Page 37 of Roped in Rawhide
“I was a dumb kid who thought he was doing the right thing. The man I’ve become has been haunted by that decision. Ever since July eleventh almost seven years ago, I’ve suffered as if a vital piece of me was missing. It took entirely too long to accept I couldn’t go without you, in whatever capacity I could have you.”
Her eyes are searching mine. There’s a wildness lurking there like she’s desperate to believe me. It gives me the courage to hope, pushing my pulse into a frantic beat.
I tighten my hold on her finger. “Talk to me, Wildflower.”
The crackle of awkward silence answers me. This isn’t the confident Gemma I’m used to. She confirms as much with a whispered, “I’m scared.”
A hard crease tugs at my brow. “Of what?”
“Giving you the power to hurt me again.”
“I’d never hurt you.” My voice rumbles with conviction.
“You can’t promise that,” she murmurs. “If we do this, and that’s a big if, it has to remain casual. No catching feelings, at least on my end. Don’t act like we’re in a relationship. None of that future wife stuff. I can’t risk you breaking my heart.”
“But—”
Gemma’s unrelenting stare cuts me off. “Those are my terms. Accept it or not.”
Thunder pounds in my chest. She’s the only woman for me. The last thing I want is a meaningless fling with her.
But I love her something fierce, which gives me the strength to see beyond these limits she’s setting. If she needs boundaries and a trial period, I can understand that. I’ll just have to convince her along the way.
“Okay, Gem. Strictly benefits.” The words taste foul in my mouth and I desperately need to wash away the bitter tang.
“No funny business or we’re done,” she states sternly.
It’s too adorable and I almost smile. “I’m gonna need you to expand on that. Funny business is my middle name when it comes to you.”
“Just quit with the grovel fails and watching my every move.”
“You’re driving a hard bargain.”
“I’m protecting myself.”
“Don’t have to, not from me, but I get it. I’ll agree to whatever it takes to make you mine, even if it’s only temporary.”
“Careful,” she warns. “That’s bordering on territorial.”
An argument growls up my throat. “We’ll be exclusive for as long as you’re willing to teach me. You’ve gotta give me that.”
Her nod is resolute—a deal put in motion. “There’s something I need to do first. For research purposes.”
“Don’t let me stop you.”
Gemma steps into me and the heat from her body mingles with mine. “We need to confirm our chemistry. If you want me to give you lessons, there needs to be a real spark. I can’t fake it.”
A gruff rejection escapes me. “Please don’t fake it.”
She tips her face up, intoxicating me with her intentions. “Kiss me.”
My throat goes dry while desire thrums through my veins. She’s giving me a chance. It’s mine to claim.
There’s a tremble in my hand as I lift it to cradle her cheek. I bend toward her slowly, giving her plenty of time to stop me. Rather than resist, her lips part in open invitation.
Nerves pound in my veins when our breath mingles. Gemma’s sputtered exhale matches the erratic rhythm booming in my chest. Tingles burst across my skin when our mouths connect. It’s like an electric zap flowing from the inside out.
I’ve been imagining this moment for more than a decade. Reality far exceeds the fantasies I’ve been scraping by on. The gloss on her lips is strawberry. It’s always made me wonder and the mystery is finally solved. My tongue slips out for another taste, releasing a groan in the process.
