“Of course,” she said.
Gunner paused on the dance floor. She nudged him.
“Keep dancing,” she whispered. He danced with her, thinking about how far she’d come and how comfortable she’d sounded saying she was teasing him.
“Yo, keep moving. No sex on the dance floor,” Halligan said as he danced by with a woman Gunner didn’t recognize.
“If you think that’s what sex is, I feel really sorry for your dates, Halligan,” Rachel replied.
Yep, she was feeling sassy tonight, and he adored this side of her. She always had a smile on her face, but she wasn’t putting on a brave face. She truly was happy.
Rachel walked into her house with Gunner. His touches on the dance floor, then being on the bike with him, had every part of Rachel hungering for Gunner.
She paused by the closet, taking off her jacket and hanging it up. She’d only been with Maynard. She wasn’t sure how to move them from hereto being closer.
Gunner’s finger traced along her spine, sliding down her back. He moved her hair away from her neck. His warm breath on the side of her neck had her leaning back against him. His arms wrapped around her. His hand slid under her shirt, resting above her waistband.
“We can just sit and watch a movie or do some heavy petting on the couch. I don’t want to rush you,” Gunner said softly.
She thought about since she’d come to Bluff Creek a little over three weeks ago. Each day, Gunner had shared a little more of himself until she couldn’t deny how she felt for him.
It was more than like and so much more than just an infatuation. Her situation wasn’t resolved, but as far as she was concerned, the papers granting her a divorce were a formality. She and Maynard had ceased to be a couple when he left her and the kids the first time.
Gunner needed the words because she didn’t want any miscommunication between them.
“You aren’t rushing me,” she said, turning toward him and looking into his eyes. “You are whoI want. Will you take me to bed and make me yours?” she whispered.
She barely had time to see the smile spreading across Gunner’s face before he picked her up and carried her toward the bedroom.
“I will because I can’t get you off my mind,” Gunner said, pausing at the foot of the bed. He claimed her lips, the warm, familiar touch and taste of Gunner giving her the feeling of home she’d been looking for her whole life.
Gunner divested them of their clothes while kissing each part of her he uncovered. Somewhere during that, he took his clothes off until she could feel the roughness of his leg hair rasping against her thighs.
He paused, notched at her entrance. “I have to say this because I don’t want you to think it’s part of that after-sex glow. I love you. I’ve loved you since you smiled and introduced your kids. I know people say it can’t happen that fast, but it did. I fell for you, and it’s only deepened over the time we’re together. I love you and I’m making you mine,” Gunner said.
Rachel was trying to formulate a reply when Gunner breached her opening. His eyes screamed everything he felt for her as he made her his. She so wanted to tell him she loved him too, but with every touch and thrust he was making her forget her own name.
All she could think of was touching him as she let him drive her higher until her legs were wrapped around his waist and she was screaming his name. His lips claimed hers as he followed her over.
She basked in the moment of being one with the man she’d fallen for before she gave him the words.
“The first time I started opening my heart to you was when you took us to the diner for breakfast and made sure the kids had fun. Then you put your own wants aside to make sure Marcus could get the help he needed by telling me what Maynard had said. Holding me as I broke down and had snot all over my face, I knew that you were someone I could trust. Each time we talked or spent time with the kids, you showed me theman you are. I love you. It wasn’t a flash bang, but it was a slow build until every part of my life is filled with the love you give me. This isn’t a sex afterglow. This is me telling the man who just made love to me that I love you too,” Rachel said, her voice quivering.
Gunner cupped her face. “I love you so much. I’m so thankful you came to Bluff Creek. Let me take care of this condom then I want to fix you a dessert. We’ll need fuel for the next round,” he said.
So he not only worshipped her in bed, but he also wanted to cook for her to refuel. Yes, she’d found a keeper.
Chapter Fifteen
Rachel lay looking at Gunner beside her in bed. He was on his back with the sheet around his waist. The tattoos on his arm and chest were tempting her to trace them with her tongue. But the rise of his cock underneath the sheet had her wanting her mouth on something else.
They’d gone to the kitchen last night for Gunner to cook. They’d only made it as far as him mixing up the fudge cake before her hands touching him had him saying, “Fuck it,” grabbing a couple granola bars and some bottles of water.
For a woman who’d only known missionary, Gunner had opened up her world last night. After he wound her up by licking and worshipping every inch between her legs, he rolled over onto his back, slid a condom on, and told her to get on fora ride. She’d been so hesitant, but Gunner’s hands on her hips, helping her get a rhythm, had given her confidence.
Gunner had made her feel sexy and had never made her feel inadequate because of her small breasts. The only thing she hadn’t gotten to do that she wanted was suck on his cock. She moved down his body, slowly pulling the covers down past his cock. She leaned close, breathing in his musky scent. She tentatively licked the head, then down his shaft.
Gunner’s groan had her smiling. His hand grasping her hair made her look up at him. His heavy-lidded gaze heated up every part of her.
