Page 22 of The Cowgirl's Forever Love
“This surprises you?”
That got him a snicker. “Not at all. Just wanted to point it out so that you know everything I do going forward is in simple retaliation.”
“Bring it,” he encouraged.
She handed over the tweezers. “And your card says…broken heart.”
Figures. He pasted on a grin. “Not my favourite piece.”
“Then let’s get rid of it,” she encouraged, complete innocence in her tone as she waited for him to take his turn.
He had the tweezers on the edge of the plastic, concentrating hard to keep his hand from twitching because—
Sure enough, she’d leaned in, adjusting carefully so the mattress didn’t wiggle too much. The new position let her press against him. Her long hair brushed his forearm, then up over his biceps. Her cheek slid past his, a slow exhale hot against his skin.
He lifted the piece past the edge of the buzzer, but didn’t say anything as he waited for her next move. From her position, she couldn’t see the board. Had to be waiting for a clue from the buzzer or him to announce his success.
Her tongue flicked against his earlobe briefly, a low murmur of approval as her lips ghosted over his ear. “Good job.”
“I have good hands,” he assured her.
“Tease.” Lisa swung back to a sitting position, cheeks bright with colour. She grabbed the next card, and for the next fifteen minutes they took turns playing a child’s game with a very adult twist.
Gentle touches, barely there caresses. Butterfly kisses and slow, sultry glances.
He set off the buzzer trying to remove the charley horse piece. He’d lost control because she’d angled up on her knees to reach him, her hand drifting along his thigh.
Lisa pulled the card for the wishbone and, in spite of him leaning over and undoing two of her shirt buttons, his fingers caressing the skin he bared, she got the piece out without a problem.
She lifted it in the air, her lips wet from where she’d just licked them. “I think this means I get a wish granted.”
He was asking for so much trouble. “I guess you do.”
She pushed the box aside. “You were right to slow us down. But as much fun as it is to play childish games, the other comfort thing I want tonight is totally grown up.”
She laid a hand on his chest and pushed him to the mattress.
All his willpower seemed to have pooled around his toes and at that moment, he couldn’t have denied her anything.
“Lisa?” He didn’t know if he wanted her to break another set of rules or if he was begging her to show restraint.
She stretched out beside him, their bodies touching. Heat flashed through him, setting off all sorts of warning signals.
“I want to cuddle. We’ll keep all our clothes on, but I want to fool around and kiss you and just know that…” Her words trailed off. “Maybe that’s silly.”
“Not silly at all.” Hell yes, he could do this.
Wanted to do this.
He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to reach her lips. Teasing against her, tongues tangling briefly. Hot and needy, yet controlled. As if they knew they didn’t need to push too hard. Knew at some point they’d move beyond this, and it would be very good.
His fingers were back in her hair, stroking. Silky smoothness drifted over his wrist. His body was achingly hard, and his heart pounded, but a sense of peace blanketed it all.
Lisa ran her hands over his shoulders, down his arms. Linking fingers briefly. He liked that.
So much so that he caught her hand again then pressed their joint fingers against the mattress, rolling partly over her. Keeping the pressure light but enough that she had to be utterly aware of his interest. Of what kissing her did to his body.
He lifted off and she took an unsteady breath. Her gaze drifted to his face, lips curling into a smile as she slipped one hand free to stroke his cheek then back over his chin and lips. A single finger traced the shape of his mouth.
