Cash stiffened and frowned. “That guy asked you to marry him? So, what happened?”
She shook her head. “I said no.”
Cash leaned back on the couch, pulling her against his chest. “I was miserable without you. I thought I could handle it, but, no way.” He kissed her temple. “I’m glad you got ahold of me, but I would have been calling you in a few minutes, anyway. My dad finally talked some sense into me.”
Wrapping her arm around his waist, she nestled her head against him. “You were all I could think about. I knew what a terrible mistake I made, but I couldn’t fix it. You didn’t want me anymore.”
He tilted her chin so she could see the truth in his face. “I never stopped wanting you. I was stupid to let you go. I should have fought for you instead of giving up.” Lowering his mouth to hers, he kissed her tenderly. When he pulled back, he looked into her eyes. “Will you marry me, Dallas?”
Her pulse quickening, she breathed, “Yes, yes,” and teased his lips with a kiss.
He hissed in a breath and took control of the kiss, cradling her head in his hand.
She darted her tongue between his lips, and he moaned. Their tongues tangled, and he pulled her to his lap. She clasped his face and captured his mouth, kissing, sucking, nibbling, feeling every muscle in his body tense.
Clasping her waist, he pushed her back sharply. “God, I want you, Dallas.” His look was wild, yet so full of love it set her on fire.
Standing, she pulled him up beside her. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him, hard. “I want you, too, cowboy. Follow me.”
A shiver ran through her. Cash would be the first man in her bedroom. The first man in her bed. The first man to make love to her since Piper’s father had turned his back on her. Joy swelled in her breast. This marvelous man would be her first love all over again.
They stood beside the bed, and he pulled her into his arms, whispering, “I’ve dreamed of this. Of making love to you. I thought I lost you. I was such a fool.” He kissed her gently, again and again. He kissed her fingers. “I’ll never let you go again, Dallas. I promise.”
She raised to her tiptoes and kissed him. “Make love to me, Cash.” She ached to feel his hands on her—wanted to explore every inch of his hard body.
Grinning, he pulled a condom from his back pocket and tore it open before tossing it on the bedside table. He slipped the straps of her sundress off her shoulders and unzipped the back. “My pleasure, ma’am.”
Sliding it down her waist and hips, he knelt as she stepped out of the dress. She stood before him clad only in a tiny pair of bikini panties.
His gaze raked over her body, and she sucked in a breath, her breasts tightening in response. Standing, he rested his hands at her waist and kissed her. “You’re beautiful, Dallas. But that word doesn’t come near to describing you.”
Intent on undressing him, she unbuttoned his shirt, fumbling a little in her hurry. Yanking it out of his Wranglers, she slid it off his shoulders and tossed it on the chair.
Cash pulled her to him and kissed her, nibbling on her neck. Goose bumps broke out on her arms, making the small hairs stand on end. She ran her hands across the muscles of his broad chest, dropped them to his waist, and hooked her fingers in his jeans, pulling him tight against her.
Cash moaned and grasped her bottom with both hands, yanking her to him, grinding her against him. Then he abruptly let go and took hold of his belt, unbuckling it while toeing a boot off. She unzipped him while he toed his other boot off. Kicking his boots away, he yanked his jeans and briefs down and stepped out of them as he reached for Dallas.
Chills ran up and down her body. He was gorgeous—his strong, muscular body molded by strenuous ranch work. He captured her mouth in a hungry kiss. Grabbing her butt, he pulled her tight, kissing her behind the ear. She hissed in a breath and drew back. Yanking the bedspread and sheet, she dragged them to the end of the bed.
Cash stopped her before she could get in. Slipping his forefingers inside her panties at the hips, he eased them down to the floor. As she stepped out of them, he kissed her thigh. She quivered. He kissed higher, trailing soft kisses up her belly as her nipples hardened into pebbles. He landed kisses on her collarbone, along the curve of her throat, and released the tiniest breath in her ear. Shivers raced through her body.
Urging her into bed, he lay beside her, head propped on his arm. “I want to love you, but I don’t want this to end.” He trailed his finger from the hollow of her throat, between her breasts, down her tummy, and stopped just above the part of her that wanted him so desperately.
She took his finger and slid it into her mouth, sucking and stroking it with her tongue. His special scent told her at a visceral level that this was the man she loved. Weaving her fingers through his, she said, “We have all afternoon,” and pushed him flat on his back. He grinned as she took the initiative, raining kisses on his neck and all over his chest. With the tip of her tongue, she circled his nipple then sucked on it.
He took a sharp breath. “Baby, come here.” Helping her straddle him, he cupped her breasts, massaging them with his strong fingers.
She threw her head back as her breasts hardened with need. He ran his thumbs over her nipples and craving shot through her. Clasping her bottom,
