Jenna’s head fell back against the metal, her fingers clutching his shoulders, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.
“Oh my God, Axel—”
“Shh, just feel,”he murmured against her skin, his voice so rough and aroused.
And she did.
She felteverything.
She felt the heat of his mouth sizzling her skin like a brand.The scrub of his stubble sparking along her flesh.The strong way his hands gripped her like he was afraid he would lose her, like she would disappear and the way his body pressed against hers, hard and unyielding, like he was trying to merge them into one.
Dear Lord.This was happening way too fast.
She shouldn’t…
His lips found hers again, his kiss was even slower this time, much deeper, like he was savoring her.Like he’d been starving for her.
Somewhere, deep at the back of her mind an idea sparkled to life.
He still loved her.He had lied in that horrible letter.The letter were he’d told her he didn’t love her anymore and to go on with her life without him.
His touch was fire, branding her, claiming her, and Jenna let him.Let him touch her.Let him kiss her.Let himhaveher.
Because despite everything, despite the years, the pain, the husband she’d just buried, this man was Axel.And she’d never stopped loving him.
Then suddenly he just stopped.Stopped kissing her, and she felt a bit of her die inside.He cursed softly and then he moved away from her.
The loss of his warmth felt like someone had yanked the ground out from under her and if she hadn’t been leaning against the horse trailer, she swore she would have dropped to her knees.
“Now, isn't that better than hitting?Love not war, babydoll,” he chuckled.
The words sliced through her, turning everything molten inside her into something sharp and her anger rushed back into her.
He’d been playing her.Trying to prove a point?
What a bastard!
“Go to hell!I’ve got work to do!”Jenna shouted and stomped away toward the pasture, moving fast.She kept her back to him, blinking hard, refusing to let him see the tears burning behind her eyes.
Chapter Nine
“Already been to hell,” Axel muttered beneath his breath.Her retreating figure hit him harder than the slap and was a reminder of how easily he could still lose her.
Even in anger, she was a vision.Her fiery hair gleamed beneath the afternoon sun and her determined march, her fists clenched, was a stark reminder that perhaps he’d pushed things too far.
He let out a heavy sigh.Yes, he’d definitely overstepped.
Still, he hadn’t been able to ignore the undeniable sparks of desire he had seen in her eyes, and the way she’d leaned into him of her own accord.He’d just wanted to tap her on the tip of her nose telling her that was payback for the slap, but things had just totally gone out of control.Her nearness was all the invitation he’d needed.Resisting Jenna had always been futile.
He reached up and swept his fingers across the tender spot on his cheek where she’d slapped him.The sting grounded him, pulling him out of the haze of adrenaline and desire.
Ouch was right.That hurt.
Then he touched his mouth.The echo of her kiss lingered, stirring up years of longing he’d tried to bury.His lips were swollen and throbbing from her kiss.He licked his lips and tasted her on him.
She tasted just as good as he remembered.
And his shaft felt heavy with desire, pressing tightly against his pants.
