parties, I read a little.”
He gave a chuckle. “Me, too.”
“But—”
“I’ve been to Denver and Seattle, even as far as L.A. I once toured a vineyard in the Napa Valley. Get over it and eat your pancakes.”
She ignored his instruction. “Really? You toured a vineyard?”
“Surprised they let me in?” He took a bite. He wasn’t about to sit here and starve waiting for her.
“You’re twisting my words.”
“I don’t need to twist them to make you sound like a snob, princess. You’re doing that all by yourself.”
“You surprised me.” To her credit, she did sound contrite.
“Apparently,” he allowed.
She glanced down at her plate then inhaled deeply. “These really do smell great.”
“Taste them. They’re pretty good.”
She cut tentatively into one with her fork. “It’s been years since I’ve had maple syrup.”
“Welcome to the wild side.”
“I probably don’t need two.”
“You probably do.”
She lifted her fork to her mouth. “Here we go.”
He couldn’t believe she was making such a production out of it. But finally, she took a bite, chewed and swallowed.
“Oh, my,” she breathed. Her eyes sparkled and her red lips turned up in a beautiful smile.
Reed instantly lost his appetite for anything but her.
“Good?” he managed in a slightly strangled voice.
“Ambrosia.” She consumed another bite. “Who needs wine pairings anyway.”
“You like it on the wild side?” He didn’t intend it, but his tone turned the question into a double entendre.
She glanced up. Her expression stilled. Her gaze darkened. “Yes.”
Reed’s fork slipped from his fingertips, and his hands clenched into fists. Though his brain screamed no, his desire shouted it down. He gave in to his desire.
“Come here,” he commanded.
Her expression turned serious. She rose on her bare feet, moving toward him, draped in that boxy, oversize T-shirt. Her hair was stringy and wet, makeup smudged around her eyes, yet she still managed to be the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
He snagged her hand, eased his chair back, pulled her into his lap and captured her lips in one smooth motion. He wrapped one arm around her gorgeous body, cradling her face with his free hand as his lips and tongue plundered her mouth. He’d missed her taste so much. How on earth had he managed to stay away?
Her body curled against his bare chest, delicate hands wrapping around his back, their warmth all but burning his skin. She returned his kisses with passion and enthusiasm.
His fingertips found her bare thigh, trailing slowly beneath the hem of her shirt. It took him mere seconds to realize she was naked beneath, and he swore under his breath.
“What?” she breathed, her rear end pressing tightly against his growing arousal.
“I’m not stopping this time.” He kissed her again.
“I sure hope not.” She kissed him back.
“But this is a bad idea.” His mouth opened wide, and he all but devoured her.
When the kiss finally ended, she surprised him by turning in his lap, straddling him, her arms snaking around his neck, even as the tips of her breasts brushed against his chest. “I promise you,” she whispered huskily, her maple-sweet breath puffing against him. “The world will still be turning tomorrow morning.”
Reed didn’t doubt that was true. But he feared his own world might tip on its axis and never go back to right.
Then she kissed him again, and all reason left his brain.
He acted on instinct, moving his hands beneath her shirt, sliding along her sides, pushing the soft fabric higher and higher. They didn’t stop until he’d peeled it over her head, tossing it aside, gazing at her perfection for long, satisfying seconds before he wrapped her naked body in his arms.
“You are so incredibly gorgeous.” He kissed the tip of her shoulder, then the tender hollow of her neck.
“Does it matter?” she asked.
“That you’re gorgeous?” He brushed the pad of his thumb across her nipple.
She gasped. “Yes.”
He did it again.
“I meant—”
Again.
She groaned and arched her back, and he leaned down to kiss one hard pink nipple, drawing it into his mouth, swirling his tongue, finding immense satisfaction in the way her fingertips dug into his biceps.
But he forced himself to withdraw. If he wasn’t careful, they’d be making love right here on a kitchen chair. There was a bed in the shack. It wasn’t much of a bed, but he was determined to use it.
He took up her mouth with his, came carefully to his feet, holding her tight, her legs still wrapped around his waist. He was never more grateful for the habitual condom tucked into his wallet.
They crossed to the bed, and