Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
I try to act normal, but my pulse doesn’t get the memo. “I need to finish up and turn off my computer,” I mumble and dump my way-overheated cup of coffee down the drain. After washing the cup, I head back to my office with Cole following behind me.
The barn is empty, just the two of us and the echo of our footsteps on gravel. He waits until we’re in the farthest, darkest stall before turning to face me. The sun slants through the window, casting gold stripes across his chest. I can’t look away.
“I can’t resist you.” He closes the gap, his hands settling on my hips. He leans down and kisses me. This time it’s gentle, unhurried, like he’s savoring the taste. It’s not the wild, desperate kiss from before; it’s sweeter, somehow. My heart does a slow somersault.
We stand there for a long moment, just holding each other. I lose track of time, the world narrowing to the heat of his hands and the solid press of his chest against mine.
There’s a long, slow exhale as Cole drags his lips along my hairline. I could stand here forever, pressed tight against him, letting the world slide away until it’s just the two of us melting together. But eventually, he hooks his finger under my chin and gives me that stupid, heart-melting grin that turns my bones to liquid.
“C’mon, Montana. Let’s close up the office. I need to get you fed before I throw you on the nearest bale of hay and give your grandmother a heart attack.” His hand never leaves my lower back, guiding me all the way up toward the house, like he’s not planning to let me out of arm’s reach anytime soon. My legs are still jelly, not that I’d ever admit it, but I manage to keep pace.
After turning off my computer and locking the barn office, we walk back toward the ranch house, holding hands like idiots. My brain is still mush. I keep wanting to stop and pull him behind the barn for a quickie, but I somehow hold it together.
We hit the back porch just as Louise comes strutting out of the hallway, dressed to the nines in her Sunday best, blue curls set, and lipstick practically glowing in the kitchen light. I blink a few times, genuinely confused. “You going somewhere, Grams?”
She grabs her purse and rakes us both with a look that says she’s on to every single thing happening between Cole and me. “Yep. Church bingo night. You’ll have to fend for yourselves for supper.”
I gape at her, totally thrown off. “You never play bingo.”
She smirks, fluffing her hair. “I got a feeling I’m getting lucky.” She winks at Cole and glides out the door, heels clicking like she owns the world.
“I love your grandmother. She’s a fucking legend,” Cole whispers, giving my ass a squeeze as soon as the screen door swings shut behind Grams.
I nearly choke on my own tongue. “You need to stop doing that,” I hiss, but I can’t keep the goofy smile off my face.
“Not a chance.” He grins, and before I can think of a comeback, he crowds me up against the kitchen counter, hands braced on either side of the laminate. His eyes drag down my body, slow and hungry, and I swear the temperature in the room jumps ten degrees.
“You realize you smell like the inside of my barn, right?” I try to sound tough, but all that comes out is a breathy little squeak.
His smile gets cocky as hell. “You telling me I need a shower, Montana?”
I can’t look away from his mouth. “That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”
His grin gets even cockier. “Why don’t we shower together, then?” He doesn’t wait for an answer, just cups my ass and lifts me against his chest like I weigh nothing at all. My legs automatically wrap around his waist, and my heart damn near explodes as he carries me out of the kitchen.
I choke on a laugh. “You are such a caveman, Texas.”
He leans in, his lips brushing my ear. “You love it. Stop pretending you don’t want my hands and my mouth all over you, Montana.”
Jesus. If I get any hotter, I’ll spontaneously combust.
Between kisses, I point him toward the bathroom. Cole shoulders the door open and sets me on my feet, but his hands never leave my body. He peels my flannel shirt off and tosses it on the counter, then reaches for the hem of my tank top and pulls it over my head in one easy move. My breath stutters, but I grin right back at him.
I don’t even get a chance to say something sarcastic before Cole’s lips crash into mine, hot and greedy. My brain turns off like someone yanked the cord. I’m so busy clutching at his arms and moaning into his mouth, I barely even notice I’m half-naked until his hands slide up my back and unhook my bra with a single flick.