Her eyes had stayed closed. She was still waiting for his touch. He breathed a tiny breath in her ear and landed the lightest little kiss on the sensitive spot behind it. A shiver ran through her.
Yes. Tremble, Dallas. Want me. As he lowered his lips to hers, she opened to his soft, coaxing kisses. He adored her mouth with his tongue. She cupped his face, teasing him with a kiss of her own.
It nearly drove him to lose control. They must be near the hotel. He kissed her hard, then soft, then hard again. When he pulled back, she was breathing in quick pants. She wanted more, and that was how he’d leave her until they got back to the suite. Clasping her cheek in his hand, he ran his thumb across her lower lip. “Dallas, you’re an amazing woman.”
She breathed deeply and sat back against the seat. “Oh, Lord. You do know how to kiss a girl, Ethan Keys.”
Once at the hotel, he opened their door and turned to her. “Join me in a nightcap. Please?”
Smiling, she walked past him into the room. “One glass, then. I’m tired. I wish it weren’t too late to call and check on Piper.”
He inserted the wine opener into the bottle he’d left on the table before they set out for the symphony. “Come on. Remember, you’re not a mommy tonight.”
She grinned. “Oh, right.”
After pouring them each a glass, he joined Dallas on the sofa. Passing one to her, he reached his arm around her and snugged her up close. As he gently kissed her temple, he said, “You make me happy.” And she did. Happier than any woman had in a very long time. That was why he must tread carefully. She had feelings for her cowboy. He had to reel her in, despite those feelings, and make her choose him wholeheartedly.
Leaning her head against his shoulder, she replied, “Ethan, I feel so safe with you. I relax, and you take care of everything. You make the most amazing things happen in my life.”
He took Dallas’s glass and set it on the table. Tilting her chin, he kissed her, keeping it chaste, warming her slowly to him. His hand grazed her breast as he clasped her waist and turned her toward him. Sliding his fingers into her hair, he deepened the kiss, flicking her lips with his tongue and finally entering her mouth.
Sighing, she relaxed into him, her hand at his cheek, matching him kiss for kiss.
His mouth wandered from hers, tracing the contour of her throat as his hand slipped to her breast, partially exposed by the beautiful gown. As he cupped it, his thumb found her swollen nipple and caressed it.
She sucked in a breath.
Returning to her mouth, he delivered a blistering kiss as he caressed her breast, molding it to his hand. She slid her hand behind his neck, sucking on his tongue, drowning him with hot, hungry kisses. He pulled back on his mental reins, fighting his own reaction. Now was not the time to lose control. She was where he wanted her now. Desiring him—desperately. But she couldn’t have him. Not yet. Not until he overpowered her feelings for that cowboy. When he took her, he’d be the only man she wanted.
Drawing back, he held her face in his hands, holding her gaze. “How lovely you are, Dallas. And what an incredibly lucky man I am to have your affection. But I can’t let this go on. You must decide who you love. I know the kind of woman you are, and I won’t take advantage.” He drew her into a hug. That had come out just right. He was quite proud of himself.
“Thank you, Ethan. You always take care of me. How could I not love you? I’ve never been so confused in my life.”
He set her away from him again. “I know, love, but you have to decide soon. I’ve fallen for you. I’ll do anything to make you mine. Just tell me what you want.”
She cupped his face, stroking his cheek with her thumb. “Thank you for caring for me, Ethan, and I’m so sorry to keep you hanging. I’ll figure this out. I promise.”
Helping her to her feet, he gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead. His plan was proceeding well. Without doubt, Dallas Royle would soon be in his bed, and not long after, his wife.
THE NEXT DAY, THE LIMO sat at a stop light. Dallas smoothed the material of her slacks and straightened her bracelet. When Ethan had called last week and told her that his mother had invited them to lunch at her country club, Dallas had almost lost her dinner. The thought of sitting down to another meal with the woman had Dallas trembling, and she hated that. She was strong and could take anything his mother could dish out. With a deep breath, Dallas crossed her legs and forced her face into a calm mask. She would get through this, and nothing Linda said could change how Dallas felt about Ethan.
The big car purred into motion, and Ethan clasped her hand. “I grew up at the club, but I seldom visit anymore. They’ve remodeled, and it’s quite fancy now. Mother and her hens love the new look.”
Dallas laughed. “Her hens, huh?”
“Yes, they gather there a couple of afternoons a week and cluck away, always about someone else’s business.”
She grinned and squeezed his hand. “How lovely.”
She hoped her clothing fit in. With no idea what club ladies wore, she’d shopped for hours for clothes for this trip and spent her miscellaneous budget category for the next four months. Today’s pantsuit was classic, yet up to date. Her short, flowing geometric top in bright summer colors was paired with form-fitting yellow slacks. No matter what anyone else would be wearing, she felt confident in it.
As the car slowed to turn down the long drive, she tightened her grip on Ethan’s hand.
