Sharp Shootin' Cowboy (Hot Cowboy Nights, #3)(50)

She waited impatiently, her pulse speeding as he walked out the door toward the truck. He couldn’t move fast enough for her. He laid a small plastic bag on the seat and then started the truck. Five minutes later, they were in the lodge parking lot.

“Got an extra room key?” he asked, his entire body tense. She could see it in the hard line of his mouth, in the stiffness of his movements.

“No. I’ve only got one, but I can get another.” Her hands were trembling as she fished inside her purse. “Here. Number two nineteen.” She handed him her card. “I’ll just tell them I left mine in the room.”

His hand came over hers, warm and firm as if meant to reassure, but the contact was like an electric jolt. “You okay?” He didn’t make a move beyond touching her hand.

She looked up into his eyes with a hard swallow. “No,” she murmured. “I’m not. But I will be.” Although she quivered with trepidation, it wasn’t enough to stop the train.

He gave a nod and released her hand, then unbuckled and came around to open her door. “You’d best go in alone. It’s a small community. People talk.”

Her legs felt like jelly as she walked to the front desk for a replacement key. She’d never been so aware of her body before. Her anticipation ratcheted up another notch with every step as she approached her room. Would he be there already or would he wait a while? She hadn’t thought to ask.

She held her breath as she slid the key into the slot and opened the door, releasing a long hiss of relief when she found the room empty. She closed the door and leaned against it. She wanted this, didn’t she?

Yes. She did.

She ached with physical need. She’d kept it caged far too long and was almost ready to climb out of her skin with want. But it scared the hell out of her. She didn’t just want him. She needed him.

But why was it only Reid who’d ever made her feel this way? Jeffrey had felt safe and comfortable, like a favorite pair of jeans. She’d never experience the same passion with Jeffrey that she’d known with Reid. He’d never remotely compared, though she’d tried very hard not to. Compare, that is.

The two men were nothing alike, either philosophically or physically. If they were trees, Jeffrey would be a birch and Reid would be an oak, an analogy that suited their anatomical differences equally well, she thought dryly. Although she’d tried to convince herself for the longest time that she loved Jeffrey, she knew better now. If she had, she would have long forgotten Reid. But she hadn’t. Would it be the same between them as it was before?

You’re thinking too much. Just relax and go with it. You’re a grown woman and have every right to enjoy yourself with a man. With Reid.

Should she undress? She hated to appear too eager. Then again, who was she kidding? Not Reid. He’d seen right through her, had read her every lurid thought in the bar.

With her heart racing, she kicked off her shoes but hesitated with her hands on the zipper of her skirt. Maybe he’d want to undress her? Then again, he’d probably be more than happy to get straight to the main event. Four-point-one-six years.

He’d done the math.

She nervously shed her skirt and blouse, but left her bra and panties on. She wished she’d worn something racier than sensible white cotton with just a bit of lace trim, but the plain packaging would have to do.

The door clicked. She inhaled a tiny gasp.

“You should use the dead bolt.”

“I was expecting you,” she said.

“I was afraid you might change your mind.”

“No, Reid. I haven’t changed my mind. No games, right?”

His hot gaze raked slowly up and down her body. He doffed his hat and tossed it on the chair. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Haley Cooper.” His voice was low and husky, inciting tiny ripples deep inside her sex. He was in tight control, but his desire was palpable, like some powerful force that was about to unleash. He extended his hand.

She approached with an intentional slow and seductive sway of her hips, shivering again as their gazes met and held. Oh dear God. All the foreplay she needed was right there, reflected in his blue eyes.

*

She’d surprised him, meeting him in her bra and panties, but at least her actions stated clear intent. Thank God.

“Take it off. All of it.” Though his balls ached with anticipation, he didn’t trust himself to touch her. Not yet.

She bit her lip, looking suddenly shy. All the confidence she’d greeted him with a moment ago had evaporated. He pulled her close. Locking eyes with hers, he ran his index finger slowly down the valley between her breasts. The bra had a front hook. He managed it with one hand. She trembled as it dropped to the floor.

Her breasts weren’t overly full, but nicely shaped and pert as hell with pretty pink nipples standing at attention, reminding him of ripe raspberries. His mouth watered with the desire to suck them. But not yet.

His fingers tracked down the midline of her belly, over pale, smooth, satiny skin. He traced the band of her bikini panties, then hooked one side of them. Her eyes widened and breath audibly hitched as he peeled them down.

“Aren’t you at least going to kiss me first?”

“Yeah,” he replied with a dark laugh. “I’m going to kiss you, all right.” She gave another little gasp as his knees hit the floor. “I’m going to kiss and tongue you until you scream. I’m going to brand every inch of you with my mouth, Haley, so that this time you won’t forget.”