Page 20 of Forbidden Ride
I open my mouth to ask again, but before I can get a word out, William clasps my face in his big, calloused hands and runs his tongue over my lips, silencing me with kisses. What was I going to say?
Where did he learn to kiss this way? Warmth spreads from my mouth to my toes, and I’m like a rag doll, collapsing into one kiss after another until I can barely catch my breath. I moan as his hand slips from my cheek to my neck and then slides down further, while his lips never leave mine. I’m panting, dying for his hand to glide down my chest, for his fingers to find my nipples. Then all at once, his lips are gone.
I open my eyes, rudely awakened by the loss of his touch.
“You miss me?” He grins, clearly knowing he has me in the palm of his hands.
“Hardly,” I huff, acting like my panties aren’t sopping wet.
“Whatever you say.” William gives me a peck on the cheek and then climbs out of the truck.
I watch his sexy swagger as he crosses in front of the hood, and I try to get a grip on my heart rate. My pulse thuds in my ears like a sledgehammer. My nipples are so sensitive and hard they feel raw rubbing against the fluffy inside of the sweatshirt.
My hands are shaking, but I finally manage to undo the seat belt. I grab my purse and reach for the handle, but William opens the door before I have a chance to do it myself.
“Come, my princess.” He extends his massive hand, and our eyes meet for the millionth time, which makes my heart flip for the millionth time too, and my pulse starts thudding again.
“Thanks,” I manage to squeak under my breath, and clasp his hand. My tiny fingers disappear in his grasp as I get my footing. He holds my hand firmly as the frosty air stings my cheeks.
The temperature’s such a change from the warm, steamy cab of his truck. “It looks like it’s pretty busy in there,” I comment as we trudge through the wet snow to the entrance.
My heart is beating a mile a minute. This is the first time we’re out in public as a couple. Thank God my brothers are miles away in West Palomino and will never know.
William swings open the door and leads me inside a large one-room tavern. The smells of popcorn and hotdogs permeate the rough, dark wood interior. You couldn’t tell from the parking lot, but the place is huge, with a loud, raucous party in full swing. The lights are low and the place is toasty. It’s like we just found a new, private world.
The jukebox in the corner is blaring Dwight Yoakam, and the dance floor is packed. The dress code is strictly casual—lots of flannel plaid shirts, jeans, and cowboy boots. I’m still wearing William’s humongous sweatpants and shirt, but I fit right in.
“Berry’s is the only business with a generator up here,” William whispers, letting go of my hand.
For an instant I feel the loss, which is ridiculous, I know. I try not to smile like an idiot when I feel his hand move to the small of my back. His body looms protectively close as he ushers me around the tables.
I could swear a few women by the pool table get whiplash as they spin, craning their necks for a better look at William. I’ll bet every woman in this place is creaming their jeans for him. Sorry, ladies, the man is mine. At least for now...
William bends, leaning so close his breath and lips tickle my ear. “Bar?” he asks, pointing to an area tucked away on the right.
“Sure.” I nod, and he ushers me through the rest of the crowded main room. I’m sure William could cut a swath through any space. I smile, relishing how it feels to be walking next to such a big protective alpha who doesn’t take any shit.
We reach the dark bar and slide into the closest vacant stools.
“Hey, William.” A pretty bartender steps right up to help. Her sparkling eyes zoom in on him as if I’m not even there. And I remind myself to stop thinking of William as mine.
The bartender obviously has a thing for him. She tosses her long blonde hair over her shoulder and leans in close, acting like she’d screw him right here if she could. It shouldn’t make me jealous, but damn it, it does. I turn and try to find something else to look at besides her drooling all over him.
“Hey, Lorinda. This is Jenny.”
I grin, immediately turning back to William, who possessively drapes an arm over my shoulder.
“Welcome.” Lorinda loses her gushing smile as her gaze slowly drifts from William to me.
“Thanks.”
“What’ll it be?” She taps the bar.
I scan the crowded glass shelves behind her and don’t see much of anything except hard liquor. “Wine?” I ask timidly, hearing William chuckle.
“Box okay?” She ducks behind the bar and shuffles around for something. She lifts a brown carton with a torn-up label I’ve never heard of and plops the box on the counter. “This is red. It’s all we’ve got.” She smiles. “Sorry, we don’t have a lot of wine drinkers up here.”
“Red is perfect. Thank you.”
