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“You’re a strange man, Reece Collins,” she said, her tone not complimentary.
“Why do you say that?”
“Any other guy would have had his partner slammed up against the wall, rotting castle or not.”
“I’m not like any other guy. Maybe I want to wait until the time is right.”
“Maybe you don’t want me enough,” she shot back.
“It’s not about want, Nicole, it’s about respect.” He trotted off, leaving her behind.
She sat in the woods while Beauty munched on the grass. Respect meant caring. Did he care for her so much that he’d postpone something both of their bodies were obviously clamoring for?
Nah, she couldn’t believe that. He just wanted to let her down easy. Still, as fantasies went, it was hot.
When she came out of the woods, she found him waiting. They didn’t speak as they finished their ride back to the stables. He jumped down, striding to her side to assist her from the saddle. He caught her under the arms, holding her suspended in air with the tips of her toes grazing the tops of his boots.
“I was not expecting to feel this way, Nicole. Give my head time to catch up with my heart.” He kissed her hard and put her down, turning and stalking away.
Nicole stumbled—the kiss knocking her for a loop. She fanned her face, trying to cool the heat under her skin. She couldn’t fathom what making love to him would be like, if just a kiss of his lips set her body to flame.
~ ~ ~
Reece felt slightly better after a nice, long, cold shower. The girl was driving him crazy. Between her sassy mouth and her smokin’ body, he didn’t know whether he was coming or going. He had no idea things would escalate so quickly at the ruins. He’d only wanted to taste those lips to see if they were as juicy as the berries they resembled. One taste of them and he was craving more. It took all his willpower to pull back when what he truly wanted was to slam her against the wall and bury himself to the hilt inside her. What the hell was happening to him? He felt like a rutting boar, snuffling and snorting when he picked up the scent of a female.
And she was no help, egging him on with her sultry questions and pouting out those lips when he didn’t give her what she wanted. He was getting hard just thinking of it, having half a mind to march down the hall to give them both the release they craved. He knew he couldn’t do that. Nicole DeLancey was not the type of girl you tupped and then tossed away. She was the real deal—a keeper, and he didn’t want to do anything to mess up the first promising friendship he’d had in a long time. He’d keep his hormones locked away and treat her right, which meant no more heated kisses. His subconscious kicked him hard in the scrotum, promising he’d pay for this decision.
~ ~ ~
Maggie was just setting dinner on the table when Reece joined her in the kitchen. “I thought we’d eat in here since it’s just the two of us.”
He frowned. “What do you mean? Where’s Nicole?”
She waved her arm toward the hall. “She’s holed up in the library. She said something about wanting to research the castle ruins.” She watched him speculatively.
He swallowed hard. “What?”
“You took her to the ruins, Colin. You never take anyone there.”
“She’s not just anyone.”
“Aye, I can see that. She must mean a lot to you.”
He shook his head. “She’s a writer, Maggie. Why else would I take her there?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. You tell me.”
He frowned. “If you’re going to plague me with questions, I’ll eat in my room.”
She held up her hands. “No more questions, then. Have a seat Colin and tell me all about your new movie project.”
Reece sat but was reluctant to talk. “I’ve taken a break from filming. I don’t have anything new lined up, although Marcus is trying to get me signed to the new Mission Impossible movie.”
Maggie smacked her lips. “Mmm, Tom Cruise—still fine after all this time.”
Reece snorted. “I’ll take your word for it.”
She took a bite of her meal. “You don’t sound excited about the prospect.”
