Page 25 of Pure Temptation in Cowboy Boots

“What are you thinking?”

“That you’re even more beautiful than in my dream. And that you’ve been right there, all along…”

Her mouth moistened with desire. “All covered up.”

“Yeah. Damn. All these years.”

“Aren’t you going to... touch me?”

“I’m still caught up in looking.” But at last he traced the aureole of one nipple, causing it to tighten even more. Then he cupped her so tenderly, so carefully, that she felt like precious china. She loved being cherished, but she wanted more. Perhaps she needed to show him. Arching her back, she pressed forward, filling his cupped palm.

“Ah, Tess.” Taking a shaky breath, he dipped his head and brought her tight, aching nipple into his mouth.

Yes. She cupped the back of his head and lifted into his caress. Oh, yes. His was the touch she’d been waiting for — the swirl of his tongue, the nip of his teeth, the sweet pressure as he sucked, nursing the flames that licked at the tender spot between her thighs. Shamelessly she offered her other breast, and he lavished the same loving attention there while continuing to give a sweet massage to the damp nipple he’d just left.

As she twisted on the soft blanket, her skirt rode up. Or maybe he pushed it up, in that subtle way he had of making her clothes disappear. He slipped his hand between her thighs, pressing against the damp silk of her panties. The heel of his hand found the spot that ached, and pushed down. She trembled.

He kissed his way back to her mouth, then lifted a fraction away from her lips. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No,” she said, panting. “But I don’t... I’ve never...”

He paused, breathing heavily, too. “No man has ever had his hand there?”

“They didn’t dare.”

He leaned his forehead against hers. “But you must have done this... yourself.”

“No, I—read about it.”

“Not the same.”

“I know, but — promise not to laugh — I didn’t want to be alone when it happened.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” He didn’t laugh. Instead, he tenderly kissed her forehead, her nose, her cheeks, and finally her lips. “You’re not alone now,” he whispered between kisses.

And sometime in the midst of those bewitching kisses, he eased his hand beneath the waistband of her panties. When she felt his fingers slip through her damp curls, she gasped.

His hand stilled and he lifted his mouth away from hers. “Is that a no?”

She began to quiver and fought the urge to press her thighs together. His hand resting there felt wonderful, but frightening, too. “Just a... reaction.”

“Should I stop?”

“No. But Mac, this is so personal.”

“Yes, ma’am.” There was a definite smile in his voice. “About as personal as you can get.” He eased his hand down and began a slow massage.

Breathing became more difficult as her body responded to that easy stroke. “At least… it’s almost completely dark.”

“That can help. The first time.”

She felt as if he was transforming her into a liquid, flowing state. “What if I make a fool of myself?”

“I hope you do.”

“I hope I don’t. You’ll never let me forget it.” She gasped again as one of his very talented fingers sought out the sensitive nub that sent shivers zinging through her.

“No, I probably won’t,” he murmured as he kept up the maddening, electrifying rhythm.