Spurs and Heels by Heather Rainier Read Free Book Online Page A

the disgruntled snort that punctuated his statement. “Cowboy, you sure do have a way with words.”
    “I call ’em like I see ’em, darlin’.” He stroked her hair, drawing his fingers through it and smoothing it back from her forehead and temple.
    “That feels so good.” Her heart ratcheted up a notch when she felt his full lips and the tickle of his moustache on the nape of her neck as he stroked her hair from her neckline. She tried not to fidget as an aching rush of desire flooded her core, wishing his fingers were stroking her pussy like that right now. She felt awash in need for him.
    “Your hair feels like silk under my fingers. You’re beautiful, and I hope you never doubt it again.”

    48

    “Ash, you keep this up and I’ll be putty in your hands. Hell, I already am,” she whispered shakily, choosing to be honest about how he affected her.
    He brushed his lips against her jawbone. “I won’t take advantage of an injured woman, and you need your rest. If it helps, I’ll keep doing this, but if it’s keeping you awake—”
    “Oh, don’t stop. I love it.”
    “My hands aren’t too rough?”
    “They feel just right. And, Ash, thanks. You’re good for a girl’s ego.”
    “I aim to please. You rest and I’ll be here when you wake up.”
    “What about the ranch? I know you have a lot of responsibility.”
    “Joaquin and Angel are going to cover for me in the morning like they did this evening. Sometimes you have to take a little time for the important things, and you’ve become important to me.”
    “You’re extremely forgiving,” she said humbly.
    “I’m a good judge of character.”

    49

Chapter Five
    No, Ash couldn’t make love to her like his cock was screaming for him to. He couldn’t touch her tonight the way his fingers itched to.
    He couldn’t put his mouth on all the places he’d fantasized about kissing. His body ached with the need to be inside her. His cock hadn’t stopped throbbing since he’d climbed into her bed. His balls were in insistent agony at her close proximity. Her scent and her body heat permeated the sheets and comforter around her, warming him as well.
    But he could lay here with her and it was enough—just to be close to her. This was not how their first night together should’ve been, but he was proving to himself and maybe to her that he was a man of worth, like his father and his brothers, that he would be there for her and take care of her.
    In the dark of the night, he could be honest with himself and accept that he was falling in love with her. Her auburn-red hair had drawn his eyes the moment she’d walked into the room at the ranch Christmas party. When he’d realized they were friends, he’d quietly asked Grace if she’d mind introducing him to her.
    He smiled, remembering the twinkle in Grace’s knowing eyes when she’d invited him over to make the introduction. Juliana had turned her clear, sky-blue eyes his way, appearing completely undeterred by his height and size. He’d lost his heart to her right then.
    She’d smiled at him and drawn him into a conversation, asking him about himself and then actually listening when he answered her questions.
    50

    She’d stepped outside when the room had gotten crowded, and he’d taken advantage of the opportunity. In the course of their conversation, she’d mentioned her now former boyfriend and his inexcusable absence on Christmas Day. It was then that he’d stuck his foot in his mouth the first time. He was just as responsible for setting Juliana off as she was for losing her temper.
    Resting his head in his right hand, Ash continued to stroke her hair and her cheek, even though he could tell she was sound asleep.
    He was greedy, and if this was all he could do tonight, he would get his fill of touching her, even if it was in this innocent way.
    He’d also been stroking her upper arm, and as his fingers drifted, she shivered lightly and murmured in her sleep, snuggling back toward