His gaze tracks over my face. “Why not?”
Because I had to have been more than an obligation to him. “He would take Carlos’s advice about pasture rotation and feed ratios. And-and he had no choice but to listen to Sawyer about the cattle. I could barely get him to put mango in the Razzy Creek or try barrel aging. So I guess I’m wrong. He absolutely would’ve kept something like that from me. Maybe he wanted to care more, but I wasn’t one of his boys. I was never going to be more than the much younger sister he promised his new wife he’d help support.”
I can’t identify the emotion flitting through Calder’s eyes, but it seems to be sympathy. Guilt also darkens his deep brown irises.
“Jesus, rosy,” he says gruffly. “Sometimes you just dig right in and gut me.”
“Why?” We’re closer again, that pull between us constantly at work. “Afraid you might like me?” It doesn’t come out flirty. I sound tired. Worn.
“I don’t.”
“I know.”
He drops his head, like he can’t help it, his lips hovering just above mine. I can’t breathe. “You said I’m the know-it-all.”
“Because you are. McBossy,” the word puffs out, barely above a whisper.
Then his lips touch mine, warm, firm, and commanding. Just like him. He adds pressure as he grips the back of my neck. A shiver trails through my body, down my spine, and curls between my legs. When he coaxes my mouth open, I let him and stroke my tongue along his.
A whimper escapes me. It’s been so long since I’ve been this close to a guy, but he’s taken charge. I don’t have to wonder what to do. Just like when he barged into town and jumped in. Like last night, when he told me I wasn’t sleeping upstairs alone.
He tips my head back for a better angle, his thumb stroking along the base of my jaw, and he consumes me. I let him. I dump my purse on the floor and wrap my arms around his neck, tangling my limbs with his. He urges me back, and my ass hits a stool. Without hesitation, he boosts me onto it with his free hand, and I automatically wrap my legs around his waist.
He breaks the kiss and tips his forehead to mine. “Christ, Meredith. Do you have to be so fucking responsive too?”
I blink. My lips feel puffy, my brain is offline, and I can’t focus when a hard ridge presses between my legs, hitting all the needy spots. “I?—”
He claims my mouth again, grinding harder against me. I cinch my ankles tighter and grip his shoulders. The bar rail digs into my back, but I don’t care. I have to know what his scruff feels like, or if his hair is as soft as it looks. How much I can touch him.
I place a hand on the side of his face as our tongues tangle. Rough stubble scrapes against my palm, and I groan.So good.The pressure against my sex, the way he’s rocking into me while holding me firmly to him—it’s too much, but not enough.
I slide my other hand into his hair. Thick, soft strands tickle my skin.
“Fuck,” he growls, kissing his way down my neck. I tip my head back so far I can’t believe I don’t hit the top of the counter. “Those little sounds you make are driving me fucking crazy.”
I let out another moan just to be wicked. But I also can’t help it. Nerves are fired up all over my body, demanding more touching, more stroking, more, more,more.
“Calder.” I roll my hips into him.
“That’s it, Meredith. You need it.” He lays a path of open-mouth kisses to my ear. “You’re wet for me, aren’t you?”
Another whimper leaves me. My underwear is soaked. “Yes.”
He brushes his hand under my shirt. “Do you know what I imagined while you were sleeping in my bed last night?” His lips return to my neck.
Shivers trace through my body, chaotic, creating their own storm from his thundercloud.
“I wanted you to take off that shirt and sleep naked against my sheets.”
He crushes me against him, his erection pulsing through the denim between us. I ache for him. If he released me, I’d strip down. At the same time, I don’t want him to let go.
“I was surrounded by you all night.” I gasp as he nips the sensitive skin at the base of my neck.
“If I’d been with you all night, you’d know it.” He works his hot hand up to cup my breast. My ultra-sensitive nipples beg for him, and he answers the call of one, rolling the tight peak between his thumb and his forefinger. “So. Fucking. Responsive.” He dominates my mouth again while toying with my needy nipple.
Both my hands are buried in his hair. I don’t know if I’m squarely on the stool or being held up solely by him. I’m wrapped so tightly around him it might not matter.
How did we get like this? He was in the office all afternoon and evening, then he was upset about the books and my ignorance. And now…
