an arm around her shoulders and rubbed the top of her arm. She leaned a little closer. The moment elongated. His heartbeat pounded, and their breath mingled. He tilted her chin with one finger, and he thought for sure his heart would explode if he didn’t kiss her.
“Thank you for everything,” he said.
“You’re—”
His lips touched hers and captured her words into a kiss that spun his world upside down. She sighed, leaned into him and deepened the contact. She searched his mouth like she’d searched his mind. He had one hand in her hair, his fingers massaging her scalp. His other hand slipped up underneath her shirt, explored her back. She gasped.
“You okay?” he asked, and nuzzled her neck.
“Perfect. Cold hand,” she murmured as she met his mouth again.
He started to smile, then traced her lips with his tongue. She kissed him hungrily. Damn, she felt amazing. She slid her hands up underneath his shirt, played her fingers up and down his back like he was a musical instrument, while his hands sought out the warmth of her breasts. If he didn’t stop this soon he’d take her right here, on the grass at the foot of his thinking seat.
About to unclasp her bra, he pulled away. “This isn’t a good idea,” he murmured, but kissed her cheek, and then trailed tiny kisses down her neck.
“Why?” she asked, the word coming out on a gush of air.
“You know why. The timing is all wrong. Maybe later—”
“It feels right to me. Why should we worry about what everyone else thinks?”
“We need to slow down, consider the circumstances. You’re a beautiful woman. Believe me this isn’t easy, having to back away.”
Dena closed her eyes. He felt her rapid heartbeat and her overheated body, and knew it was a good match for his own. She kept her eyes shut, and her breath came in rapid warm puffs. He stroked her back, waited for the rush of passion to subside in both of them. After a long shuddery intake of breath she eased the air out through parted lips and opened her eyes. She was so beautiful, all mussed up and pouty lipped, and he had to look away.
“I trust you, Zeke,” she said, smoothed her hair and her clothes. “Whatever you say, whatever you think—”
“Good. That means a lot to me.” He stood, and offered his hand. His jeans could use some rearranging, but he didn’t want to draw attention to that part of his anatomy. “Want to walk back with me and José?”
“Sure.”
Dena walked over and ran a hand down the horse’s nose. José whinnied and nuzzled at her hand. “I’m sorry, I don’t have a treat for you,” she said. “Wha—”
Zeke scooped her up in his arms. She nestled against him, laughing and trying to catch her breath. He inhaled vanilla, and shampoo, and something else that made up her signature scent, and all of his earlier longing returned like a punch to the gut.
“What did you do that for?” she asked.
“To hear you laugh.”
She closed her eyes, and he kissed her eyelids. He’d known her for two days, and yet he’d know her if he was blindfolded and she wasn’t able to speak. About to take another long inhale of her scent, he thought better of it, especially as he had to walk home. And walking was already difficult. He lifted her higher, spun her around.
“Oh, my,” she said.
“Grab on.”
She laughed again as her bottom hit the leather of the saddle and she almost slid off. The horse turned his head. Zeke grinned. The weariness and worry of the past few days had left him, and he wondered how long it had been since he’d relaxed and played.
“I figured José should get to take a pretty lady for a ride,” Zeke said. “Right my man?” He patted the horse, took the reins, and walked ahead.
They ambled along, flitting from one topic to another, movies, books, sports. When they got to the stables he helped her dismount, and she hurried to the bucket where she selected two pieces of apple.
Zeke rubbed José down, put him in his stall, and Dena gave the horse his treats. She stood slightly apart from him, her arms wrapped tight around her chest, her big blue eyes wide and watching him closely. He liked being here with her, doing something as simple as tending to his horses.
“Let’s go up to the hacienda and get you warm,” Zeke said, knowing he had to stop his random thoughts.