Page 43 of Pick Your Spot

Still, he released her hands and ran them up her arms to frame her face. “Are you sure? We don’t have to rush. We’ve got all the time in the world.”

“I’m sure. But I don’t have any condoms.”

He couldn’t resist kissing her again. “I bought some that day in Phail.”

She laughed. “I’m glad one of us was planning ahead. I’ve got them on my next shopping list.”

God, she made him smile. “I like a woman who knows her mind.”

Their mouths crashed together again. She tasted like the coffee he’d made after their dinner together. A touch of caramel from the creamer. And a whole lot of Thea.

Bright. Beautiful. Caring.

The kiss went to rocket-launcher power in only moments. Her body softened, and she leaned into him. He tightened his arms around her waist, wishing for a bed to pop up in the middle of the trees. “Don’t imagine this tree is hiding a handy-dandy tree house with a soft mattress?”

Her laugh was pure delight. “Afraid not, but the cover crop is here.”

He laughed in return. “We can wait until we get back to your cabin. I’m pretty sure we can make it.” His voice was about an octave lower than normal, but it couldn’t be helped.

Thea grinned and slipped off her flannel shirt, then draped it on the ground.

No wonder this woman was stealing his heart. “Always prepared. You were a Girl Scout?”

“Not a chance, but I do like to be prepared. Kiss me, Knox.”

Not being a fool, Knox captured her lips again, captured that intoxicating taste. He could spend days exploring her mouth and be satisfied. Well, maybe not completely satisfied but he would be content.

Thea slipped her arms around his neck, and he boosted her up. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and he couldn’t contain the groan.

She sighed happily into his mouth, and he leaned her back against the nearest tree. Her t-shirt would protect her skin from the bark, and he’d make sure not a single part of her skin was hurt.

Thea’s head dropped back, and he moved his lips to her neck. He kissed and nipped his way down. When he licked the pulse point in her neck, she purred out his name.

Feeling as powerful as Superman, he held her steady while he found the spots that had her body reacting.

The sensitive spot behind her ear. Under her jaw. Her collarbone.

So many places to explore.

To love.

His hands kneaded her ass, and she arched her body, pressing her core against him. Nearly had him exploding in his pants like a teenager.

He’d never been this turned on, even as that randy teen. Something about Thea reached right into him and sent all of his reactions into high gear. And they still wore all their clothing.

He needed to ensure she had no regrets, that she wanted this as much as he did. That she was ready.

Angling his body to keep her in place against the tree, he drifted his hands over that glorious ass and up to her waist, to the strip of bare skin between her jeans and her t-shirt.

If she wore a dress, he’d be able to dip his hand right inside and have her orgasming against the tree. Another time.

Because Thea was right. Making love to her for the first time in their orchard was exactly right. He returned his lips to her ear. “I want to be doing this in fifty years with you. Right here.”

Her laugh shook. “I like that plan. You feel so good, Knox.”

“You too, Thea. You’re even more gorgeous here in the moonlight.”

Her hand lifted to press against his nape, pulling him down for another kiss. The woman could kiss.

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