“I was just thinking about the first time I was here.”
Memories of that night instantly flood my mind. I remember every second I’ve spent with her, so it doesn’t take much for the vivid images to begin replaying. The way she looked wearing my clothes. The kiss in the rain. Our shared midnight snack. Lounging under the blanket, watching that insane documentary. The expression on her face when she came apart around my fingers. The way she melted at my words of praise.
When I return my attention to her face, her eyes are on me. “And the last time I was here.”
I lose the battle over my now fully erect dick. It took an inordinate amount of strength to get out of bed with her lying there. But I haven’t forgotten her words to me just before Gray’s accident. She ended things. Said she can’t do it. She asked for space.
“Joy, we should talk.”
“It’s late. It’s been a long few days. I don’t want to talk.”
My brain screams at me to shut this down. I do my best to avoid messy situations, and I already know she’s it for me. If we do this and then she decides she doesn’t want anything more with me, I’m not sure I’ll recover from it. But after these last few days, there’s nothing I’d rather do than lose myself in her.
“Please.”
The raspy word from her lips is enough to lure me to my own destruction. I don’t give a fuck what happens to me after this. The first night she was here, I turned her down. I wanted her even more than I wanted my next breath, but I sent her away because I thought she deserved someone who could give her more. The look on her face still haunts me. Combine that with how fucking bad I need to feel her body beneath mine and there’s no way I’m going to tell her no.
“Sweetheart, is this what you really want? I won’t be the one to stop this; I’m not that good of a man.”
She stands and rests her hand on the back of the chair. “All I care about is right now. And after the past few days, we need this.”
Goddammit. I told her I wouldn’t be the one to stop this, but I can’t help my hesitation. She didn’t answer my question. Didn’t say she was sure this was what she wanted. But she’s right. I need to lose myself in her, even if it’s just a short break from reality. If she decides she doesn’t want to be together just because I own the ranch, I’ll figure that out.
She doesn’t move from where she stands beside her chair. Her peaked nipples strain against the thin fabric of her top and her breathing quickens under my gaze. Without any further hesitation, I stand and am in her space after just a couple long strides.
“I should put a stop to this,” I say before covering her lips with mine.
As soon as our mouths connect, heat courses through me and I pull her close, so our bodies are flush. Her soft frame melts into mine as I slide my tongue into her mouth. There’s no turning back. I’ve missed her mouth. And her touch. The stress of the last few days melts away and is replaced by desperate need.
Chapter 23
Joy
Tate’sroughhandsgrazemy heated flesh as he slowly drags my thin shirt up my body and over my head. His gentle touch doesn’t match the hunger in his eyes. He’s gentle but commanding as he continues backing me further into his room.
There was never any question that I would stay with Tate while we anxiously waited for Gray to wake up. In just a few short weeks, these people feel like family. Gray and River are more than just people I see in passing. Being there for Tate while trying to keep some distance between us has been absolute hell.
“Joy,” he rasps, his words warm against my neck. “If you want me to stop, just tell me, and I will.”
“I know.”
My thighs hit the mattress, causing me to gasp in surprise. Tate pulls away and his eyes search my face as he frames it with both hands. I don’t move. I barely breathe as I get lost in the intensity of his gaze. He finally steps forward and covers my mouth in a kiss that takes the last of my breath away. It’s slow. And sensual. It’s all consuming as he holds me still, and works his mouth against mine, teasing and tasting with his tongue.
Moaning, I wrap my arms around him and pull him closer. All of my tension, and worry, and anger have turned into desire so strong I’m worried it will consume me. Reaching a hand between us, I stroke his hard length through the thin layer that separates us.
“Fuck, sweetheart,” he hisses, pulling away just enough to briefly rest his forehead against mine.
I keep still when he slowly slides his hands down to my neck, to my shoulders, and finally down my arms where he takes both my hands in his. My heart constricts. I was expecting fast and dirty. A way to get it out of our systems and relieve the stress of the past few days. Not this. I close my eyes and swallow hard, trying to get control of my emotions.
“You’re perfect,” he whispers.
Still holding my hands, he slowly lowers to his knees and presses a kiss to each of my palms before releasing them. The sight of him on his knees before me is nearly too much to handle. His eyes remain on mine as he slides his hands up my thighs and rests them on my hips.
“I’m sorry for not telling you.”
“No.” I cut him off before he can continue. “Please. I don’t want to think about it. Right now, it’s only us.”
His eyes hold mine and he hesitates for a fleeting moment before sliding his fingers into the waistband of my panties and sliding them down. The way he’s looking at me... It’s raw. Vulnerable. I close my eyes and bury my fingers in his hair, using him to keep my balance as I step out of my panties. His muttered curse sends a jolt to my already throbbing core.
