“You make fantastic tacos.” Celine settled on the loveseat in the living room and tucked her feet beneath her. Their “talk” yesterday seemed like it happened ages ago. “The best meal of the last week or so of our entrapment. As a matter of fact, the best tacos anywhere, in my book.”

Jayson grinned and stretched out on the couch. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should.” She leaned back against the cushions as Thor hopped onto the cushion beside her. “I’ve been in some great Mexican restaurants, and theirs don’t come close.”

“That’s because the best ones aren’t big fancy places. The restaurants that can’t be beat are the little dives.” Jayson propped himself on his elbow. “Once we get out of here, I’ll take you to a terrific place, a hole-in-the-wall in Prescott.”

“Perfect.” She sighed and rested her hand on Thor’s head. She rubbed him behind his ears and he made a pleased groaning sound. “Do you have a movie in mind for tonight?” They’d watched several of his older favorites on DVD over the past few nights since they’d had problems with reception and his online video account.

“Let’s see if I can log on and look for something different.” He used the remote to turn on his TV and select his account.

In moments, he pulled up a list of available movies. It would be nice to watch something current as opposed to the older movies he had on DVD. Not that she hadn’t enjoyed them. They went through the list until they both agreed on an action drama about a woman searching for her husband who had mysteriously vanished.

Even though she and Jayson weren’t sitting next to each other, Celine felt as if they were. A connection tethered them, like nothing she could ever have imagined. It made it difficult to focus on the movie. She wanted to be closer to him, to feel his body against hers as they watched the movie together. They were in the same room, but not close enough.

The day that had passed since they’d had the talk in Monty’s trailer had been thick with tension, the sexual kind. Jayson had seemed the same as ever, but things had changed. Celine just didn’t know which way they would lean.

Halfway through the movie, their gazes met and held. It was like it was just the two of them and nothing else in the room.

Jayson paused the movie and looked at her again. “You’re not watching.”

The corner of her mouth quirked. “Neither are you.”

He gave a sexy half-smile. “Maybe we both have other things on our minds.”

“Maybe you’re right.” She wrapped her arms around her knees. “You first.”

He got up from his seat and took the few steps to reach the loveseat, then snapped his fingers and Thor jumped down. Jayson settled onto the cushion beside her.

His nearness was electric. She had to hold herself back from moving closer, sliding onto his lap, and kissing him. He clearly wanted her—she could see it in his eyes. But he didn’t make a move and he didn’t say anything.

She held her arms more tightly around her knees, bringing them closer to her chest, as if to protect her from what he might say. What if he told her they needed to keep their distance and not consider any kind of physical relationship?

Was that all she wanted—something physical?

No. She wanted more from Jayson. Maybe more than he was willing to give. Or more than he could give.

“Have you thought about what we talked about?” she asked.

“Almost nothing but,” he said slowly. “I spent a good deal of my time considering what you said, and the rest thinking about you.”

She held her breath and let it out slowly. “And the verdict?”

Jayson moved closer to her. She felt alive with his nearness, the electric connection sizzling and vibrant. She breathed in his scent and the warmth of his body radiated out to her.

Slowly, he brushed hair from her eyes. The strands slid across her cheek in a silky trail. She shivered, the contact causing all thought to vanish for that moment.

He cupped her cheeks in his palms and smiled.

She couldn’t breathe. His mouth hovered over hers, his breath warm over her lips.

“You’re right,” he murmured. “Everything you said. I’m not the same young man.”

She slid her fingers into his hair and pulled him down to meet her.

His kiss was long, making up for every moment that had been between them since they had met.

Every lonely moment that she hadn’t been in his arms.

And now—there was no place on earth she wanted to be but right here in Jayson’s arms.

He shifted her so that she straddled his hips. She drew back and looked down at him. A smile touched her lips. “You’re a good man, Jayson McBride.”

“And you’re one hell of a woman.”

He cupped the back of her head, drawing her down again until their lips met. His kiss was hungry, urgent now, and she threw herself into it with wicked abandon.

She needed him more than she had ever needed a man—or anyone else—in her life. He had become the very air she needed to breathe.

He groaned before holding her tightly to him and standing in one powerful movement. She smiled at the sense of urgency and desire he radiated as he carried her toward his bedroom.

