"I don't understand you at all," I say, frustrated. "I thought we were getting closer. I thought—"
"We can't get closer." He stands abruptly, pacing to the window.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know how to deal with any of this!" The words explode out of him. "The ranch has been my whole life.Everything I am, everything I care about… It's wrapped up in this place. I'm supposed to protect it, not—" He stops himself.
"Not what?"
"Not fall for the woman who might destroy it."
The air leaves my lungs. "I would never destroy it. Never. How can you even—"
I try to get up, anger propelling me forward, but my ankle screams in protest and I cry out.
Wade's there in an instant, hands on my shoulders, pushing me gently back down. "Don't get up. Sierra, don't—"
I grip his hands, holding them against me. "Then stay close. Please."
"If I stay close like this..." His voice is rough, strained. "I won't be able to control myself."
My heart pounds. "Then don't."
His eyes meet mine, dark and intense. "What?"
"Don't control yourself. A ranch man like you should always follow his desires, right?"
Something changes in his expression. Goes from conflicted to determined in a heartbeat. He leans forward, eyes closing, and I watch it happen like it's in slow motion. His face getting closer, his lips parting slightly—
I close my eyes, waiting, and then his mouth is on mine.
His lips are incredible. Thick and full, nothing like my thin lips. The kiss is almost hesitant at first, but then it deepens. His hand comes up to cup my face, thumb stroking my cheek, and I melt into it.
He pulls me down further onto the bed, climbing on top of me, mindful of my ankle. "You're fucking beautiful," he murmurs against my lips. "I want to kiss and touch every inch of you. But there's an issue."
"What issue?" My brain is hazy with want, barely able to form words.
He stumbles over his response, words coming out disjointed. "I've never... I mean, I have, but not... fuck." He takes a breath. "I'm a virgin, Sierra. I always focused on the ranch, ignored everything else. Never even thought I'd be in this position."
My heart swells with something tender and fierce. I place my hands on both his cheeks, making him look at me. "I'm a virgin too. We can lose it together."
His smile is brilliant. "I can't believe this is happening. The guys are going to mock me for life, but it's all worth it."
He pulls my shirt up slowly, kissing a trail up my stomach. His hands fumble slightly with my bra clasp, but he manages, and then my breasts are free. They jiggle slightly, and I feel a flash of insecurity, but the look on Wade's face chases it away.
"Perfect," he breathes, then takes one nipple in his mouth.
I arch off the bed, head tilting back as pleasure shoots through me. He's a natural at this, sucking and swirling his tongue while his hand cups my other breast, thumb stroking the nipple.
His other hand slides down my body to my jeans. He unbuttons them, pulling them down just enough to slide his hand under the edge of my panties.
"Please," I whimper. "Touch me."
He does. One finger rubbing through my wet slit, and oh God, it's nothing like when I touch myself. Nothing ever felt like this.
I can't believe I'm about to lose my virginity to a cowboy who hated me twenty-four hours ago. But it feels right. Together, we can do anything.
He starts with one finger, sliding it inside me while kissing my neck. The stretch is odd but good. So good.
