Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)(65)

But then she realized she was ready for this. Wanted this. She wrapped her legs around his hips and sank into the feelings of him filling her. After last time she would have thought she had nothing left. Instead she came within seconds and he quickly followed, shuddering as he finished.

She opened her eyes. “I don’t understand.”

“Mom left out that part of the pressure point lecture. It’s the orgasm of your life with the added benefit of making you want to do it again.” One corner of his mouth turned up. “I thought calmer might be better for you.”

“Oh. So you’ve done this before. The pressure thing.”

She wasn’t sure why that news disappointed her so much. It wasn’t as if she and Sam were virgins or something.

“I’ve experimented with it,” he told her. “But not like this. Never to climax. As for the aftereffects, I’d only heard about them. I never experienced them myself.” He bent down and whispered in her ear. “We definitely have to try that one again.”

She felt herself blushing. “I don’t think so.”

“Why not? Didn’t you enjoy it?”

“I rode you like an I don’t know what. I screamed. I cried. My enjoying it isn’t the point.”

He frowned. “I think it is. Besides, you were hot. Seriously hot. If I’m ever alone on an island with no female companionship, you’re going to be my only fantasy.”

An unexpected and very strange compliment. But one she liked.

Sam stretched out next to her. She rested her head on his shoulder. He drew her hand to his groin.

“Nothing’s going to happen,” he told her. “But it’s nice to have you touch me.”

“I like it, too.”

They stayed like that a long time. They talked about the day and the success the weekend had been so far. Dellina was able to keep up with the conversation, even as she flashed back to their passionate encounter. As she thought about how Sam had made her feel, she remembered Felicia talking sometime the previous year. The other woman had explained the biology of sexual bonding. That after intercourse, a woman generally felt closer to the man, while he felt a sense of conquest.

If a woman bonded during regular sex, what would happen to her after an experience like she’d just had? Sam had an amazing hold on her body. How difficult was it going to be to keep him from also possessing her heart? Something she happened to know he didn’t actually want.

* * *

FAYRENE SAT IN the passenger seat of the van, Caramel on her lap. The little Pomeranian was exhausted from her time at Castle Ranch. She’d played with the children, discovered goats and had enjoyed the cheese sampling. Fayrene was also tired, but the feeling didn’t come with any sense of accomplishment. Yes, she’d gotten through the two and a half days. But they’d been a lot more work than she’d anticipated.

Ryan was in the back with the boys. He’d been so great with all the kids. He was patient, funny and knew how to defuse nearly any situation, even if that meant calling over Caramel to offer a well-timed doggy kiss.

The van pulled up in front of the hotel and the kids spilled out. Their parents were waiting for them. Fayrene watched all the greetings. The kids seemed happy, the adults were relaxed. Obviously the weekend had been a huge success for Score.

Fayrene gathered a nearly limp Caramel in her arms and stepped out of the van. Ryan was saying goodbye to the kids and shaking hands with the parents. A few of the children called out to Fayrene, but most were already heading to the hotel to collect their belongings before leaving.

From a business perspective, Fayrene knew she’d done fine. Everyone had been entertained and kept safe. She’d managed her babysitting team well. But she hadn’t been all that comfortable with the kids themselves. Ryan was much more relaxed around them than she had been. She’d wanted this to be a bonding experience for the two of them. She’d wanted him to see that she was going to be a great mother and that he should marry her right away. And none of that had happened.

He walked up to her and touched her chin, then kissed her mouth.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing. Handling twelve kids is harder than I thought.”

“Why wouldn’t it be? There’s too many of them.” He grinned, then put his arm around her. “We’ll practice with Caramel for now, then later, after we’re married, we’ll take our own on one at a time.”

She sniffed. “You still want to marry me?”

He stepped in front of her and put both hands on her shoulders. “I love you, Fayrene. I have from the first moment I saw you.” He smiled. “You were running around like a crazy person, yelling that the babies were coming.”

“Not my finest hour.”

“It worked for me.” The smile faded. “I love you,” he repeated. “For now and for always. When you’re ready, I’m going to propose and we’ll get married. That hasn’t changed.”

I’m ready now. Only she didn’t say the words. Somehow she couldn’t speak at all—not with the lump in her throat.

He put his arm around her again and led her toward the hotel. “Maybe Mayor Marsha won’t come back from her trip and we can keep her dog forever.”

Fayrene kissed Caramel’s head. “I’d like that. To be honest, I don’t remember her ever having a dog, so I’m not sure where this sweet little girl came from.”