From This Moment On - By Debbi Rawlins Page 0,65

looped her arms around his neck, her eyes level with his smooth chin. “My feet aren’t touching the ground so don’t—”

His kiss cut her off. He took his time, angling his head and pressing his lips against hers, softly at first, then more firmly. She flexed her hips against his body and he stilled for a moment, then his tongue swept past her lips and swirled into her mouth. He tasted of wintergreen, and she was so, so glad she’d remembered to pop a mint herself.

“We should go inside,” she whispered, dragging her mouth away from his since he wouldn’t stop kissing her. “No use giving the hands a show.”

“Those guys are asleep.”

“So, you have something against a nice soft queen-size bed and clean sheets?”

“I’m partial to kitchen counters myself.” He’d switched to her neck, slowly planting moist kisses headed in the direction of her neckline.

She pushed her fingers through his hair, grabbing two handfuls and forcing his head back to see if he was serious. The teasing glint in his eyes earned him a yank.

“Ouch.” He made a face. “I knew I should’ve gotten a haircut today.”

“No, don’t.” She bit her lip. “Sorry. It’s your hair. Do what you want.”

“If you like it long, I’ll keep it this way.”

“Would you put me down? Please.”

He swooped in for another quick kiss, then let her slide down his body. “Wait,” he said. “Let’s do that again.”

Grinning, she took his hand and led him to the flagstone walkway. “We’re going inside. Hey, I told you the front door was unlocked. Why did you wait out here?”

“I didn’t feel right going in without you. Anyway, I wasn’t waiting long and I used the time to return Aaron’s call.”

She’d wondered about whether they’d connected after she gave Trace the heads-up. “Were you able to have a civil conversation?”

“Oh, yeah. Aaron’s okay. Just doing his job. I don’t agree this time, that’s all.”

“Some of those guys tonight were getting awfully heated.”

“Who? Eli and Lefty?”

She pushed open the door and pulled him inside. “Eli, Chip, Jerry, a few others I don’t know by name. Even Sam put in his two cents.”

Trace made sure they were locked in. “Two cents is about all that boy has to work with. He make you mad again tonight?”

“Sam is Sam. I’m trying not to react. Hey...” She giggled when he hooked an arm around her waist and hauled her up against him. Her body responded instantly, nipples beading, breaths coming quicker, dampness between her thighs....

“You smell good,” he murmured, burying his face in the curve of her neck and shoulder.

“Oh, please, I smell like a bar. I’m taking a shower.”

“Hmm, sounds like a good idea. I could use one, too.” He plunged his fingers into her hair and gave her a light scalp massage.

She smiled because he smelled fresh and clean and a little like pine soap. “I didn’t invite you,” she said, letting her head loll back and her eyes close.

“I’m inviting myself.”

“Trace, you are just—” She sighed and lifted her lashes. “You’re amazing.”

He stilled, aiming an expectant frown at her. “I’m waiting for the punch line.”

“I hope you have all week.” She brushed a kiss across his lips. “Do you have any idea how much admiration and respect the people here have for you?”

Surprise flickered in his face. He blinked, shaking his head and flushing. “Come on...” He lowered his arms and took her hand. “Let’s go use up the hot water.”

If she touched his cheeks she knew they’d be warm. He was embarrassed and she really should drop it, but she didn’t understand why he’d prefer people to think he was a guy who got by on his looks and charm.

A sudden realization stunned her. No, it was her, that’s what she’d thought. And so did the Sundance guests who chased him and flirted and made fools of themselves because all they saw was the sizzle but not the substance. The people who lived here, the ones who understood him, knew otherwise. To them, Trace was a man to be taken seriously.

“Okay, cowboy.” She slipped her hand into his. “Show me what you got.”

15

TRACE SOAPED THE back of her shoulders and watched the sudsy water sluice down her spine to the curve of her backside. Her skin looked as silky as it felt under his lips. She’d pulled her hair up into a messy knot, and he was trying his best not to get it wet, but sometimes he’d get distracted by the curve of her hip