within his embrace.
âThat was . . .â He trailed off.
âI hope it was amazing, because it certainly was for me.â
His chuckle rumbled deep in his chest. âDamn, there arenât words.â
âOkay, Iâll accept that,â she said, kissing his salty skin.
The windows now held only gray light, the sun giving up for the day. At last she slid to the side, and he pulled her up against him.
âOh, youâre still wearing the dress,â he said, his voice bemused.
It was now slung around her waist in an untidy mess. âSo I am. And I still have to wear it Sunday, so maybe I better take it off.â
âIâm not stopping you.â
She sat up and pulled the dress up and over her head, then enjoyed his look of reverence as he watched her breasts. She was never going to be skinny, but apparently he didnât mind.
And then his gaze lifted to hers, and his expression sobered. âI know youâd wanted to take things slower than this.â
âI did, but apparently Iâm not that good at controlling myself.â
His growing smile was relieved. âBecause I never meant to make you feel uncomfortable.â
âYou didnât. I wanted this as much as you. We were playing characters, and it made me feel sexy and silly, and I havenât felt like that in forever. Maybe I needed it.â
âOr maybe it was how good we are together,â he said softly.
They studied each other for a long time, smiles fading.
âI donât know, Mason.â
âI donât either, Amanda, but maybe the point is that we have some kind of chemistry thatâs rare and good. Canât we take our time and explore it?â
âButâÂâ
âSlowly. We have all the time in the world.â
Though sheâd been naked and not felt shy, now she did. âOkay.â
âGood. And Iâm happy youâre going to the rodeo tomorrow. I want to show you some of my world, introduce you to my sisters.â
âYour sisters?â
âDonât sound so surprised. They brought our stock for the rodeo.â
âOh, right.â Damn, that was forgetful of her.
He caressed her cheek and down around her chin, murmuring, âTheyâll like you a lot, I know it.â
How could his sisters, related to a man like Mason, not be just as wonderful?
âSince you have to work,â he said, âjust call when youâre ready, and Iâll come get you.â
âBut you have to compete. I can get there alone.â
âI know you can, but I want to be with you. I want everyone to see that the prettiest girl at the rodeo is with me.â
His words made her feel warm and tender and flustered. And it was wonderful. âIâve never been to a rodeo. What should I wear?â
âJeans or a skirt or shortsâÂand cowboy boots.â
She laughed. âI think I can manage that. Oh, but what time do you want breakfast?â
âIs seven too early? Iâm fine with cereal or whateverâs easiest.â
âCereal? After the way I worked you tonight? I think not. Weâll give you a hearty breakfast: eggs, bacon, and toast. And donât protest again. In fact, Iâm kinda hungry now. Shall we go search my kitchen for some snacks?â
The spent an hour in the semidarkness of her kitchen, enjoying ice cream and each other. Amanda felt like their conversation was natural and easy, like she would never run out of things to say.
Tomorrow would take care of itself.
Â
Chapter 8
T HOUGH M ASON SLEPT in his own room, he dreamed of Amanda, her lush body, her uninhibitedness, her unselfishness in bedâÂand everywhere. Heâd never met anyone like her. Sheâd been betrayed by a man, yet sheâd been willing to give herself to Mason. Sheâd started her life over again, when many Âpeople might have given up, or at least settled for whatever wouldnât hurt them. He