Page 5 of The Mountain Man's Mail Order Surprise
Suddenly we're kissing like we're drowning and each other is air. His hands tangle in my hair while mine fist in his shirt, pulling him closer. I can feel the restraint in his touch, the careful way he holds back even as his body responds to mine.
"Gia." He groans against my mouth. "We should stop."
"Why?" I'm breathless, dizzy with want and the intoxicating feeling of being desired.
"Because you're vulnerable, and I don't want to take advantage."
"What if I want you to?" The words slip out bold and needy. "What if I need to feel something other than afraid?"
"Sweetheart..." The endearment makes my heart skip.
"Please, Rosco. Help me remember what it feels like to be wanted instead of owned."
Something dark and possessive flashes in his eyes. "You sure about this?"
"I've never been more sure of anything."
That's all the permission he needs. He kisses me again, deeper this time, more demanding. His hands roam over my body with reverent appreciation, mapping every curve like he's trying to memorize me.
When he reaches for the hem of my blouse, I help him pull it over my head. His sharp intake of breath when he sees the lacy black bra I chose this morning makes me feel powerful for the first time in months.
"Fucking gorgeous," he breathes, his hands skimming over my skin with worshipful touches. "Every inch of you."
He worships my body with his mouth and hands, taking his time to explore every sensitive spot until I'm trembling with need. When he finally strips away the last barriers between us, I expect to feel exposed, and vulnerable.
Instead, I feel beautiful. Desired. Powerful.
"Tell me what you need," he whispers against my throat.
"You. Just you."
And when he finally joins our bodies together, moving with a tenderness that brings tears to my eyes, I understand what I've been missing. This isn't just sex. This is connection. This is what it feels like to be cherished.
Afterward, we lie tangled together in the dark, my head on his chest while his fingers trace lazy patterns on my skin.
"Thank you," I whisper.
"For what?"
"For reminding me who I used to be."
"You mean who you still are." He presses a kiss to the top of my head. "Don't let anyone convince you otherwise."
"I have to go back tomorrow. To Vancouver, to my life, to..." I can't bring myself to say Zack's name.
"I know." His arms tighten around me. "But tonight, you're here. With me. And that's enough."
Except it's not enough. As I drift off to sleep in his arms, I know that one night with Rosco Kane will never be enough. He's shown me what I've been missing, what I deserve, what real connection feels like.
And I have no idea how I'm going to go back to my old life knowing what I'm giving up.
CHAPTER ONE
ROSCO
The chainsaw bites through the fallen pine like butter, sawdust flying in golden clouds around my safety goggles. Sweat drips down my spine despite the October chill creeping through the Kootenay mountains. I've been at this since dawn, clearing the debris from last week's windstorm that took out power lines and blocked three different access roads around Crimson Hollow.
Physical work usually clears my head, but today my mind keeps drifting to that night six months ago. The construction conference in New York that changed everything, even though I'd thought it was just another networking event. Until I met her.
