STORY EXCERPT

Gab stared into his coffee cup. Then he looked up and met her sherry-brown eyes. “I’ve missed you. I know we only saw each other that one short summer, but you’ve haunted me more times than I want to admit.”

“Hah. It must have been very infrequent. You didn’t write, drop a card, or call.”

“I admit I’ve been remiss. Can’t you give a guy another chance?

“I don’t want male friends. There are decisions I have to make with a clear head. Men tend to muddle a woman’s thoughts.”

“Only if you care for the man. You’ve given me hope.”

“Believe whatever you want. I’m through with men after I break off the engagement with Fred. I’m hoping he won’t file against me for breach of promise when I call off the engagement tomorrow night. I don’t plan on him getting a cent of my money or my family’s.”

Gab’s body tensed and his vision clouded. “Did that wimp ask you to marry him for your money?” he gritted out between clenched teeth.

“I suspect he did. But I never discussed money with him. When he came to the ranch recently, he must have realized which Brodie family I was a member of and saw his pot of gold.”

“Clay can take care of that problem. He has all types of connections. He’ll threaten him with never getting another good job in this city.”

“I’m an adult. I have no intention of my brothers knowing about this problem. I’ll tell Mom, and Graham knows a little.”

“Whatever, be sure to choose a very public place to give him his ring back. He’s not going to take this well. Then go straight home.”

“I’m smart. I know what to do. We’re meeting at a fancy restaurant. He’ll be too embarrassed to give me any problems in public.”

“I don’t like it. I want to be there.”

“No.”

“I’d like to beat the crap out of him.”

“Men. Forget the violence. This was my fault, and my poor judgment. I’ll handle it. Do you understand?”

“You’ve made yourself very clear.”

They finished their drinks and went back into the living room. Gab walked across the room to pick up her sketches.

“Did you draw these for you or the company?”

“It’s my own work.”

“You drew a wedding dress. You must think about marriage.”

“I like to draw them. And there’s good money to be made on designing the gowns.”

Gab nodded. “When we marry, I expect you’ll wear a gown of your own design.”

“Slow down. We aren’t marrying. I haven’t agreed to even be friends with you.”

He stepped into her space, and she surprised him by not moving back. Her chin rose in defiance and fire flashed in her eyes.

Leaning down, he was almost touching her lips when he whispered, “Our spark hasn’t gone out. I want you more today than I did years ago. Then I wouldn’t let it go too far between us. This is our time and I know what I want, to marry you.

“You can deny me all you want, but soon I’m going to make love to you, and later I’ll propose.” He straightened and walked hurriedly out the door, got in the elevator, and went down. If he’d stayed another minute, he would have kissed her and carried her to bed.

She’d have responded but regretted it later. The timing still wasn’t right. But he was  filled with hope that it would be soon.

* * * *

Grace didn’t move for several seconds after he left except to sink into the nearest chair. Her heart pounded, and her body hummed with desire. If he’d kissed her or touched her in any way, she might not have been able to resist his enticement. He’d surprised her by rushing off. That was good, because technically until tomorrow night she and Fred were engaged.

Maybe Gab had changed. She still didn’t want to consider him right now. She had too many other problems to take care of and getting involved with him would be one more.

After her legs quit shaking, she locked the elevator and her door. She’d go to bed and forget all her problems, especially tomorrow night’s. She dreaded the meeting with Fred. Tiredness swept over her.

She pulled back her covers before going into the bathroom to shower. As the warm water rolled across her body, she thought about Gab. She closed her eyes and with each touch of her hand, she envisioned his warm hands caressing her neck and rubbing her shoulders. In her mind’s eyes she felt his hard muscled body behind her. His breath tantalizing her ear, and his fingers teasingly brushing across her nipples. Heat and desire flashed through her veins, and her pussy was wet and hungry for him.

ADULT EXCERPT

He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I don’t want to go to my place tonight. I want to rub my hands over your soft body, kiss your delectable mouth, and fill your pussy with my hard, hungry cock.” His fingers brushed across her throat and down her neck to slip under the V-opening to her dress.

Her breast instantly swelled to fill his hand, and her nipple peaked. The small fire in her abdomen kindled into a roaring flame, and her desire burst out, rushing through her veins. With his other hand, he tipped her face back and kissed her mouth. When she opened her lips, his tongue glided inside, caressing all the tender places. Then he sucked on her tongue and tightened his fingers on her nipple. Heat flashed between his touch and her core.

Gab pulled back and stared into her eyes. “I want to make love to you. I’ve waited a long time.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he carried to the bedroom. When he sat her feet on the rug, he cupped her face in his hands. “My darlin’.” He touched her trembling lips with one finger. His blue eyes glowed with an inner fire.

Grace couldn’t have moved if she’d wanted to. Her body leaned toward him in supplication. He moved behind her and unzipped her dress and let it slide to the floor. She kicked off her heels and stood in her pink bra and matching bikini panties.

He didn’t take his eyes off her while he shrugged out of his black shirt, slacks, and underwear.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she watched him. She’d seen him shirtless working at the ranch with her brothers, but never naked. He had broader shoulders, and an even more pronounced six-pack. He’s always had a tan. His long legs were muscled  and his large cock jutted out and upward toward his abdomen.

It had been several years since she’d had sex. For some reason, she’d kept putting Fred off and now she was glad she did.

Gab grinned when he saw her staring. “Don’t worry, darlin’. You’ll be ready for me. I won’t hurt you”—he touched her chin, bringing her gaze upward—“never again, in any way.” Then he pulled a condom out of his wallet and put it on the table by the bed.

He moved into her space and ran his hands down her arms. Then he pulled her close warming her with his body heat. She trembled inside and out. Grace closed her eyes. Her body arched inward toward his hard muscles.

His scent took her back to being sixteen, and the desire to be closer and closer to him. She’d wanted to give her all. But he’d been strong for both of them. Her eyes popped open, and Grace took a step back.

“Easy darlin’. Don’t be afraid.” He gently took hold of her arms and pulled her back against his hard frame. “I’m a man who knows what he wants. I’m not going anywhere this time. At least not without you.” He lifted her onto the bed and straddled her body.

Then he unsnapped her bra and removed it. His hands covered her breasts and she sighed. It felt so good. His fingers brushed across her rosy peaks.

“You have the most luscious breasts.” Gab leaned down and sucked on her peaked nipple. “Sweet as nectar.”

Her pulse raced, and his every stroke sent her juices soaking her panties. “Take me,” she pleaded.

“Soon.” Then he moved downward, kissing her soft abdomen and pushing her panties off. He flung them to the side and spread her legs wide.

“Your scent makes my cock harden more.” He kissed the inner sides of her thighs and around her mound. Her body twisted underneath his mouth.

She wanted him to touch her in her most sensitive spot, but for several minutes he teased her as he kissed all but that area.

When she was certain she couldn’t take a minute more, he opened her folds and swept his tongue across her pearl. She screamed as the intense pleasure soared through her body.

Gab quickly sheathed his cock, and then licked from her clit to the opening of her sweet pussy. His tongue flicked inside, and she pushed her body closer against his mouth. Ripples of pleasure flowed from her feet to the top of her head. Her whole body shook under his sexy onslaught.