She clung to him, her arms around his neck as she slid her lips along his cheekbone to his ear and nipped at his lobe as he strode faster.

She squirmed in his arms. He couldn’t get there fast enough.

When he reached his room, he didn’t bother to close the door behind him. He set her on the edge of the bed. She dragged her palms down his chest as he rose, and her fingers conveniently found his belt buckle in front of her face as he stood.

“No, you don’t.” He spoke with such a low timber to his voice that she shivered from the way it permeated her being and settled in her belly. It battled the butterflies dancing there, fighting to see which could make her more excited and nervous.

The combination lit her even more, and her desire threatened to combust within.

“Let me.” It sounded like a demand when she said the words and reached for his belt. Maybe it was.

He shook his head. “No, honey. I’m in charge of this rodeo.”

She grinned. “Rodeo?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He gave a slow, exaggerated drawl. “Now, just hold your horses, pretty lady.”

She giggled and he pushed her back onto the bed. He stripped off her socks then ran his fingers along the soles of her feet.

“That tickles.” She tried to pull away, but he only tickled her more.

Caught between giggles and desire, she squirmed. She breathed a sigh of relief and disappointment when he stopped.

But considering he was toeing off his boots and stripping off his socks, she was doing just fine.

As soon as he’d gotten rid of his boots, he reached for her again. He unbuttoned the snug worn jeans and unzipped them before tugging them over her hips, leaving her naked from the waist down. She grew wetter between her thighs at being bared to him.

“Nothing on underneath.” He grinned.

She laughed and tried to wriggle away from him. “That’s what happens when your car is at the bottom of an arroyo with all your clothes in it.”

“I’ll keep that in mind for the future.” He slid his hands up her legs. “Your skin is so damned soft.”

He grasped her hips in his palms. Even with her height, she felt small, almost petite with him.

She shivered as he eased up and braced his knee between her thighs, close to her center. He pushed up the T-shirt he’d given her to wear, then easily pulled it over her head and tossed it aside.

“Beautiful.” He stroked her skin, just above her breasts. His fingers were callused from hard outdoor work. She liked the feel of the roughness against her soft skin.

“Your turn.” She tugged his T-shirt up, and he helped her pull it over his head before he dropped it to the floor.

“Wow.” She let her gaze drift from his broad shoulders, down his torso to his jeans. The top button was undone. “That’s so sexy.” Her voice was breathy as she spoke.

She sat up on the bed and grasped his zipper pull and tugged it down. No sign of underwear, just a glimpse of hair what was so close to the prize. “So, you’ve gone commando, too.”

“Wouldn’t want you to feel alone,” he said with a grin.

“With you I could never be alone.” She wasn’t sure why she said it aloud, but it was true. With him she would never feel alone in the world like she normally did. She’d had a couple of close friends in her life and had only dated a handful of men. But Jayson was more than any of that. More than a friend. More than a lover.

He was real. Solid. Stable. A rock. And she wanted him to be her rock.

Whoa, Celine, she told herself. Too far, too fast. Enjoy the moment.

She pushed down his jeans and he stepped out of them.

“You’re magnificent.” She raked her gaze from his legs to his cock. Big. Thick. “Every inch of you.”

“You’re going to make my head big.” His teasing words make her look up. “Now why don’t you come up here, baby.”

She got to her feet and he brought her to him, wrapping her up in his strong arms, pressing her naked form to his. It felt so wonderful—his hard male body and strength were a perfect match to her softer body and gentle curves.

He skimmed his palms down to her ass, then ran them up her back to her shoulders. He explored her with his hands, as if he couldn’t get enough of her.

She gripped his ass, feeling the hard strength of his buttocks in her palms as she explored him in return. She loved the feel of her breasts against his chest, their bodies molded together.

He caught her off guard when he swept her off her feet and plopped her down on the middle of the bed.

She laughed, her breath slightly knocked from her.

He came down on her so fast she thought he would squash her. But he braced his hands and knees to either side of her as he straddled her and looked down with a smile.

“You are absolutely gorgeous, inside and out.” He stroked the side of her face as he said words she’d never heard before.

No one had ever said she was beautiful inside. People thought she was superficial and she wondered if maybe she was. But just maybe she wasn’t.

His eyes met hers and their gazes held. She didn’t know if she could ever get enough of the way he looked at her, the feel of his body pressed against hers.

