Page 31 of The Billionaire Who Saved My Cat From The Mafia

No ordinary man.

I think he’s just as shocked by the intensity of this kiss as I am.He’s shaking, the effort to hold back coursing through his body—the tightly wound rubber band thing I noticed.But now I’m in the same condition.

I wonder which one of us will snap first.

I smack a hand on his hard-as-concrete ass and yank him against me again.That must have been the permission he was waiting for because suddenly, everything changes.

MacLaine’s kiss turns rough and hungry, and his arms collect me once more.His tongue licks into my mouth.I open for him.I hook a leg around his hips because I’ve decided he can have whatever he wants.

The sound of my own desperate moan surprises me.

But he softens against me.His kiss becomes sweet and tender instead of aggressive, like he’s trying to get one last taste of me before he wraps this up.

I know that only moments ago I begged him to stay away from me.Fine—I’ve changed my mind.I know I shouldn’t be thinking this, but I want him to stay.

I can’t remember the last time a man left me this unsure of myself.

MacLaine lifts his lips from mine, and just as suddenly as it began, the kiss is over.

He pulls away and searches my face, raising a huge hand to my cheek.He then lightly strokes his fingertips down from my temple to my chin.I turn into his touch, wondering how a guy so huge can be so tender.

He pulls his hand away and I let the back of my head rest against the wall.Our gazes lock.I can’t put a finger on what I’m seeing in his expression, but one corner of his mouth is curled up and that dimple is back.We look at each other, saying nothing.

Knowing everything.

Without a word, he pushes away and turns on his heel, and he’s on his way out.I stay where I am because my legs are still too wobbly to walk, and I peer out the door to watch him make his way toward the horses.

He’s got a killer ass, to be honest.

“Be back tomorrow, Boots,” he says, not looking at me.

How am I supposed to respond?Have a safe trip?Bring me some chocolate when you return?Don’t forget the economy-sized pack of condoms?

“Mrrrp,” Pussy says, rubbing against my ankles.

I watch MacLaine take the horses back down the trail.

And heaven help me, but I start counting the hours until tomorrow afternoon.

Except… hold up.

What did he just call me?

CHAPTER 16

Special K

I’m in a fog.A Boots fog.

But because Dad can’t stop celebrating the return of good weather, we’re having another family barbecue this afternoon.That means I’m back in my seat at the end of the long outdoor table, surrounded by chaos.

Today, the chaos is being served up with chicken and pork chops instead of steaks and burgers.Emma and Aunt Phyllis made the side dishes, including my absolute favorite kind of potato salad—the kind that’s loaded down with real bacon bits.

The food’s delicious, as always, but I barely take note of what I’m eating.

My family is loud and happy and laughing, but I have no idea what they’re going on about.

Because I’m in a damnedfog.