Temptation Ridge (Virgin River #6)(64)

“Dammit, Shelby,” he said. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“And warned me and warned me and warned me…”

“You should be with a serious young man who will protect you and take care of you, not someone like me.”

“Maybe someday. Right now, I just have one requirement. One woman at a time, that’s all I ask. I’m not looking to join a harem. Can you do that?”

He sighed. “I’m doing it. I don’t even have to try. You’re the only woman I want. And I’m starting to want you real damn bad.”

“I don’t mind that, you know,” she said, gently trailing the backs of her fingers along his rough cheek.

“You’d better think about this.”

“I haven’t thought about anything else. And you know it.”

“Okay,” he said, running his hand over her shoulder and down to her hand, lacing his fingers in hers. “Here are your choices. Try to be smart. I can take you home now, or take you home with me. Because we either have to stop this here and now, or get it done.”

She smiled at him. She leaned toward him and pressed her lips softly against his. “Let’s get it done,” she whispered.

Luke pulled the bike up in front of his house, dismounted and put it up on its stand. He took her helmet from her and hung it on the handlebar. Then he put his lips against hers as he lifted her off the bike and into his arms. He carried her inside, threw the latch and moved quickly and impatiently toward the bedroom.

His brain was numb; all he could think was that soon he would be cured. Once he had her, he’d be over the insanity. But in spite of his desperation, he was determined that it wasn’t going to be too fast. It was going to be slow and sweet and he was going to make her feel so good, she’d faint. Then he’d be cured.

He sat her gently on the bed. He let his jacket drop from his shoulders and took hers, tossing them into the chair in his room. He unfastened his chaps and drew off his boots. Kneeling on the floor in front of her, he slowly pulled off her boots and carefully drew her sweater over her head, placing small kisses on her chest, shoulders, breast, neck. She trembled and he pulled her into his arms for a moment, reminding himself to take his time, take it slow, reassure her that he wasn’t going to be the shark right now.

Her bra disappeared and his tongue brought her ni**les to life, hardening them into peaks. He gently pushed her back onto the bed and unsnapped her jeans, giving them a tug. She lifted her fanny to give assist and they slid down and off. He was left to view an incredible body, na**d but for a tiny, transparent wisp of sheer fabric that barely covered her below the waist. He ran a finger slowly under the elastic.

He made fast work of his own clothes, getting down to his boxers. Leaning over her, he began to place kisses all over her body, from her neck to her knees. Then he slid over her, his thighs on her thighs, chest to br**sts, devouring her mouth. He heard her moan, felt her arch toward him, and his erection was throbbing against her belly. He nibbled at her lips and said, “You have about ten seconds to change your mind.” He looked into her soft, hazel eyes and saw her give a small smile and shake her head. “You’re sure?” he asked, wondering what the hell he would do if she tried to stop him now. He was like a runaway train, the blood roaring in his brain.

“Do you have a condom, Luke?”

“I’m on that,” he said.

“Then I’m sure.”

He ditched the boxers and grabbed a condom from the nightstand. He thought abstractly that it was strange he kept them there when he never brought women home. He had never liked having women in his nest. But Shelby was here, and it seemed perfectly natural. He had the condom on in record time, but his hands on her were slow. He tugged off that tiny wisp of lace; he thought he heard a tear as he was getting it off. He might owe her a pair of panties. Running a hand down her belly, over her pubis and lower, he nudged her legs apart and massaged her, paying special attention to the small, erogenous knot in the middle, a contact that caused her to moan and push against his hand. He let his fingers move lower and dip in, finding her wet and ready to go. And he was ready to give her the ride of her life.

Easy, he told himself. It has to be good for her. He held himself over her and gently probed, pressing himself toward her. He found the path and moved farther as she lifted her h*ps up, but he met with resistance. He pushed a little, gently, but she was tight. Maybe he hadn’t taken enough time getting her ready for this. He looked into her eyes and brushed back her hair. “Honey, you’re awful small.”

“It’s okay,” she whispered.

But it wasn’t okay; he spent a little more time stimulating her while he kissed her, making sure she was slick and aroused. He wasn’t sliding in even though she was ready. He didn’t want to force it. There shouldn’t be any discomfort with this. It should all be good.

She put her palm against his cheek. “It’s okay, Luke. Just do it.”

“Something’s not right,” he said, shaking his head.

“It’s the first time,” she whispered.

Instinctively, he drew back. It almost deflated him, he was so stunned. “That’s not possible,” he said in a breath. “You’re twenty-five!” But she only nodded her head, letting her eyes gently close. When she did that, she squeezed out a couple of tears that ran into the hair at her temples and it tore at his heart. How does a woman this beautiful, this sexy, remain a virgin? was all he could think.