. She groaned. “Oh God, I hate the hiccups.”

He chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Hold your breath. They’ll stop.” He turned out the bedside light, but he could still see her with the light coming through the crack in the curtains.

She stared up at him from beneath her lashes, and he saw a new emotion in her eyes. His pulse picked up speed. He knew that look. Desire. But what should he do about it? She was emotionally overwrought and vulnerable right now. He was suddenly aware of her arms wrapped tightly around him. Her hand moved, sliding up and down the ridges of his back, sending goose bumps up his spine. The sensation was unbelievably erotic. “Taylor?”

“Uh-huh?”

“Honey, tell me what you want. I don’t want to hurt you.”

She drew her head back again and he could see into her eyes. “I want you to make love to me, Colt. Make me forget everything but you. I don’t want to think. I only want to feel. Will you do that?”

His heart began to pound, and he searched her eyes. She had to be in her right mind, feeling truly herself, before he could give her what she wanted.

She cupped his cheek. “Colt, I know what I’m asking. It’s okay.”

And he believed her. He touched her cheek. It was soft as velvet, and he shivered, anticipating what was to come. He’d dreamed of this—and now it was real.

He lowered his lips to hers and when he kissed her, it was if time slipped away and there was only the here and now. Only Taylor—the sweet woman who’d come to mean everything to him—and her beautiful body.

He took a deep breath of restraint at the sudden urgency to meld their bodies and ease the wildfire of need that was burning him up inside. He kissed her temple, her jaw, the corner of her mouth. He couldn’t get enough of her, and yet he had to be gentle. He kissed her mouth slowly and deeply, using his tongue. She moaned and stroked him with hers. Raw need shot through him at the sensation, and he groaned, his arms tightening around her.

Her body vibrated as his kiss became rough, his control slipping in his need to possess her. He drew back panting and cursing himself under his breath. “I’m sorry,” he whispered into her hair, then clenched his teeth, gathering his control again.

She stroked his cheek, then ran her fingers through his hair. “Don’t apologize. You’re perfect.” He moaned and kissed her again, this time softly brushing her lips with his and capturing her bottom one in a gentle nip.

She kissed him back, thrusting her tongue deep inside him, stroking him, her tongue tangling with his. He kicked off his shorts and briefs and kissed her again, breathing in her soft breath, tasting mint and wanting more. She moved and kissed his neck, trailing her lips to the hollow of his throat. When she kissed him there, he thought he’d die. Tingles of desire swept through him in a mighty rush, and he drew her on top of him.

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