Jesse chuckled. “See, that wasn’t so hard.”
The heat from his breath blew across her cheek, and she shivered. “What wasn’t so hard?”
“Agreein’ with me.”
The teasing tone in his voice made her grin, which relaxed her slightly. “You are correct again, Mr. Slade. That wasn’t hard at all.”
“Thanks for not puttin’ up a fight when I asked you to bring me home. I thought I might have to drag you out of the house kickin’ and screamin’.”
She shrugged. “You almost had to, but then I realized if I didn’t take you home, Ma would expect you to stay the night.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
He had no idea!
“I thought you would argue with me,” he continued, “because you didn’t want to finish our conversation.”
She sucked in a quick breath. “I... um, thought it was finished.”
His arm moved around her waist, pulling her closer. “Can you honestly tell me you’d rather not speak openly about your feelin’s?”
She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, staring at the road ahead. “I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t bring this up. I feel the same as I did before Cal interrupted us earlier this evening.”
“But you never told me how you felt.”
She scowled. “My feelings haven’t changed, Jesse. Now leave the matter alone.”
Jesse moved his arm away and didn’t say another word. With a heavy heart, she blinked, fighting back the tears. She wouldn’t let him get to her.
When they rode to the front of the cabin, she sighed. Finally, she’d be free of his overpowering presence and be able to control her weakened heart.
He stopped the horse but didn’t dismount. The reins dropped from his fingers as his hands dropped to her legs. His breath on her neck turned warmer, melting her quickly.
The constrained silence became uncomfortable, but finally, Jesse jumped off the horse. Keeping her aching heart under control, she reached for the reins. Suddenly, Jesse swore, grabbed her around the waist, and yanked her off the horse. She gasped, more from the shock of having her body slide down his muscular frame than the surprise of his sudden movement. His heated gaze bore deeply into hers as he held her against him.
“Why do you keep pullin’ away from me?” His voice choked with deep emotion. “Don’t you think I care about you?”
She swallowed hard. “Sometimes I wonder.”
“What’s to wonder? Can’t you tell how I feel?”
She turned her head from his intense stare. “It’s no use, Jesse. It doesn’t matter how I feel about you or how you feel about me. I’m getting married tomorrow.”
His labored breaths fanned her cheek, and she fought her body’s weakening restraint. Strong arms pulled her tighter against him. She couldn’t stop the pleasurable gasp from escaping her throat.
Several minutes passed, and Summer allowed herself to enjoy being in his arms, knowing this would be the last time.
He withdrew slightly and looked down at her. The shadows played across his face. Seriousness touched his saddened expression through his frown.
Jesse’s brows creased, and his jaw hardened. “No. I won’t let it end like this.”
Summer stood frozen as Jesse bent his head. In one gentle motion, he pressed his lips to hers. She tried turning away, but his hand bracketed her chin and kept her still while he tasted her lips again and again.
“I can’t let you go,” he whispered.
The deep tone of his voice and having him hold her so personally, she finally surrendered. Her legs weakened, so she clung to his shoulders.
His hand moved down her neck, caressing, then around her shoulders as he pulled her closer. Heat poured through her, making her lose control. She sighed heavily, kissing him back the way she’d wanted to since their last time.
