to think about the Royce Brisbanes of the world. She was fine with forgetting all about her own lousy relationships. “Okay.”
Wyatt tilted his head. “You’re not like most women.”
“That doesn’t sound like a compliment, Wyatt.”
“Believe me, it is. Most women want to nose around and fix what’s broken, but I’m not into that right now.”
He was broken? Now that was a revelation, because from where she stood all of his parts seemed to be in excellent working order. “Wyatt,” she said softly. She didn’t want him to leave. Gosh, how she didn’t want to say good-night to him.
“I’d better get to my room.”
She didn’t miss the reluctance in his voice. “Okay. Thanks for being my miracle cowboy today.”
He blinked, seemingly surprised at her comment.
She smiled and lifted up on tiptoes to brush a soft kiss to his cheek.
He kissed her back, a gentle peck on the mouth. “Welcome.”
She loved the taste of him, the way he smelled, the sturdy breadth of him.
He gazed at her mouth, his eyes holding a lingering dark gleam as if he wanted more. As if he wanted to devour her. The bone-melting effect reached all the way down to the tips of her toes. If he touched her again, she would be lost.
And then he did just that. He splayed his hands on her waist and drew her closer. “I need one more kiss, Brooke.”
His rich baritone voice did crazy things to her, especially when he was asking to kiss her again. Oh, man. “Anything you need.” Her voice was a breathless whisper.
And then their mouths came together in an amazing onslaught of potency and possession. Heat immediately rose up and flared like a lit match. It was as if everything fell into place again. His hands wound tighter around her waist. Her arms wrapped around his neck. Their lips smacked, and moans and sweet sighs of pleasure surrounded them.
“Take it inside, you two,” a passerby said, chuckling as he headed down the hallway, obviously having had one too many.
“Good idea,” Wyatt stated softly over her lips.
“Yes, Wyatt. Yes.”
With one hand, he pushed the heavy door open and then lifted her luggage and plunked it down just inside the room. Then the door closed behind him and they were alone in the dark hotel room.
“Just tell me you want this,” he said, bracing her against the wall.
“I want this.”
“God, Brooke. You’re the one who’s the miracle.”
It was the sweetest, most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to her. She squeezed her eyes closed briefly and drank it all in. She drank him all in, too. His kisses set her body on fire, and now that they were out of the public eye, they were free to unleash their passion full force.
“I need to touch you,” he whispered.
“Touch me.”
His palms traveled over the slopes and curves of her body. His hands were large and rough, but he was gentle in his approach, making her want him all the more. He lifted her leg up under the knee, and she gasped as he slid his hand under the tight confines of her dress, stroking her thigh back and forth, over and over. “You’re soft,” he murmured between kisses. His body pressed to hers was a wall of granite, so big and hard, and she was overwhelmed with sensation after sensation. Between her thighs, pulsing heat gathered and her breaths came in short, rapid bursts.
He lowered her leg to the floor and flipped her around to face the wall, her back to his front. He probed her backside, skimming his hands over black lace. Through the material of her dress, the heat of his palms scorched her skin and she sighed, surrendering her body to him.
Finally, he inched the zipper of her dress down. She felt the cooling fresh air on her skin as he pushed her dress away. Planting kisses on her shoulders, he undid her bra and then reached around to cup her breasts. He filled his hands, massaging and caressing her until she could barely stand the pleasure, tiny moans escaping her lips.
He skimmed his hands down her torso and back up again, navigating her body as if he were exploring points on a map. “You’re soft everywhere.”
She loved the quiet words he spoke over her shoulder and the way he held her so preciously. She breathed in the aroused scent of him as he reclaimed her aching breasts, his body pressed to hers, fully aroused, his scent intoxicating.
“We need to move this onto the bed,” he said. “Unless you like—”
“No, the bed is fine,” she managed.
He helped her remove the remainder of her clothes and then lifted her into his strong arms. He carried her to the turned-down bed and laid her there carefully.
Without saying a word, he kicked off his shoes and undressed for her, undoing his string tie, removing his jacket, shirt, belt and pants.
From what she could see from the sliver of moonlight streaming into the window, Wyatt met and exceeded her expectations. God, he was glorious above the waist, with brick shoulders and hard abs. And below, well, she took a huge gulp. He was definitely all man.
“Don’t ask me why,” he said, quite earnestly, “but I have protection.”
“That’s a relief,” she said softly. “I don’t.”
She hadn’t exactly planned on hitting the jackpot tonight, but she thought it odd that he would be apologizing for carrying protection. He’d said he was new to bachelorhood. She assumed he was divorced, yet she needed to ask. “Wyatt, just tell me one thing. You’re not married, are you?”
He stared into her eyes for a beat of a second and then shook his head. “No, I can promise you that.”
Relief took on a new meaning with that promise. “Then, as much as I like looking at you, I’d like to touch, too.”
He sighed, perhaps equally relieved. “Absolutely, darlin’.”
* * *
The first time Wyatt made love to her, it was an exploration of newness. They were careful with each other as she learned what he liked, while he provided what she wanted. There was heat and pleasure and a development of trust. She did trust Wyatt. She knew he wouldn’t abuse her in any way; he was far too much of a gentleman for that. But now, after a short respite, Wyatt was pulling her atop him, kissing her senseless again, and this time both of their guards were down.
“I want you again.” The urgent plea tore from his throat.
“I’m here,” she whispered, climbing up his body and giving him access to her breasts.
“I’m glad you are,” he said, tickling her nipple with the tip of his tongue. Both peaks pebbled up immediately, and wild stirrings began at the apex of her thighs.
Wyatt was the best lover she’d ever had. He could take her from zero to ninety with just a heated look or a bold caress. And he was doing just that with exquisite strokes of his tongue on her breast, the full circle of his mouth drawing her out, making every nerve ending ping and jump.
When he was through making her squirm in delight, he moved down her body, his hand gliding past her waist and his fingers tucking into her sensitive folds. He knew exactly how to caress her. He knew where she needed to be stroked and oh, he was merciless. She cried out, the pleasure so exquisite it was almost painful. Electric sensations rocked her back and forth until she could barely take it another second.
“Kiss me,” he ordered, and she obeyed.
And just as their tongues met, her body splintered apart, the amazing orgasm rocketing through her body with enough force to jerk her off the bed. She came down panting, the effects of her release almost mystifying her until