“Jason,” she whispered while her heart thudded.
“There’s something I want to know, Merry,” he said solemnly. His voice was husky, causing more jumps in her pulse.
A thick fringe of black lashes framed sexy blue-green eyes that blazed with desire. He placed his hands on either side of her face while he gazed down at her. “Tonight, when we talked right after the fire, you sounded like you care what happens to me.”
Her heart thudded at the implications of his question. She could answer it flippantly—tell him that she would care about anyone being hurt. That was the answer if she wanted to walk away. But not one tiny inch of her wanted to walk away from him. The night had changed her, brought everything around her into sharper focus. Made her more aware of the frailty of life and of the gifts of love. She could give him one of those casual answers now, or she could tell him the truth.
“Yes, I care a lot.”
Something flickered in the depths of his eyes and as he inhaled swiftly, his chest expanded. “Ahh, Merry,” he said softly.
He leaned down to kiss her, and her heart thudded. She had been terrified for his safety tonight, crushed over the damage he had suffered—loss and danger that she had brought on him. In spite of all his losses, his concern had been their safety and the safety of the men who worked for him.
This tall cowboy was incredibly special to her, and she was thankful he was safe. She was thankful that they were both alive. Wrapping her arms around him, she leaned into him as he embraced her.
When his lips touched hers, she kissed him passionately in return. Her kisses were hungry, a confirmation of life, a sharp awareness of how precious life was—and how special Jason was to her.
All her reservations fell away. Someone had tried to kill them tonight, yet they had survived. They were alive and caution and reason seemed foolish where her heart and Jason were concerned. Priorities shifted. Life was infinitely precious, and love was a gift to give.
Jason was special, and she wanted to show him, wanted all of him, wanted him as she had never wanted anyone else. They had been on the brink of death tonight, and now she wanted an affirmation of life, a chance to love.
Considerations and terrors of the night vanished.
Her tongue went deep, stroking his as he kissed her passionately, and she slid her hands over him, feeling his body, all hard, lean planes and corded muscles. Excitement exploded in every nerve in her body.
As he trailed kisses along her throat, his hands peeled away her T-shirt. Her nightie went with it. When she unfastened his jeans, he cupped her breasts, looking down at her. His hands were large, dark against her pale skin, his fingers warm, setting her aflame.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered hoarsely, and her heart thudded.
All the time he balanced on one foot and tugged off a boot, then yanked off the other one, tossing them aside, his gaze never left her. Clothing fell swiftly, but invisible barriers seemed to be tumbling as well.
He made her feel like the most desirable woman on earth.
When he straightened, she pulled away his briefs to free him, drinking in the sight of his strong male body that left no question of his desire and readiness.
His large hands cupped her breasts again, and his thumbs circled her taut peaks. Pleasure swirled while she clung to him, feeling the thick muscles of his upper arms. His strength was exciting, his touch electrifying.
She closed her eyes, letting him caress her, wanting his hands all over her, wanting to touch and know him.
She slid her hand to his chest, trailing her fingers down over his flat, muscled stomach, touching his manhood.
“Merry,” he ground out her name when her hand closed around his thick shaft.
He swung her into his arms to carry her to his bed. She was dimly aware of light spilling from a hallway, of a four-poster bed, a rocker, but surroundings were dreamlike and unreal. What was real was warm flesh against warm flesh, kisses that sent her temperature soaring, looks that made her tremble.
Why did she feel she belonged in his arms forever? She ran her fingers along his jaw, feeling the bristles, aware of all he had been through in the night and all he had lost, aware too of that walled-off part of his heart that was keeping him from truly loving and being loved. Didn’t he realize that real love could heal hurts?
Placing his knee on the bed, Jason lowered her gently and leaned down to kiss her breast, his tongue stroking her nipple as he sucked and teased. Exquisite sensations stormed her senses, and she gave herself to him. His hands were everywhere, his tongue driving her wild.
“Merry, I’ve wanted you so damned badly,” he whispered. His magic words were as seductive as his caresses. He turned her on her stomach, trailing kisses from her nape to her ankles. He stroked between her thighs and she rolled over, coming up to kiss him hungrily, knowing no matter how much he desired her, she wanted him more.
“Let me love you, Jason,” she whispered, certain that he would never realize the true depth of her request.
She did want him with all her being, even though she was honest enough to know that he would never love her deeply in return. Tonight she wanted to give and take and have it all. Tonight, she was willing to risk a broken heart.
Strong shoulders, smooth back, narrow waist, his manhood: she wanted to explore and touch and kiss all of him. As she did, she heard his groan and was surprised that he shook. She was amazed what she could do to him, expecting him to be jaded and accustomed to women as expert at loving as he. But that wasn’t the case. He was coming apart in her arms until he grasped her and shifted her roughly. “Merry—”
He cradled her in his arms, kissing her as passionately as she kissed him. His hand caressed her thigh, sliding to her inner thigh and she opened her legs to him. While she caressed him, his fingers trailed higher, reaching the juncture of her thighs and then touching her intimately. He stroked her, taking her to a new height, finally lowering her to the bed. He moved down to trail his tongue where his hand had been. He was between her legs, watching her as he kissed her.
