“I’m about to do more than that.”
“What about your big speech?” I haven’t taken my gaze off his mouth.
“Fuck what I said,” he murmurs.
In the next instant, his fingers tunnel into my loose hair, and he yanks me into him. I feel bridled, but more than eager to be guided by his capable hand. Reeve doesn’t give me much time to protest. With another harsh tug, he slams our mouths together. He growls against the seam of my lips, demanding entry I am all too willing to give. His tongue plunders and explores, stroking along mine with a frenzy that rattles in my bones.
He tastes like warm apple pie and coming home after too many nights away. Reeve exhales a quiet moan against my lips, a peaceful breeze over calm tides. I want to drown in his tranquil waters. Maybe he’ll let me—just for a little while.
I arch into him at the same moment Reeve presses our hips together. My resulting whimper is met with a brutish rumble that bellows of hungry lust. I flutter my lids as molten heat swims in my lower belly. How can he get me so aroused with a simple kiss? I recognize my error immediately. Nothing is simple about what’s smoldering hotter with each fiery stroke of our tongues. One minute lapses into the next until I’ve lost all sense of everything except his mouth joining with mine.
He drags his lips to my jaw, and I tilt to grant him whatever access he seeks. With delicate nips and strokes, he skates upward until he sucks my earlobe between his teeth. I shiver against him and dig my nails into his back. Just as I’m about to dip my hand under the hem of his shirt, a loud boom of theatrical thunder cracks from the speakers. We separate in the same beat, a painfully sluggish retreat, as if forced.
Reeve smiles against my cheek. A tingle zips up my spine at that small action. I nuzzle into the scratchy column of his throat to hide my rising blush. Neither of us are in a hurry to move. We’re in a very public space, making out like a couple of teens with their first whiff of love. There’s no doubt that Dottie and the gaggle of gossip queens will catch wind of this sordid deed.
“Let’s get out of here,” he mumbles against my pout.
I remain firmly rooted to the spot. “What just happened?”
“The inevitable. I can’t pretend any longer. This was always going to happen. I could keep excusing my attraction away, but that’s just a horrible waste of time.”
“Who’s to say those feelings are mutual?” I’m so full of shit that my eyes would turn brown if they weren’t already.
He bites my bottom lip, drawing the flesh deep into his mouth. “No one can fake the reaction you just granted me. Our chemistry could reverse the windchill in January. Imagine what else we’re capable of. You can’t deny our potential.”
As if to prove his point, my legs wobble with the lingering impact. “So confident.”
“I prefer charming, ruggedly handsome, and wicked smart.”
“Don’t forget cocky.”
“We can continue this discussion over caramel apples and pumpkin pie. Maybe a corn dog and cheese curds too.” Without further delay, he tugs me out of the barn and away from my worst nightmare.
“You’re still holding my hand,” I comment. The width of his massive mitt dwarfs my much smaller one. Why does that set off a rapid flutter in my stomach?
Reeve glances at me from the corner of his eye. “Does that bother you?”
“No.”
“Good. If all goes according to plan, we’ll be doing a lot together. This”—he holds up our clasped palms—“is nothing in comparison.”
“Oh,” I whisper.
“That’s it?” His blue eyes sparkle under the afternoon sun.
I blink out of the haze he creates. My brain is jumbled enough. “I’m still a tad shaken.”
“Okay, I’ll make it easy for you. I like holding your hand.”
“That’s romantic.”
He chuckles, pinning me with the potent heat in his stare. “I’m glad you think so.”
This man can switch roles mighty quick. My head is volleying from one extreme to the other, trying to keep up. Here’s hoping we stay on the bright side.
“So, what does this mean?” I nod to our interlocked fingers.
“We’re going to be seeing more of each other.”
“In what capacity?” I’ve never been one to slap down stipulations, but he started it.
“Do we need a label?”
“Not necessarily. I’m just fine coming to an agreement.”
He nods along with me. “Such as?”
“Basically nothing complicated. We can have strings, but they get severed in June. We can work out additional details along the way.”
His shrug is lopsided. “That’s good enough for me.”
The smile lifting my mouth comes easier than it has in months. “Great. This is a huge relief.”
Reeve barks out a laugh. “Plenty more of that is to come.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“As you should.” He winks at me. “Oh, and I just became your personal country-living liaison.”
I furrow my brow. “Is that a thing?”
“It is now.”
After a harsh crank of the wheel, I drive my truck onto the dirt path bisecting Harry’s back forty. He asked me to check on the harvest progress out in the fields, and that man is not one I easily refuse. Even on a Saturday. The visit turns out to be quick, not that I expected any different. This crew has been successfully cropping together for enough seasons to lose track.
The tires bounce along the rough terrain as I offer a parting wave to the guys still in view. With a flick of my wrist, I turn up the radio to drown out the churning grind of machinery. A chart-topping hit about finding a girl to love croons from the stereo. This damn song is more overplayed than pull tabs on payday. I would usually switch the station after hearing a few chords, but I find myself letting the tune serenade me. Lyrics of ultimate devotion warble
