Page 31 of Riding Into Love
“Colby,” I whisper.
“Shh.”
He lowers his head and brushes his lips against mine, softly, gently, as if he’s afraid of spooking me. When I don’t protest, he slides a hand into my hair and cups the back of my neck.
It’s a chaste kiss, all things considered. There’s no tongue or groping, and it lasts less than five seconds, but it’s still the most passionate kiss I’ve ever had. It’s sweet and soft, and when Colby pulls away, he takes my breath with him.
“Good night, darlin’.”
Before I can respond, he’s gone, disappearing out the door and down the hall. I stare after him, stunned.
Did that really just happen?
The ghost of his lips is still on mine, and his scent lingers in the room. It wasn’t a dream. He was here, and he kissed me like I’m the most precious thing in the world.
I bring my fingers to my lips, tracing them. My body is buzzing, and there’s no way in hell I’m going to get a wink of sleep now.
With a frustrated sigh, I shimmy out of my jeans and tear my t-shirt over my head, and then I pad into the bathroom and turn on the shower. As the water warms up, I stare at myself in the mirror, taking stock of the woman who looks back at me.
My cheeks are flushed, and my lips are swollen, red and plump. There’s a light in my eyes that I haven’t seen in a long time. I look...excited. And happy. And I don’t want to think too hard about what that means, because if I do, it’ll probably scare the shit out of me.
The steam is billowing around me, clouding the mirror, but now, I have other ideas. Ones that involve a certain hot-as-hell rancher and his big, calloused hands.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I turn the water back off and walk right through the bedroom and into the hallway in nothing but my bra and panties. Colby’s bedroom door is ten steps away. Nine. Eight. Seven.
When I’m six steps away, the door opens, and Colby steps out. He freezes when he sees me standing there, and his pupils dilate.
“River.” My name comes out strangled, and his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows.
“Colby.”
He blinks a few times, like he can’t believe what he’s seeing.
“What are you doing out here? Are you all right?”
But I don’t answer. Instead, I saunter toward him, drawing out each step, letting my hips sway. He doesn’t say a word, and he doesn’t move, not until I’m right in front of him.
I rise on my toes and put my hand on the back of his neck, pulling his mouth to mine. This kiss is nothing like the one he gave me.
This is all-consuming and desperate, and it makes the butterflies in my stomach go wild. Colby slides his hands around my waist, and he hauls me up against him, crushing our bodies together.
The need burning through me is unlike anything I’ve ever felt, and all I know is, I want this man, and I’m going to have him. Tonight.
Our tongues slide together, and his taste fills my mouth. It’s sweet, like whiskey and something distinctly Colby.
I press my breasts against his chest, and his hardness rubs against my belly. My nipples tighten, and desire pools in my panties. When Colby’s hand slides into my hair, a thrill runs down my spine. The way he kisses me is so sensual, and it makes my heart stutter.
No man has ever made me feel this way, not even close. I’ve kissed plenty of guys before, but not one of them can compare to the feeling of Colby’s lips on mine.
He’s backing up, pulling me with him, and it’s only when the door shuts behind us that I realize we’re in his room. We stumble across the floor and fall onto the bed, our lips never breaking contact.
I’m on top of him, straddling his waist, and his erection presses against my center. The pressure is delicious, and I grind my hips, trying to get more. Colby moans and grips my hips, guiding me back and forth.
His fingers drift over the swell of my breasts, and my nipples ache. I pull my mouth away, gasping, and he moves lower, trailing kisses along my collarbone and down my chest as I work at the buttons on his shirt.
My hands tremble as I fumble with the last button and push the material off his shoulders, tossing it onto the floor. His muscles flex and ripple, and I can’t tear my eyes away. He’s gorgeous, and I can’t believe this is happening.
His lips return to mine, and he unhooks the clasp of my bra, freeing my breasts. When his mouth closes around a nipple, my eyes nearly roll back in my head. He sucks and licks, and I’m pretty sure my heart stops beating.
