you telling me you don't want any strings? ' 'Yes.'
'Son of at' She turned away and ran to the horses. Cole followed her,
grabbed her from behind, and lifted her into the saddle.
He noticed her grimace and asked, 'Are you going to be all right riding
today? ' 'Yes, of course.'
'Jessie, I know I hurt you last night.'
'But I'm fine now.' Her blush took some of his anger away. She was so
sweet and loving and exasperating. His hand rested on her thigh.
'Will you please look at me? ' She slowly lifted her gaze. The
tenderness in his eyes tested her determination. She wanted to throw
herself into his arms and never let go.
'Yes? ' she asked quietly.
'Do you love me? ' He squeezed her thigh until she finally answered
him. 'I won't lie to you, Cole. Yes, I do love you, butt' He cut her
off. 'How many other men have you told you loved them? ' 'I haven't
told any other man that I love him.' He grinned. 'Good. That's all I
wanted to know.' There was a definite swagger in his gait as he walked
away. She watched him swing up into his saddle. He took the reins,
rode to her side, and then, before she could ward him off, his hand was
behind her neck and he was pulling her toward him. His mouth took
absolute possession, his tongue thrust inside, and he kissed her
passionately.
When he finally lifted his head and saw the bemused look in her eyes,
he nodded with satisfaction. 'Listen to me, woman. That's how I want
to be kissed every morning. I want a whole lot more than that, but
we'll start with a kiss.'
'For how long, Cole? ' She didn't realize she'd spoken the thought
aloud until he answered her.
'For the rest of our lives, and yours is going to be real short if you
keep having such crazy thoughts.'
'You can't possibly know what I'm thinking.'
'Sure I can, ' he boasted. 'It's like looking in a mirror.' He shook
his head in self-deprecation. 'My brother Adam used to tell me I'd get
it all back.'
'Get what back? ' 'My attitude, ' he answered. 'I'm the one who never
wanted any strings, and it's galling to know you feel the same way.'
