Redneck Romeo (Rough Riders #15)(73)

Sexy as hell.


When Rory moved her head forward, Dalton backed off and slipped his fingers from her. Sliding his lips up the strong column of her neck, he rubbed his cheek along her jaw and swallowed her shallow breaths in a long kiss.


He finally released her lips and smiled. “Takin’ a bath with you is some fun, jungle girl.”


Rory smiled back. “You know it.” She snagged her margarita. “Wanna stay in a little longer?”


“Yep. I hardly touched my beer.” He reached for it and cranked on the hot water. Then he reached for her. “I love the feel of your wet body against mine.”


She settled between his thighs, her back to his chest. She sighed and turned her head to kiss his jaw. “Thanks.”


“For?”


“Bringing me here.”


“Anytime. I just hope you’re not too bored tomorrow.”


“So I can’t stand behind you while you’re at the table and offer advice?”


Dalton snorted. “You already offered your advice in song form, remember?”


“But you have to admit the luck of the draw plays a part.”


“Some. But card strategy and the ability to bluff are more key. There are two types of card players who win consistently.”


Beneath the water she absentmindedly caressed his left thigh. “What types are they?”


“Methodical. The ability to gauge the worth of an opponent’s cards by watching the betting strategy they use.”


“Are you methodical?”


“I’m an instinctual player. I don’t figure the odds in my head of winning or losing if X card is flipped. I don’t go in with a plan. I just play my gut.” He laughed softly. “I have had bouts of indigestion where my gut was totally off.”


She laughed.


“Then there are the reckless players. They have some wins, but never consistent. They tend to play in local venues. So I’m hoping to be playin’ against a lot of players like that tomorrow night.”


“How often do you bluff?”


Dalton kissed the top of her head. “Whenever I have to.”


“That’s not an answer.”


“It’s an unanswerable question.” He sipped his beer. “What kind of poker player would you be?”


“Boring. I wouldn’t take any chances. I’d be too embarrassed that I’d get caught bluffing to actually try it. I’m not reckless. And I don’t have the math skills to be methodical.” She poked his leg. “I would’ve guessed you were the reckless type.”


“Never when it comes to cards.” Dalton put his lips on her ear. “And not when it comes to you.”


They were quiet for a bit.


Then Rory said, “What do you see yourself doing in Sundance after you finish the house renovations?”


He’d wondered if she would bring this up. Like he needed to have a plan. Or another job lined up. But he didn’t want to talk about the elk farm possibility specifically, so he hedged. “I’ve got an idea, something I’ve been working on. But it’s out of my control, which makes me crazy.”


She gasped dramatically. “No. You say you have a need for control? I never noticed it.”


Dalton growled, “I got a couple of ways I can remind you if you like.”


“Like what?”


“Both my ideas involve rope. And you bein’ nekkid.”


“What would you do?”


“Anything I want,” he said silkily. “Because I’d have the ropes. But I’d make you come at least three times before I untied you.”


Rory shivered and whispered, “Yes, please.”


Setting aside his beer, he grabbed that mass of hair and angled her head to the side so his lips could barely skim the surface of her skin. “You want me to let that kinky and rougher side of myself out?”


“Have you been holding back with me?”


“Not at all. Why? Have I left you wanting more?”


“More hot sex with you? Absolutely. I’d just hate it if you think I’m some special butterfly that needs to be handled with kid gloves. When maybe…I’m the type that wants to get tangled up in the net.” She slowly flipped around so they were chest to chest.


Dalton cupped her chin in his hand. “We can play all the sex games you want, Aurora, but what’s goin’ on between us is not a game to me.” He pulled her closer, taking her mouth in a savage kiss. His cock swelled and she groaned softly as it pressed into her belly. He broke the kiss to command, “Outta the tub.”


Rory pushed back and stood. Water and soap bubbles rolled down her lush body. She let him look his fill as she unpinned her hair and shook it free.


“Fucking gorgeous,” he said in a low rasp.


She stepped over the edge and snagged a towel. She dried herself slowly, deliberately, her eyes held a hint of challenge. After wrapping the towel around her, she flounced out of the bathroom.



He sprang out of the water. He barely ran a towel over his body before he chased after her.