Jayson lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers. Just a soft whisper of a kiss. He leaned back just enough to study her face. “I’m torn between wanting to be inside you so badly and taking the time you deserve.” He gave a pained smile. “I can hardly control myself.”

“Don’t then.” She wiggled beneath him as his cock pressed against her belly. It seemed to grow bigger just from her movements. “Take me.”

He shook his head. “Not like that. You do deserve slow lovemaking. I want to worship every bit of you, Celine. Every part of who you are.”

Her heart squeezed and she raised her head off the mattress. “Then kiss me.”

Jayson lowered his head and took her mouth in a long, sensual kiss. Celine sighed into his mouth. Her mind spun with the kiss, her whole world tipping from the way he claimed her with his mouth and body.

He dragged his lips from hers, kissing a path along her jaw to her ear. He nipped at her earlobe, like she’d done to him, only his bite was a little rougher than hers had been.

It was so erotic. Everything he did was erotic…so sensual he took her places she’d never dreamed existed.

He slid his lips down the column of her neck to the sensitive skin at the hollow of her throat. He eased down her body, kissing her skin in a reverent way, as if worshiping every bit of her.

She wanted him, needed him. The way he made her feel, the way he set her on fire while teasing and filling her senses…she reveled in it and she didn’t want him to hurry. She wanted to live and enjoy every moment.

He moved his lips up the curve of her breast and she shivered with anticipation before he sucked her nipple into his warm mouth. She gasped, arching her back without thinking about it. She begged for more without finding the words to say what she wanted.

She grew wetter between her thighs, need, desire, and pleasure winding throughout her. He sucked her nipple while stroking the opposite nipple and drawing it into an even tighter bud. He eased his lips down the curve of her breast, taking his time before he found her other nipple with his mouth.

She could never get enough of this, never get enough of his mouth, his hands, his mind. Never get enough of him.

He teased and tantalized her with his tongue and mouth. She whimpered needing more. His attention to her breasts was incredible. Could she climax from the exquisite sensations he gave her while sucking her nipples?

Higher and higher. She was rising like on a swell in the ocean. One that grew larger and higher, about to sweep her away—

He moved his mouth away from her breasts and she let out a cry of frustration.

“Your body is amazing,” he murmured. “So responsive to my touch.”

“How could I not be?” Tears of frustration and desire wet the corners of her eyes. “You’re driving me crazy.”

She looked up at him and he gave her a sexy grin. “That’s the idea.”

“You’re evil.” She shifted her hips as he neared her bellybutton. “You—”

He dipped his tongue inside and electricity shot from her navel to her clit as if a livewire connected them. She nearly launched off the bed from the sensation. She’d never felt anything like it before. And he hadn’t even touched her clit yet.

He chuckled and she threw a pillow at his head. He flashed a grin at her as the pillow toppled onto the floor.

Jayson eased his big body between her thighs, pressing them apart, opening her wide to his view. He blew on her clit and she nearly came unglued.

The frustrating man wasn’t even touching her clit, but the slightest hint of even a whisper was going to send her flying—

He moved his lips away from her folds to kiss the inside of her thigh.

”Jayson.” The cry vibrated through her. “I don’t want it slow anymore. I have to have you inside me.”

Another low laugh. Another pillow hit him in the head.

“Good arm,” he said even as he worked his way down to the inside of her knee and kissed the sensitive skin there.

“Did you take training on how to drive a woman crazy?” She had another two pillows she could launch at him. “You are about to drive me out of my freaking mind.”

“Good,” he said with a grin and she grabbed another pillow.

He kissed the inside of her ankle and she sighed with pleasure. She never would have guessed it would feel so good to be kissed there or that it would be so sensitive.

The maddening man kissed the inside of her other ankle then slid his lips up to the inside of her knee.

“It’s official.” Her breathing had grown ragged. “You have completely driven me out of my mind.”

“There’s more where that came from,” he murmured as he reached the crease between her thigh and where she needed him most right this minute.

His tongue darted out and she squirmed, twisting in his hold on her hips, wanting his mouth where it counted most right now.

“Is there something you need?” His warm breath feathered her shaved mound. “Tell me.”

Celine groaned and clutched the pillow to her chest. “Shut up and lick my clit. I need your mouth on me.”

