Page 11 of Fool's Gold

He let out a deep breath, his nostrils flaring, his mouth curving into a rueful smile. He slowly assessed her shell-shocked expression. "That should make you sleep a little better, wife."

"I doubt it." She still trembled from the force of her desire.

Regret and loss were evident in his eyes when she stepped away. He wanted her, but could he ever love her? As he watched her walk toward the bed, his steady gaze told that he may have lost the battle, but he was still going to try to win the war.

He needed to sleep with her to get her out of his system. He'd said as much to Zeke. This little setback wouldn't stop his march on her defenses.

She glanced at him warily after she climbed into bed.

He smiled when he caught her lingering gaze on him. With slow, deliberate motions, he slid off his briefs.

He climbed into bed next to her, his upper body raised on an elbow. "Honey, if you want me, all you have to do is ask."

She recalled his boast that she'd have to ask for it, and frowned. "Forget it, big boy. There isn't going to be that kind of contact between us."

"Honey, if I'd wanted to, all I had to do was continue spreading lotion all over your delectable body," his dark eyes flared, "and you'd be under me, screaming my name."

She cocked an eyebrow at his vivid description. "You think so, huh?"

"Yeah, I think so. I'm progressive. You can get on top if you want."

"Oh, shut up." She turned her back on him, the big overconfident lug. She vowed to do everything she could to keep from succumbing to his sexual magnetism. To give in to the fire between them would be to lose herself.

Rafe had never given her words of love. She doubted he even thought in such terms. He wanted her, plain and simple, but it wasn't enough.

SARAH AWOKE BEFOREthe alarm went off. She was used to getting up at four-thirty now. She shifted in bed and realized Rafe was sleeping against her, spoon-fashion, his hand clinging softly to her breast. The growing bulge at her rear told her he had a morning erection.

A fleeting thought of giving in to her desires ran through her mind. Why shouldn't she make love with him once, to see what she was missing? She shook off her sleepy lethargy and stifled the idea. She softly placed her hand over his, so as not to wake him, and began to lift it from her breast. His hot palm tightened around her.

"What? No good morning kisses?"

She turned to look over her shoulder at him. Stubble shadowed his jaw. Instead of making him look dissolute, it heightened his masculine appeal. His sleepy bedroom eyes and soft smile wordlessly invited her to stay put. She pulled away, but only pushed herself more firmly into his palm.

He fingered her nipple, instantly making it hard and sensitive.

She inhaled hard at his seductive, predatory gaze. "You said you wouldn't take me unless I asked you to."

He smiled and continued to circle the budding nipple with a callused finger. "But I didn't say I wouldn't encourage you."

She kicked him. Her heel made soft but determined contact with his leg.

He yelped and let go.

She slid out of bed and spun around to glare at him. "That's what you get for trying to manhandle me. From now on, keep your hands to yourself."

He doubled over with laughter.

She glared down at him, incensed by his reaction.

He straightened, tears of mirth beading the corners of his eyes. "Wife, you kick like our old lame mule, Clyde. You've got more spunk than I figured you for, but it will take a heap more to keep me away. You might say, I can't help myself when it comes to you."

His dark, heated gaze drank in the sight of her as she gathered her clothes from the dresser and headed into the bathroom. She felt like a lamb watched by a timber wolf.

Once dressed, Sarah was flipping pancakes when Lisa's daughter Mandy walked into the room. "I want some juice, Aunt Sarah."

Sarah smiled at the little girl's cute lisp. She’d agreed to keep her for the weekend so Lisa and Gabe could escape for a short holiday.

During the past week, while Sarah had learned to cook, she and Lisa had become fast friends. She'd even taken to little Mandy, although she hadn't been around children much. In the end, Sarah knew walking away from Rafe and Lisa would prove difficult.

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