Rogue Cowboy by Kasey Millstead Read Free Book Online Page B

crap, I’m in so much trouble.
    He leans down and kisses the side of my mouth softly.
    “Say yes?” he cajoles.
    “No,” I whisper after what feels like an eternity.
    He moves to kiss the other side of my mouth and my fingers itch to reach up and grip his shoulders as my knees threaten to go weak.
    “One date, that’s all.  One date, baby.”  His lips touch mine; first the top of my top lip, and then the bottom of my bottom lip.  “Let me show you how good it can be.”  He runs his tongue across my lips in a slow, deliberate stroke, and in a hazy, lust-filled moment, the word, “Yes,” escapes my mouth.
    Without me even telling it to, my head leans forward, seeking him out.  His mouth joins with mine and he kisses me.  Oh, god, does he kiss me!   My fingers find purchase on his sinewed shoulders and my nails dig in as my legs finally give out.  One strong arm wraps around my waist, taking my weight, as he pulls me flush against his body, not leaving even the breath he’s stolen from me between us.
    All too soon, he pulls back slightly, warm puffs of air skating over my nose with each breath he takes.  “Come on, I’ll walk you back to your place.”  His voice is husky, and at the sound of it, my nipples pucker into painfully hard peaks.
    Words evade me and all I can do is nod, and touch my tingling lips, savouring his taste.
    “Sienna?” he prompts, when I remain still, staring into nothingness.
    “Oh, yeah, um, right.  Yep, let’s go.” I stumble out.  He grins and I want nothing more than to throw him down on the floor, climb on top of him and ride the smile right off that gorgeously handsome face of his.
    Taking my hand in his firm, warm grip, he leads me out of the office and toward the rear door of the pub.  “Is everything locked up?”
    “Yes.”  I look up to answer his question and then my eyes immediately dart back to the floor so I can continue thinking about the kiss he just gave me, our date (whenever that will be) and what exactly this all means.  Perhaps I’m over thinking, but I can’t help it. 
    Once bitten, twice shy.   I should have that tattooed on my inner arm so I can see it all the time.  It might serve to give me a little more restraint – something I seem to be lacking when in the presence of Zeke.
    “You’re awfully quiet,” he comments as we come to a stop outside my cabin.
    “Taking a leaf out of your book,” I murmur distractedly, my mind still replaying how good it felt to be held in his arms…how amazing it felt when his tongue brushed across my lips…how secure I feel whenever he’s around.
    Wait.  What?!  
    How secure I feel whenever he’s around.   What the fuck is that all about?  I need to think about that in great detail when I’m alone.
    “Are you okay?”
    “Of course.”  I attach a fake smile to my reply.  It doesn’t fool him, I can see it in his eyes, but he doesn’t push.  Instead, he brings his free hand up to cup my jaw and brushes his thumb across the apple of my cheek.
    “God, you’re so beautiful, Sienna,” he says with awe.
    My cheeks heat and I try to duck my head, but he holds my face still and looks deep into my eyes, his blue depths shining with sincerity.  “You are beautiful, Sienna,” he repeats, more firmly this time.
    “Thank you,” I say, feeling incredibly awkward.  I’ve never been one to take compliments well from men, considering I haven’t often been the recipient of them.
    “What time are the interviews tomorrow?”
    “I have the first girl coming in at eleven,” I tell him.  I’m hoping to have all three interviews done and dusted (and three new employees!) by noon when the pub opens.
    “Right then.  I’ll pick you up at eight.”
    “Eight?”
    “Yeah, a.m.  For our date.”
    “You’ll pick me up at eight a.m. for our date?” I ask, shocked.
    “That’s right.”
    “Eight a.m.  As in, in the morning?  As in, ten hours from now?”
    He grins broadly, my porch light