“Shut up?” he said. “Is that how you ask for something you want?”

She shifted the pillow to the side and looked at him again. “Please, Jayson. Please.”

Without so much as a warning, he buried his face against her.

She shrieked with surprise and pleasure that shot off the charts. One more lick and she was gone.

The climax crashed into her, sending her reeling, her mind flying. Powerful sensations took her away and she rode them.

It was the longest, most intense, most powerful orgasm she’d ever had, and it didn’t want to let her go.

It went on and on, then a second hit her and a third.

Jayson hadn’t stopped. She had been so wrapped up in the orgasm or three that she’d just felt, hadn’t thought.

“Stop, stop, stop,” she said as she tried to wriggle out of his grasp. “Can’t handle—please, no more.”

She met his gaze as she fought to control her breathing. He watched her as he slid two fingers inside her core. Another spasm hit her and she threw the third pillow at him as she bucked.

He snorted out another laugh and crawled up her body so that he was over her again, his hands propped to either side of her shoulders, and his knees straddling her hips.

His eyes had gone a shade darker. “Ready for me inside you?”

She shook her head. “Not now.”

He raised his brows. “Oh?”

She gave a satisfied grin. “Your turn.”

Jayson gave her a cocky grin. “I have control, honey.”

She reached between them and wrapped her hand around his cock and squeezed. “Really? Should I go for your balls, too?”

He winced, then his expression melted into one of both pain and pleasure. “You win,” his voice sounded rough.

“I know.” She kept her grip on his erection. “Roll onto your back.”

He grimaced. “Promise you’ll give it back when you’re done with it.”

She moved with him. “You may not want me to.”

“True.” He settled on his back and she knelt between his thighs. She didn’t let go. With her opposite hand, she cupped his balls and lightly squeezed.

Jayson winced again. “Careful with the family jewels. I’d like to have kids one day.”

Celine hesitated. Kids? She’d never thought about him wanting to be a father one day.

She brushed the thought away and held his gaze. She trailed her fingers up and down his cock and over the head. He hissed out his pleasure. With slow, deliberate movements, she stroked his cock from the base to tip, brushing her thumb over the top and through the pre-come at the head.

“You’re getting even.” He captured her face in his hands. “I need you, baby.”

She squeezed his cock and lightly did the same with his balls. Only enough to tell him she meant business.

“You win.” He fell back, his head landing on the remaining pillow. “But this is one time I don’t mind losing.”

“Aren’t you glad you lost that bet?” She lowered her mouth to his cock as she held his gaze. “We wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t.”

He groaned. “Make that two times I’m good with losing.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” she said a moment before she slid her lips over his cock.

Jayson’s whole body went limp as his woman slid her warm mouth down the length of his erection.

When had he started thinking of her as his woman? Didn’t matter, because she was. He had never met a woman like Celine, had never felt any connection like he did with her.

He could barely think as her hot, wet mouth devoured him. She took him to the back of her throat and he thought he’d never be able to speak again. All he could do was grunt like a caveman wanting his woman.

Now. He heard the Neanderthal voice in his head. Man want woman. Man want woman now.

He was losing his mind. Every last bit of his sanity had pooled in his cock, and Celine had just finished stealing it. The ache there magnified, grew stronger, until he thought for sure he was going to light up like a Christmas tree on fire. One match and he would burst into flames.

Wouldn’t take much.

How far could he let her go without rocketing over the edge into a full-blown orgasm?

No. He had to wait to be inside her. He wouldn’t lose control like that.

She sucked hard, the suction of her mouth sending that thought straight out of his mind.

Abruptly she stopped.

The orgasm that had been building soared out the window. He looked at her from beneath his lowered eyelids. “I’m ready to take you,” he said in a low growl.

She applied light pressure to his cock and balls with her hands. “I don’t think so.”

She wasn’t hurting him, and he was confident she wouldn’t—mostly. Still, the thought that she had that power over him made him wince again.

She stroked his cock in a slow, sensual movement, while keeping one hand on his balls. “Going to be a good boy now?”

His words came out in a grunt. “Yeah. But so help me, honey, if you don’t hurry—”

She squeezed and he groaned and shut his damned mouth. He eyed her and she gave him a sexy, wanton grin. “You were saying?”

