Ride Rough - Tessa Layne Page 0,37

you coming?"

She shook her head. "You know it's not my scene, and my feet hurt."

"But it should be. And how're you going to get home if we leave? Do you have a ride lined up?"

Trace could see the lines of exhaustion on Cecilia's face. He'd bet with enough prodding, she'd go, because she was that kind of a friend. "I'll make sure she gets home." And thank you, Izzie for the perfect cover.

Izzie eyed him, then broke into a huge grin. "I'm sure you will." She paused at the door on the way out. "I put some, er... party favors in your purse, Ceece. I'm sure you'll know what to do with them," she said with a cackle as she let the porch screen slam shut behind her.

Chapter Sixteen

True to his word, Trace finished the dishes then pinned her to the wall, collecting thank-you kisses in private. Cecilia was more than willing to oblige. Even if he didn't make good on his laundry list of naughty innuendos, she liked kissing him. Too much. More than was safe. A girl could fall in love over kisses like Trace's. She placed a palm on his chest. "I should go." The reception was winding down, but it wasn't too late to catch a ride back to town with one of the Sinclaires or Hansens.

Trace drew back and brushed a knuckle across her cheek. It was a barely-there stroke of tenderness, an invitation to something more. So why did that movement make her heart race like a teenager? Her insides felt fluttery and jumpy.

"You look like you're going to bolt," he murmured, stroking her cheek again. "I'll take you home, but you don't have to invite me in."

He was giving her an out, which was sweet and chivalrous, and made her nervous as heck. What did she want with Trace? Banter and back and forth was one thing, and she appreciated the way he'd helped her out and the kisses she'd let him steal. But admitting, especially aloud, that she wanted him, and furthermore, that she wanted him to spend the night, was another thing entirely. "I don't do flings," she blurted. "I... they're not my thing," she admitted shamefaced, as heat flamed her face.

"Is that what you think I want?" He ducked his head to place kisses at the soft spot below her ear. They were so sweet, yet... so dirty. His lips were soft, but then he followed with teeth and tongue, and when they grazed across her neck, goosebumps rose all the way to her nipples. She wanted him to suck and pull on them, to bite and scrape, and yet he'd never made a move beyond placing a hand at her hip, or skating his fingers along her neck. The anticipation of his touch was practically killing her.

"Isn't it?" she mumbled, half panting when he nipped her collarbone.

He clicked his tongue and lifted his head, eyes raking over her face. "I'm interested in far more than a one-night stand... Cecilia." He slowly traced the edge of her jaw with a finger.

OH. Her stomach gave a slow roll. God, she loved the way he said her name, like it was some kind of sweet filthy prayer filled with untold promise and guaranteed satisfaction. The rough edge in his voice soaked her panties. Every. Damned. Time. Her pulse kicked up a notch as she momentarily lost herself in the heat of his gaze. She wet her bottom lip with her tongue, mouth suddenly very dry. Her heart pounded so hard against her chest, she was sure he could hear it.

His perfect white teeth flashed as he grinned. "Feel like taking a shot?"

She blinked. "You mean dating?" She couldn't believe her ears. If there was one things she was certain of, it was that Trace Walker had one-night stands and flings written all over him.

His grin widened. "Sure. Why not? No promises, just spending time together."

"You want to date," she stated, still not comprehending.

He nodded, eyes sparkling. "Umm hmm. Does that surprise you?"

She made a noise of sheer disbelief. "Yes." She was a dot-your-Is and cross-your-Ts kind of person. The vibe she got from Trace was anything but that. He was go-with-the-flow in a way she never would be.

His chuckle was low and rich. "You're a five-year plan kind of person aren't you? How'd that work out so far?" he pressed when she didn't answer.

He was absolutely right about her. She always had everything figured out before she made a step. She was