Hanchart Land by Becky Barker Read Free Book Online Page B

manipulation of her senses.  Luke had been hunched down beside her, but stood to his full height and seemed especially tall from her vantage point. He was still dressed in his work clothes but his eyes were hidden from her as he looked down on her.
    "Rosa suggested I bring you lemonade and remind you to put on more sunscreen,” he explained.
    Apparently, he'd decided to take the housekeeper's suggestions to a higher level. She knew she must look like a wanton at the very least. He'd managed to thoroughly arouse her. The tight swimsuit accentuated her jutting nipples. Her breasts felt swollen and heavy. Her chest rose and fell in heightened excitement.
    A glance at his jeans proved he was aroused, too. The telltale bulge was a little disconcerting, sending a ripple of reaction over her. But he remained in firm control of his desires. He’d withdrawn his touch and obviously didn't intend to take his seduction any further, even though she just as obviously wouldn't object.
    Her voice, when she tried to speak, was no more than a thready whisper. Pushing up on her elbows, she reached for the lemonade he'd placed on a nearby table. A sip of it helped clear her throat, and she voiced the only coherent thought that came to mind.
    "Thank you."  She was thanking him for his unselfish attentions, and for remaining in control when some men would have taken advantage of her vulnerability.
    "My pleasure," he told her, though his tone didn't echo the thought. It was deep and tight with tension. “I’d like to take you to bed and finish the job, but it might be best if we wait until we're married. You need to regain some strength."
    Was this some form of sensual harassment, Susan wondered? Did he hope to make her want him so badly she'd forget everything else? If so, she had to admit that his efforts were successful. She was aching.  Luke was aching, too, but he was determined to fight the physical need. Kissing and caressing Susan this morning had temporarily thrown him off balance. Her passionate response had created a deep sensual hunger that threatened his control. Caressing her just now had been an exercise in restraint, and a painful one.
    It had also proven what he'd always suspected. She was a deeply sensual woman who loved the feel of a man's hands on her body. Her soft moans had been genuine. The sight of her fat, hard nipples pressing against the fabric of her suit was more evidence of her lush sensuality. His body clenched at the thought, and he was suddenly impatient to have things settled between them. He wanted every inch of her naked skin rubbing against his. He wanted their bodies locked together in the most elemental fashion. He wanted to possess her, body and soul.
    "Granddad's seventy-fifth birthday party is a week from today. I'd like to be married by then. That way we can announce it to the family and friends all at once. Get it over with and get on with our lives."  Susan was trying to get her wayward emotions under control. It was difficult to concentrate on what he was saying even though she knew it was incredibly important.
    "Couldn't we just announce our engagement next Saturday?"
    His eyes flared. "You still have doubts?"
    "No." Her reply was truthful. Now that she'd made up her mind, she wasn't crazy about delaying the process.
    "Then there's no point waiting. I'd like to have Granddad stand up with me, if he's willing, but the rest of the family can find out about it after it's done."  She'd lost contact with most her old school friends and didn't feel close to anyone. "Will I need a maid of honor?"
    "You can choose someone to stand up with you, or I can have one of the ranch hands fill in as a witness."
    He seemed to have all the details worked out in his mind already. Susan tried to shake off the lethargy his caresses had caused so she could be sure they were on the same wave length. "What exactly do you have in mind?"
    "Rosa wants a celebration, but I told her it'd have to be a private one. She had a