Ellie moved closer, pressed her body against his, and placed her palms on his chest. She tipped her head back. “What’s stopping you?”
A low groan rose in him as he gathered her into his embrace. He lowered his mouth to hers as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
He kissed her, her mouth soft and sensuous as she kissed him back. Her scent filled his senses as his world narrowed down to her. Her scent and the feel of her in his arms were intoxicating—she was intoxicating.
She moaned softly, and it served to fuel his desire and need for her. Yes, he desired her more than any woman he’d ever known. And yes, he needed her.
He’d been attracted to her from the first word she said to him at the Renaissance fair. Every moment since then, his attraction had deepened into feelings he wasn’t ready to acknowledge.
She tasted so sweet, her mouth soft beneath his. He felt almost lightheaded.
Who was kissing whom senseless?
Tucker forced himself to break the kiss, even though he didn’t want to. He raised his head and looked at her. Her face was flushed, her eyes glittering. An answering desire was in her gaze.
A soft breeze blew strands of Ellie’s hair across her face, and he brushed them away, skimming his knuckles along her cheekbone. He couldn’t think of a word to say, so he let his hands slide down her arms to her hands and took them in his own.
A long moment of quiet passed between them. He gently squeezed her hands. “Ready to head back?”
She let out a long sigh. “I do have work to catch up on since I’ve been gone so much lately.”
A feeling of reluctance slid through him, and he released her hands. “I have some items I’ve been ignoring in my office. Maddee’s gonna be all over me if I don’t take care of them.”
Ellie laughed. “I can picture her giving you a talking to.”
They chatted as they gathered what they needed and put it all into the saddlebags. When they finished, they mounted their horses and headed back down the trail. Piper and Penny followed, staying closer on the way back.
This time, Tucker led. He glanced over his shoulder. “How was your last trip to L.A.?”
“It went well.” Ellie rocked with the motion of her mare. “I think I mentioned that I’ve been working on a new project for an animated series that will stream on one of the major providers. I like my work on dubbing Japanese series, but this one is even more fun. However, now I’m officially between projects.”
Tucker glanced at her and saw her happy expression. She truly loved what she did—he could see it in her eyes.
“When does the game come out?” he asked.
“Let me think.” She was quiet a moment, then spoke with surprise in her voice. “Where did the time go? It will be released a week from tomorrow.”
Spirit snorted, and Tucker patted the horse. “Are you going to play the game?”
“Probably.” Ellie paused. “I don’t have time to play games often, but I’d like to try Myth Hunter. Although it will be weird hearing my voice coming from a game.”
“I can’t imagine.” Tucker chuckled. “I’d like to try the game.”
“Do you play?” she asked.
He shrugged. “When my siblings and I were kids, we played. Maddee was better than the rest of us. Like you, I don’t have much time, but I have played a couple of games occasionally.”
He pictured Ellie and himself playing video games with their children, if they were to end up married and having a family together. The more their relationship grew, the stronger his feelings that she was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
They continued talking on their way back to the ranch. Their conversation was always easy and casual.
It was after three in the afternoon when they reached the ranch.
Ellie slid off her horse. “I’ll help with the saddles.”
“Never you mind.” Tucker snapped a lead on Spirit and tied it to a post. “I’ll have Luke take care of everything.”
Ellie stroked Sapphire as Tucker snapped a lead on the mare and tied it to a post. “See you later, girl. Tucker says we can get together and have some fun. We’ll make it a date.”
