Page 87 of Thaw My Heart

“I want to,” he interrupts, stepping towards me, taking my face in his hands. “I hope you like steak.” Before I can answer, to remind him we’ve had steak before, his lips find mine. He kisses me softly as I curl my body into his sweat-covered torso. Damn, he feels so strong.

He pulls back. “Sorry, I probably smell.”

He does, but I don’t care.

My hands find his chest, thoughts racing. “So this morning… did we talk after you carried me to your room?” All I remember is Kit lying me down in his bed and pulling over the covers, but I swear he said something to me.

Something important.

“A bit,” his body tenses.

“And?” Is he trying to be cryptic and annoying?

He sighs roughly. “You asked why I was being so nice to you. I told you that’s who I am, that I can’t help it.”

Bits and pieces of the memory come flowing back to me. The texture of his deep voice, the tender way he brushed my face to push back my hair. The way I felt all warm and fuzzy inside by the sheer sweetness of him.

“Then you told me you liked me.” My cheeks burn hot at the memory, bringing a smile to his lips. The pad of his thumb caresses my blush, driving me insane. “And I said that I still need to think about it.”

He is such a liar. “You’re such a pain in the ass.”

He smiles. “I can be.”

My mouth opens, also remembering we talked briefly about Lone Pine, but then it’s met by his lips crushing mine, and I forget all about it. His hands move to my hips, pulling me closer. Slowly making their way to my ass as he kisses me deeper, and his tongue enters my mouth. I whimper, already burning for him. But as good as this is, he could really use a shower.

And that’s when the idea strikes me.

I pull away, grabbing his hand, leading him away from the kitchen towards his master bathroom. It’s time to strip him down.

“Sadie, I’ve got steaks to⁠—”

“They can wait a damn minute.” Or forty-five. Or whenever I decide to be done with him. I’ve waited long enough for this moment.

After I pull him into the bathroom, I turn on the hot water in his large shower. Natural stone tiles line the walls, and water falls from the shower head like rain. His quiet gaze roams over me as I pull off his ballcap and navy singlet, dropping them on the floor.

He’s even more ripped than I imagined, with the body of a Greek god. Sculpted to perfection. “Damn, Cowboy.” My hand finds the tattoo on his left pec. Roman numerals with a single black rose woven through.

“Your turn.” Steam fills the space around us as he pulls off my sweatshirt, kissing me softly while his hands run under my tank top. He slips it off in my next breath, leaving me in a lacy blue bra.

“Damn, Tequila,” he smirks, and then his hand finds my chin, stroking it softly with his thumb. “Are you sure you want this?” His bright blue eyes search mine.

“Do you want me?” I turn the question back.

He smiles, the kind of smile that makes your knees weak. “I want you.” The shaky, rough texture of his voice sends goosebumps trailing on my skin.

My lips find his in response, wrapping my arms around his neck. Enjoying the sensation of my skin against his, the way we fit together so perfectly. The way his erection makes my core clench, and my insides sing as it pushes against me.

“Let me get a condom, quick,” he says against my lips.

“IUD. I’m good.” I place his hands back on my hips, waiting for him to continue.

He hesitates, assessing me. “Just so you know, I’m clean.”

“I have no doubts.”

His calloused hands squeeze my hips, moving towards my bra strap. Drifting to the middle of my back.

I flinch, shoving him back with force.