Page 25 of Horned to be Wild
Happy, unexpected tears sprang to her eyes.
“I’m so glad you think so.” She shot a quick sideways glance at Torin. “Maybe we could fill in some of the other blank spots over time.”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you again.”
The older woman was still holding her hands but the last words seemed to be addressed to Torin. Did she suspect his involvement? What if his wood carving wasn’t quite as secret as he believed?
She was still pondering the idea when he tugged her out of the library, practically dragging her along behind him.
“Hey,” she protested. “I’m not a little goat. You can’t just drag me everywhere.”
“You deserve it. Are you trying to drive me crazy?”
“Who me?” she asked innocently, batting her eyelashes at him.
He growled and lifted her into the truck, slamming the door behind her before he stalked around to the driver’s side.
“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he growled, leaning towards her.
Heat flooded her body at the raw hunger in his expression.
“I was just being honest.” She tilted her face up to his, not bothering to hide her own desire. “Your hands are remarkable.Your fingers are very, very talented. And I’ve thought about exploring secret gardens with you all day.”
A groan escaped him, and then his mouth was on hers, silencing her teasing with a kiss that left no doubt about exactly what he thought of her provocations. There was nothing gentle about it—this was possession, claiming, his powerful arms caging her against the seat as his lips moved demandingly against hers.
She melted into him, her hands clutching at his horns to pull him closer. His hand tightened in her hair, tilting her head to give him better access, and his tongue swept into her mouth with a low, hungry growl.
“Teasing little witch,” he muttered against her lips, his breath hot and urgent. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”
“The same thing you do to me.” She nipped his lower lip, delighting in the way he shuddered. “Let’s go home.”
They drove silently back to her cottage, the air between them practically vibrating with tension. When they pulled into her driveway, neither of them moved immediately. The engine idled, a counterpoint to her racing heart.
“I’m proud of you for sharing your work,” she said finally, turning to face him. “Those children were enchanted by it. You created magic today.”
His expression softened. “Wemade magic.”
“We make a good team.” She reached out, placing her hand on his forearm.
“Yes.” He stared at her hand on his arm, then raised his eyes to meet hers. The raw hunger there made her breath catch. “A very good team.”
Time seemed to stop as he leaned slowly across the seat, one hand cupping her cheek, and kissed her with a thoroughness that left her dizzy. Unlike their previous kiss, this was slower, deeper, but no less intense—a deliberate stoking of the fire between them.
When they broke apart, her entire body thrummed with desire, and she reached for the door handle. “Come inside with me.”
He put his hand over hers instead. His eyes were dark with want, but there was a flicker of something else—restraint, perhaps even fear.
“I can’t.” he said, his voice a rough caress. “I’m too close to losing control.”
The raw need in his words sent heat pooling low in her belly. She didn’t think it would take much to push him into losing that precious control, but she was afraid he would regret it. He had to make the decision. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t try and encourage him.
“I’m not afraid of you.”
“I know. And that’s the problem.” He leaned his forehead against hers, and his horns brushed her temples. “I won’t risk hurting you.”
“But you wouldn’t.” She placed a gentle kiss on his lips. “You know that.”
He closed his eyes. “Not intentionally, no. But…”
