Page 25 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

She covered the light switches beside them with a hand so he couldn’t turn them on. “My surprise for your morning off.”

He eyed her, a smile slowly growing. “Are you being all sneaky and romantic, Maddy?”

“Hopefully,” she admitted, slipping close and pressing her body to his. “Maybe even sneaky and sexy, if you’re into that kind of thing.”

“With you? Always.”

He tucked his fingers under her chin and lifted her face to his. A soft brush of lips that quickly grew more intense as they twined together. Pressing closer, held together with his firm grip on her lower back.

Maddy slid her hands under his shirt and skimmed her palms up his chest. Warmth from his skin and the anticipation of pleasure blended as their tongues danced. As they both took what they wanted. Gave what was needed.

She was already breathing hard, heart racing with anticipation, when Ryan broke them apart for long enough to tug her onto the main dance floor.

“You’re amazing,” he said, glancing around as he led her to the air mattress she’d placed in the middle of the room. LED candles of various sizes were scattered over all the nearby surfaces, on the floor, the high-top tables at the edge of the open wooden dance floor, and on the few chairs she’d strategically arranged to create a circle of enticing light that pooled on the soft quilt she’d brought from home.

Ryan met her gaze steadily. “It’s very romantic.”

“Good.” She scratched her nails gently down his chest. “Also sexy?”

“Very.” He unzipped her coat, pushed it from her shoulders, and tossed it toward the door. “Planning ahead, which you had to do, always turns me on. But you know what I’m really glad we get to do right now?”

His fingers were on the buttons of her blouse, knuckles teasing over her breasts. “I think I know.”

“You don’t, though.” He removed her top and it joined the coat somewhere off in the dark. His gaze drifted over her skin, following the finger he teased along the edge of the pretty lace bra she’d deliberately worn.

For him—only for him. “Tell me.”

Even as she spoke, she tugged at his shirt, and he moved instantly to help. He shed his coat then reached over his head to drag his T-shirt forward and reveal gorgeous lean muscles covered with skin that glowed golden brown in the twinkling lights.

Then his hands were back on her body. Fingertips trailing over the line of her neck, palms skimming down the sides of her waist and then up until he skimmed the rigid peaks of her nipples.

A groan escaped, and Ryan growled his approval.

Bending his head, he nipped through the fabric of her bra, busily undoing her pants at the same time as he lavished attention on her. Pushing aside the fabric of her underwear, he slicked his fingers through folds that were already wet.

“Oh God, yes,” Maddy whispered. She gasped again as he stroked her. “I need this. I need you.”

“That’s what I want,” Ryan told her. “That and more. Tell me what you want, tell me what feels good. There’s no one we have to hide from, so let me hear you.”

A shudder shook her as he teased her clit and his words whirled her around. Yes. That and more.

They’d made love in the dark quiet of the living room, but always aware, always ready to freeze and be still if anyone left their room. Two adults being responsible even as they craved the connection and the need to be with each other.

Now? She could scream the bar down and no one would hear.

Maddy’s core clenched at the idea.

Ryan chuckled as he skimmed off her underwear and bra, stripped himself naked, and had her under him on the mattress in no time flat. “You like that idea.”

“Love it, hotshot,” she admitted. “Do your worst.”

He was already in motion. He kissed her. Commanded her. Took her lips hard before working his way down her body. Her breasts were heavy with need before he left them to skim over her belly and settle between her thighs. Another kiss, soft and sweet to the apex of her sex before he turned ravenous. Opening her to his fingers, his tongue. Humming with pleasure as he licked until she squirmed.

Raising her hips toward him, needing a little more pressure, and little more—something. “Ryan. I need you inside me.”

His chuckle was dark and lusty. “I am inside you, beautiful.” He twisted his fingers and pushed in again, licking her clit with a fever that make her gasp. She curled her fingers into his hair. Holding him there? Wanting him over her?

“So close,” she warned. “Oh God, Ryan. So good.”