Chapter 72

"We're an option now, and we've been alone countless times. If I had known"

"You would have what? Pitied me much sooner? Fought the attraction harder?"

"Done everything in my power to prove you wrong." Elbows on the table, he leaned forward, fire darkening his already black eyes. "You responded to me. You're not damaged goods or defective. Obviously, your previous partners didn't have a lick of patience. Just because you take longer to get there doesn't mean you can't, anim."

Mary Mother, her girly bits wept. She clenched her thighs, desperately wanting to try, but history proved an orgasm was too much to hope for. Granted, none of her lovers had turned her on near as much as him, but hot and bothered didn't equate to oh yes, please while going at it.

"Here you go. A cobb salad and burger with fries." Plates were set in front of them. "Can I get you anything else?"

Since Nakos's heated glare was on Amy and he didn't appear interested in responding to the waitress, she smiled at the woman. "No, thank you. It looks wonderful."

"Enjoy."

She watched the server until the woman disappeared behind the counter, then Amy leveled her gaze back on Nakos.

His expression went from interested to carnal in one flutter of his impossibly thick lashes. "Those guys you were with? They missed out. There's nothing more rewarding than knowing a woman is satisfied when you're together. It heightens the experience. Challenge accepted." His gaze searched hers. "What?" he added when she lifted her brows in shock. "Were you expecting me to cut and run? I told you before. I'm not them."

Because she had no clue what to say, they ate in silence, then squared the bill and got in his truck. Halfway home, she couldn't stand the quiet anymore. Need battled with curiosity and coiled in her stomach, knotted her muscles.

God, she was just stupid enough to believe him. That all she required was patience and the right man to get there. Darn hope, anyway. It had never landed her anywhere pleasant.

She watched the picket fences and landscape rush past the window, recalling the original reason for their trip. The fact Olivia sent Nakos to check out potential livestock proved her trust in him where the ranch was concerned. Amy had never doubted that. Besides being friends all these years, Nakos worked hard and knew what he was doing. The men equally respected and feared him. Plus, he cared a great deal, not only about the animals and workers, but the land as well. He took pride in all aspects of his job and gave one-hundred percent.

"Have you ever thought about opening your own ranch?" She tore her gaze from the hypnotic blur of green and looked at him. "You're so good at what you do."

"Never crossed my mind."

"Really?"

He shook his head, gaze on the highway. "Not once. To open my own place would require collateral I don't have, and in this economy, I'd most likely tank in under two years. That's not even accounting for finding workers and competing with farms already present. Besides, Cattenach is home. I grew up there. Everything I know and love is right where I am." He darted her a quick glance. "Why?"

She shrugged. "Just wondering."

He didn't seem satisfied with her response, but he let it go and concentrated on driving while she watched him out of the corner of her eye.

So handsome. He had this quiet, lying-in-wait presence about him that was both appealing and mysterious. Olive skin and lean muscle and perfect bone structure. Such symmetry and strength. His thighs filled denim like the second coming and the way his biceps bulged as he gripped the wheel made her long to be trapped by them again. Like how he'd pinned her to the wall the other night.

The level of desire she felt for him was stronger than it had been with anyone else. He'd claimed all she needed was someone tolerant. As he pulled into the driveway and cut the engine, she couldn't help but think there wasn't a man created more patient than Nakos.

He grinned at her instead of opening the door, grinding her heart rate to a stuttering halt. "Do you kiss on the first date?"

Considering she'd never officially been on one, she didn't know. For him? "Yes."

A groan, and he reached for the handle. He came around and had her door open before she'd extracted herself from the seatbelt. More chivalry. He took her hand and walked to the porch, the calluses on his palms a delicious abrasion against her skin. He didn't try to kiss her, just simply unlocked the door and gestured her inside. Disappointed, she kicked off her flip-flops and made her way to the stairs.

"Not so fast." He spun her around, backed her up, and the next thing she knew, she was flat on the couch with a warm, hard male on top of her. "Much better."

"Uh, hi," she breathed. "Sort of forward for a first date, don't you think?" Not that she was complaining. Their legs were tangled and their hips in alignment, causing every inch of him to be in direct contact with her. His weight was a welcome distraction from her tripping pulse and nerves, and he smelled...so...dang...amazing. Earth mixed with denim.

"I changed my mind. I'm considering Olivia and Nate's wedding our first date. We walked down the aisle together and were the only people in the bridal party." He raised up on one forearm and took his Stetson off, tossing it aside. His gaze roamed her face, stopping at her mouth, and his tone lowered to come-hither. "We've kissed since then, making this our second date."

