Shine Not Burn(86)

I sighed. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Sure it is. What’s one more day going to do? Just stay. My grandma wants to meet you and my mom needs your help.”

I stared into his sneaky blue eyes, frowning at him. “Low blow, Mack.”

He shrugged, not smiling. “I’m going to use whatever tricks I have up my sleeve to keep you here.”

I sighed, not wanting to let him or his mom and grandma down. It was a great excuse to put off my heartbreak for one more day. “Fine. I’ll go to the picnic, but that’s it. After that, I have to go back.” What I was going to do when I got there was still an unknown. The only thing I did know was that I wouldn’t be getting married to Bradley. This little tryst in the meadow had solidified that decision in my mind.

Mack came off me with a push-up and stood, reaching for my hand.

I gave it to him and let him guide me to my feet. “What are we doing now?” I asked, falling against him as his arms wrapped loosely around my back.

He dipped down and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. “Now, we play tag.”

I frowned, going still, not sure I’d heard him correctly. “What?”

“You heard me.” He grinned and pushed me away from him, reaching around to smack me lightly on the butt cheek. “I’m It. Better run.”

I laughed for a second. “What are you talking about?” A tickling sensation started in my stomach as I pictured him taking me down by the heels.

One of his eyebrows went up in a devilish challenge. “Better run. If I catch you, you’re going to get thrown into the lake that’s just behind those trees. And I have to warn you … it’s pretty cold this time of year.”

A huge dose of adrenaline shot into my veins, and I took off running without a second glance at him. The horses lifted their heads as I zoomed by heedless of the snakes that might be waiting for me, only knowing I had to get away from the crazy man who was going to turn me into a human popsicle.

His pounding footsteps came up behind me, causing me to scream and laugh at the same time. Hysterical giggles bubbled up out of my chest and echoed around the clearing.

“Gotcha!” he shouted, grabbing my upper arm.

I twisted away and ran around him, shrieking again when I saw him go into a crouch, his muscles bunching up in preparation for attack.

“No, Mack! No!” I flew over the grass and flowers, my heart racing and my arms pumping.

“Yes!” he growled, hooking me around the waist from behind and lifting me up in his arms.

He strode across the meadow and into the trees with me in his arms, clamping down on me so hard, all I could do was struggle mutely, barely able to move my arms or legs.

“Please don’t throw me in,” I begged, mostly meaning it but partially thrilled with his caveman act. I was so used to being in charge in my life, this was an erotic twist in our relationship I hadn’t expected to like. But there was no denying that I was hoping his next move would be to drop me to the ground and do that thing that he does oh so well, all over again.

Shimmering bluish green water came into view and I pleaded with renewed vigor, imagining how cold it would feel against my hot skin. “Please, I’ll do anything. Please don’t put me in there, Mack. I hate cold water!”

He stopped abruptly. “You’ll do anything?”

I nodded without hesitation, my chest heaving. “Yes. Anything. Name it.”

“Stay. Stay for the picnic…”

I smiled. “I already said I’d stay.”

“…And let me sleep with you tonight. I want our last night to be spent in your bed, inside you.”

A shiver ran through me as I imagined his hard, hairy body next to mine in the small bed of his parents’ house, while we did things we shouldn’t be doing. I looked over at the lake and its cold, deep waters. The decision was a no-brainer.

“Fine. Deal.”

He dropped my legs and put his hands on either side of my face. “I knew I’d get you to see reason.” He kissed me passionately for several seconds before surprising me by turning me around to face a tree. “Now do me a favor and bend over.”

“Why, what are you going to do?” I held my breath waiting for his answer.

He leaned in and spoke softly next to my ear. “I’m going to f*ck you from behind.” He ran his hand up my spine from my rear end to my shoulder blades, pushing forward on my upper back.

A thrill shot through me like an electric shock, and I was instantly ready for him. I smiled, barely containing my excitement as I spread my legs and leaned over, grabbing the trunk of the tree. My breasts hung down, the cool air tickling their sensitive skin as my fingers dug into the rough, hard bark. His velvety hard length came up to touch my swollen place and he gripped one of my hips in his strong, warm hand.

I couldn’t stop moaning as he pulled my hips back and slid into me once again.





Chapter Thirty-Six





OUR RIDE BACK TO THE house went a lot faster then the ride out to the meadow. The sun was getting nearer the horizon and my belly was full from the food Mack had fed me with his own hands as the ranch came into view.

My brain was going a thousand miles an hour, trying to find some kind of fall back plan for my life or something. The connection Mack and I had made today had done nothing but complicate things even more. A glimmer of temptation was keeping me from just putting my foot down and insisting he let me go. All I could see down that path was loneliness and despair, and for once I didn’t feel like I was going to be completely happy following the script I’d written so long ago.