Free A Second Chance at Crimson Ranch by Michelle Major

“I don’t want to take out Millie and I wasn’t going to be sick.” He gave a shaky laugh. “You’re in your early thirties, Olivia. The prime of life. You’re a beautiful woman. I had to leave before I pulled away that robe to really see you. Every inch of you.”
    Her mouth formed a perfect O and he tried not to groan. He traced his thumb along her jaw while his other hand cupped the back of her head, bringing her nearer. When he was so close that he could feel her breath, he whispered against her lips, “You need to know how much I want you. I shouldn’t do anything about it. I hope to hell I’m strong enough to resist you after this. But you need to know.”
    Then he lowered his mouth to hers.

Chapter Five
    O livia wasn’t an expert at kissing. Craig hadn’t often touched her once they had married and she’d only been out with a couple of guys before him. But even if she’d been kissed a thousand times, she knew nothing could have prepared her for this.
    Every single one of her senses delighted in this moment. Logan’s lips felt unbearably soft against hers. He kissed her gently, reverently, as if he wanted to savor the taste and feel of her. He smelled like spice and man. The combination did funny things to her insides, making them swirl and tingle with a need she barely recognized.
    A tremor passed through him, subtle but letting her know that she wasn’t alone in her reaction to the kiss. That knowledge gave her the confidence to lean in when he would have pulled away. She lifted her arms around his shoulders and felt the corded muscles there bunch under her touch.
    He stilled for an instant, as if she had surprised him. She’d surprised herself. Olivia had never been the type to make any kind of move. She was far more the wait-and-see-what-happens type. Although she didn’t know what this kiss meant, if it was a one-time aberration or something more—and good grief, she hoped it was more—she was going to make the most of it just in case.
    As if reading her mind, Logan deepened the kiss, his tongue dipping into her mouth, dancing with hers as his hands moved down her back to cup her bottom. He pulled her tight to him, his arousal hard against her stomach. She almost fainted dead away. He wanted her. There was no mistaking the fact that he wanted her.
    To be desired by a man like Logan, someone strong and powerful and...six years younger than she was.
    She pulled away suddenly and grabbed hold of the counter for support. What had she been thinking? Logan had agreed to help her with the renovation. He’d let her dump her family problems on him like a real friend. But it couldn’t be more than that. They both knew it. She couldn’t bear to take this any further and have him disappointed. Somehow she knew being rejected by Logan would be a million times worse than her own husband’s betrayal.
    â€œI’m—” she began.
    â€œDon’t apologize,” he said. His breathing was as uneven as hers.
    â€œI took advantage of you,” she countered.
    He let out a harsh bark of laughter. “I kissed
you
, Olivia.”
    â€œBecause you felt sorry for me.”
    â€œBecause I wanted to kiss you.” He pushed a hand through his blond hair, tousling it in a way that made her want to brush it back into place. Because at her core, Olivia liked things in their place, even if that place kept her lonely and afraid. She didn’t think she had the guts to live life any other way.
    â€œI’m still old enough to be your babysitter,” she told him, hoping that would freak him out as much as it did her.
    He only smiled. “You couldn’t have handled me back then.”
    â€œI’m not sure I can handle you now,” she said, immediately regretting the words as his expression turned guarded.
    â€œThat’s not a news flash for either of us.” He looked angry and something more, but