Page 102 of Lone Star Longing
“Well, you know, science guy, so I’m pretty okay with constellations and stars. You see that hook? Right over there?”
“Big Dipper?”
“Nope, your friend the scorpion. Scorpio. Actually, that’s what your babies will be, Scorpio.”
“What? Oh, I hadn’t even thought about that. They couldn't be something sweet, huh?”
“Well, I mean, I don't know. What are you?”
“Taurus.”
“That figures.”
“Why?”
“The literal only thing I know about personality traits of the astrological signs is that Taurus are stubborn.”
“Why do you think I’m stubborn?”
“I don't know. Why are you stubborn?” he countered.
“You think I’m stubborn because I said no?”
“No. Look, Lace, I don't want you to marry me if you don't want to marry me, all right? If it’s something that’s going to make you uncomfortable, going to make your life harder, I don't want that, not for either of us.”
Just hearing him say that eased the muscles in her shoulders.
“But I care about you, Lacey. I think about you a lot. And not in the rescuing way that you think. I think you’re pretty damn strong, if you want my opinion. I think a lot of women would have crumbled under what you’ve been through lately.”
“You don't know how close I came. But then I think about, what would my kids have if I did? So I pulled myself together.”
“I just want you to know I admire the hell out of you. You have to know that a lot of women wouldn’t be able to do what you’ve done.”
“I don't think I’m anything special.”
“I do.”
Something in his voice had her turning her head to look at him. His gaze was on her lips. Her pulse started pounding as he leaned closer.
Her brain screamed at her to put distance between them, that she didn't need Beck Conover kissing her, making her want something she couldn't have.
Because if he couldn't love her, she didn't want a relationship. And if she couldn't have a relationship, she didn't want a kiss.
Except she did. Every fiber of her body had been aware of him since he slipped into the stock tank with her. And for weeks, she’d wondered what his kiss would be like. Here under the stars seemed like the perfect place to find out.
So she leaned in, too, just enough that he knew she wanted this. He cupped a wet hand behind her ear, the cool water dripping down on her breasts as he first brushed his lips over hers, then parted, taking the kiss deeper more quickly than she expected. Her own hand flew up to his hair to hold on, and that was the last practical thought she had before sinking into the kiss, the softness of his lips, the prickle of his stubble, the subtle sweep of his tongue against her lips. She drew in a breath, taking in the scent of him, the scent of sunshine and sawdust, the taste of him, just a touch of spice from the lasagna, a touch of sweetness from the cake, but the rest a taste that was Beck alone.
The howl of a coyote in the distance had him pulling away, slowly, his eyes opening as he did so, as if he was holding onto the sensation.
“If that makes any difference,” he said, easing away from her. “We better get the pump going to empty this thing out before it gets too late.”
She wasn't sure how she got out without falling on her butt. She almost felt drunk, definitely floaty. She wanted to hang onto him, to use his strength, but decided she was better off using her own, bracing her hands on the side instead. He picked up the pump from the back porch, set it in the water, and plugged it in. Immediately, the hum of the pump vibrating against the metal tub filled the air, and Lacey and Beck stood awkwardly, watching the water level lower bit by bit in the light from the back porch.
“Why don't we sit on the porch while we wait?” she asked, finding her voice at last.
He took her hand to guide her to the porch, where he released her before he sat on the step. When she sat beside him, she reached over and took his hand again. The look of surprise on his face matched the surprise she felt at making the gesture. God, what was she doing? She eased closer and this time she kissed him, wanting this floaty feeling to continue, wanting to feel his arms around her. Why hadn’t she kissed him when they were standing, so he could wrap his arms around her, hold her against him, even though her enormous belly would be in the way?
But she liked his fingers in her hair, stroking her temple, the back of her neck. Every nerve ending was alight like a sparkler, sending fizzes of anticipation through her body.
