presence. He’d have to get over that, because she was most definitely not for him, not for the long haul, anyway.
But now, as he carefully opened the door hung with a giant pine wreath, he thought maybe she could be his for a little while. While they wordlessly removed their boots and set them on a mat by the front door, he thought about what he wanted to say to her. He didn’t relish giving a full explanation, but he had to tell her this wasn’t a lead-in to something more.
That was assuming she would consider sharing his bed. As they climbed the stairs to the second floor, he unbuttoned his coat. Then he grabbed her by the hand before she could start back to her room. “Molly.”
She turned toward him, her eyes bright and her skin flushed.
“You know I want you.”
“Yes.” She swallowed. “And I—”
“There’s something you need to know about me.” He took a deep breath. “Saying this might seem weird, except...you’re so into family, and I’m...not.”
Her expression grew thoughtful. “Okay.”
“I never plan to have kids. I’m not even sure if I’ll ever get married.” He wondered if she’d laugh and say the topic was premature. Or maybe she’d ask him why he felt that way.
Instead, her gaze softened. “Thank you for telling me.”
“Seemed like the right thing.” And he’d probably ruined his chances, but at least he’d be able to live with himself. “I guess that’s that, then.” But he didn’t let go of her hand, just in case he hadn’t blown it with her.
A smile touched the corners of her mouth. “Giving up?”
His heart kicked into high gear. “I thought maybe, under the circumstances, you’d rather—”
“You thought wrong.”
“Thank God.” Watching the glow of anticipation return to her eyes made his body hum.
“But first I should probably...” She gestured toward her bedroom.
“You don’t need anything. Come with me.” He wasn’t about to lose momentum now. He tugged her down the hallway. “First stop, the bathroom.”
She started laughing.
“Hey, you know where they are. I could waste precious time looking for them.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
He’d never been with a woman whose vocabulary included incorrigible. He liked it more than he would have believed. He hadn’t realized that smart women turned him on. Maybe before this episode ended, he’d make love to her while she wore the glasses she loved so much.
She located the box of condoms and lobbed them in his direction. “Don’t say I never did anything for you.”
He caught them in one hand. “I’d never say that, not in a million years.” Taking her by the hand again, he led her into the bedroom and nudged the door closed with one foot.
Reluctant to break the magical connection between them, he tossed the box of condoms on the nearest nightstand. Coordination came in handy sometimes. Then he sent his hat sailing toward the bedpost and was gratified when he scored a ringer.
“Impressive.”
“That’s nothing.” Pulling her into his arms, he plucked off her knit cap. Her hair was another glorious thing about her, and he combed his fingers through it, marveling at the many shades of color caught in the lamplight. “Cowboys are known for their agility. I can have you naked in ten seconds flat.”
Her green eyes flashed. “Only if I cooperate.”
“Please cooperate.” He unwound the red scarf and dropped it to the floor. “I’m a desperate man.”
“In that case...” She unzipped her parka and shrugged out of it. “I wouldn’t want to be responsible for causing undue stress.”
“Now I’m a grateful man.” He got a firm grip on the hem of her sweater and tugged it over her head. He’d expected a utilitarian bra underneath. Instead she wore a lacy black number that made him catch his breath.
She stepped back with a coy smile. “When a girl doesn’t have much to show off, she goes for the prettiest underwear she can find. Allow me.” She reached behind her back.
The action thrust her pert breasts forward, and his mouth went dry. Then she unfastened the clasp and slowly drew the wisp of black lace away from the sweetest breasts he’d ever seen. He reached out.
“Not yet.” She backed away another step. “You’re falling behind.”
He’d been so eager to get her out of her clothes that he’d lost track of the fact he still wore everything but his hat. He tossed the scarf aside and took off his sheepskin jacket.
“Give it here.”
“You want my jacket?”
“I’ve always wondered what sheepskin would feel like on my bare skin.” She draped his jacket over her shoulders and wrapped it around her. “Nice.” Turning her cheek, she rubbed it against the soft collar. “Smells like you.”
Transfixed by the sight of her stroking her cheek with his jacket lining, he stood motionless in the middle of the room.
“You’re still behind, cowboy.”
And so he was. He unfastened the cuffs of his Western shirt and the snaps down the front popped in rapid succession as he wrenched it open. In no time he’d dropped it to the floor. “Better?”
Her gaze moved from his face to his chest and the heat in those green eyes told him all he needed to know. This would be quite an evening. He’d closed the door, but now he wondered if he should stuff a towel under it to further soundproof the room.
At least Sarah and Pete slept downstairs at the opposite end of the house. He hoped that created enough distance to muffle what could become a noisy interlude.
“Now you’re the one who’s behind.” His voice sounded rusty. “You’re wearing my jacket.”
“I like it.”
His first impulse was to tell her she could have it, but that would be stupid for many reasons, most of them centering on the impermanence of this arrangement. “I’m glad. Now drop it.”
She allowed the jacket to slide from her shoulders onto the floor. It was one of the most seductive maneuvers he’d ever seen. Once it was gone, she shoved her hands in the back pockets of her jeans, thrust her breasts forward and lifted her chin. “Now what?”
He lost it. With a groan of pure lust, he eliminated the distance between them and cupped her breasts in both hands. Then he leaned down and kissed her hard. She kissed him right back, rising on her toes and gripping his shoulders for balance.
Her breasts felt perfect in his hands and her throaty moans told him how much she loved having him touch her there. He stroked her silken skin and his cock thickened. Beneath his palms, her nipples hardened in arousal. He pinched them lightly and she moaned again, louder this time.
Wrenching her mouth from his and struggling for breath, she gazed up at him. Her words came out in a rush. “Take me to bed, now. Please.”
He didn’t have to be asked twice. Sliding his hands under her firm bottom, he lifted her up. She was light as a sunbeam and twice as warm. When she wrapped her legs around his waist, he felt the heat coming from her core, and the crotch of her jeans was damp. Hallelujah.
Carrying her to the bed, he set her on the edge of the mattress so he could pull off her jeans and panties. She was so finely made, so delicate. As he caressed each new treasure he uncovered, he also found out just how hot and wet she was, how breathless with desire.
He dropped to his knees, eager to give