A shiver runs through me, making my stomach clench and my thighs ache.
Say you want me.
I’d almost said exactly what we both wanted to hear, let go of the ties holding me back. With his body so close to mine, it had been easy to forget the world around us existed. He’s such an imposing man, a dominating presence, and I’ve no doubt that expands to every corner of him. How would he feel?
I wet my lips, unable to stop myself from imagining that big body moving on top of mine, how he would feel between my legs or how that thick beard around his mouth would feel scratching over my skin. I have a feeling he would own me so thoroughly I’d struggle to figure out where I end and he begins.
I need to go for a swim or something. Finishing my coffee, I head back inside and take the stairs two at a time to get a bag together and my bikini on. When I have everything ready and a towel thrown over my shoulder, I move to leave only to come to a stop when I see Roman standing at the front door.
Slowly, he takes the hat off his head and lets his eyes drag down me, his mouth lifting just a touch at the corner, but it soon drops when he realizes where I’m going.
“No.”
That’s a cold bucket of water. “Excuse me?”
“Have you forgotten already, sweetheart?” A muscle in his cheek twitches, “You’re not going into the woods alone.”
“I brought a gun this time,” I say like that makes it better.
“Not. Alone.” He punches out the two words.
“Then send one of your cowboys with me.”
“Absolutely not. Give me a minute, I’ll take you.”
My brows shoot up. “Are you not busy?”
“Not too busy for you.”
He moves past me and into the kitchen, plucking a set of keys from the hook. “Let’s go.”
When I don’t immediately follow him, he glances over his shoulder and quirks a brow. “What? Afraid to be alone with me?” His tone is light, teasing, a spark lighting up the amber of his eyes.
“We’re alone now.” I challenge, rising up to meet him.
“Don’t tease me, Niamh,” He rasps. “I’m close to breaking point with you.”
“And what happens when you pass that point?” I swallow, warmth blooming low in my stomach. I shift my weight, rubbing my thighs together to try and ease the ache that forms from the promise in those words.
“You want to find out, Niamh?”
I’m speechless, unsure how to answer it. Idowant to find out, but I’m too chicken to admit it.
He chuckles warmly. “Comeon.”
We head to the ATV parked beside the barn, and once Roman’s on, I climb on behind him, wrapping my arms around his hard abdomen, and even though they’re tight, he adjusts them, pulling them to tighten even further. My entire front is pressed to his back, my thighs spread on either side of his hips. He twists the throttle and pulls away, following the trail toward the woods. It only takes us a couple of minutes to make it to the wood’s edge, where he brings us to a stop and I climb off.
“We hear anything,” His arm curls around me, “You run, you hear me?”
“Yes,” I breathe.
“Don’t wait for me.” He holds my eyes. “You run.”
“I understand.”
He stays close to me as we take the walk through the woods, shoulders brushing every couple of steps until the sound of the falls thunders through the trees. A breath of relief slips from me.
When I made this agreement with Roman all those weeks ago, I figured I’d be down here more, and yet, the times I’ve been swimming have been few and far between. But I’ve found I haven’tneededit as much, like I have been able to breathe without it. I wasn’t sure that would ever happen.
