Erica Gebhart just turned forty. Eek! And everyone in town considers her a celebrity. They say the only thing sexier than her confidence is her natural beauty. But from her perspective, they are wrong. Heck, if that were true, then why was she divorced?
Thirty-five and new in town, Reese Mailing’s reputation is nowhere near as shiny. Gossipers peg him as a womanizing former marine with a promiscuous past and ties to the law, and he’d be the first to admit Erica is out of his league. He’s not exactly the caliber of man people expect her to fall for since he is currently a farmhand. A roadside rescue puts both their reputations to the test.
Can Erica look beyond society’s high expectations, or will Reese live up to his reputation after all?
Excerpt:
“Would you like to come inside?” He captured her eyes with the question.
Come. Cum––inside. Dang it, Janine. That question was loaded seven ways to Sunday. But she didn’t need Janine here to corroborate that she and Reese were adults clearly attracted to one another. Nothing was more apparent, and she had no doubts that he could make her do just that. According to the cronies in town, Reese Mailing had lots of experience in that department. And according to Janine, this was what people did nowadays.
Another unnerving option popped into her mind. Perhaps she was misconstruing his simple invitation because of her own urges. Great. One thing was for sure. He was bound to figure out her exact thoughts no matter what she said at this point.
“I think I should probably head home.” Yup. She took the coward’s way out but praised the level of her subconsciousness that found the ability to pluck those words from her surreptitiously sex-craved delirium. And I left the condoms at home. “You said you have a big day tomorrow.” He probably has a drawer full. Oooh.
He glanced toward the house before letting his gaze trail back to hers. “Okay.”
Now he’ll think I’m a tease and a prude for sure. Great.
“I guess this is the part of the evening when I tell you that I had a really nice time,” he paused for the length of two heartbeats. “And then––you kiss me goodnight.”
An unexpected half-giggle popped free. Thankfully not, the Beavis and Butt-head laugh. But how slick was Reese? Slick. He was actually going to put this on her.
Reese’s rugged features tightened with a knowing smile. “I had a really nice time tonight.” He veered forward an infinitesimal amount into the space between them, filling it with his broad shoulders and intoxicating appeal.
Every fiber in Erica’s body fed on the undeniable attraction she had for him. Her eyes dropped to his lips. She’d been studying them for most of the night in anticipation of this very moment, wondering if it would happen and secretly hoping it would. They had shared a delightful evening. A simple kiss was appropriate. Tentatively, she stepped closer, placing her hands on his chest. The thump of his heart was steady compared to the thrashing storm hammering against her ribcage. His hands landed on her hips and glided to a comfortable spot on her waist.
Erica raised her chin and pressed her lips against his silky, smooth smile. Her body tingled when the hot tip of his tongue barely grazed the edge of her bottom lip. It almost felt like a dare to go further. Oh, she would accommodate him. Her lips parted, and her tongue searched for his.
His response was instant.
Reese dove into the kiss. His tongue latched onto hers, swirling and coiling, hungry and delicious. The kiss synchronized into one sweeping wave after another. Then his hands slid tantalizingly lower, grasping her bottom. A gust of passion whooshed through her body when his firm midsection levered against hers. The urge to be closer warmed and pooled inside, the very way nature intended.
His hands returned to her waist, and he veered away from the kiss enough to speak against her lips. “Are you sure you don’t want to come inside?”
“I––Ummm…” Breathless and mesmerized, she gulped in some much-needed air. Right now, she wasn’t sure if she could remain standing. Oh, lordy. The kiss left her knees weak and curled her toes. She felt like one big blob of quivering putty.
Reese leaned away a little more, creating space between them without letting go. Then he cupped her chin and gazed into her eyes. The man could see her soul if he wanted.
“Goodnight, Erica.” One last tender kiss landed on her lips before he smiled and stepped away.
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