Kenzie nodded. “I’m going to put her in her crate soon anyway.”
Harrison set Gabby on the floor and watched her bound after Gizmo, concern on his face. When Gizmo dropped into his dog bed and allowed Gabby to curl up with him, Harrison seemed to relax. “I’ll get a fire going in your wood stove.”
“Thanks.” Kenzie wasn’t used to having help, and there was something about seeing a big, handsome man carrying firewood that she liked.
By the time she got Gizmo and Gabby settled, Harrison had a blazing fire going, its warmth spreading through the house.
And then it was just the two of them.
Anticipation twined with nervousness in Kenzie’s stomach. “Can I make you some coffee or get you a beer or a glass of—”
“I’m not thirsty.” He drew her against him. “Do you know what really kept me awake last night? It wasn’t just Gabby. I couldn’t stop thinking about you, about all the things I want to do to you.”
Kenzie’s pulse skipped. “I … I need a shower. The rescue. Hiking. I got sweaty.”
He bent down, nuzzled her throat. “You smell delicious to me, but if you really want a shower, I’d be happy to help.”
Part of Kenzie was delighted by this, but she hadn’t forgotten what he’d said to her yesterday. “What changed? Yesterday, you said this would be a mistake, that you wouldn’t be good for me, and tonight …”
Tonight, he was talking about getting naked with her.
What aboutyourobjections?
Did she have any?
Oh, yeah. No climbers.
Well, to hell with that.
He drew back, looked down into her eyes, his expression serious. “I’ve got nothing to offer you and no idea where my life is going or what the next few months will bring. I can’t promise you much, but I’ll never mistreat you or disrespect you. You’re the only part of my life that makes sense right now, Kenzie. I want you, and if that’s a mistake, then it’s the best mistake I’ve made in a long damned time.”
Kenzie’s heart all but melted. “Kiss me.”
Harrison backed her up against the wall, tilted her face upward, and took her mouth with his.
Chapter 10
At his firsttaste of her, Conrad forgot that he’d meant to go slowly, days of suppressed desire for her igniting in his veins like a backdraft. He’d meant to be gentle, but he wasn’t. He pressed his lips hard to hers, claimed her mouth with his tongue, his fingers fisting in her hair. Some part of him wondered whether he was being too rough, but then she bit his lower lip, giving as good as she got, meeting his tongue with her own, stroking his erection through the fabric of his jeans.
Ah, Kenzie.
Why had he waitedso longto do this?
He was about to scoop her into his arms and carry her upstairs to her bedroom or the bathroom when he remembered.
Condoms.
Fuck.
He dragged his lips from hers. “I need to drive to the store and get condoms.”
How could he forget something like that? He knew better than most people that success depended on having the right gear.
“Food Mart closed fifteen minutes ago.” She pressed her hand harder against his erection, the sensation almost painfully arousing.
He was about to let loose a string of profanity.
She cut him off with a laugh. “Don’t worry. I bought some this morning. They’re upstairs in my bedroom.”
