His head snapped up. “Let’s go.”
With a swift move, he had her on the four-wheeler.
“Wait! I’ve got to grab the basket.” She slipped down and ran to collect their food. Dodger bounced on his front legs, apparently wanting in on the excitement.
She returned, passing the pack to Toni so he could secure it in the rack bag while she took her seat. After washing his hands, he jumped on in front.
He reached behind to place his palms on her knees, then glided them up her thighs. “I love having your legs wrapped around me.”
Her gut clenched, her body ready and willing to be stripped naked and laid out on the soft grass for him. Damn. He knew just what to say to seduce her. She gripped him around the waist, wanting to find somewhere private ASAP.
The engine rumbled to life.
The dog jumped in his lap.
“Not today, buddy.” Anton put the ball of fur on the ground, and Dodger skulked away with his tail between his legs.
She leaned around Toni’s shoulder. “Aw. You didn’t have to do that.”
He peered back through hooded eyes. “I want you all to myself.”
Holy shit.
Sorry, Dodger. “Let’s go.”
The thrum of the engine and his ass rubbing against her inner thighs did wonders for her libido. As if it wasn’t stoked on high already.
Within five minutes, they’d arrived at a clearing beside the stream where the grassy bank sloped down to greet the river. Cypress and willow trees brushed the water’s edge a few yards farther along. They’d had a week without rain, so the flow was gentle and inviting. Although she hadn’t prepared for a swim, she had bared her arms to the sun’s subtle November warmth.
He got off first before plucking her from the seat. “You got a picnic blanket in here?”
“Yup.” She nodded as he pulled the basket from the rack.
After placing their supplies down, he walked to the water’s edge and ran his hands under the water. “You ever skinny dipped?”
She paused to steady herself as the thought of being naked and naughty with him sent adrenaline coursing through her veins. “Never. Have you?”
“When I was five,” he laughed.
“Is the water cold?” She folded her arms above her head, tilting her face to the sun.
“Chilly as a schoolmarm.”
Her limbs dropped as she gaped at him. “A schoolmarm?”
“Haven’t you ever heard Mama say that?”
She followed his lead, rinsing the dirt from her skin. Goosepimples sprang to attention as the freezing liquid flowed between her fingers. “No. She must’ve had some teacher when she was a kid.”
He shrugged. “She never talks about it.”
Lory helped him spread out the rug before setting the food on their plates.
Pouring the lemonade, Toni assessed the spread. “Potato salad. Coleslaw. Buffalo wings… you’ve been busy.”
“I was hungry.” Starving for him. And yeah, food.
“What’s for dessert?”
Me.
Me, me, me. “Cherry pie with cream.”
Air rushed from his nostrils. “You’re killin’ me.”
She raised a brow. “You look alive.”
“Can we have dessert first?” His fingers tiptoed up her leg.
I know exactly what kind of sweetness you’re after, buddy. Yes, please, and thank you. “No. Be a gentleman.” Or don’t. She giggled and sent him a wink.
He bit his knuckle, groaning before picking up a plate. “You’re a tease.”
Yes. And you love it.
Lory laughed as she took her serving. Damn, if he didn’t have her in a playful mood. She decided to toy with him some more. Lifting a wing to her mouth, she kept her eyes on Toni as she took a bite. His eyelids peeled wide. Sucking on the bone, she slowly devoured the meat, making love to it until she finally licked her fingers clean. His food lay abandoned on his plate, his attention fixed on her antics.
“Aren’t you hungry?” She pursed her lips to hide a smirk.
“Ravenous.” His gaze roamed her body.
Setting the grin free, Lory speared a piece of potato with her fork. “Eat.”
He polished off his food in a flash, setting his dish aside before diving for her. “Let me help you with that.” Stealing the fork from her grip, he put it on her plate before bringing it to his lap. “I wanna feed you. I love watching you eat.”
She swallowed, almost choking on her own saliva.
“What’ll you have next?” He lifted the selection for her perusal.
Eyebrows raised, she blurted, “More potato, please.”
It should have been weird. Or maybe made her feel like a child. But it had the opposite effect. With each mouthful, he cherished her, staring intently as she chewed and swallowed. A wave of heat chased the path of his focus across her skin. She reached mindlessly to unbutton her shirt. It couldn’t have been much more than seventy degrees out, but damn, it was hot.
“What are you doing?” His husky drawl betrayed his arousal.
“It’s time for some sugar.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” He ditched the leftovers and finished freeing the remaining buttons. “Let me take care of you.”
Lorelei whimpered. Oh my God.
Fabric was peeled from her skin, her inhibitions dropping with it. His touch held a reverence that reached beyond the flesh, obliterating any lingering doubts or fears of surrendering her heart to him.
She was all his.
And the fire in his stare said he knew it.
Reaching behind his neck, he yanked the T-shirt from his back, baring the next course to her hungry eyes. Lory’s mouth watered. Dayum. Ain’t nothin’ as fine as an Italian cowboy. The man was an ad for Wrangler and a hard day’s work. Dark hair, eyes like steel, a torso rendered with endless contours and
