Taming Clint Westmoreland - Brenda Jackson [29]
“This is crazy. You know that, don’t you?” As he asked her that question, he leaned forward and circled her waist with his arm. The heat of his words warmed her lips.
“Yes. Real crazy,” she heard herself mumbling in response.
“I’m going to be real pissed about it later,” he said, catching her bottom lip between his teeth for a gentle nip. “But right now, at this minute, I have to taste you again.”
And then as if to prove his point, when she tilted her head up to him he reached out and gently took hold of a section of her hair and tenderly pulled her mouth closer to his, locking it in place. He was determined to take the kiss deeper. Make it even more intimate.
She didn’t think that was possible until she felt the tip of his tongue coaxing hers to participate. Hers gave in and together they explored every sensitive area of her mouth. Her senses went on full alert and she became a turbulent mass of longing. In all her twenty-seven years, it had taken a trip to Austin to discover what it meant to be kissed senseless.
The kiss seemed to go on nonstop and Alyssa felt herself being passionately consumed with a need that was making her feel weak. It just didn’t seem possible that within days of seeing Clint again after five years, she could be this attracted to him.
He pulled back and ended the kiss, but not before gently nipping at her bottom lip as if she was a tasty morsel he just had to have. And then he took his fingertip and traced it across her wet and swollen lips. “You did want my kiss, didn’t you?”
She didn’t answer immediately, and then she decided to be totally honest with him. “Yes, I wanted it. But—”
He quickly swooped down and captured her mouth with his again, and she hungrily opened her mouth beneath his. Yes, she had wanted it and he was making sure she was getting it.
This time when he pulled back he placed a finger against her lips to make sure she didn’t utter a single word.
“No buts, Alyssa. I know my limitations. I’m aware of the terms that I agreed to. The only person who can renege on them is you,” he said.
Arousal was shining in his eyes and she could feel his erection pressed hard against her stomach. “And if you ever decide to do so,” he added in a husky tone, “you’re fully aware of where my bedroom is located. You are more than welcome to join me there at any time.”
“Are you sure Alyssa will be joining you for dinner?”
Clint first glanced at the clock on the stove before meeting Chester’s gaze. “That’s what she said, but who knows, she might have changed her mind.”
Chester stood leaning against the counter and held a spatula in his hand. He narrowed his eyes at Clint as he placed his arms across his chest. “What did you do to her?”
Clint rolled his eyes. “I didn’t do anything to her. I merely told her that—”
“Sorry I’m late,” Alyssa said as she rushed into the kitchen.
Both men’s gazes shifted to Alyssa. Clint’s gaze went from her to Chester’s accusing glare. If you didn’t do anything to her then why are her lips all swollen? the old man’s expression seemed to say.
Instead of cowering under Chester’s glare, Clint stood and returned his gaze to Alyssa. “No harm done. Besides, you are worth the wait,” Clint said.
And he meant it. She was wearing one of Casey’s outfits that he’d placed on the bed for her. Funny thing was, he never remembered Casey looking that good in the sundress.
“Thank you,” Alyssa said.
She crossed the room to take her place at the dining room table—space usually reserved for the lady of the house. Clint wondered if she knew that. He sat down as she began easily conversing with Chester, asking how his day had been at the hospital. While setting everything on the table, Chester told her of how one of the kids had been afraid of him and how he had finally won the child over by doing magic tricks.
“Will the two of you need anything else before I go?”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to the bunkhouse to feed the ranch hands,” the older man