He tried to fight the impulse, but he couldnt resist brushing a tender kiss across her soft lips.
The tenderness didnt last. Passion leaped to life inside him, shattering his control. He deepened the kiss, parting her lips, releasing her hand to snake his arm around the small of her back. He reveled in the satisfying feeling of her curves pressed against his taut body. Hed missed her so much, he could barely stand it.
And he wanted more.
He wanted her naked.
He wanted to make love to her so badly that he was nearly shaking with need.
And he wanted more.
He wanted her naked.
He wanted to make love to her so badly that he was nearly shaking with need.
But that wasnt fair. He forced himself to pull back. He let her go, refusing to take advantage of the situation and risk hurting her.
The west hall, he managed to say.
She blinked at him in obvious confusion, her pupils dilated, lips parted, dark and moist. Huh?
He mustered his strength and focused. We should go look at the west hall. See if its big enough for the restaurant. I like the high ceilings, and the archways. If its too small, we could include the mezzanine level. It wraps around the main hall, one story above. Zach knew he was babbling, but it was either that or haul her back into his arms and make love to her on the stone floor, or maybe up against the curved wall, or on one of its long trunks.
Damn it. He had to stop letting his mind wander like that.
The west hall? he repeated with a steely will. We can go down there and take a look. He waited for her response, inordinately proud of his self-control.
She tipped her head to one side, her soft brows going up. Or, she proposed in a perfectly reasonable tone, we can stay up here and have sex.
His jaw dropped.
She eased in closer, coming up against him, a sultry smile growing on her face. Come on, Zach. We both know thats why Im staying.
Theres more to it than that. There was much more to it than that. Abigail wasnt just about sex to him.
She leaned a cheek against the front of his shirt. I suppose theres the restaurant. Thatll be fun, too.
Abby, he protested. Im not asking you to-
Im just sayin. She walked her fingertips up his chest. We can have a quickie now and then concentrate on the restaurant for the rest of the afternoon. Or we can pretend to work, while doing nothing but lusting after each other for the next few hours.
Zach was honestly speechless. The woman was one in a million. No, one in a billion. How many people out there were so forthright and pragmatic? Hed swear she didnt have a manipulative bone in her body.
He put his arms around her and tugged her flush against him. My room?
Whats wrong with here?
Nothing.
Good. Itll be more efficient.
Efficient? Thats your priority?
A girl gets more done that way.
Chuckling, he popped the snap on her jeans, released the zipper and whisked the denim and her panties down her legs. Then he lifted her and set her on top of a waist-high trunk in one smooth motion.
Happy to help this girl get things done, he drawled.
She kicked off her boots and got out of her jeans, while he shucked his own pants.
As soon as he was done, she put her hands on his hips and pulled him between her legs. She met his lips in an openmouthed, carnal kiss that went on and on.
Then she wriggled forward, and their bodies met in intimacy.
Condom, she prompted.
Wait a minute, dont you want-
What?
Didnt she want foreplay, soft words, hugs and sexy whispers?
In answer, she braced herself on her elbows, and her legs slipped up to his waist, solidifying the angle between them.
Okay. Apparently not.
You always this slow on the uptake, Lucky?
He tore open the condom. You always this impatient?
Never.
So, its just me?
Its just you.
Should I be flattered?
Absolutely. Im usually a very deliberate, methodical person.
Taking her at her word, he pressed fully inside.
Her eyes fluttered closed. Her head tipped back, revealing her slender neck. She moaned.
Good, he agreed, his own voice guttural, mouth going to her neck to taste the delicate skin.
So good. She arched toward him.
Zach wasted no time. He cupped her bottom with his other hand, pulled her against him, moving immediately into a solid rhythm. Then he stripped off her T-shirt, popped the clasp of her bra and tore off his own shirt, scattering the buttons in his impatience. He needed to feel her hot skin against his, all the length of their bodies.
He inhaled her scent, tasted her sweet lips, cupped her breasts, bringing first one nipple then the other to a beaded point. Her nails dug into his back, her thighs tightened around him. Arousal was like a freight train inside his brain, moving at full speed. There was no stopping it, and there was definitely no turning back.
Abby obviously felt it, too.
He sped up, and she met him thrust for thrust. Her head sank back, and he kissed her neck again, her shoulders, her breasts. His subconscious took over, body arching and withdrawing in a primal rhythm. Her gasps grew higher and shriller, until the contractions of her body sent him completely over the edge.
