The Maverick Meets His Match (Hearts of Wyoming Book 2)(43)

“Because you gain more if you can sell PRC and convince Tuck to sell the land as well.”

“It’s true that I’d like a chance to develop that land, but only if it’s because I can get you guys a fantastic offer. I swear I’m not the enemy.” God how he wanted to kiss her. Kiss away those doubts.

“Could have fooled me,” she said barely above a whisper, but loud enough for him to hear.

“Just give me a chance to prove it, Mandy. That’s all I’m asking for is a chance.”

He reached out and curved a finger under her chin, tilting it so her luscious mouth was in his line of sight. He’d need to get her to assess things with her head, not with her heart, before she’d trust him. But just how he was going to do that, he wasn’t sure. He was sure, however, he wanted to taste her. And that heat coming from her eyes said she would let him.

Lowering his lips to hers, he covered her mouth and kissed her, long, deep, and full while his hands caressed her back, learning her curves and angles.

She returned the kiss, taking it even deeper, her tongue searching, reaching for his. God, she was a passionate woman. And there were two queen beds just waiting for them to try out—together.

Bringing his hand around, he cupped her breast through her clothes. Down soft, pliable, overflowing his palm, just as he had imagined. He began to slowly, gently knead. Her quick inhale told him all he needed to know.

He feathered kisses across her cheek, then nibbled on her ear lobe. She kissed his neck, and he felt it clear to his groin. Not to be outdone, he nuzzled the smooth silk of her throat, breathing in the sweet scent of roses, and sucked the tender area right above her collarbone as she moved her head to the side, giving him better access. All the time, he fondled her breast, covered by the fabric of her bra, with the tips of his fingers, caressing the generous swells with a gentle touch. She wasn’t resisting at all. On the contrary, her eyes were closed, her lips parted.

Subtly, he slid his hips against her body, and his hard, thickened erection scraped her soft belly, sending bolts of lust and desire through him. He sure as hell hoped it was sending those same bolts through her.

“Combustible,” he whispered in her ear.

Not willing to risk her refusal, he covered her mouth with his as he backed her up until the back of her legs hit the edge of the bed and she sat down on it with a plop, breaking the kiss. He moved to stand between her thighs and gazed down into green eyes wide and rounded with surprise, but not displeasure.

This was where he wanted her—in his bed. He’d waited years to finish what she’d started. And a hotel room in a strange city was as good a place as any.

“You are an incredible kisser,” he said, meaning every word of it. Her legs opened so he could nestle between them. Gently he grasped her shoulders and eased her back upon the bed, relieved he didn’t encounter any resistance as he covered her with his body.

Underneath him, she felt soft and supple, so at odds with the hard-shell image she tried to portray. He wanted to kiss her all over, wanted to run his tongue across her silky flesh, taste her—everywhere. He started with the soft skin of her throat, feathering little kisses as he glided his fingertips under the fabric of her top, inching it up.

“You’re so soft.” His heart pounded in synch with the throbbing in his pants. Sensing victory, his body clamored for more, but he had to take this slow, steady. He found her lips again and swirled his mouth over hers while his tongue pressed against the seam of her lips until she opened for him. She tasted like peppermint.

He increased the pressure as he slowly moved his body against her, letting her feel how hard he was, how much he wanted her. Brushing his thumbs along the underwire of her bra, he found the clasp. Coaxing it open, the bra gave way, and his hand found the supple flesh of her breast as he kissed the soft spot at the base of her throat.

Sliding his lips down her neck, across her delicate collarbone, down to the berried nipple that begged for attention, he suckled. Hard. Firm.

She moaned, shifted, moaned again.

He switched to the other one, pulling the nipple between his lips until her hips bucked against him and he felt the jolt of lust grip his groin.

It had been a while since he’d undressed a woman when he hadn’t been assured of the outcome. He reached for the buckle on her belt. His pulse quickened. Hot blood shot through him. She was gorgeous underneath those clothes. Perfectly proportioned, soft, and delicate. Bent upon his task, he hadn’t noticed her knee until it bumped a sensitive area to turn pleasure into a blast of pain. What the…

He raised his head, perspiration trickling down his cheek. “What did you do that for?”

“Because we aren’t doing it…that,” she rasped out between heaving breaths. She shook her head so waves of hair swept over her bare breasts, providing a translucent curtain. Damn she was beautiful.

She pushed against his chest. “Get off me.”

He dutifully rolled off her, and she jumped out of bed like he’d lit a fire under her. Maybe he had. Maybe she was running from something she was afraid she couldn’t handle.

“I’m taking a shower,” she said, her hand clutching her shirt to her body. “And I’ll be locking the door.”

Mandy slumped against the bathroom door, her knees weak, her heart pounding. She’d almost caved, had been this close to losing control.

No, no, no. She whispered the word three times for emphasis. He wasn’t to be trusted—not with her company and certainly not with her heart. Why he so easily flipped her switch she couldn’t say, but it had been that way even ten years ago. Back then she’d been so sure he was the man her young heart desired. She’d told him the truth back then. She’d been a virgin and wanted him to be the first, thinking it would show him how much he meant to her.