Temptation Ridge (Virgin River #6)(70)

“Not right away. I had to get to know you a little. And—” she laughed “—there was that tool belt.”

“You had a job for me to do, didn’t you, Shelby?”

“I did.” She smiled. “It had to be someone irresistible and experienced.”

“Sometimes I don’t think. I can be insensitive. Careless with feelings,” he said. “Weren’t you afraid I might hurt you?”

“Not for one second,” she said, shaking her head. “I brought a bottle of wine…”

“I’ll open it for you, pour you a glass and finish my beer.” He took her jacket, hung it on the back of a chair and started to unbutton her shirt. “Let’s get into bed.”

“I’m not kidding,” she said. “I may have overdone it. See, I shouldn’t have come…”

“I just want to feel you against me. I just want to touch you a little. I’m not going to do anything that will make you sore. I want to get you better.” He kissed that delicious mouth. “You might need a few days, but I don’t want to be away from you.”

“But won’t that just make it too tempting? Naked in the bed?”

“Nah. You’re important to me. I’m going to take good care of you.” He opened her shirt and lowered his lips to her breast.

“God,” she said in a breath. “It might be too tempting for me.”

He lifted his head and smiled into her eyes. “Don’t worry, honey. I know how to take care of that.” He turned her toward the bedroom. “I’ll bring you a glass of wine.”



Luke was locked in an incredible dream, with ecstasy overpowering him. His entire body was quivering wildly, madly, as the woman in his dream worked on him. He was close, ready to let himself go in a climax so huge it would rock the bed. The sound of his own groan woke him and he realized it was not a dream. He looked down at that honey-colored head of hair and gasped. “Shelby!” He reached down, grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up toward him. “Shelby, come here.” He pulled her face up to his. “Honey, what are you doing?”

“Did I hurt you?”

“Hurt me? Sweet Jesus!”

“I’ve never done that before, so I wasn’t sure…”

“Why are you doing it now?”

“Well, I’ve never slept with a man before and you were keeping me awake, poking me in the back.” She smiled at him. “You don’t hesitate to take care of me…”

“Shelby, do you realize what almost happened?”

She smoothed her hands over his chest and gave his lips a little tug with hers. “I’m inexperienced, Luke, not ignorant.”

He caught her to him, holding her close. “Aw, baby.”

“Was I awful? Maybe you should tell me what to do.”

“Awful?” He laughed. “I almost lost it in my sleep!”

“That means it was okay?”

“You don’t have to do that. This is all so new for you…”

She smiled at him. “Turns out it feels almost as good to please you as it does to be pleased by you.” She gave him a little kiss. “Relax.” And she slid down his body. Her lips brushed against his belly and he shuddered involuntarily. His head dropped back and he groaned. In one day, his life had changed too much to comprehend. No way he could deserve this woman and her unselfish passions. In no time his world exploded and he saw stars. Then he felt tears in his eyes and knew it wasn’t from the orgasm.

She slid up and lay atop his body. She pecked at his lips. “I think you liked that.”

“God,” he said, unable to catch his breath. “I’m dead, that’s what. And against all odds, I was sent to heaven.”

“That good, huh?”

“Not just that. Everything. I’ve never had a day like this in my life.”

“I thought you had lots of days like this,” she said.

“Never. Baby, never. I’m afraid I’m going to wake up.” He brought her mouth onto his and kissed her deeply, holding her tightly against him. He hadn’t expected the most mind-blowing sex of his life and the sweetest woman on earth dishing it out.

“And I think now I might be able to get a little sleep,” she said with a soft laugh. Then, with her lips against his ear she whispered, “Luke, thank you. You’ve made it all so wonderful, so good. Hold me,” she said. “Let me fall asleep against you, in your arms.”

He held her there, like that, stretched over his body, her head resting against his shoulder. She might weigh a hundred and ten pounds to his one-eighty, and she fit against his chest perfectly. He ran his hand down her back and over her soft bottom, stroking her, listening as her breathing evened out, as she sighed in her sleep.

This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, he thought. I hope I don’t screw it up.





Twelve




Walt went to the stable in the early morning and found Shelby there, mucking out a stall. He jumped in surprise when he saw her. “Morning,” she said brightly.

“When did you get here?” he asked her.

“Not that long ago. Maybe a half hour. It was such a beautiful morning, I decided to come right down here, see what I could get done. Then I’ll shower off the stable and have some breakfast.”