ankle,” he growled. She raised her head and opened her mouth to protest. He took hold of her chin and kissed her hard. She gave a soft gasp as his tongue slid inside to taste and touch her sweet softness. Her tongue tentatively stroked his, and he groaned. His cock was hard and pulsing. He ravished her mouth and then kissed her eyelids and her throat. When she wiggled, she moved against his cock, and his desire went straight out of sight. He carried her inside, unlocking the door with the key in his hand, kicking the door shut behind him, and heading to his bedroom.
When he strode through the doorway, he snapped on the light, and suddenly his brain clicked back into place. He set her down so fast he almost dropped her.
“What the hell am I thinking?” he asked and ran his hand through his hair.
She stayed close and went up on her tiptoes. “I want you, too.” She blushed saying the words.
He walked across the room, putting distance between them. His heart raced, and he was breathing heavily. “No, you can’t want me. I’m not an easy man to be around, and I’m a confirmed bachelor. I’ll break your heart when I take you back home. And I will take you.” He strode out and went into his office, closing the door behind him.
He’d never run from anything, but he knew this time he had to. She was too sweet, too pretty, and he wanted her too much.
* * * *
Gina slowly walked into her bathroom. Her cheeks were hot and red. She splashed cool water on her face. Twice tonight she’d made a fool of herself, at the dinner when she cried in his lap and now when she offered herself to him only to be rejected.
Trying to put him out of her mind, she got in the shower and let the water run over her head and down her body. Perhaps the warm water would relax her and help her sleep. Tomorrow promised to be a busy day, and she had to be in control of her emotions before she saw his family again. This wasn’t like her at all. She was usually calm and rational, not a weepy marshmallow.
She’d show him and his family how strong and determined she could be. She just had to decide whether to ignore and reject him, or drive him crazy with need and have him begging for her attention. That idea brought a smile to her face. Her strong attraction to him was different than anything she’d experienced. She wanted him for the long term. I’m going to try to drive him crazy, much more fun than pretending to ignore him.
A knock on the door woke her. After making her decision, she’d fallen asleep. Sunlight peeked around the curtains.
“If you want to go shopping, it’s time to get up,” Graham said.
Gina glanced at her wristwatch, seven a.m. She had two and a half hours.
“There’s nothing in the house to eat. I’m going to Millie’s place, the best restaurant in town for breakfast. Hurry and dress, and you can join me.”
She jumped out of the bed and threw on a pair of jeans and a green T-shirt. Her tennis shoes were all she had to wear with her outfit, but she was putting boots on her list for today. She gave her long hair a brief combing and a touch of lipstick, and she was ready. Thank goodness her hair had a slight curl. She didn’t need to do much to make it look good.
“Twenty minutes, not bad,” Graham said, looking at his watch. “Come on.” In minutes they were driving down a two-lane highway headed west. Millie’s restaurant was on the edge of town.
A short woman with a round face and snow-white hair greeted them at the door. “My, my, who is this with my favorite handsome cowboy?” She smiled at Gina.
“Millie, this is a friend of a friend. She’d never been to Montana, so she’s here for a visit.”
“Welcome to Frontier City.” She chuckled. “Not that it’s much of a city. Follow me and I’ll find you two a booth.” The dining room was crowded as usual, and several people waved or called out hello as they passed. All looked questioningly at Gina.
Millie stopped beside a side
The Cowboy's Surprise Bride