He locked his knees, stabilizing them both, until the waves of pleasure dissipated. When the strength came back into his muscles, he lifted her, turning her onto his lap, perching himself on the trunk to give his legs a reprieve.
That wasnt exactly fast, she gasped.
Complaining?
No. But its a fact, once we get going, we dont seem to want to stop.
He touched his forehead to hers. I dont ever want to stop.
Her grin was blurry so close to his eyes.
Maybe long enough to plan a restaurant, she said.
Maybe long enough for a shower and dinner. Forget the restaurant. They could plan it any old time. Right now, he wanted her in his bed as soon as humanly possible.
Dont be a slacker, Zach.
A laugh rumbled through him, bringing him partway back to reality. Nobodys ever accused me of that before.
Its barely four oclock. Weve got half the day left.
How late do you usually work?
Eight, sometimes nine. It depends.
You need to join a union or something.
Im one of the ranch owners.
Well, the other ranch owners are taking advantage of you.
Theyre working just as hard.
Most of them left, Abigail.
You mad at me?
He drew back in surprise. No.
You havent called me Abigail in a while.
He gazed into her eyes. Im not mad at you, Doll-Face. I- He stopped himself. What the hell had almost popped out of his mouth? Like you a lot, he finished.
It was true. He liked her. A whole lot. She was so fresh and fun and unpredictable.
I like you, too, Lucky. But we have a restaurant to plan.
Youll sleep with me tonight? he confirmed.
She molded more closely against him. Ill sleep with you tonight.
His body shuddered in intense relief. He might have missed sleeping with her even more than making love with her. Tonight, shed lay naked in his arms for hours and hours. Her warm, supple body would wrap around his. Hed sleep deeply, and wake up to her scent, her touch and her voice, knowing she was safe, knowing she was cared for, knowing nothing could harm her as long as he was there.
Abigail knew she was being utterly self-indulgent. Shed been at Craig Mountain for three days now, sleeping with Zach at night, and undertaking what felt like a dream job of planning his restaurant during the day. He was busy with DFB work, either out in the brewery, with the construction contractor, on the phone with Houston or, today, working with Alex who had arrived in person last night.
Shed quickly figured out that Zach was content to leave the restaurant planning entirely in her hands. She dived into the research, contacting other theme restaurants across the country, even recruiting a manager, whod suggested a head chef. From the west hall today, she was calling graphic design firms and interior decorators, looking for some expertise in putting together themes and branding.
There you are came Seths unexpected voice.
She jolted back in surprise, seeing her brother strolling into the cavernous hall.
What on earth are you doing here? she called out.
I could ask you the same question. His footfalls echoed on the stone floor of the mostly empty room.
She came to her feet, pushing back the big chair. Shed set herself up with a laptop, printer and telephone on what was likely once the masters dining table. It was ornately carved mahogany, with pedestal legs and at least two dozen matching chairs. Right now, it was covered with everything from architectural drawings to fabric swatches and knickknacks from the tower rooms.
Im getting better, she answered as Seth made it to her, pulling her into a hug.
Glad to hear it. He let her go, glancing meaningfully at the cluttered table. You convalescing or running a business?
She waved a dismissive hand over the work supplies, swallowing her guilt over focusing on Zachs project instead of her family. Im just offering my opinion on a few things.
Hmm. Seth looked skeptical.
Whats up with you? she said, changing the topic. How are things in the mayors office? And what was he doing at Craig Mountain?
Same old, same old, Seth answered, strolling around the table, glancing more closely at her work. Travis said hed talked to you yesterday.
Ill probably head home tomorrow, Abigail found herself saying. Or maybe the next day.
Seth took in the bandage on her arm. Hows the wound doing?
Getting better and better. She moved back to her chair, motioning for Seth to sit in another of the velvet-upholstered dining armchairs.
He took his seat slowly, bracing his hands on the carved, mahogany arms. So, little sister, whats with this Zach guy?
She tried to gauge his expression, but he was too good at keeping a poker face. What do you mean?
You want me to be blunt?
Please, be blunt. She braced herself.
Who is he to you? Why are you here instead of at home?
Abigail gave a studied shrug. He found me at the side of the highway.
Travis told me.
My arm was too sore to drive a stick shift.
That was three days ago.
Zachs going to drive me back to the ranch soon. Truth was, it was Abigail herself who was putting off going home. She loved it here. Zach was fun and exhilarating and amazing in bed. She found the restaurant project fulfilling, and she was trying to drag it out just as long as she could.