Page 44 of Pure Temptation in Cowboy Boots

“How can you be so... calm?”

“Believe me, I’m not calm,” he said quietly. “But I am paying attention.”

“Oh, Mac. Thank you for being here.”

“I’m here.” He eased slowly forward and his eyes darkened. “Right here.”

She noticed the flicker of uncontrolled desire in his eyes before she became totally absorbed by the sensation when he entered her. She registered warmth and size. He withdrew and eased in again, and she moaned in pleasure at the friction that was unlike anything he’d provided before.

“Tess?”

“That was a happy moan,” she murmured, looking into his eyes. There was that flicker of primitive need again. She found it thrilling.

His breathing was labored, but he kept his movements slow. “I’m going a little deeper.”

“Yes.” Everything else, she began to realize, no matter how delicious, was only a lead-in to this, the ultimate connection. Nothing in her world had ever felt so right as opening her body to this man and being filled by him.

He slid forward, and met resistance. He stopped immediately and looked into her eyes. “This is it.”

Her heart thudded wildly. One movement and her life would be forever changed. She would be a virgin no longer. Ah, but then she could welcome the whole length of him and know the wonder of joining intimately with another person. And not just any person, either. Mac. One movement and she could be fully with him, in every sense.

She slipped her hands down to his buttocks and gripped firmly. “Let’s go for it.”

As he pushed gently forward, she rose to meet him, determined to share in the moment. The sharp pain brought a cry to her lips.

“Damn.” He stopped, his gaze troubled.

“It’s okay.” She trembled against him. “It’s going away. Don’t hold back. It’s over now. Love me. Love me the way a man loves a woman.”

With a groan he pushed deep, locking their bodies together, his hips cradled between hers. And the fierceness she’d expected to see earlier flared in the depths of his eyes as he gazed down at her.

As she met that gaze, she felt an answering intensity rise within her. She’d expected them both to be naked tonight, but she hadn’t guessed he’d also strip her to the essence of her soul, and she him. She looked into his eyes and realized they were both seeing depths they’d never imagined before. And her world shifted, for she knew the connection they were making would not end with this night, or even with this summer. It would last forever.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Perfect. Mac had never been anywhere in the world that had felt so absolutely right as being here, as close as he’d ever been to Tess. It seemed as if their entire lives had been leading to this moment. Linked in spirit ever since they were children, they had finally created the ultimate link, and a sense of destiny washed over him.

Mindful of her tender condition, he moved carefully, but still he moved, needing to define and redefine that sword-to-sheath perfection they made together. “Okay?” he murmured.

“Very... okay.” Her eyes shone.

He eased back and edged forward again. Yes. And again. Oh, Tess.

“Mac... Mac...”

The wonder in her eyes and the richness she poured into his name told him all he needed to know. She was with him. He cupped a hand beneath her bottom, steadying her as he transmitted a new, more urgent rhythm. She caught on quickly, rising to meet his thrusts. Her bottom was soft and yielding, sweet to hold, sweeter yet to knead gently with his fingers. Yet the flex of her muscles against his hand when she truly began to participate drove him wild.

Very wild. Soon. He changed the angle, brushing the tips of her breasts with his body, pressing against the sensitive nub between her thighs that would bring her with him.

Her breathing grew shallow and he knew he’d found the spot, if only he could last long enough. This first time, he wanted to give her the gift of knowing how good it could be, how much higher she could climb when he was deep within her, coaxing a response that would vibrate down to her toes.

Her eyes widened and her breathing quickened. He played to that response, urging her on. So good. He’d never dreamed making love could be like this. Her body rose to meet his thrusts, tightening around him. As the moment built in the depths of her eyes, exultant laughter bubbled from him.

“Yes,” he cried.

“Oh, Mac!” She arched against him. “I’m⁠—”

“Yes.” His voice was hoarse with need. “You’re a woman now.” My woman. With one final thrust he brought heaven raining down upon them.