“Is that right?” he teased, his breath feathering across her cheek.
“I like you more.” She shrugged. “Even though we both know this won’t go anywhere. I do like you, Seth.”
He brushed a finger across her lips. “I like you too. Probably too damn much. I get angry because I know how easy it’d be to fall for you, and also because I know you’re leaving.”
She frowned. “Do you think the ranch hands know what we’re doing?”
Seth laughed. “Without a doubt.”
“Oh, my God!” Ryan cupped her cheeks in her hands, muffling her laughter. “I’ll be so embarrassed to see them.”
He rolled onto his side to face her, eyes soft. “I’m sure they saw it coming. I’d catch them trying not to grin when we’d argue. Trust me, they know.”
“I’m a grown woman. I shouldn’t be embarrassed.”
“But you are,” he said with a grin.
“A little.”
“Then let’s make you a little more embarrassed,” Seth murmured as he lowered his lips to hers.
Ryan’s heart raced as she locked eyes with him. His strong jawline and piercing gaze made her pulse quicken. She bit her lower lip, feeling a familiar warmth between her legs. Seth opened the nightstand drawer, removed a condom while he gazed into her eyes, making her mouth water.
He leaned down, whispering in her ear, “I have such a hard time keeping you out of my mind, sweetheart.”
Ryan shivered at the feel of his breath against her skin. She reached up, running her fingers through his tousled hair, pulling him closer. Their lips met in a passionate, hungry kiss.
Seth’s strong hands cupped her cheeks sending waves of pleasure coursing through her. He slowly made his way down her body, leaving hot, open kisses along her skin. When he moved to her breasts, he leaned down, capturing her nipple between his lips, teasing it with his tongue until it hardened to a peak. Ryan moaned, arching her back, as Seth lavished the same attention on her other breast. She felt a surge of confidence and desire, knowing how much he wanted her.
His hand slid down her body and between her slit, finding her already wet and eager for him. Ryan gasped as he expertly stroked her clitoris, sending jolts of pleasure through her body. She could feel her orgasm building, and she clung to Seth, desperate for release.
As Ryan came apart, crying out in pleasure, Seth quickly reached for the condom and rolled it over his rock-hard erection. He positioned himself between her legs, his tip teasing her. Ryan looked up at him, her eyes filled with desire, and whispered, “Please, Seth. I need you inside me.”
Seth plunged into her, filling her completely. He took her hard and fast. She wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him deeper into her as he pressed his lips to hers, kissing her passionately.
Ryan felt the flutter of her belly and knew she was going over fast. Then he picked up the pace even more, never taking his lips from hers, and she burst apart in his arms, crying out his name as she felt him throbbing inside of her. Seth growled out her name against her lips. He softly kissed her, then rolled tohis side, pulling her against him while they tried to catch their breath.
Ryan sighed, pushing her hair back. “So, are you going to take me to the field today or do I have to go with Cull?”
He sat up and touched her cheek. “I wanted to check the oats, but first I had to shower, I was stacking hay and got filthy, then you waltzed in and pissed me off, which, let’s be honest, is par for the course. But yeah, I’ll take you with me.”
“Okay.” She swung her legs over the mattress, bare feet touching the sun-warmed floorboards. She scooped up her jeans and slipped into the bathroom. “I’ll meet you in the barn,” she said over her shoulder as she closed the door.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Do you still have paperwork to do?” she called through the door.
“I’ll knock it out tonight. Now get the hell out of here, will you?”
“Yes, sir.” Ryan opened the door, saluted with a grin, ducked out of the room, and walked to the kitchen. She topped her head with her dusty cowboy hat, took a deep breath, then pushed open the back door.
The sun gilded the porch railings and painted the yard in amber tones. She hesitated for a heartbeat, heart thudding at the thought of facing the men, then shook her shoulders free of self-consciousness. With a quick jog down the steps and a steady stride across the yard, she slipped into the barn, the sweet, earthy scent of hay and horses filling her lungs. The barn was empty.
“Thank God,” she whispered, relief pooling in her chest, until Cull’s silhouette emerged from the tack room. He stopped mid-step, shook his head as if amused at her cautious entrance, then strolled toward her, lips tugged in a half-smile.
“Do not even say it,” she warned, pressing a hand to her hip.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Say what?” He turned his head away, then glanced back, amusement dancing in his blue eyes. “So… did you get things straightened out?”
