Page 99 of Cowboy's Last Stand
He gestured for her to come in and closed the door behind her.
“I brought your laundry.”
“Thanks,” he said and took the clothes off her hands.He donned the flannel shirt from the top of the stack but left it unbuttoned.Somehow, he looked even sexier that way than shirtless.
Natalie dragged her gaze from his chest, flustered.A fire burned bright in the hearth.She moved toward it, pleased by the cozy scene.“This is nice.”
He gestured to the couch.“Have a seat.”
She sat down in front of the fire.Jason took the seat next to her.They shared a moment of awkward silence.
“I bought condoms,” he said.
Her eyes, which had drifted down to his chest again, flew up to his face.She wasn’t sure how to respond to his pronouncement.Yay?
He raked a hand through his hair, wincing.“Sorry.That wasn’t very smooth.”
“You don’t have to seduce me.”
“Let me try again.”
“It’s not necessary.Answering the door without your shirt on did the trick.”
A husky laugh rumbled out of him.“There’s something I want to say.”
She hoped it would be short.
“You mentioned survivor’s guilt last night.”
“We don’t have to rehash that.”
“I feel guilty, obviously, for surviving the blast that killed M… my comrade.I’ve tried to heal myself and punish myself in equal measures.I can’t deny that.But guilt isn’t a factor in my attraction to you.”
She didn’t argue with him.It would only prolong the conversation.
“It’s definitely not the reason I fell for you.”
Natalie had to shut him up now before his emotional declaration sent her into a panic.She didn’t want his soft words; she wanted his hard body.Twining her arms around his neck, she touched her mouth to his.“Stop talking.”
“OK,” he said and kissed her.
The kiss was a turning point.It felt like a step into the unknown, a choice that could have devastating implications.Sleeping with Wade had been a drunken, thoughtless mistake.This was different.It was meaningful and deliberate.Jason explored her mouth in delicious strokes, hungry but not hurried.His close-cropped hair was damp beneath her fingertips, and his mouth tasted like mint.She wanted to devour him, to suck and lick his skin.When she tangled her tongue around his, he groaned in response.
He seemed determined not to rush, even though she was clutching at his hair and pressing her body against his.She needed more skin, more sensation.She slid her hands beneath the open collar of his shirt.His breath hitched as she splayed her palms over the muscles in his back.She wrestled his shirt halfway down his arms and no farther.He didn’t cooperate by taking it off.He also didn’t try to climb on top of her or let her climb on top of him.When she strained toward him, his big hands gripped her waist to hold her still.It was maddening.He continued his slow, sensual onslaught, ignoring her signals to go faster.
Natalie broke the kiss after a few moments.Although it was a chilly night, and the window was open, she felt overly warm.He looked sort of smug and amused, which irritated her.He thought he could set the pace?She tugged off her sweatshirt, revealing a shell pink camisole beneath.It was edged in lace and silky-thin.Her nipples poked against the fabric in an impudent bid for his attention.His expression went slack at the sight.So did his hands on her waist.
As soon as his grip loosened, she was free to move as she wished.She took full advantage by wrapping her arms around his neck and straddling his lap.
Oh.Oh, yes.
Judging by his arousal, he wasn’t as cool and collected as he seemed.He was raging hard, thick with desire.The apex of her thighs met his jutting length.Her lacy breasts brushed his bare chest, and his eyes, which were still fixed on her, blazed with heat.When their mouths joined again, the gloves were off.
His kisses turned deep and ravenous.He buried a hand in her hair, making animal noises as she writhed on him.She wasn’t content to press her body against his shyly.She slid her aching sex back and forth along his erection.He gave up on restraint and cupped her wiggling bottom, his hips thrusting as if he couldn’t help himself.Then his hands found her breasts.He kneaded the soft flesh, his thumbs sweeping over her pouty nipples.She felt like she might fly apart, just from this.He broke contact with her mouth and moved his lips to her throat.She arched her spine as he kissed his way down her torso.Her hands returned to his hair, clutching at him in encouragement.
Yes.Please.More.
He licked the throbbing pulse in her neck and the hollow at the base of her throat.His callused fingertips shoved the silky straps off her shoulders to expose her breasts.Warmth from the fire caressed her back.He just stared for a moment as if transfixed by the sight of her.When his tongue swirled around one taut nipple, she let out a ragged moan.
