Sharp Shootin' Cowboy (Hot Cowboy Nights, #3)(25)

He kissed her again, teasing her with promises of things to come.

She kissed him back, sucking his lower lip between hers, releasing it slowly, thrilling at the flare of his pupils. “Yes, Reid,” she replied in a husky whisper. “That’s one thing we finally agree on. Life is too short for regrets.”





Chapter 10


Reid carried her back to shore, easing her down his body and over his erection with a groan. Her legs went to jelly the moment her feet hit the sand. She immediately felt the loss of his hardness. His heat.

He grabbed his boots and then took her hand. Even in his wet jeans, Haley could barely keep up with his long strides. His jaw was tight, his expression purposeful as he dragged her through the hotel lobby, leaving a trail of water in their wake.

Finding the elevator empty, he didn’t hesitate to drop his boots and pull her back into his arms. His kiss was deep, passionate, and still tasted of Pacific salt. It grew more urgent, and so did she. Haley trembled against him, but her shivers had nothing to do with the air-conditioning blasting arctic air on her wet skin. She was a huge bundle of nerves. She’d never done anything like this. But why Reid? Why now? She didn’t try to kid herself that it was anything more than raw attraction. How could it be anything else?

Her legs were still rubbery, and her mind reeling from his kisses when the doors dinged open. He released her with reluctance and led her down a long hallway, stopping only long enough to fish a key card out of his back pocket. He’d booked a room before finding her? She tried not to think too much about the significance of that.

The door clicked open. They stepped inside. Haley caught her breath.

He hadn’t skimped on either the hotel or the room. It was large and well appointed with a gorgeous view and a king-sized bed. Her heart raced. She glanced back at the door, briefly considering retreat. If she was going to back down, the time was now.

“Second thoughts?” He read her mind. “I want you, Haley. You know that, but the decision is still yours, not mine.” He kissed her gently, his tongue coaxing her mouth, evaporating her doubts with tender persuasion.

No regrets. She once more murmured her new mantra to herself.

“Good.” Taking her hand, he led her into a marble-tiled bathroom with a huge Jacuzzi tub and a walk-in tile shower enclosure. He turned on the shower tap. “Get in.”

“You expect me to just strip here in front of you in broad daylight?”

“Sand is abrasive to delicate places. You’re covered with it…not to mention the vegetation.” He plucked a piece of seaweed from her hair, dangled it before her eyes, and then tossed it into the trash. “But if it’s an issue of modesty, you can stay in your suit…for now. As for me, I’m not about to shower in my clothes. I need to get these damned wet jeans off. Now. Would it offend your delicate sensibilities to see me naked?”

“Of course not. I mean we came here to…to…”

“Can’t even say it?” he teased.

She blushed. She wanted to see him…to touch him…but shyness and feelings of ineptitude made her hesitate. She marshalled her nerve. “Do you…er…need some help?”

“I sure wouldn’t refuse it.” He’d already worked the button free.

She moved in, taking hold of his zipper with one hand, and cupping him with the other. Even through wet denim, the feel of him surprised her. Her hands shook so much she couldn’t lower his fly.

He seized her hand in guttural tones. “On second thought… It’ll be a hell of a lot easier to get them off without a hard-on.”

“That quick?” she asked.

“Oh yeah.” He gave a dry laugh. “All you have to do is look south to get me hard.” He peeled down his jeans. The thwack of wet denim hitting the floor followed. His erection sprang out. Bigger than she’d expected. Much bigger.

Although she wasn’t a virgin, her experience was limited to her first and only boyfriend, Kevin. The “big event” had taken place on a beach blanket with a bottle of Riunite Lambrusco. After emptying the bottle together, he’d pulled her down onto the blanket. The kissing and petting had been pleasant enough, but what followed was mildly painful. It was ten minutes of frantic thrusting on his part while she bit her lip, waiting for him to be done. Their few repeat encounters were only marginally better. He’d eventually broken up with her, calling her cold and sexless.

For months Haley tortured herself, wondering what she’d done wrong. She’d eventually concluded that he was right. She just wasn’t a sexual person. After that, she’d been in no great hurry for any further “sexploration.” Until now. Looking at Reid, she was beginning to understand what was missing the first time around.

He took her hand, closing her fingers around his erection. It was huge, hot, and pulsing. She wondered with a mix of eagerness and trepidation how it would feel inside her.

“Reid?”

“What, sweetheart?”

Her gaze darted back to his face. “Are you normal size? I mean, you seem so much bigger than…” Kevin.

“You do that to me,” he replied in husky tones. “And I warn you not to look at me like that again unless you’re prepared for some serious repercussions.”

Unable to help herself, she eyed him once more and gave him a soft squeeze.