Cowboy Casanova - Lorelei James [143]
She needed to find a way out of this, and soon, before lust hogtied her logic and she did something she’d really regret. That soothing blankness, of knowing she’d turned over all control to someone else, someone she trusted, beckoned her.
But she didn’t trust him anymore.
Hope pulled on every bit of anger toward Gabe that she could still muster at the moment. “Boo-fucking-hoo. Not my problem anymore.”
Though part of her wanted it to be. She’d come to terms with her role in the downfall of their budding relationship, learned from her mistakes, but that didn’t mean it would be wise to let him in again.
“Again with the language. Maybe you need something else to occupy your dirty mouth.”
He kissed her, their lips meeting as if it had been two minutes, not two years since their last kiss. His mouth, warm and wet, tasted of peppermint and that flavor uniquely Gabe’s. She’d been addicted to it once upon a time. They say just one taste can pull an addict back from abstinence and Hope couldn’t risk it. She tore her mouth away and struggled until he set her down and took a step back.
“That was bad, very bad. You had no right.” Pacing to clear her head and put some space between them, she walked the length of the mirror and back, feeling Gabe’s eyes on her the whole time.
He interrupted her whirring thoughts. “So Jax—you met him a few times, here actually—has invited me to go to Maison Domine this weekend. First month back in Cali, and he’s got me socializing once again.”
She froze and stared at him, thrown by the change of topic. But she shed her confusion when his words registered. “The Maison Domine? And yes, I remember Jaxon. And his Lara.”
He’d resumed his seat in the chair, looking casual and relaxed. But she recognized the tension in his eyes, the pupils dilated from lust.
“Yes, cara, that one.” Heat rippled through her at the nickname. “And I seem to be in a bit of a pickle.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. And I think you can help me. I’ll be helping you in return.”
Wary, she nodded for him to continue. He patted the back of the chair. “Come stand here and we can talk.”
Step by anxious step, she drew closer, feeling like Little Red Riding Hood. My, what a big cock you have.
“Tell me about this trade you have in mind.” She reached him and he wrapped his arms around her thighs, keeping her in close to him. With her heels, she managed to have a couple inches on his sitting form. Not much, and without them, he’d be within perfect kissing height.
“You’ve lost weight.” His voice sounded accusing. “I hope you’re taking care of yourself.”
She shrugged, knowing he wouldn’t be content with her explanation. Knowing him, he’d take her to the nearest smoothie place and make her drink a protein shake. His controlling, caring ways had driven her nuts even as they made her feel cherished.
Part of her knew this little interlude could tear through her hard-won centeredness, but that voice of responsibility was shouted down by her hormones. Though her relationship with Gabe had been a failure, the sex had always been spectacular.
She ran a hand through the stubble on his scalp. “Why’d you cut your hair? And where have you been the past two years?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
She nailed him with a glare and refused to answer.
He rolled his eyes. “It kept falling into my face while I was working.”
He ignored her second question. Alrighty then. His hands traveled up and down her thighs, sensitizing her flesh. Her fingers, with a mind of their own, continued their tactile exploration of his scalp.
Having his strong hands touch her again calmed her soul. Oh fuck.
Cowboy Casanova
Lorelei James
His rough touch makes her lose control...
Rough Riders, Book 12
In Sundance, Wyoming, you can’t throw a boot without hitting a McKay cowboy, so Ben McKay