Page 6 of Dirty-Talking Cowboy
“That’s ranching, darling. The work doesn’t care if it’s cold or rainy. If you’ve gotten enough sleep. You said you don’t give up. Prove it.”
She glared at me, but there was no real heat in it. “You’re enjoying this.”
“Damn right I am.” I moved closer, crowding her space again, to make her aware of how much bigger I was. “I like watching you struggle. I like seeing that fire in your eyes, knowing you’re going to fight me every step even when I’m right. It’s entertaining as hell.”
“Glad I could amuse you.”
“Oh, you do more than amuse me, Maggie.” I reached out, traced one finger down her cheek, watched her shiver. “Youfascinate me. You make me wonder about things I probably shouldn’t be wondering about my new neighbor.”
“Like what?” Her voice was barely above a whisper, and her eyes had grown darker. I knew I affected her. I knew she felt small and feminine against my big frame.
“Like how innocent you really are. If you’ve ever been with a man who knew what he was doing. I want to know what sounds you’ll make when I take my time with you, show you everything you’ve been missing.” I leaned down, my lips almost brushing hers. “Like how long it will take me to make you forget every reason you think this is a bad idea.”
She was trembling now, and I could see the conflict written all over her face. Part of her wanted to run. Part of her wanted to stay. And part of her—the part I was most interested in—wanted to find out if I was all talk.
“You should go,” she said, but she didn’t move.
“Probably.” I didn’t move either. Our breathes were still mingling together. “But you really don’t won’t me to. Not yet away.”
She tossed her head in defiance. “And why not?”
“Because you want to know what happens next. Because you’re curious. Because even though I scare you, you’re also attracted to me, and you don’t know what the hell to do with that.” I pulled back and looked her dead in the eyes. “Am I wrong?”
She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again. “You’re the most presumptuous man I’ve ever met.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only answer you’re getting.” She ducked under my arm and headed for the barn door. I let her go. For now. “Five o’clock tomorrow. I’ll be ready.”
“I know you will.” I watched her walk away, hips swaying, ass perfect in those jeans, and felt satisfaction settle deep in mybones. She was running, but not far. And tomorrow, I’d have her right back here, close enough to touch, close enough to push, close enough to make her admit what we both already knew.
She wanted me. She just didn’t know what to do about it yet.
But she would. I’d make damn sure of it.
CHAPTER THREE
Maggie
Five o’clock in the morning came way too early.
I’d barely slept, too keyed up from yesterday, from the way Rhett had looked at me, touched me, whispered things in my ear that made my whole body flush hot. I’d tossed and turned all night, replaying every moment in the barn, every word, every casual brush of his fingers that felt anything but casual. And when I’d finally fallen asleep, I’d dreamt about him. About his hands on me, his mouth, his body covering mine.
I woke up aching and frustrated and completely mortified by my own imagination.
Now I was standing on my porch in the predawn darkness, nursing a cup of terrible instant coffee and trying not to think about the fact that he’d be here any minute. That I’d agreed to this. That I was going to spend the morning with a man who made me feel things I’d never felt before, things I didn’t know how to handle.
I heard the hoofbeats before I saw him, that same steady rhythm that was already becoming familiar. Then he appeared out of the darkness, a shadow on horseback that gradually took shape as the sky started to lighten. He was wearing a differenthat today, darker, and a denim jacket over a black t-shirt that somehow made his shoulders look even broader.
He stopped in front of the porch, looking down at me with those beautiful eyes that seemed to see right through every defense I was trying desperately to put into place.
“You’re up,” he said, and but there was no surprise in his voice.
“I said I would be.” I set my coffee mug down on the railing, trying to look more confident than I felt. “I keep my word.”
“Good to know.” His gaze traveled over me, that same slow and assessing gaze that caused my insides to flutter. And my panties grow damp.
Fantastic. My body was apparently in mutiny, all heat and no logic.
