He cocked his head and fought the urge to help her since her face was flushed and her pretty lips pursed. How mad was she? “I understand, but I don’t think this guy is getting the message.”
She hopped right up to him. “I’m not looking for a protector, Quintino.”
“That’s unfortunate, because it seems like you need one.” He gave in and grasped her upper arms to help her keep balanced.
She glared, and then those light emerald eyes dropped their focus to his mouth.
Oh, shit.Heat ran through him, pooling low in his groin. This close, her intriguing scent of apple cider washed over him. “Heather.”
“What?” She moved closer and tilted her head, studying his eyes.
“Have you been drinking?” His voice lowered a couple of octaves to a hoarse tenor.
Her smile was slow and way too dangerous. “Just one glass of wine, country boy. I know what I’m doing.”
What the hell was she doing? He kept his hold gentle. “Want to explain?”
“Sure.” She grasped his flanks and dug her fingers into his ribs. “I had an epiphany earlier today. You know? A climax?”
Oh sweet lord. She was messing with him on purpose. “I know what an epiphany is, darlin’.”
“That’s good.” She settled even closer, keeping her injured ankle lifted. “Life is short and unexpected. I’ve chosen wrong before, and I’m not looking for forever.” She caressed around to his abs and up his chest. “I like you.”
His zipper cut into his cock. “I like you, too.” His mind reeled and he tried to find some sense of logic.Anysense of logic. “I thought we agreed this was a bad idea.”
“The mere idea that we had to find an agreement shows that there’s something here to explore,” she whispered, leaning up to kiss beneath his jaw. The feeling shot right to his groin, and his heartbeat started thundering against his breastbone. “Unless you don’t want me.”
Desire tightened every muscle in his body. “You know I want you.” It was impossible not to want her.
She lifted her hands to his shoulders. “All right, then.” With that statement, she jumped from one foot.
Heather hada second to question her sanity before Quint caught her in the air and took her mouth. Hard. She’d thought about him all day and couldn’t get rid of the thought that he’d carried her down a mountain. He was strong and sweet and nicely over-protective.
Oh, she knew he didn’t want anything serious right now, and that was fine.
Right now, she just wanted him. So she kissed him back, knowing he’d keep her from falling.
He released her mouth, and his eyes had darkened. “Is this because you’re scared? I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I promise.”
“I’m not scared,” she whispered against his mouth. She wasn’t. Jack was a jerk and apparently a manipulative jackass, but she wasn’t frightened of him. He’d pretty much backed down after Anna threatened him, and soon he’d have to leave town and go back to work. “This is about you and me. No pressure.”
“No pressure.” Quint kissed her again, his hands holding her aloft by the butt, his chest firm against her front. He turned and carried her toward her bedroom, and his tongue swept inside her mouth to take. He tasted like flavored coffee and mint, and she wanted more.
A lot more.
“Careful of your ankle.” He set her on the bed and gently lifted her shirt over her head. “I’ve wanted to do that since I first saw you on the mountain.” His large hands dropped to her full breasts.
Heat lashed through her, and she swayed toward him.
“Are you sure?” he rumbled, dropping to his knees in front of her.
“Yes,” she whispered, tangling her fingers in his thick hair. “Definitely sure.”
His smile was a little wicked and a lot heated. “All right.” With a flick of his fingers, the front clasp of her bra sprang open. The sound he made was one she’d remember for the rest of her life. Male and hungry. He smelled like the forest, fir and pine, and the wild. His mouth found her breast, and she gasped.
So good and so fast.
“Careful now,” he said against her, his thumbs tucking into her yoga pants. “Watch your ankle.” Then he slowly, tortuously, drew the yoga pants off, his fingers infinitely gentle near her damaged ankle and cast. “If anything starts to hurt, you tell me.” He leaned down and kissed her knee.
