Temptation Ridge (Virgin River #6)(64)

“How do you like the bike, Shelby?”

“I love it,” she said.

“You like to go fast?” he asked.

She laughed. “I’ve always been so cautious,” she said. “It feels good.”

“I’ve been trying not to take you too fast,” he said, and his voice had gone husky, like brushed velvet. He ran a hand down her back, down her long braid. He pulled her mouth against his and, with a big hand against the back of her head, he kissed her more thoroughly. She melted to him, her arms going inside his jacket and round to his back, holding him closer, her small tongue slipping into his mouth. His world tilted. He probed inside her mouth in a strong kiss, pulling her more tightly against him, until she was straddling his lap. He filled his hands with her butt and held her tight, feasting on her sighs and moans. He rocked her pelvis against him and he became aroused instantly. If they didn’t have the barrier of jeans between them, this thing he’d been trying to talk himself out of would be done. “Aw, Shelby,” he whispered against her lips. He released her mouth. “Listen, we have to talk.”

She smiled at him. “Sure. I’ve been expecting this. The talk.”

“Shelby, you should run for your life, I’m not kidding. I’ve never been reliable where women are concerned. And I’m not real well fixed with brakes, either. God, I really don’t want to hurt you.”

“Are you trying to scare me again, Luke?”

“Yeah, I’m trying to scare you. Warn you. Use your head, Shelby. You’re young, you’re sweet, and I’m just an irresponsible, horny bastard. You’d be making a mistake, getting mixed up with me.”

She traced his ear with a finger. “Well, Luke, I’m already a little mixed up with you. And you got yourself mixed up with me.”

“Shelby, I’m temporary at best. I’m not staying here.”

“Me, neither. Is that it?”

He sighed and shook his head. “I’ve been known to run through women like sharks run through scuba divers. I wouldn’t be good for you.”

“Are you sleeping with a lot of women right now?” she asked him.

He hadn’t been with a woman in so long, he had a hard time remembering the last one. That fact alone made him even more vulnerable to Shelby’s incredibly seductive charm. “There has been only one woman on my mind. My brain is like a frickin’ missile and if you don’t move out of the target, I’m afraid I’m going to end up doing some things you might hate me for later. And then your Uncle Walt is going to shoot me.”

It only made her chuckle. “Do you always warn your women not to get involved with you before you swoop down and devour them?”

“Never. That could keep me from getting laid. But I worry about you. You need to fall in love, I can smell it on you. And I don’t fall in love. I don’t put down roots and I don’t make commitments.”

“You know something, Luke?” she asked, smiling. “I think maybe you’re more worried you might fall in love with me than the other way around.”

“See, you shouldn’t think like that—”

“I just said maybe. It’s not like I expect it.”

“You don’t?”

“I’m going to travel and go to school. You’re going to fix up your cabins and sell them. You’ve been very clear. You’ve warned me a hundred times. And now, I’m just warning you.”

“You want a fling? With a guy like me? Who’s too old for you?”

She just laughed and he wanted to shake her. “You are pretty old,” she said. “Pretty soon, all these long warnings won’t even be necessary.” She tilted her head back and laughed.

His hands on her fanny, he pulled her against him and rocked her gently. He looked into her eyes and his were as hot as pokers.

“Oh. Apparently, you’re not too old yet,” she said, leaning toward his mouth for another kiss, drawing a deep, miserable groan from him.

“You should take this a lot more seriously. My track record isn’t good. I’ve been with a lot of women, and never for long.”

“I’m sorry, Luke. I’m sure you’re very dangerous,” she said, but her voice was filled with humor. “I just can’t find it in me to discourage you. I love the way you kiss me.” She moved her pelvis against his. “And this…? Hmm. I don’t know what to make of this.”

He swooped over her mouth again, with heat and power. Again, her arms went around him. The taste of her mouth was so delicious it almost sent him reeling out of this world. For all his talk about his many women and his failure to make anything stick, he couldn’t remember feeling a rush like this with anyone. He’d been turned on before, stirred up almost to the breaking point, but this thing that was happening to him with Shelby was so intense, it was just about driving him out of his mind. He hung on for dear life, devouring her mouth for two minutes, then four, the sensation of her firm young breasts boring into his chest even through his sweater was getting him high.

She met him all the way, holding him, purring softly against his mouth, joining in his tongue play, sending thrill after thrill vibrating through him. All trepidation and shyness on her part was gone. He was getting damn uncomfortable. Still, he kissed her a while longer.