Free Lone Rider by Lauren Bach

me!”
                  Frowning , he pushed up on his elbows, allowing her to draw a deep breath. While he was in no hurry to move off her , he didn’t want her to be uncomfortable. This new position brought his groin directly in contact with hers. The fit would be perfect.
    “Sleep well?” he asked , dropping his head back down to nuzzle her neck, as if waking up on top of her was a normal, everyday occurrence. Gently he bit the sensitive skin below her ear , then laved the injury with his tongue.
                  Totally unprepared for his action, Tess jerked at the erotic gesture, inadvertently rubbing her lower body along the entire length of him. He hardened instantly, fully.
                  Dallas drew a sharp breath, his teeth clenched as he struggled for control. “Don’t move. We’ve got a problem.”
                  There was no mistaking the problem . She felt his erection burning against her abdomen, the length and breadth alarming her. He couldn’t really be that big, could he? She froze for what seemed like an eternity. When it became apparent he wasn’t moving, she spoke. “Let me up!”
                  “Say please.”
                  “Go to hell.”
                  “ Tsk. Tsk . Are you always this grumpy when you wake up , or is it just me?”  He rubbed his nose against hers, Eskimo style, inhaling the delicate rose scent he adored. “Is that why you and Geoffrey broke up?”
                  She huffed, twisting her face away. She and Geoffrey had been ill matched from the beginning, but it had suited Tess to maintain the relationship to keep her mother from interfering in her life. Madeline Marsh fancied herself a matchmaker and when she wasn’t busy finding herself a husband, she was looking for one for her daughter.
                  Geoffrey was the last person Tess would discuss with Dallas ...though she didn’t want him to know that. “Geoffrey and I are still very close.”
                  “The man must be an idiot to have let you get away.”
                  “He didn’t let me...oh! Quit trying to change the subject. I demand you let me up,” she began. “And you had no right to remove my clothes.”
                  He stared down at her, brows raised. He found her defense of Geoffrey irritating. “Right now I have every right. Remember that. Besides, you slept better without them. The handcuffs, too. Though I know you won’t admit it.”  He traced a finger lightly over her collarbone. “Holding on to you was the only way I could remove the cuffs and know you couldn’t get free.”
                  She stared at him, wanting to disagree. “Let me go, Dallas . Please.”  Placing her hands on his shoulders , she shoved but couldn’t budge him.
                  He knew she asked for more than her freedom from the bed, from his embrace. A question he needed to deal with -- but not with her. He caught her hands, stretching them over her head and lowering his mouth to within inches of hers. He wanted to grind his hips against her again. Bury himself in her. Instead he grunted.
                  “I can’t release you, Tess. You have to know that and accept it. But I promise no harm will come to you while you’re in my care.”  Once more he felt torn. God he wanted her, he’d go crazy sharing a bed with her, holding her, touching her. But not taking her.
                  Unable to withstand another minute of torture, he moved to get up. “You can have the bathroom first.”  Bracing his hands on either side of her, he hovered above her.
    For a moment their eyes met , and she thought he would kiss her. And for a moment she wanted it.
    In the space of a heartbeat, he lowered his mouth to hers, brushing her lips in a soft whisper. Her hands pressed against his chest. Pushing him