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Mark heard the uncertainty in her voice. He hated the fact that she’d raised her guard around him. “What you said earlier about being free?”
She nodded.
“You can be.” He reached for the stick, shifting gears. “I’m not saying you should do it in a bar parking lot—”
?
??I wouldn’t,” she said. “I’m not that wild. I want... Oh, God, sometimes the need to feel and be with someone is just so strong. But the thought of dating, of finding someone, it scares me. I should probably just do it and get past that first time. Maybe in another town. A quick one-night stand with someone removed from Heart’s Landing.”
No. Swerving to the shoulder of the two-lane highway, Mark fought the urge to fill the cab of the truck with that one word.
“Mark?” Amy said, her eyes widening as he put the truck in Park.
“Look at me, Amy,” he demanded. She obeyed, and he saw the question in her blue eyes. What was he doing? Hell if he knew. But he was damn certain he wasn’t going to let her leap into bed with a stranger.
“I want you to promise me one thing. You won’t run off and settle for a quickie with some stranger. You should have a man who gives you what you want. But no more hiding. No more sprained ankles or talking about picking up a random guy. Find someone who can give you what you need. Someone you can trust.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Volunteering?”
The thought of fulfilling her needs, making her scream his name... Mark ground his teeth. What he wanted didn’t matter. He wasn’t the man for her. He did fun and temporary. Nothing more. “No.”
“Why not?” she challenged, leaning closer.
The need to touch her overrode rational thought. He raised one hand, running his finger over the exposed skin above the neckline of her shirt. “I don’t do relationships.”
“I’m not asking for one.”
His finger dipped below the fabric of her shirt, running over the swell of her breast. He wanted to say yes, draw her onto his lap right here, right now, and drive her wild. But he couldn’t.
He withdrew his hand. “Amelia Mae, I would never forgive myself if I damaged our friendship.”
“You won’t.” She reached for him, her palm cupping the side of his face. Sweet and gentle. Christ, between the things he wanted from her and the big pile of nothing he had to offer in return, he had to say no.
He caught her wrist, lowering her hand to her lap. “Yeah, I would. Because one night with you... Hell, I know it wouldn’t be enough. For either of us.”
6
“I WANT TO FEEL you move.” His voice was low and rough. With one finger, he stroked the length of her neck. “Beneath me, on top of me.”
Oh, God, she wanted that, too. Every inch of her body begged for it. She stepped forward, but he caught her before she could run her hands over his muscles—the ones she’d admired and longed to touch.
He put his hands on her shoulders and held her in place. “I need to know you want this, too. I need to hear you say the words, Amelia Mae.”
“I want this,” she whispered. “I want you.”
His hands moved over her shoulders to her bare arms. Thank goodness for sleeveless shirts. She arched her back, craving more. He reached her wrists and paused, wrapping his hands around them and holding her tight. She closed her eyes, excitement pulsing through her.
“Say my name,” he demanded.
“I want you, Mark. Just you.”
Somewhere, deep inside, her subconscious screamed, This is Mark! And panic rose. What was she doing here? She needed to leave, to break free and walk away...
His lips touched her neck, trailing kisses up to her ear, and she closed her eyes.
No, she couldn’t leave. It had been so long since anyone had touched her, kissed her.
He released her wrists, but didn’t let her go. Holding her hips, he ran one hand up the side of her body, stopping before he reached her bra line. His palm moved around to the front, teasing and taunting, but never touching her breasts as he shifted to her stomach, teasing the top of her drawstring pants. His fingers dipped below the elastic band, and her breath caught. As if he sensed her anticipation building and swirling, he stopped, his fingertips running along the top of her underwear.
