Page 28 of Pure Temptation in Cowboy Boots

“We can try the ice another time,” she whispered.

“Sure.” He held her close, unable to find the energy to do more than breathe.

Chapter Sixteen

Tess had never seen Mac so still, not even the time he rode all day without a hat and ended up with sunstroke. He was usually brimming with energy, yet he lay slumped against her like an unconscious person, his eyes closed. On the other hand, the experience of loving Mac had stirred her up again. She’d finally experienced activities she’d only read about, and she felt as if a whole new world had just opened up for her. She was ready for... more. She wasn’t sure exactly what form that “more” would take, but she was ready for it.

She peered into his relaxed face. “Mac, I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

His mouth curved in a faint smile. “Nope.”

She stroked his hair back from his forehead. “You’re awfully quiet.”

His lips barely moved enough to form the words. “Your books should tell you why.”

“It was that good?”

“Yeah, Tess, it was.”

“Cool.” She smiled to herself in the darkness. “I was wondering if I’d done everything right.”

“Extremely right.”

“Good.” She adjusted her position. “Is it okay if I kiss you again?”

His eyes drifted open. “Where?”

“On your mouth. Where did you think?”

“I wasn’t sure. For a virgin, you have some amazing ideas.”

She brushed her lips against his. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It was.”

She settled her mouth over his, coaxing his tongue into slow love-play with hers. At first his response was lazy, almost nonchalant, but gradually the tempo of his breathing picked up. As the temperature of his kiss changed from warm to sizzling, he cupped her breast, kneading it with sure fingers. Her body throbbed with new knowledge, and she whimpered and moved closer to his heat.

He drew his mouth back a fraction. “Oh, Tess. I’m getting hard again.”

She reached downward. “Let me⁠—”

“No.” He captured her hand. “We have to stop. I thought I was so drained that I could just play around for a while more without getting too worked up. I was wrong. I don’t trust myself if we get started again.”

Her body tightened in anticipation. “You’d ravish me?”

“There’s a good chance.” He reached for the strap of her dress. “Let’s put this back on.”

“Mac...” She could hardly believe that she was about to make such a bold suggestion, but she wanted this night to continue forever. “I’m sure you have birth control stashed somewhere at home. You could take me back to my house, go get it, and then come back to my place.”

He paused in the act of pulling the bodice of her dress back up over her breasts.

“You see, I want you, too,” she murmured.

He trembled and bunched the material in his fist.

“There’s still a lot of time before the sun comes up.”

He drew a long, shaky breath and continued his task, reaching for the zipper of her dress. “It’s probably stupid, but I want to stick with what I promised you. You’ll only have the experience of giving up your virginity once in your life. I think... we should make it special.”