Chapter Four
The woman was dangerous. He’d known from the moment she’d started her sass. He’d told himself to back away. Any hint of relationship with Laura Drummond was so far from right, he needed his head read by a professional. Yet now, with her naked body cuddled against his, none of reality mattered. They were a man and a woman intent on exploring pleasure.
“You make a very sexy rumble, deep in your throat when you come,” he said.
“I do?” She ran her fingers over his cheek. “I was too busy enjoying the hell out of myself to notice.”
He chuckled, the sound bursting from him without permission. He’d laughed more in the last few hours than he’d managed in months. His brothers would be glad…until they learned the source of his amusement.
“Are you hungry?”
“I think I am.” She sounded surprised.
“Good. Let’s have a quick shower and make dinner. You can be sous chef.” His belly let out a demanding grumble. “I didn’t have time for lunch.”
“Why not?”
“Business stuff. I had a meeting with a prospective tenant that went longer than I expected. I knew rain was forecast so I decided to get on the road instead of stopping to eat.”
“My mother told me I’d beat the storm.” She sent him an impish grin. It lit up her eyes and scrunched up her nose in a charming manner.
Ma Drummond wouldn’t approve, but he felt something crack inside him. “You sound pleased to prove her wrong.” This was a fling. Hell, despite their written agreement, she wouldn’t come anywhere near him once this storm cleared and the weekend ended.
“I take my victories when I can.”
Her irreverence was catchy. Dallas grinned and slapped her bottom, chuckling when she yelped a protest. “Come on, lazybones. If you hurry I’ll scrub your back.”
“We won’t both fit in the shower.”
“We will,” he said, pleased he’d gone to the expense of installing a wet room when he’d done the renovations on the cabin. He rolled out of bed and held out his hand. When she didn’t hesitate, something warmed his heart. Despite her feistiness, despite her desire for independence, despite her Drummond heritage, Laura was perfect for him.
They could have fun together. Maybe prolong their agreement… No. No, this way was better. Given their family history, they couldn’t form a permanent relationship. It was inviting trouble and punching it in the nose.
He led her to the bathroom and turned on the water. When the flow was body temperature, he drew her under the shower spigots.
“I didn’t expect your cabin to have mod-cons. From the outside it appears basic.”
“That’s the idea. I can’t live here full time, and I didn’t want to attract thieves. Most people judge from appearances.”
“Don’t I know it.” The words held real frustration.
“Poor little rich girl?”
“More like, her daddy is rich. Make a move on her and you’re set for life.”
“Ah, fortune hunters.”
She nodded as he reached for a handful of shower gel. The citrus and ginger scent soon surrounded them, heady and stimulating the senses. She arched her back as he ran his hands down her spine, shuddered when his hands went lower to squeeze her bottom.
“I thought you wanted to eat?”
“I do,” he said. “My stomach is starting to gnaw on my backbone.”
“And here my body has taken a direct turning into sexual territory.”
“Wrong direction.” Dallas battled his grin. “Engage the GPS, otherwise you’ll get lost in the wilderness.”
“Part of me feels lost,” she said, turning in his arms. Water poured down her face while she stared at him. “This is uncharted territory for me.” The serious note in her voice made him peer closer, try to decipher her thoughts.
