Ride Rough - Tessa Layne Page 0,39

but unnecessary. I've got the tools here in the barn."

Trace rolled his eyes. "Of course you do."

Cecilia could feel the wall of defensiveness rising - she was powerless to stop it. "Hey, don't knock it. I lived on a ranch with women. Someone had to figure out how to fix things."

Trace took her into his arms. "I know, I know. You don't like to be rescued, you can do it on your own, et cetera, et cetera." He kissed the tip of her nose. "But maybe, just maybe, I wanted to do something nice for you. No rescuing, just something nice. With no strings attached." He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh," she said in a small voice. She was embarrassingly, utterly unused to anyone except her girlfriends treating her with generosity. "Then thank you. I didn't mean to-"

"Shh." Trace stopped her mouth with a finger. "If you're happy with it, I'll wheel it up to the porch."

"I'd like that," Cecilia said with a nod. "Did you repaint it, too?" Upon closer inspection, it looked almost brand-new. "And you replaced the basket. I love it."

Trace turned and flashed her a smile that went straight to her heart. He looked genuinely pleased by her enthusiasm. Is that what this was supposed to be like? No fishing for compliments or striving to be noticed, just... hot kisses, sweet talk, friendly banter, and... nice? She followed him to the porch, stomach fluttering like the time she'd tried parasailing in Florida when she'd gone to watch her sister at the Olympic rowing trials. He leaned the bike against the house and turned, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "So..." Was he nervous?

Cecilia's heart gave an extra hard thud. She was definitely nervous. "So..."

"You gonna invite me in?"

An impish thought entered her head. She cocked her head, fighting a smile. "I might make you work for it."

Trace made a growl low in his throat and closed the distance between them, crowding her until she stepped back, only to be stopped by the support post. "You sure about that?"

Her insides were doing full-on somersaults and she squeezed her thighs at the insistent throbbing between her legs. "Yes?" she answered with too much expectancy. She had every intention of inviting him in, but the temptation to escalate was too great.

He braced an elbow on the post above her. "That so? You don't sound too convinced."

She let out a breathy laugh.

He hooked a finger just inside the neckline of her sundress, following the line to where the vee ended in a point between her breasts. Goosebumps spread across her skin. With a flick of his thumb, he released the top button in the line that ran down the front of her dress. "So pretty," he murmured.

Cecilia bit back a moan. He was working for it, all right, and driving her wild in the process. It took all her self-control to stay still and wait for his next move. He flicked open another button, revealing the pale pink mesh of her sheerest demi bra - a ridiculous splurge she'd bought at the urging of her sister in the aftermath of being dumped by Charlie. Her nipples pebbled, straining against the silky fabric. Just as she arched her back leaning into his barely there touch, he stepped back, jamming his hands in his pockets and hooking his thumbs over his black leather belt. Her eyes snapped to his as she swallowed a cry of frustration. His eyes gleamed as he held her gaze. "Still wanna play... sweetheart?"

Chapter Seventeen

Cecilia's eyes went nearly black. "You... tease," she hissed.

Trace was of two minds. On the one hand, it would be so easy to gather Cecilia into his arms, march her upstairs and ravish her, putting an end to their misery. On the other, there was sweet satisfaction seeing her squirm and fight with herself, knowing he'd be right there to catch her and take her to unparalleled heights when she inevitably gave in. He gave himself a mental shake as his cock throbbed painfully against his zipper. The latter was the path of misery, but also the greater payoff. Three months ago, the choice would have been easy. Trace McBride didn't wait for shit. Especially where pleasure was concerned. But this... this was new territory. He guessed that when Cecilia finally let go, her orgasm would be cataclysmic. And his ego was just big enough, he wanted to be the man who took her there. If that meant holding out a bit longer, he could do