She’d walked almost up to the reception, and decided that this was a big mistake. Fling or not, feelings burning under the surface or not, she was going to bail. Why waste time with a guy when there was no future. She’d had a few days of fun.
A soft touch on her bare arm sent lightning shivers along her skin. She turned around. Max was standing there. Clean, dressed as he normally was, moleskins, a shirt that was buttoned low exposing a touch of dark chest hair which she’d enjoyed running her hands through the last few days. But there was something different. There was a lack of the smell of the earthy animals and hay she was used to and she missed it straight away. Instead, there was just the scent of him, testosterone, strong, powerful. It made her knees weaken. And there was a glint in his eyes, something more which she wasn’t sure how to interpret. A depth, a hurt that went beyond words which he was trying to hide. It was as if she realised she didn’t really know this man. Instead of scaring her, it turned her on.
He leant forward and kissed her, right there in public, softly, his lips briefly melding with hers before he pulled her away, taking her ability to speak with him.
“You look stunning.”
Zoe blushed. She expected him to suggest going to his room not compliment her on her appearance.
“Have you eaten?”
She shook her head, unable to find the simple words. It had been enough to get ready for him tonight. Her usual edginess seemed to have softened.
“Let’s eat, I’ve booked us a table.”
“Umm… okay.” She couldn’t hide the hesitation in her voice nor the disappointment. She could do with some food, but it wasn’t why she was here. Having a meal together was more of a date, not a fling.Can things be changing so soon?She assumed she’d been picking up on the right behaviours.
He leaned towards her, his voice deep and low. “There will be plenty of time for us both to get naked and familiar with each other later.”
“How quick can you eat?” She felt her sassiness stir along with desire.
He laughed softly. “Not fast enough.” He held his hand out, suggesting she go on ahead of him towards the dining area. “But I don’t want either of us to get indigestion. That would take the fun out of what’s to come.”
She smiled. “A short dinner then.” She walked ahead into the dining room. The waitress came to her. “Table for two.”
“Under Max,” he quickly added, trying to position himself just in front of her to indicate he was the one in control.
The waitress quickly checked her list. “This way.”
Zoe followed, weaving between the tables to the back corner where there was a row of tables for two. She noticed the dining area was nowhere near as busy as the front bar, and for that she was grateful. And Max’s comment had helped to settle the butterflies in her belly.I had been reading the situation all wrong.She was relieved about that. Sort of. She pushed any doubt away as she sat opposite him at the table. They had agreed to see each other tonight, and that was what she was going to focus on.
Max forced himself to eat slowly. Dinner was a bad idea.What was I thinking?Sitting opposite the sexiest woman he’d ever met, knowing that as soon as they left the table they were going upstairs to his room—and he knew damn well what was going to happen then—it was getting harder and harder to stop himself from grabbing her arm and taking her up there now. Or worse. Not making it to his room. Fortunately, his room was on the first level. If they were in a bigger hotel and had to be in an elevator, there was no guarantee he would be able to keep his hands off her body, let alone going all the way.
This time is meant to be slower.The main reason of why he thought of dinner. Plus, he was getting to know her, just a little more. She was pretty tight-lipped, but then so was he. There were just some things in his past he didn’t want to talk about let alone think about, not with Zoe sitting there in her figure-hugging dress. Fuck, he wanted to run his hands over her body. The last two times had been fast, and this time he wanted to taste her slowly, feel her body for longer, and not rush.
“When do you go back to your farm?”
“Saturday morning.” He couldn’t wait to get out of the city lights, but then again he wished Zoe could come with him, even though her appearance and mannerism spoke clearly how she was a city girl through and through.
“Who’s looking after the farm?”
“I have a manager. Bit risky. But I come here every year. It’s a tradition my father started, and it’s good publicity for the cattle I breed.”
“Your dad can’t look after the farm?”
Her question was innocent enough, but he felt the grief that was always there tighten around his chest. “He’s gone.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine. It was a while ago. Mum lives in the local town with my sister, it’s just me on the farm… and Bluey.”
He smiled as she raised her eyebrow. Most people knew Bluey was a common name for a dog, especially a blue heeler. “My dog,” he explained.
“Oh.”
Did she just breathe out a sigh of relief?He took a gulp of his light beer. Tonight he wanted to keep his wits about him and enjoy every second on this encounter with Zoe.It could be the last.Fuck, he hoped not. Throughout the meal, he’d only thought she had become more and more desirable. He squirmed in his seat. His body kept responding every time he’d thought about peeling off her clothes. It was getting harder and harder to stop the dirty thoughts in his mind.
“So, why aren’t you married?”
