Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(57)

Ainsley stopped on the edge of the foyer. “Ah. Sure.” She passed him her trench. He

hung it on a coat tree crafted out of some kind of animal horns.


She swiped her palms on her skirt, wishing she had pockets. Wishing she hadn’t come.


Why was this so awkward?


You’ve had kinky sex with this man. Dinner should be a breeze.


Then Ben was curling his hand over her jaw, gazing into her eyes. “You all right?”


“I don’t know what I’m doing here. I’m so…nervous.”


“Do you want to leave?”


“No.”


“Good. Maybe this will help.” Ben kissed her. Sweetly at first. Softly nibbling her

lips while his thumb stroked her jawline. He patiently coaxed her to kiss him back.

Once she opened her mouth wider, he dove right in, blowing all her circuits with a kiss

packed with desire, laced with passion. Her head went muzzy and she wrapped her arms

around his neck.


After an eternity of those soul-feeding kisses, he tilted her head back to string hot

kisses from her chin to her neck.


Chills danced down her arms and neck and she sighed.


Ben chuckled, smooching her mouth one last time before resting his forehead to hers. “

Better?”


“Yes.”


“What else can I do to put you more at ease?”


His concern touched her. “I’d love to kick off my shoes.”


“Feel free. How about a drink?”


“Sure.” Ainsley followed him to a built-in bar. “Wow. This is beautiful.”


“Thanks. Bombay Sapphire and tonic, right?”


Of course he remembered her drink of choice. “No, actually, I’ll take a soda.

Whatever you’ve got is fine.”


“Comin’ right up.”


Ainsley checked out the rest of Ben’s house. Definitely masculine with the animal

trophy heads lining the wall and the large room focused on the huge TV, pool table and

other man toys. Her gaze wandered to the open kitchen outfitted with stainless steel

appliances, mahogany cabinetry, a big picture window overlooking an incredible view of

the rolling plains. An eat-in countertop separated the kitchen and conversation area,

comprised of two leather recliners facing a wood stove with an antique trestle table

centered between the chairs. Maple-colored wood flooring stretched from the front door,

through the kitchen, living room and bar. The TV/game room had brown and gold-flecked

Berber carpet that continued down the hallway. A hallway that likely led to Ben’s

bedroom.


Did Ben have hooks and restraining devices in his bedroom? Or did he only indulge in

that at the Rawhide Club?


“Here you go.”


She faced him. “You’ve got a beautiful home.”


“Took me six years to get it done. Definitely a learning experience as far as adding

to my carpentry know-how, but it ended up being exactly what I wanted.”


Her mouth dropped open. “You built this place? By yourself?”


“Except for the plumbing and electrical and a few odds and ends. It’s a kit house.

Kinda like Lincoln logs for grownups. I bought three kits and turned them into one

house.”