Page 43 of Pure Temptation in Cowboy Boots

Her question was breathy, seductive. “Why not?”

“Because I think I’d feel... secondary.”

“Sort of... used?”

“Exactly.”

“I wouldn’t want that.”

“Thank you.” He stroked her breast, loving the softness beneath his palm as he cradled the supple weight and brought the nipple to a firm peak. “I’ll be careful.”

“I know you will.” She closed her eyes and arched into his caress. “Oh, Mac, I could get addicted to having you touch me like that.”

He paused, unsure how to respond. “We have all summer,” he said at last.

Her eyes opened slowly, and excitement glowed in their gray depths. “Do we dare risk it? Making love like this all summer?”

He would risk just about anything to spend the summer loving Tess, but he didn’t want to pressure her into anything she might regret. “That’s up to you. It’s your project. You said all you needed was deflowering.”

“That was when I thought... it would be someone else. Mmm. That’s good, Mac.”

He rolled her other nipple gently between his thumb and forefinger. “The more we make love, the greater the chance someone will find out.”

“Mmm. Yeah.” She closed her eyes again and ran her tongue over her lips. “We should think about that.”

“So think about it.” He leaned down and drew one pert nipple into his mouth.

She sighed and lifted upward, encouraging him to take more. “Oh, sure. While you’re driving me insane.”

He tried his best to do exactly that, hollowing his cheeks as he drew her more fully into his mouth, letting her experience his hunger for several long seconds before he kissed his way to her other breast. “You don’t have to decide now,” he murmured against her skin as he slid a hand down to the damp triangle between her legs.

“That’s... good.” She drew in a quick breath as he tunneled his fingers through her curls and reconnected with her flash point. “And so is that.”

Caressing her now took on a different meaning, because now, at last, he would know the wonder of being inside her. His blood sang in his veins as he stroked her, preparing her for that sweet invasion. And he would be the first. God help him, he was filled with joy at that thought.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Tess sensed the change in Mac’s touch, as if the promise of completion gave new urgency to every caress. And though she’d tried to seem casual about what was about to happen, in reality she felt like a canoe being carried down the rapids toward a thundering waterfall. If anyone but Mac had been touching her, arousing her, she would have leaped from the bed, unsure if she truly wanted this change in status, after all.

But Mac was there, making her ache, making her long for the firm thrust of him, deep inside her. Perhaps there would be pain. She no hanger cared if only he’d finally claim her, complete her in ways she’d never dreamed of until this moment.

He lifted his head, a question in his eyes as he slipped his finger deep inside.

It was the penetration she longed for, but not nearly enough. A sudden shyness overtook her, causing her to close her eyes before she asked for what she wanted. “More,” she whispered.

He eased two fingers in, placing soft kisses on her mouth. “Tell me how that feels.”

“Different.” Her breath caught as he moved his fingers gently back and forth. “Wonderful,” she said, letting out a trembling sigh. “Mac, I’m going wild inside. Deflower me. Please.”

His kiss was soft and lingering, but still she felt the barely leashed power of him as he moved between her thighs and propped his arms on either side of her head.

Quivering with excitement, she wrapped both arms around his back and felt his muscles flex. She couldn’t tell for sure because of her own trembling, but she thought he was shaking, too. His breathing was affected, at any rate, as he probed her gently with the blunt tip of his erection. She braced herself. No matter how much she might want him there, he would be substantial and might take some getting used to.

“Tess.” There was a smile in his voice. “Open your eyes.”

She gazed up at him, astonished by the tenderness in his blue gaze. She’d thought a man in his position would be in the grip of passion and appear much more fierce. “What?”

“You look just the way you used to before the roller coaster started. I’m going to go easy. You don’t have to clench your jaw like that. And keep your eyes open. If you’re looking at me, I’ll be able to tell how I’m doing.”