Ride Rough - Tessa Layne Page 0,29

by the Ocean. Trace folded his arms and leaned against the doorjamb, settling in to watch. Her entire body moved with the music and had him imagining a whole host of dirty scenarios that involved the two of them in some state of undress.

She reached for a tray and began spooning the thick batter onto it in perfect time to the beat. A timer dinged and she pranced to the stove where she pulled out a hot tray, then quickly replaced it with the one she'd just filled, bumping the oven door shut with her hip. She paused, looking for a place to put the hot tray, but every space was full. Trace grabbed a dish towel that had been left draped over the door handle. "Here, let me take it."

She jumped with a shriek, and whirled, wobbling the tray and nearly losing the biscuits. "How long have you been there?" she demanded, eyes wide, cheeks pinking. She looked absolutely adorable. The pretty flowered sundress she wore was completely covered in the front by a hot pink apron emblazoned with a big heart with the words kiss the chef printed inside. A smudge of flour streaked high across her cheekbone. It took all he had to not cross the floor, take her in his arms and kiss her silly. Instead he took the tray from her hands, using the dish towel to protect his. "Long enough to see you could use another pair of hands." He was irrationally pleased she didn't protest as he took it to the far side of the table where a large stool stood empty. "These can cool here."

She'd already turned back around and was working on loading up another tray. "Great. Can you take the finger sandwiches out to the table? That will clear up some space."

"Where are they?"

Without turning around, she waved the spoon she held to her right. "Don't take off the plastic wrap yet. We don't want to attract flies."

"So you could say you're in need of a little... rescuing?" He couldn't resist teasing her just a little bit.

She stopped what she was doing and whipped around. "We're helping Dottie. And yes, it's going to take extra hands to put all the food out before everyone arrives."

She moved to turn back, but he caught her wrist. "Wait." He drew his thumb across the flour streak. Electricity crackled between them the instant he touched her. She sucked in a quick breath and her eyes flamed. "You had flour on your face," he said, not taking his eyes off her.

"Thanks," she murmured, staring back and not moving.

The corner of his mouth pulled up. "I like your apron."

"It's Dottie's."

"You should have one, too."

"Why? So you could steal a kiss?"

The air felt heavy and thick, full of unspoken desires. He... wanted. So much. In spite of all the warnings, in spite of the danger it represented for the shred of hope left for his career. For the first time in his adult life, he wanted more than physical release. He wanted to know, really know this fiery complex woman in front of him. Foolishly, he wanted to be what made her smile. And hell, yes, he wanted to feel her moving beneath him. "Would you let me?"

Her eyes fluttered down and a coy half-smile crossed her face. "If you asked," she murmured, blushing furiously.

"Then it wouldn't be stealing."

She glanced up through her lashes, smile widening. Half shy, half sex kitten, fully adorable. He liked this side of her just as much as the sassy, sarcastic side. More, because in his mind, he'd earned it, passed some kind of a test that allowed him to breach a level of her defenses. He stepped into her space, crooking a finger under her chin, heart beating wildly because he wasn't the kind of guy that even needed to ask. He didn't think she'd say no, but the possibility hung over him, making his stomach tighten in anticipation just like before he caught a big wave, or crested a rollercoaster. "May I?"

"Someone might walk in."

His voice dropped. "Let 'em." He didn't give a flying fuck if someone walked in. Nothing would change. They'd already been spotted kissing. Sterling, Travis, and Weston would take him out back for "a talk", and life would go on. He had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Her nod was so subtle, he'd have missed it if he wasn't looking, hoping for it. He absolutely didn't miss the flash of pure sexual heat in