day and the opposite of him. For one moment, as they held to each other, day and night touched. His rotten life at the bottom of society and her pure-air life on Whispering Mountain had collided, and they both knew that neither could step out of their world and into the other’s.
He tugged at her oversized shirt until he freed the cotton from her waist and pushed his hand inside so that he could feel her warm skin. He’d thought she might jerk away, but she didn’t.
Brushing his hand over her back, he whispered in her ear, “Thanks, darlin’,” like she’d just given him a gift.
Between the night and the brandy he didn’t seem capable of reason. All he wanted to do was hold her for as long as she’d let him. This woman’s spirit drew him as no woman ever had. She was strong and stubborn as no woman he’d ever known, but right now, in his arms, she was sweet and warm and yielding.
When he finally ended the kiss, he couldn’t let go. “You’re the one thing I’ll miss when I leave,” he whispered against her cheek.
She rubbed her cheek against his chin. “You’ll be surrounded by women in Austin.”
“Not like you, Em. I’ve never met anyone like you.”
Without another word, she circled his neck and pulled him down the few inches for another kiss. He felt the warmth of her body press against him and wanted to breathe her deep into his lungs so he’d never get the fresh smell of her or the taste of her out of his mind. His hand moved over her back and along her sides. Her skin was soft as velvet. When he brushed just beneath her breast, he heard her soft sigh of pleasure. She might never want a man, but she was a woman meant to be cherished and made love to, often.
When she pulled away to breathe, he whispered, “I don’t suppose you’d consider coming to Austin with me?”
She shook her head as he noticed for the first time how pretty she was when she blushed.
“I can’t,” she whispered. “I’ve never trusted a man to get this close before. I fear I’d panic if we got any closer. In a few days you’ll forget about me.”
“And you’ll forget about me,” he teased.
“Maybe,” she whispered, and he knew she was lying just as he was.
She laid her hand flat against his heart. “I thought I’d be terrified if a man ever came so close, but I like the feel of you.”
He slowly unbuttoned his shirt and gently pushed her hand over his heart with no cotton to hinder her touch. “If you like the feel of me, Em, then feel me. Look at me. See me. Everything will be crazy around here and we may not be together like this again, but for tonight, know that you are with me. Not just some man you let kiss you. Not a stranger, but me.”
Panic flashed in her eyes for a moment, and then she smiled. “I can feel your heart.”
He thought of saying something flowery and romantic, but he wanted no more lies between them. If he left she’d never know that he wasn’t the honest man he pretended to be.
He unbuttoned the rest of his shirt and watched her as she moved her fingers over his chest. Her hands were worn from hard work, but her touch was light and gentle.
“Tell me your thoughts,” he asked, standing very still with his hands resting easy on her waist.
“The hair on your chest is softer than I’d thought it would be. The muscles tighter.” She stopped her hand over his heart once more. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”
“Why? We’re not children who need watching.” He leaned over and kissed just below her ear. “I know you may not believe me, Em, but I’ve never been like this with a woman.”
She raised an eyebrow and studied him. “You’ve never kissed a woman?”
He grinned. “I’ve kissed a few, but none I’d kiss again.”
“You’ve never had a sweetheart?”
“Never.”
“But you’ve been with women. More than one?”
He closed his eyes, wishing he could lie to her, but he wouldn’t. For once in his life he’d answer honestly whatever she asked. “Yes, more than one.”
He felt her body stiffen in his arms as she lifted her chin and asked, “Did you force them?”
“No, Em. I’ve never forced a woman. I never would. I may be a lot of things you might not think are grand, but I