He gritted out, “You’re enjoying this.”

“You know I am.” She slid down so that her lips were close to his balls. “Every second of it.”

She licked the length of him before sucking one of his balls into her mouth.

“Holy shit.” He struggled not to writhe so he wouldn’t cause himself pain. It felt so damned good, while at the same time keeping him right on the edge of pain. Just a hint, but enough to control him.

He met her gaze and she gave him a naughty look.

Yeah, she’s loving this.

She took her time, drawing first one ball into her mouth, then the other and sucking lightly on each while stroking his cock.

Jayson was so damned close to begging when she released him. She nipped the inside of one thigh, sending a small but sharp burst of pain through him.

“You like to live dangerously,” he said.

She grinned and nipped the inside of his other thigh. She rose and eased up his body until she straddled him. Her bare body was soft and sensual, her breasts firm and full. Her nipples were large and stood at attention as she smiled at him. Her thick, long dark hair slid forward over her shoulder. Her eyes looked darker now, smoky and mysterious.

Celine shifted so that her folds rubbed his erection. The silken glide of her over her his cock nearly had him crossing his eyes.

But she didn’t have hold of the all-important package anymore.

He caught her by her waist and she shrieked with laughter as he spun her and twisted so that now he was on top of her. He pressed his erection into her belly as he pinned her wrists over her head.

“Now, who has control?” He gave her a satisfied grin as he looked down at her. “You’re mine to do with what I want.”

Still laughing, she tried to struggle, but he trapped her legs with his. Her body felt so good beneath his. Flesh to flesh, nothing between them.

He caught her gaze and refused to let it go. She stopped struggling, her laughter dying away. Her lips parted as he looked into the depths of her brown eyes. A tremor ran through him at the need and desire he saw there.

Jayson eased his hips between her thighs and seated himself there.

Her throat worked as he studied her. “What are you waiting for?” she murmured.

He grabbed protection from out of the nightstand drawer, shifted, and in moments was completely ready for her.

He wriggled between her thighs, sliding his sheathed cock through her slick folds.

Her eyes fluttered closed as she gasped.

“Open your eyes.” He released her wrists and cupped her ass, bringing their bodies even closer together. Still holding her with one hand, he grasped his cock and pressed it to the entrance to her core.

“Ready for me, honey?” he said in what might have sounded like a controlled voice when he felt anything but.

“Yes.” She spoke in a hoarse whisper, then louder. “Yes, Jayson.” She shifted, trying to get impossibly closer to him. ”Please.”

He pushed in only slightly and she caught her breath, her eyes widening. He stretched her and filled her, and she took every bit of him.

He eased in and out, setting a slow pace. She wrapped her thighs around his hips and clenched him tight.

She started to close her eyes, but he let out a low, guttural sound. “Look. At. Me.”

Her eyes widened as she met his gaze. Her face was flushed, a light sheen of perspiration over her skin. She caught her breath when he pressed in deeper, reaching farther inside her.

“Jayson.” His name on her lips turned him to liquid. “Please.”

He picked up his rhythm, moving faster inside her, pressing harder, deeper.

The flush in her cheeks deepened. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she climaxed and cried out, “Jayson!”

The sound of his name on her lips and the feel of her core clamping down on his cock sent him spiraling forward. It threw him into an orgasm that shot him into another hemisphere.

Heat flushed through him, burning him up.

He shouted her name as her core spasmed around his cock.

Almost all strength left him and he barely kept from collapsing on top of her. He braced himself on his forearms, his face close to hers.

Their breaths mingled and he watched a droplet of perspiration roll down the side of her forehead.

“You are beautiful.” Jayson spoke softly as he pushed damp hair from Celine’s face. She looked radiant, a glow that came from within. “Simply beautiful.”

She gave him a smile that lit up his world. She looped her arms around his neck. “You are one sexy cowboy, Jayson McBride.”

He grinned and kissed her before he rolled onto his side, bringing her with him. She snuggled close and he breathed in the scent of her, the scent of them. It mingled together, intoxicating and soul-filling.

This whole thing—Celine, him, what he felt they had—was another world to him, one he wasn’t used to, but one he could get used to.

He shifted so that she was even more secure in his arms. He kept her wrapped in his embrace, not planning on letting her go.