Summer Nights (Fool's Gold #8)(66)

“That’s the one.”

“What about the ice?” She picked up a small square of ice and held it in her hand. “Want this?”

Interest sparked in his eyes. “What are you suggesting?”

She pressed the ice against her throat and slowly ran it down to her belly. The ice was freezing and immediately began to melt. Water dripped down between her br**sts. Her already hard ni**les tightened even more.

Shane sat up and began to unfasten his shirt. He worked quickly, his gaze never leaving her.

“Anything else?” he asked, ripping off his shirt. He moved to the side of the bed and pulled off his boots and socks.

She wasn’t sure what to do next. Her lone experience with  p**n  had been a badly done movie she and her friends had watched in college and, honestly, she hadn’t seen the point. She knew men were visual, so maybe some kind of sexy dance. Only she wasn’t the sexy dance type. Maybe she could try the dance of the happy virgin or something.

Pathetic, she thought, getting desperate and cupping her br**sts. She really needed to do some research on the subject. With Shane, it could be fun.

She’d barely raised her br**sts in her hands, when Shane was on his feet and his jeans and briefs were falling. He crossed the room in two long strides, and grabbed her wrists. He had her back on the bed before she could catch her breath. Then the condom was on and he was inside of her.

He pushed in deeply, groaning quietly, his entire body tense. All of ten seconds later, he was done. She blinked up at him.

“Really?” she asked before she could stop herself.

“Sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m just surprised.”

He pulled out and rolled off her. She shifted toward him, supporting her head on her hand.

“Shane?”

He grimaced. “I’m like a teenager. It’s what you were doing. I couldn’t help it.”

“Five seconds with ice and then cupping my br**sts?”

He turned to face her. “You do it for me. What can I say?”

That maybe she didn’t need a sexy dance after all. “I like that I do it for you. You do it for me, too.”

He grinned. “Let’s have the champagne. Give me fifteen minutes and I’ll prove myself with you.”

“Deal,” she said, thinking there was nothing to prove.

* * *

LIKE MUCH OF SOUTHERN California, the Del Mar Racetrack had Spanish influences in the architecture. The grounds were well maintained and lush, the clubhouse impressive and owners and trainers had their own parking.

Annabelle stepped out of the car and smiled at Shane. He looked good. Better than good. A little tired, maybe, she thought with a smile. One of the advantages of being a woman, she thought as he took her hand. She could hide her dark circles with concealer.

“What are you smiling about?” he asked as they walked toward the entrance.

“Last night.”

“Which time?”

“All of them.”

As promised, he’d more than proven himself. They’d ordered dinner in and had spent a long, leisurely evening talking and making love. Later they’d settled into the huge bathtub and explored each other until the water had grown cold.

“Tell me about your horse,” she said. “It’s a he, right?”

“Deadline’s Dream. Yes, a boy.”

She grinned. “Is that a colt or a gelding?”

“Impressive. Using technical horse terms.”

“I’m learning.”

Not just about horses, she thought. But also about Shane. He was wary of her. Slow to trust. But she could live with the flaw. Because he was worth it. He was…

She glanced up at him and knew she was in danger. A man like him was difficult to resist. Difficult not to care about. Impossible not to love.

But until he fully believed in her, until he saw her as who she really was, she would have to be careful. Hearts were fragile at best and hers had already been broken once.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

SHANE WOKE EARLY, JUST before dawn, judging by the faint light in the sky. They’d slept with the balcony doors partially open and a cold morning fog crept into the room.

He carefully climbed out of bed and closed the doors, then returned to the warmth of sheets, blankets and Annabelle.

She lay on her side, facing him, her eyes closed, her breathing steady. Dark red hair trailed across one bare shoulder and he could see part of a breast.

Wanting stirred. When she was around, it didn’t take much. Knowing she was in the room pretty much did it for him. Last night he’d taken her again and again, unable to get enough of her. They’d fallen asleep in each other’s arms. Now he watched her and wondered what he’d gotten himself into.

From the first moment he’d seen her, he’d been unable to escape her. He’d tried. But here he was, in her bed. Trapped by a desire he couldn’t control and a need he couldn’t explain. He should be running, or at least looking for an exit. But he wasn’t. He couldn’t leave. Not yet.

Was it possible she was who she seemed? She never looked at other men, she was funny, sexy and sweet. Maybe it was time to accept that and give them both a chance.

He got out of bed again and walked into the living room. Once there he strolled behind the wet bar and started coffee. He used the half bath and the spare toothbrush that housekeeping had thoughtfully put into a drawer. When he returned to the bedroom, the main bathroom door was closed. Seconds later it opened and Annabelle appeared.