communicating without words. Talking is overrated anyway.” He kissed her nose. “When I was waiting for you, I was wondering if you’d let me kiss you again. I wasn’t prepared for you to attack me.”
She started to argue, then reconsidered. She liked the way this conversation was going. “That’s me. I look all shy but underneath I’m a wild woman.”
He raised an eyebrow. “How many people know about this secret of yours?”
She rubbed her cheek against his and whispered in his ear. “You’re the first so far.”
He caught her jaw and kissed her playfully, then whispered, “If I give you what you want, maybe this secret can stay between us.”
“I want lots of kisses,” she announced. “I can be very demanding.”
“I think I can handle that, darling.”
She felt like she was melting. Locking her arms around his neck, she let him lift her off the ground and whirl her around. When they were both laughing, he said, “Laurel Hayes, you are a wonder in this world.”
They stood in the moonlight staring at each other. She brushed his hair off his forehead. He tucked a wild strand of hers behind her ear. When their lips touched, it was as if they had a lifetime to finish one kiss.
When he finally broke the kiss, she sighed and moved away. “Thank you,” she said.
He still held her hand. “For what?”
“For making me feel good all the way to my toes.”
He raised a wicked eyebrow. “I wouldn’t mind testing to see if that’s true. From what I’ve touched so far, I’d guess you do feel good all the way to your toes. You’re tall and slim, but you seem to fit against me in all the right places.”
She blushed and turned to her horse. “I have to go. It’s late.”
He stepped behind her as she reached for the saddle horn. His hand glided from her shoulder to her waist. She leaned against the saddle, loving the feel of his fingers moving down her back. His hands spread wide and made a slow journey along her sides. She caught her breath when the tips of his fingers moved around her enough to brush the sides of her breasts.
“Rowdy,” she whispered.
He was so close she could feel his breath brushing her hair at the back of her neck. “Do you want me to apologize?”
She tried to control her breathing, her knuckles white as they gripped the saddle. “No,” she finally answered.
His hands moved once more along her sides, only this time, when he reached her breasts, he slowed, tenderly feeling the sides, pressing gently as he tested the softness beneath her blouse.
She was glad he couldn’t see her face for she felt like it was on fire. No one had ever touched her as he was now.
He leaned down and kissed the side of her throat. “You feel like heaven come to earth, woman. I could spend all night doing this.”
“Then do it once more before I go.” She couldn’t believe her own words. “So I’ll remember exactly how it feels.”
With the same gentleness, he moved his hand up from her waist, only this time his fingers covered her breasts, cupping each. As she gulped for air, she pressed into his palms and his grip tightened.
Neither said a word as he held her in his tender grip. As her breathing calmed, she felt his fingers gently brushing against her breasts.
Finally, he pulled his hands away. When he turned her to face him, she rested her head on his shoulder and they simply held each other. What they’d done hadn’t been a casual or an accidental touch. She had a feeling they’d both remember it all their lives.
“I’m not sure . . .” He took a deep breath. “I haven’t been around many women. I . . .”
She moved so that he could feel her smile against his skin. “I think you did it just right,” she whispered and felt him relax against her.
His lips brushed her cheek. “If you get another urge to let that wild woman inside of you come out, you know where to find me. I’ll always be there if you need me.”
She couldn’t believe she’d been so honest with him. In the clear sober light of day she wasn’t sure she could face him. But now, right now, she didn’t regret anything.
Putting her foot in the stirrup, she felt his hands tighten around her as he lifted her up. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For making me feel like a woman.”