Anticipation Read Online Free PDF Page B

form on her skin.
    Biting her lip, she glanced at her watch. An hour and a half had passed since Jonas had gone back to the office. The last remnants of the day’s sunlight shined on the hall’s oak flooring as she made her way to the front door.
    When she opened the door, her stomach dipped and spun at the mouth-watering sight before her. Jonas’ old weathered brown Stetson was pulled low over his brow. He propped his forearm on the doorframe and stared down at her with his intense blue gaze, while she took in every mouth-watering detail. His heather gray T-shirt and worn jeans fit his muscular frame, and a wide silver belt buckle and scruffy brown boots rounded out his devastating, born-’n-bred cowboy personality.
    Dear God, he looked every bit the man who’d stolen her heart and ruined her for all men so long ago. His uniform might’ve turned her on, but seeing him like this again made her entire body quake.
    “Evenin’, Deidre. The house smells like fresh-baked cookies.” His respectful nod, combined with the seductive sweep of his gaze up and down her body in an openly frank appraisal, had an overwhelming effect she hadn’t thought possible. Her knees actually gave way.
    Grabbing the doorknob to keep from making a complete fool of herself, Deidre ground her teeth at the rush of embarrassed heat that crept up her cheeks. “I…um, didn’t hear you drive up.”
    “You okay?”
    At the concern in his tone, she straightened and released the doorknob with a quick nod. “Never better. Would you like a cookie?” How dull was that? Sheesh, I need to sign up for conversation lessons.
    He shook his head slowly. “Maybe later.” A wide grin spread across his face as he turned to let her see his horse tied to the porch behind him. “You didn’t hear me drive up, because I brought a quieter ride. Remember Admiral?”
    Admiral snorted while nodding his head.
    Deidre glanced around Admiral, looking for another horse. “Where’s my mount?” She met Jonas’ steady gaze once more and her lips tilted in amusement. “I’m much more confident riding now than I was back then.”
    Jonas’ jaw flexed and desire flashed in his deep blue eyes. “I’m sure you are.” He held his hand out to her. “Come ride with me.”
    She didn’t miss the edge in his lowered tone, and something about the possessive look in his eyes both surprised and thrilled her. How many times had she wished to see him gaze at her just like that? She ran her hand across her skirt and took a step back. “Let me go change first.”
    Jonas reached out and grasped her hand, bringing her fingers to his mouth. “You’re perfect just as you are.” When he pressed his warm lips against her skin, his stare enticing and persuasive, she lost all ability to banter. Or was it his kiss that sent a tingling sensation sliding down her arm and shooting straight to her nipples?
    “I…um…I’ll lock up the house.”
    His low chuckle seemed to follow her as she turned and headed for the kitchen to retrieve the house key off the counter.
    Once she’d locked the door and walked down the stairs to stand beside Jonas, the air around them grew strangely quiet. He slid his hands around her waist. She relished every second of his warm palms touching the bit of skin below her tank top as he easily lifted her up on his horse.
    Deidre tried to sit sidesaddle, but Jonas squeezed her waist. “You’ll have to sit astride, darlin’, or it’ll make for an uncomfortable ride.”
    She squirmed nervously at the idea of sitting astride in a skirt. “I really should go change clothes—”
    Before she could finish, he gripped her hip with one hand and slid his other hand up her calf, pushing her skirt up until her thigh was bared. “Lift your leg over.”
    At his soft command, she did as he asked and moved her right leg over the horse’s back. Without a word, Jonas swept up on the saddle behind her.
    “Comfortable?” She tilted her eyebrow, casting a quick gaze over