her fingers down his powerful back and over his hard ass. She couldn’t help it. She couldn’t explain it. She just wanted him. Badly.
The thought jarred her out of her fantasy. He was aggressive and obnoxious. She’d had enough of that type of man with her cheating ex-boyfriend, Brett. The next man in her bed wouldn’t be some alpha male. He’d be caring, understanding and mellow. But man, she was woman enough to admit it would be a plus if he had Jake’s Apollo-worthy bod.
Ugh, stop thinking about tying him to a bed!
She tried to ignore the need barreling through her body and dug her nails into her palms. The sharp pain distracted her from her impure thoughts. She breathed easier. Jutting her chin upwards, she put on her best superior expression, hoping it hid her desire.
“Here’s one of the extra Harvest shirts. It’s all we have.”
She held out the dark-crimson T-shirt with the black Harvest logo. It hung from her fingertips in midair. Neither she nor Jake moved. The shirt dangled in front of him like a red flag waved at a bull. The upward curl of his lips said he liked a challenge. A shiver slid down her spine.
When he took the shirt, their fingers brushed and a frisson of awareness shot up her arm. She jerked her hand back.
Jake wriggled his fingers, shook his head and pulled on the T-shirt. Watching the movement of his muscles as they bunched and stretched sucked her into fantasyland again. She forgot her annoyance and imagined wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders as he pushed her naked body against a wall. He’d set a slow and steady rhythm as she enveloped him.
A small groan escaped before she could stop the sound. The quirk of Jake’s eyebrows forced her back to the present. Not that the view disappointed. The size large T-shirt fit tight across his broad shoulders. Against her better judgment, she regretted seeing his unyielding abs hidden away under soft cotton.
“I have to tell you, it’s one of the more direct ways a woman has worked it so that I had to take off my shirt.” He bent his head down toward her. “I didn’t realize you country girls were so forward. Now, I don’t mind you getting me wet, but next time, just ask.”
Biting her lip, she fought the urge, again, to kick him in the shin. God, he was irritating. And enticing. And yummy to look at. And…oh God, this man erased all thoughts except those that involved him naked on her bed.
She flashed him an insincere smile and batted her eyelashes, hoping he wouldn’t notice how her nipples had hardened. As if she’d said the words out loud, his gaze locked in on that exact part of her anatomy. Damn. They actually got harder.
She crossed her arms in front of her breasts. “Oh, I think once was enough. You know us country girls just aren’t used to your big city ways.”
“I could teach you about all things big.” His wicked grin promised she’d learn a lot.
Electricity sparked between them, sank into her skin and settled low in her belly. “I’m sure you’d like to, but I’m not looking for a teacher.”
That silenced him. He dragged his gaze from her toes to her eyes in slow motion. His hot perusal burned her skin as it traveled up her body, lingering on her breasts before stopping at her lips. A wolfish leer lit his face.
“I’m more than willing to be a student, if that’s what you’d prefer,” his voice rumbled.
Suzie squeaked and slapped her hand over her mouth. Fire burned Claire’s face as another flush spread up her body. God, she hated her lack of control. Time to end this conversation before she ripped off his shirt and had her wicked way with him.
“Don’t worry about bringing back the shirt. Think of it as Dry Creek’s goodbye gift to you.” She waved her fingers. “Have a safe drive back to Denver.”
“But, I’m not going anywhere.”
How did she know that was coming? And why did the buzzing sensation in her stomach intensify? Annoyed with him and herself, she shot him a