Page 66 of In Full Bloom

“Do you need anything? Something to drink?”

“Just stay, Dallas,” she says softly, reaching up to tug at my hand. I kneel beside the bath and let her weave our fingers together. “We need to talk about Sadie.”

“Iknow.” I close my eyes and hope my next words don’t hurt her too much. “I don’t want her to know about whatever this is yet.”

She squeezes my fingers. “I know.” She signs and leans back in the water. I crack my eyes open and take in the sight. My dick twitches, because hot damn.

“I know I’m too much of a flight risk for us to tell Sadie anything yet.” She sounds disappointed and it’s my turn to squeeze her fingers. “I don’t want to be,” she whispers, so quiet I’m not sure I’ve heard her properly. “I want this to be the place I can put down my roots and grow … I want to be here with my family.” She waves her free hand in the direction of the main house. “I want to be here with you. I want to try.” Her voice cracks on the last word and I surge forward, capturing my mouth with hers. Her free hand lands on the back of my neck and she clings to me like she’s desperate. I don’t want to let her go. She breaks off panting and presses her forehead to mine. “I understand not telling Sadie until we’ve figured out what there is between us. I’m not offended. I don’t want to hurt her … or you.”

I kiss her again. “We’ll figure it out,” I mumble against her lips.

“Cowboy,” she says, a slight growl in her tone. “Get in this bath with me. Right now.”

I pull back slightly and take in the sight of her flushed cheeks, the swell of her breasts moving with each heaving breath she pulls in and the desire flaring in her eyes.

I push up to my feet and flick open the rest of thebuttons on my shirt, never taking my eyes off her face as she lets hers roam over my body.

“What ever you say, princess.”

29

KATIE

What is this life?

I lie back in the bath, the sweet scented bubbles piled up around me and watch as Dallas strips in front of me.

He’s not being seductive about it. In fact he’s being brisk and to the point, like he is with so many things, except handling me apparently, if the way he just undressed me was any indication.

But despite his efficiency, it’s still the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.

I slip my fingers beneath the water and trail them up and down my thigh. He watches the movement of my arm, his eyes darkening with a flare of lust so desperate it has me clenching my legs together.

“Go on, princess,” he rasps. “Get ready for me.”

I bite back a moan and relax my legs. “Thought you liked putting in the work.”

“Fuck.” He shoves his jeans down his legs, releasing his already hard cock.

Truly, I’d have been disappointed if he wasn’t hard from what we’ve done so far, because I amdesperatealready. He steps forward, out of his jeans and closer to the bath.

I know he’s going to bypass me and climb straight into the water, but I reach up and wrap my fingers around his length before he has the chance.

He freezes. I pump my fist once, then twice.

A groan escapes from somewhere deep in his chest. He’s staring down at me, chest heaving. I lean in and swipe my tongue across the tip of his erection. His hand settles in my hair.

“This isn’t like last time, Katie.”

“I know,” I say, before sliding my mouth down his length. I sit back, my fingers still wrapped around him. “I know who you are this time, Dean.”

His hand tightens in my hair at the use of his name and I don’t even think he’s aware the movement brings my face closer to him again.

I swirl my tongue around him, pumping the rest of his length with my hand. He holds still, either frozen by my brazenness—which at this point shouldn’t still be surprising him—or because he simply wants to let me set my own pace.

“Fuck. God, that’s good,” he mutters. He tips his head back and groans, long and low. Then steps away.

He bends down. His hand is still in my hair, controlling my movements, so he can tilt my head at the perfect angle to plant a scorching kiss on my mouth. “You have a filthy mouth, princess.”

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