hips, and the punch of lust to his gut nearly made his knees give out.
She’d never looked this...relaxed. Seeing that massive amount of red hair dancing about in the wind, he nearly groaned, because he could practically feel it sliding along his bare body.
Which meant she couldn’t come inside. The emotional impact she kept hitting him with was targeting closer and closer to his heart.
Grant stepped out onto the porch, pulling the door shut behind him.
“I’m sorry,” she told him. “Is this a bad time?”
Her eyes raked over his bare chest and Grant clenched his fists. “No.”
Those bright blue eyes darted around, as if she was suddenly insecure about something...or was reconsidering coming here.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
With a sigh, she shook her head. “Actually, no. I can’t handle this tension between us anymore.”
Damn. She was about to get aggressive, and he wasn’t sure he could turn her down if she started showing signs of power and control. He’d witnessed this only in her schedules, never with attraction. And damn if that wasn’t a whole new level of sexy. He was already turned on as it was, and his zipper was growing exceedingly tighter.
Taking her hand, he led her off the porch.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
He kept walking, heading toward the back of the estate, away from his cottage and the closest bed. Although he was about to his breaking point, so even the grass was looking pretty inviting right about now.
“Let’s go for a walk,” he told her. “Things are about to get crazy around here, and maybe I want to just do nothing. Not work and not talk about us. Maybe I just want to walk and hold your hand.”
Tessa groaned. “It’s going to storm soon,” she told him. “And I need to talk about us. I need to know where I stand with you.”
Grant kept walking, knowing his silence was driving her insane. But honestly, he had no clue what to say to her. He wanted her, plain and simple, but he really didn’t think she was ready, and the last thing he wanted for her was regrets. He wanted so, so much more. But since he couldn’t identify those wants, how could he express them to her? Life had been much simpler when this was only sexual attraction.
Tessa’s delicate hand remained in his as they walked through the pasture. In the near distance, frogs croaked from the pond. Grant was starting to really settle in here, but he knew in his heart he couldn’t get too attached to this place...this woman.
But that didn’t stop him from wanting her, from aching for her and waking every night fantasizing about her.
“If you’ve decided I’m not worth your time, I get that,” she finally said.
Grant smiled. He’d known she wouldn’t be able to just relax and take a walk. He remained silent, because he also knew she wasn’t finished saying whatever was on her mind that had caused her to show up at his cottage.
“I mean, you’ve had enough time to think about this, and knowing how different we are and how...inexperienced I am, I can totally see why you would want to keep your distance. But what I don’t understand is why you kiss me, why you say you want me, yet do nothing about it.”
The first fat drops of rain started and he jerked her to a halt, turning her to face him.
“I do nothing about it, Tessa, because I’m filled with nothing but lust. That’s not what you need. You need gentle, and I can’t guarantee that, either. I want you on a level I’ve never known. You drive me crazy with an ache that threatens to overtake me.”
The skies cut lose as he thrust his hands into her hair and captured her lips. His tongue invaded her mouth, taking her, pleading for her to take him. She gripped his shoulders as the cool drops soaked them. But nothing could make him pull away from her. He’d come to the point where he craved her taste, needed her touch. What the hell would happen if he got her naked, lying against his body?
When she pulled back, glancing up at him with droplets dripping from her lashes, he groaned and took her mouth again. His hands traveled down to her abdomen and gripped the hem of her tank, tugging it up. He needed more...needed whatever she was willing to give. And when this was over, he’d have to be satisfied with what he got.
Tessa’s body arched into his, her hips grinding against his erection. He encircled her bare waist with his hands, allowing his pinky fingers to dip below the edge of her jeans.
Never in his life had he craved a woman as he did Tessa. And seeing as how this was new ground for him, he was terrified he’d hurt her.
A clap of thunder tore them apart as lightning lit up the darkening sky. Tessa grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the pond. She was running and laughing as the rain continued to drench them. Even with her hair and clothing plastered to her body, she was stunning as she guided him through the storm.
They circled the pond, and Grant knew exactly where they were seeking shelter: the old cabin nestled in a grove of trees. Tessa led him onto the porch as another thunder and lightning combination filled the evening.
Panting, she leaned against the post and smiled up at him. But as he moved closer, her eyes widened, her smiled faded. He was losing control, and he wondered if he’d ever had it where she was concerned.
“Tessa—”
She covered his lips with one slender fingertip. “Please. Don’t stop this again, Grant. I need you. I need this.”
He was lost. No way could he say no to her.
This beautiful, precious woman was offering something so rare and special. He wanted to be the one to show her all about passion and desire. He wanted to be everything to her...but all he could be was her lover. No more.
“I can’t deny you,” he told her, pushing strands of clingy red hair away from her face. “I don’t know why I tried. But I admit...I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“This. You. Your first time shouldn’t be in a shack in a thunderstorm.”
“This shack holds special memories for me. I used to dream here as a little girl. I would daydream about horses and Prince Charming.” Tessa reached up, sliding her body against his as she circled his neck with her arms. “My first time can be anywhere, as long as it’s with you.”
He dropped his forehead to hers and whispered, “This may as well be my first time, as nervous as I am right now.”
Tessa nipped at his lips. “Then let’s get inside and fumble through this together.”
Tessa couldn’t believe she was doing this.
The old key was hidden above the door frame just like always, and as soon as she opened the door and replaced the key, she reached back for Grant’s hand and led him inside.
