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He laughed. “A little thing like you? You couldn’t break a—”
She had him pinned with his arm and offending hand behind his back before he could finish his sentence. Nate smiled. “She wrangles horses for a living. You’re toast, buddy.”
The lecher started babbling, protesting he hadn’t meant anything, and Damaris wrenched his arm up more. “You need to learn manners. Do not ever put your hands on a woman, especially on her butt, unless she makes it clear she’s interested. Now, I’m really tired of you. You need to go away.” She let go of his arm and watched him slink away.
He muttered something rude and Nate started after him, but Damaris held him back with a hand on his arm. “Let it go, Nate.”
Nate hesitated but after a moment he shrugged. “If that’s the way you want it. Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
They decided to leave. He held her hand as they walked to his car and for once she didn’t complain. He wondered what she was thinking. Wondered if she’d ever change her mind about him. They were in the shadows, in a parking space near the church, which was closed for the evening. “Thanks for the help,” she said as he opened her door.
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You would have. But you trusted me to handle it and I appreciate that.”
They drove back to the ranch and he stopped at the cottage. He got out to walk her to the door. Again for a change, she didn’t object.
“Why do men do things like that?”
He looked down at her. “Because they’re assholes?”
She laughed. “That’s a given. But what makes them think they can get away with it?”
“Because sometimes they do. Also because when they’re drunk their stupidity takes over.”
“I can’t see you doing that even if you were drunk.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“You’re smoother than that.”
“Smoother than groping a woman when I don’t even know her? Damn right I am.”
“I wasn’t insulting you.”
“Weren’t you?”
“No, I just wondered what you’d do if we were dating for real and weren’t pretending to be dating.”
“If I wanted to put my hands on a woman’s ass, I’d make damn sure she wanted them there.”
“How would you make sure?”
She was playing with fire and he was certain she knew it. “First, I’d put my arms around her.” He took her in his arms, but held her loosely. “Then, if she didn’t object, I’d kiss her.” He lowered his head and claimed her mouth. Damn, she tasted good. She didn’t hesitate but kissed him back, her tongue playing with his, her body melting close. He raised his head and stared into her eyes.
“Again,” she said, her voice husky and inviting.
He kissed her again, sliding his lips over hers, tracing the seam with his tongue, licking into her mouth until the kiss turned hotter, wilder. He wanted her. So damn much. Wanted to sink his hands into her hair, drink her in, touch every part of her, slide inside her and lose himself in her.
But something stopped him. He didn’t want just a roll in the sheets with Damaris. He wanted something lasting. When they made love, he wanted it to mean something. He wanted it to be special, not just ‘benefits.’ She had to want him as much as he wanted her. Him. Not just for sex. And he didn’t think she was there. Wasn’t sure she ever would be.
He lifted his mouth, then set her away from him. Turned his back and fought for control. It wasn’t easy. It was damn near impossible. What was wrong with him anyway? Damaris was willing. That was clear. She’d changed her mind. He finally had the chance to do what he’d been longing to do for months. Years. This had been his plan. Get her into bed so he could convince her he was the right guy for her. And now that she was open to going to bed with him, he was having second thoughts.
I must be nuts.
“Nate? What’s wrong? Why did you stop?”
He turned around. She looked bewildered. He couldn’t blame her. “Because we were about to reach the point of no return. Or at least the point where it was going to be harder than hell to stop.”
