Read Online The Reluctant Rancher by Patricia Mason, Joann Baker - Free Book Online

hurt them.   With sudden insight, he knew those feelings had contributed to his performance – or lack thereof – on his wedding night.
    But with Mary he could see himself completely losing control.   His instincts told him she would be the perfect lo ver in so many ways.
    “ You’re going to freeze to death, ” he muttered as he briskly rubbed his hands up and down her arms.
    “ Oh, why did it have to rain? ” Mary’s voice held a breathless quality which he hoped resulted more from his touch than the short ride.
    “ It’s just as well, ” he answered, his own voice a husky drawl.   “ If you’d ridden for much longer, you’d have been too sore to move in the morning. ”
    Instantly they both became aware of the double entendre and his fingers tighten ed on her waist.
    “ Don’t look at me like that, ” he demanded .
    “ Like what? ”
    He stared at her until bright red color flooded her face, his eyebrow arched. “ You don’t know much about men, do you? ” Luke muttered as he tugged at the clip that bound her hair, freeing it to his touch.   The long, blonde strands fell in waves about her shoulders. He wanted to bury his face in the silky softness.   Instead he trailed his fingers through it and r elished the shudder that run through her frame.   “ I think I deserve a thank you for teaching you how to ride, don’t you? ”
    “ I don’t think that would be such a good idea, ” she said, trying to draw away.
    “ That’s the second time you’ve said that.   Don’t you know what you want? ”   Luke ’s big hand wrapped around the nape of her neck, holding her still as he lowered his head. His warm breath caressed her cheek .   “ I know what I want . I want you.”
    He wanted to kiss her.   He wanted to take her satin soft mouth just as he had a thousand times in his dreams.   He knew she’d taste as tart and tangy as the juice from sun sweetened cherries.
    She gnawed on her lower lip .
    “ Don’t do that, ” he commanded.
    She looked at him, still worry ing the tender flesh.
    “ God, Mary, ” he groaned.   “ A man can only take so much.   I’ve got to taste you, baby.   Open your mouth for me. ”
    “ I do n’t think I should.”
    “ Don’t think, honey, j ust feel. ”
    She was feeling alright. Her lips parted with a moan and Luke began his sensuous assault in earnest , licking the fullness of her lips before coverin g her mouth with his. H e deepened the kiss, feeling her body jerk at the intimate b rush of his tongue against hers.
    “E asy, baby, ” He soothed her much as he had Lucifer earlier. She reminded him of a high stru ng filly. New and untried. Eager and excitable. He growle d as heat exploded inside of him, starting at his heart and racing outward.   Never had he felt like this before from a simple kiss.   He stroked the tip of his tongue over her small, even, white teeth and the roof of her mouth, urging her to open more fully to his touch. He devoured her mouth when she complied with a soft groan.
    His touch grew rough and Mary whimpered, the sound as soft and low as that of a newborn kitten.   Even at the sound of her distress, he refused to break the intimate contact with her sweet lips.   But he drew back to nibble gently at the sweet curve of her mouth. S everal moments passed before he ended the kiss.   When she would have moved out of his embrace, his arms closed hard around her refusing to let her go.
    He could feel her body quivering and the surprising trembling in his own limbs.   Not that his quaking could be seen with the naked eye.   No, this rumb le started somewhere deep inside his soul.   He felt the layers of ice that surrounded his heart break away, replaced by light and warmth.
    He smoothed the hair from her face, hooking the stray strands behind her ears.   ” I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.   I forg et what an innocent you are.”
    “ I’m not an innocent, ” she protested
    Nudging her chin up , he asked.