Page 22 of The Mountain Man's Mail Order Surprise
When his lips finally touch mine, it's nothing like I expected. Soft at first, almost reverent, like he's afraid I might break. But when I sigh against his mouth and press closer, he deepens the kiss with a hunger that steals my breath.
His hands slide into my hair, angling my head to fit us together better. I grip his shirt, pulling him closer, needing to feel his solid strength against me. He tastes like coffee and something indefinably male that makes my hormones do a happy dance.
Pregnancy has made me sensitive to everything, and kissing Rosco is like touching a live wire. Every nerve ending in my body comes alive at once. I can feel the heat of his skin through his shirt, smell the lingering scent of sawdust and pine that clings to him, hear the soft groan he makes when I nip at his bottom lip.
"Fuck," he breathes against my mouth. "You taste incredible."
"So do you." I'm breathless, dizzy with want and the overwhelming need to get closer. "More."
He obliges, kissing me deeper, harder, until I'm pressed back against the kitchen counter with his solid body caging me in. One hand stays tangled in my hair while the other settles on my waist, his thumb stroking along my ribs just below my breast.
I arch into the touch, and he groans again, pulling back just enough to rest his forehead against mine.
"We should probably slow down," he says, but his hands don't move away from me.
"Should we?" I'm panting, my body humming with need I haven't felt in months. "Why?"
"Because you're pregnant, and scared, and I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage."
"What if I want you to take advantage?" The words slip out before I can censor them, bold and needy and completely honest.
His eyes darken, pupils dilating until they're nearly black. "Don't say things like that unless you mean them."
"I mean them." I slide my hands up his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart under my palms. "I mean every word."
"Gia." My name sounds like a prayer on his lips.
"I know this is crazy. I know we barely know each other. But I haven't felt safe in months, and you make me feel safe. I haven't felt wanted in even longer, and you make me feel beautiful even when I'm six months pregnant and running from my psycho ex."
"You are beautiful." His hand comes up to cup my cheek again. "So fucking beautiful it hurts to look at you sometimes."
"Then don't just look." I lean into his touch, pressing a kiss to his palm. "Touch me. Please."
He studies my face for a long moment, searching for any sign of doubt or hesitation. Whatever he sees there must satisfy him because he kisses me again, deeper this time, more demanding.
His hands roam over my back, my sides, careful to avoid my belly but touching everywhere else with reverent appreciation. When his thumb brushes the underside of my breast, I gasp into his mouth.
"Is this okay?" he asks against my lips. "I don't want to hurt you or the baby."
"You won't hurt us." I cover his hand with mine, guiding it more firmly against my breast. "Please, Rosco. I need this. I need you."
The last of his restraint seems to snap. He lifts me onto the counter, settling between my legs, and kisses me like he's trying to devour me. His hands map my body with growing confidence,and I lose myself in the sensation of being wanted, being cherished, being safe enough to let go.
When he finally pulls back, we're both breathing hard. My lips feel swollen, my body humming with arousal and the desperate need for more.
"Jesus," he pants. "That was..."
"Amazing," I finish for him.
"I was going to say dangerous." But he's smiling when he says it, his hands still resting on my hips. "You're going to be the death of me, aren't you?"
"Probably." I trace my fingers along his jaw, marveling at the roughness of his beard. "Is that going to be a problem?"
"Not even a little bit." He leans in for another kiss, softer this time but no less affecting. "Though we probably should take this slow. Give you time to be sure about what you want."
"I know what I want." I meet his gaze steadily. "I want you. I want this. I want to stop being afraid and start living again."
"What about Zack? The legal stuff? Everything else we have to deal with?"
