Excerpt - R Rated

*Warning Explicit Content*

Nick stood and held out his hand to her. “It’s only eight-thirty. Let’s go for a walk out front.”

Unable to resist, Jill put her hand in Nick’s and let him tug her to her feet. He wants to collect the kiss I promised. She searched his handsome face, trying to pinpoint why he affected her so much. What did she know about him? He desired her, definitely. He was generous, intelligent, and dominant all the way through. What she didn’t know was everything else—about his divorce, his job, his life.

He didn’t know her, either. She wasn't ready to divulge any secrets, but the fact remained that if he knew what type of woman she'd been in the past, and still was inside, he might not be so intent on her.

Jacob had said that loving her was the most exquisite, consuming, and satisfying thing he had ever done―but not always easy. He’d told her if anything ever happened to him, she had to choose a man strong enough to give her what she needed.

“Come on, babydoll.” Nick led her off the front porch and ambled down the drive, holding her hand. “Let’s start working on this.”

“This?” she asked, glancing up at him.

He swung her around and into his embrace. “Yes, this.”

His mouth slanted over hers and his hand threaded through her hair, holding her head. His other arm snugged her against his torso while his lips caressed and controlled her mouth. He nibbled her bottom lip and his hand shifted to her jaw, urging her to open for him. When she did, his tongue pushed inside, stroking, exploring, claiming. Their warm breath mingled, their lips fused in passionate foreplay. Her sex clenched, her knees wobbled, and she sagged against him.

Sweet sin! The man knew how to kiss. He crushed her body to his, holding her up, plundering and demanding surrender. She moaned, and he kissed her harder. He captured her against his muscled chest, shifting their bodies until he had her back against the trunk of a towering evergreen.

“That's it, woman.” He lifted her and fit his hips between her thighs, then guided one of her legs around his waist. His lips and teeth worked down the column of her throat and his hand slid under her camisole. He touched her bare breast.

She jolted.

So did he.

“Hell.” He thumbed the discrete ring that pierced her nipple. “I’m going to lose it right here.”

“You like my piercings?”

He chuffed. “Damn straight. I’ve been hard since I noticed the jewelry yesterday morning.” He kept his hand on her breast and used the other hand to tilt her face to his. His stormy eyes seduced her as much as the thick erection pushed against her clit. “I want to get inside you and make you scream.”

She blushed, self-conscious. “I never scream.” A part of her wanted him to try though. He might be what she needed to soar, to finally get past her self-imposed reserve and restraint. But right now, he was too much too fast.

“You will for me.” He kissed her again, keeping his hips tight against hers. For another cherished moment, she let herself enjoy it. His mastery thrilled her. Moisture dampened her thighs and the crotch of her shorts.

Her body wanted him. Lust, pure and simple.

What if she trusted him with her innermost desires and he didn’t understand? The odds were against finding someone as strong as Jacob. Twice in a lifetime, just didn’t happen. She hadn't really looked for someone else because she didn't want to settle for something less in a relationship. It would feel dishonest and only disappoint both parties.

“I can't.” She pushed Nick's arms to stop him. He felt too good. Too strong and confident, and too much like someone she would desire all the time. Her body sang when he touched her or even looked at her. A ricochet of unsettling emotions blasted through the lustful haze and cooled her fever. “No.”

                                                                     ~

Nick marshaled up every scrap of willpower he possessed and forced himself to stop. Fuck, this girl did it for him. His lungs heaved. His body shook and his cock ached, tight with blood…but he had to slow down. She wasn’t ready yet.

When he swung her up into his arms, he savored her sweet little gasp of surprise and the way she clung like a little koala bear around his neck. He pressed his mouth to her forehead and breathed in the scent of her hair. “Yes, you'll scream―but not because a damned tree is rubbing you raw. If anything makes you scream, it’s going to be me shoved deep in your tight little body.”