Dustin's Gamble Read Online Free PDF Page A

kissed her the summer before her freshman year. While she felt a twinge of sadness for the past, her memories were happy.
    "Does the smell of burning wood still turn you on?"
    Shannon yelped and whirled, but her flip-flop heel caught on a tree root and she tumbled head first into Dustin's arms. Heat radiated off his lean, muscled body as his arms curled around her torso, locking her in place. The chuckle rumbling from his chest tightened her nipples.
    "You keep throwing yourself at me. You do realize that if you want me, all you need to do is ask."
    The easy grin she remembered so fondly still had the ability to awaken sexual desires. Her panties dampened with instant need, and she squeezed her thighs together. Tell him you want him. Take him up on the offer and get it over with. “My God, have you always been this annoying and I blocked it out of my mind?"
    Dustin quirked an eyebrow and angled his head, looking down into her eyes. His hazel gaze grew serious. “It's good to have you home, Shay. Right where you belong."
    Unease circled in her stomach as he leaned closer.
    "What are you doing?” she breathed, fighting to keep her hands at her side.
    "I'm dying to kiss you."
    She put a restraining hand on his chest. “You're not supposed to fraternize with the guests. Don't you remember any of the rules?"
    He gave a crooked grin. “Don't you remember that I am part owner? Screw the rules.” He shot a glance around. “Besides, no one can see us."
    His head descended and he captured her mouth in a searing, toe-curling kiss. Hunger, passion, anger, and love all wrapped into one emotion as he cherished her lips. He tasted of male and cinnamon. She didn't dream of stopping him. She wanted his touch as much as he seemed to want hers. She pressed into him, trusting him fully as he backed her against the tree trunk. Every inch of his body molded against hers, a distraction from the uncomfortable bark biting into her back.
    His tongue traced the fullness of her lips, then slipped inside to stroke the contours of her inner cheek. He traced the line of her teeth and the roof of her mouth, swirling around her tongue. Her heart pounded, thudding against him. She arched into his hold, wanting to be closer, forgetting they were just a step away from prying eyes. God, she wanted him. She wanted to drop to her knees and suck on him. She nipped at his lips. Dustin curved his hand around the back of her head, tilting her head so he could have better access. One hand slid down and cupped her ass, holding her firm against his erection.
    He broke the kiss and braced his hands on either side of her head. His chest heaved. Shannon flattened her palms on his pecs, feeling each pulse of his heart under the sculpted muscles. She could only imagine what he saw in her eyes at that moment. She'd never been good at concealing her emotions from him.
    Dustin blew out a slow, cinnamon-scented breath. “We really need to talk."
    Reality crashed in. Right. They did need to talk. But not here, not where anyone could walk up and interrupt them. Funny, she didn't care if anyone saw them kissing, but she couldn't handle an overheard conversation.
    "Shay.” He tilted her chin up. “You know I'm not a weekend-fling guy. That's not what I'm about."
    No, he wasn't. Dustin was a settle-down-and-have-babies kind of guy. He was forever, security, loving even through the wrinkles and gray hair of old age. Thanks to Carolyn's example, Shannon had never been a settle-down girl. Now that she owned Gran's ranch, could she be that girl he wanted?
    "Me, either.” She dropped her hands from his chest to settle briefly at his hips. “I'd better get to the group. We'll talk later.” With a fleeting smile, she ducked under his arm and retreated to the campfire, her heart heavy.
    A while later, Shannon sat off to the side, mesmerized by the flickering flames. Every so often, her gaze strayed to Dustin where he lounged on a log beside his brothers. In dark denim jeans, dusty