Kissin' Tell (Rough Riders #13)(102)

Tell stroked the crease of her elbow. “This wasn’t a spur of the moment thing for you.”


She shook her head. “That’s how you end up with bad tattoos, with random, meaningless Chinese symbols, according to India. I scheduled an appointment for today several weeks ago. Right after I decided to make a permanent mark on my body to match the permanent mark I’ve had on my soul ever since RJ died.”


Poor woman had such deep pockets of sadness inside her. “I could’ve gone with you.”


“I know. And I appreciate the offer. But it was something I had to do on my own.”


She smeared A&D on the surface and he covered it with gauze. He kissed each side of the tattoo. When he glanced up at her, tears pooled in her eyes again.


“Thank you. It feels better already.”


Tell tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then followed the line of her jaw to the other ear. “Let me love on you a little while, Georgia.”


“Do I look like I need extra TLC today?”


Yes. “Maybe after seeing you like this…I’m the one who needs it.”


Her sweet, lopsided smile nearly undid him. “Okay.”



He kissed her softly. Slowly. Waiting for that moment when she swayed into him. When that happened, he lifted her in his arms and carried to his bedroom. He kept his mouth on hers as he undressed her, his hands lovingly caressing every section of skin he exposed. “Lie back.”


While she stretched out, he stripped and rolled on a condom.


He positioned himself above her, loving how her arms immediately circled his neck, pulling him closer. His cock needed no guidance; it connected with her opening and he eased inside on a slow, wet glide. Resting his forehead to hers, he stayed still, losing himself in this moment.


Then Georgia’s hands were gripping his hair, pulling his head back to look into his eyes. “Hey. I’m okay.”


I’m not. She had no idea how everything had changed for him today. Realizing he loved her and hoping a part of her was attuned enough to him to sense the change. He held her gaze as he started to move, her tight channel such a perfect fit.


She rolled her hips up to meet his easy thrusts, not in an attempt to get him to increase the pace, but showing him this wouldn’t be him making love to her—but them making love together.


Even when her climax was within reach, she didn’t lock her legs around his waist, grab his ass and grind into him. She just let him, let the connection of their bodies take her there.


Tell watched her beautiful face awash in pleasure. When he couldn’t hold back another second, he threw his head back, feeling her mouth on his throat, sucking in time to the pulses shooting out of his cock.


It was glorious, this love thing.


His damn legs almost wouldn’t hold him when he scooted off the bed to ditch the condom. He scrutinized himself in the mirror as he washed his face and hands. Wondering if being in love made him look different.


Nope. He looked the same, except for the huge f*cking hickey Georgia had given him on the side of his neck. He’d never understood the appeal of those marks until now. For the next couple days, he’d remember the woman he loved had given it to him in a moment of passion.


Georgia was propped on the pillows, the sheet clutched to her chest when he returned. Some of the shadows were gone from her eyes, and she smiled at him. “Hey.”


He pounced on her. “You.” He pecked her lips. “Rocked.” Another peck. “My.” One last smooch. “World.”


“And thank you for… Omigod, is that a…hickey?” Her cheeks turned the same color as the mark she’d left on his skin. “I did that?”


“Yep. And I’m pretty sure it’s what made me come so hard.”


She blushed deeper. This woman was such a contradiction, Bold one second, shy the next. He loved that about her.


You love everything about her, you f*cking sap.


“So what else do you wanna do tonight? We could hang out in bed. Watch a movie. I’ve probably got frozen pizza. There’s beer and soda in the fridge.”


Georgia set her hands on his face again, touching him with such tenderness and gratitude. “Thank you, Tell. I don’t care what we do as long as I do it with you.”


If he didn’t keep it light, he might fall at her feet and beg her to stay with him every night. “Now that there are no limits, I’m thinking about breaking out the cuffs.”


Chapter Twenty-Six


Georgia watched from the medical tent as Tell chatted with a group of guys before the performance started.


The man was magnificent. Not just his physique. Not just his face. Not just his charm. Not just his ease with people that put them at ease. All those things by themselves were pretty impressive, but were powder-keg potent wrapped up in one hunky cowboy package.


This was the last event they’d work together before the Devil’s Tower Rodeo next weekend. That would be a tense situation since Deck was also scheduled to judge.


Not that she’d told Tell about it.


Not only that, she hadn’t let him know she’d be leaving in two weeks. Every time she thought about broaching the subject, fear would overtake her. Imagining the accusations and hurt in his eyes sent a shiver of dread zipping up her spine.