Trace & Tori [The ShadowDance Club 4] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free PDF Page B

pulled her close and encircled her with his warm embrace, a fact that he found immensely satisfying. Just after dawn he moved carefully to get out of bed without disturbing her. He’d given all the ranch hands the day off, it was Thanksgiving after all, so that meant he was going to be doing all of their chores as well as his own.
    Ever since he’d lost Nan, holidays just hadn’t held any significance for him, but he wanted his men to enjoy their families, and he had always been grateful for the extra work to keep his mind off what he’d lost. He hadn’t even thought about what Tori would think of spending the Thanksgiving alone, and as he sat on the edge of the bed he felt her stir next to him. When he turned back to her she was looking at him with sleepy eyes, her hair was a mass of disarray, her lips swollen from his kisses, and he didn’t think he’d ever seen anyone as beautiful as the sweet snow angel nestled in his rumpled bed. “Good morning, sweetheart, how did you sleep?” Brushing a few wayward curls from her face, he traced his fingers along her jaw in a soft caress. He smiled as she leaned into his touch, rubbing her soft face against his work-roughened palm like a cat.
    She blushed so hot that even the part in her hair turned crimson “I slept really well after…well, after we…I mean…” She blew out a soft breath and looked up at him smiling sweetly.
    “Princess, I would like to get one thing cleared up between us right now.” The change in her expression was absolute and shocked him. When she started to move away from him, he caught her, easily halting her retreat. “Oh no, you don’t, you have it all wrong princess. I just wanted to make sure you know you can say anything to me without feeling embarrassed or intimidated. We have some things to talk about including the fact I am a Dominant in the bedroom. And, well, often that trait spills over in to the rest of my approach to women, but I like to think of it as chivalry outside of this room.” He chuckled, and when he gave her a warm smile she seemed to relax once again. Her trust was like a balm to his aching heart. He knew she’d been convinced he was going to give her the “Last night was a mistake” speech, and he watched as it took a few minutes for his words to sink in.
    “I don’t really know anything about that lifestyle. I mean I have read a few romance novels, but I don’t have any personal experience…um…I only have my own curiosity.” She’d spoken quietly, but Trace hadn’t missed a single word.
    “Well, why don’t you get up, and we’ll get something to eat, and I’ll see if I can’t answer some of your questions. As a matter of fact, I’d like to ask you some questions also.” When her eyes grew wary, he continued. “I want to learn about the beautiful woman who rocked my world last night, princess, that’s all, please don’t look so frightened every time I say something to you, you’re gonna ruin my reputation as a nice guy with that deer-in-the-headlights look.” He grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap and proceeded to kiss her until she felt nearly boneless in his arms.
    “Now, today is Thanksgiving, but I’ve given all the men the day off which means I have to cover for them. I’ll be grabbing some breakfast and then heading out. I’m going to be covering a lot of the ranch today, and you are welcome to ride along if you are interested.” He saw her eyes light up, so he went on. “I’d enjoy the company if you wouldn’t mind. I know it’s a holiday and all, and we’ll be busy until dark, but then I thought we could make a big pot of chili and watch a movie together.”
    Tori was suddenly struck by the realization that she and the gorgeous man before her actually had something in common. They’d both experienced great loss, including having the future they had thought was all mapped out unexpectedly snatched out of their grasp by circumstances beyond their control. She didn’t know