Free Rock Star Kisses (Romance on the Ranch Book 6) by Verna Clay Page A

dreamed of, Freckles. Too bad you're not the one for me." He saw
enough of a shocked expression on her face to satisfy his need for revenge. At
least he could walk away with his pride intact. However, when he climbed into
his truck, his satisfaction evaporated like dew on a scorching day.
     
    Freckles blinked back tears. Her smart-ass mouth
had finally come back on her. Her mother had warned her all her life that it
would. In spite of appearances to the contrary, she liked Preston. He was a good
man, caring and honest. And generous. She lifted Biscuit from his basket and
held him to her heart—her broken heart. The way men kept leaving her, she figured
she wasn't worth the spit they used to shine their shoes. She was a loser just
like her mother and just one step away from being a slut. Biscuit whined and
she kissed his cold and wet nose. She whispered to the teeny puppy, "He'll
probably never come back here." She sniffed. "But that's a good
thing. I was starting to like him too much. Besides, he's saving himself for
some woman. I wonder if he already knows her or if she's his dream woman?"
She sighed and absentmindedly stroked Biscuit's fluffy black and brown fur.
"As soon as you're big enough, I should have enough money to move back to
Anaheim." Stretching out on the couch with her puppy on her stomach, she
lifted an arm over her eyes, trying to erase Preston's hurt expression from her
memory banks.

Chapter 16: Rockin' the Garage
     
    Tessa breathed in Sean's scent and nuzzled her
face into his chest. He reached behind her head and pulled her even closer. He
said in her ear, "I'd like to stay in your bed all night, but I don't
think your dad and mom would appreciate it. I can't take a chance of being
tossed out on my ear just when things are finally going right for us."
    That afternoon during their encounter against
the tree beside the river, Sean had pressed his forehead to hers and said,
"As much as I want to, I'm not going to make love with you out here in the
open. Can I come to your room tonight?"
    Tessa had been so overcome with lust that she'd
have granted him anything. She'd whispered, "Yes."
    Later, after they'd ridden back to the ranch and
taken care of the horses, she been so embarrassed she'd opened her mouth to
cancel everything, but Sean had suddenly dipped his head and covered her lips
with his. She'd melted into him. Then he'd said, "Later," and quickly
walked away. No doubt he knew she was about to go gun shy on him.
    After dark, she'd been so nervous she'd almost
jumped in her car and driven away. Sean Barfield and her. It was beyond
crazy. A light rap on her door had sent her into panic mode and she'd frozen.
He must have known because he'd slightly opened the door, peeked around it, and
just stared at her.
    She'd thought she was going to hyperventilate,
but suddenly, he was across the room and kissing her so passionately that any
thought of bolting exploded into a million shards. No way was she leaving.
    Now, she stretched her arms around him. "I
don't want you to leave, either, but you're right."
    "That's what I like to hear." He
rolled her onto her back and positioned himself above her. The room was dim,
but not so much that she couldn't see his white teeth when he smiled. He said,
"Let's do something crazy next Saturday, like go to Denver and hang out at
the mall, take in a movie, eat ice cream, walk in the park. What do you
say?"
    "But what if you're recognized?"
    "I won't be because I'll wear my hippie
outfit."
    Tessa chewed her lip. "And I could dress
like a hippie, too."
    "Yes! That's my fun-loving Tessa."
    She grinned and he lowered his head and said,
"And there's my dimple." He licked it and then they were making love
all over again.
    After he left, Tessa scooted over to the side of
the bed he'd just vacated, and Sadie jumped up beside her. Inhaling Sean's
lingering scent, sleepily, she said, "Now, that's what I call rockin' the
garage."

Chapter 17: Flower Power
     
    Sean held Tessa's hand