Okay, she couldn't think, not with ridges of hot muscle pinning her prone and his handsome face right in hers. She could count every one of his short, black whiskers darkening his jaw. Her breasts ached and the apex of her thighs was throbbing to the beat of his heart against her chest. Gone was the stiff, irked man from dinner and in his place was nothing but sheer seduction.

"I adore that look, Ames. The one you get seconds before I kiss you."

"What look?"

"You have it right now." A smile curved his full mouth. "Your pupils blow and swallow all that pretty color, then your lids get heavy." He brushed his thumb across her lower lip, gaze trained on the movement. "You part your lips as if you need more air or you're expecting me and preparing." His eyes shifted back to hers and the heat dialed to scorching. "Utter turn-on."

He dipped his head, and whatever retort she'd had flew out the window. He had the most amazing mouth. Firm yet full lips that coaxed rather than devoured. A slow build of anticipation until need pounded at the door and desire rattled the hinges. He parted her lips with his and his tongue met hers. Shallow strokes and dips. Taunting. Building.

"Put your arms around me. Let me know you're with me, Ames."

And...there. Cold infused her core and doused the flames. Five minutes, and she'd already disappointed him. God. They were still dressed and she wasn't making par. Her sinuses prickled, and she closed her eyes to stave off tears.

He lifted his head. "What happened? Where'd you go?"

Reality, that's where. Hope was a cruel bitch.

"Look at me." He brushed his nose against hers and his fingers wove through the strands at her temple. "Open your eyes."

She complied, helpless to do otherwise, and met his tender gaze. "I told you I was bad at this."

His switch flipped and fury infused his dark depths. A quick adjustment, and he parted her thighs, settling between them. He rocked his hips, ground his erection against her, and she gasped as a tingle shot through her.

"Yeah, anim. That's me, liking what we're doing. Very much." He swallowed and his expression eased. "And we're not having sex right now. We're making out. It's too soon for that. I'm not taking you to bed until I know you're ready. I'm just asking for you to be a willing participant."

Her throat closed. She didn't know what the hell would please him, had no clue how to satisfy a man. "What do you want me to do?"

"Whatever you want. Forget what's in your head and feel. Go with your gut. I assure you, I'll enjoy anything you try."

He stared at her, paused for her response, not moving or taking control. She had the impression he'd stay like this all night, waiting her out. And since there was a sense of safety with him, she let her gaze roam over his face, attempting to listen to what her body was saying.

With a trembling hand, she cupped his jaw because she loved the scratch of his five o'clock shadow. It seemed like a good start. His nostrils flared, and he moaned. Emboldened by his reaction, she stared into his eyes. The tenderness and encouragement gazing back at her told her to keep going.

Struggling to listen more intently, she glanced at his hair. She'd always loved the thick, raven strands, even more so now that he'd grown it out a bit. But he kept it in a ponytail at his nape. Rarely had she seen it down and she'd fantasized about running her fingers through it. Using her other hand, she gently pulled out the band and the shoulder-length strands fell around his face.

He kept his gaze on her, but she focused on what she was doing before she lost the nerve. Wrapping her hand around his neck, she slowly slid her fingers into the silky softness of his hair behind his head. His respirations increased, and pride filled her chest to battle with the pleasure already taking up space. She could spend an eternity just like this, and before she realized what she was doing, she shoved both hands into his hair and clutched the strands.

Again, he rocked against her and her breasts rumbled from another of his moans. He lowered his head and spoke against her mouth. "If you think I was turned-on before, I'm out of my mind now that you're touching me." He dragged his lips across her cheek and nuzzled her ear. "Day and night, I want you."

A full-body tremble coursed through her and ignited every nerve along the way. The ache. God, the ache. Between her thighs. In her nipples while their chests bumped. Under her skin, where unimaginable heat burned her flesh. Everywhere. She whimpered, needing something. What, she didn't know. It had never been like this before, and she had no idea how to gain relief from the sweet agony. On instinct, she jerked her hips, causing his thick erection to briefly alleviate her throbbing. It wasn't enough.

He barked a sharp cry of surprise behind her ear. "Hihcebe, anim. You learn fast." He traced a path to her neck with his tongue and buried his face there. "Why do you always smell so good?" Moving across her throat to the other side, he nipped her lobe and grazed his teeth along her thumping pulse.

Then, his mouth crashed to hers, and the beast came out of his cage.