His scent, his taste, his touch, if she lived to be a hundred she’d never forget this moment.
She made a small protest when he finally slowed the kiss. But he didn’t let go of her. “Carson, I don’t—”
“Ssh, just let yourself settle.”
How did he know? Was he feeling just as untethered as she was?
Those strong hands slid back up to her hips. “You are the very definition of temptation.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He rubbed his lips across her hairline at the top of her forehead. “So you really didn’t tell your family about me?”
“It’s none of their business.”
“I like your feisty side.”
“Did you say anything to your family?”
“Just to my brother Cal. He thinks I’m crazy.”
She frowned.
He smooched her mouth. “Let’s talk about something else.”
“Like?”
Carson pushed her hair over her shoulder. “Like when are you comin’ home with me.”
Somehow she kept her jaw from hitting the ground. She’d told him about her life so he had to know she had zero experience…
Wait a second. Maybe that’s why he was interested in her. He “collected cherries” as her friend Cathy called it. She stepped back. Way back. “I…I have to go.” Then she turned and fled.
Carolyn didn’t get far. A strong hand circled her arm and jerked her around.
Carson bent down until they were nose to nose. “Why the hell did you run again?”
“Because I’m not going home with you!”
“Sweet Christ, woman, don’t you think I f**kin’ know that?”
“Don’t swear at me,” she snapped.
He struggled for composure. “Caro. Sugar. I fu—screwed this up. I want you to come home with me, but you’re not ready for that yet.”
The yet part caused her to tremble.
“I was thinkin’ out loud, getting ahead of myself as usual, okay? That’s it. I promise.”
She should’ve doubted his sincerity, but she believed him.
“I want to get to know you, but like you said, it ain’t anyone’s business what goes on between us.”
“So you want to sneak around with me.”
His eyes hardened. “No. But I thought you’d prefer that to me stakin’ my claim on you in the middle of the damn bar on a Saturday night since your family don’t know about us.”
Us. Did he really consider them a couple? “You’d do that? For real?”
“In a f**kin’ heartbeat. So what’s it gonna be?”
“I don’t know. I have no experience with any of this.”
“Good.” He snaked his arm around her waist, not-so-subtly pressing their hips together. “I like that you’re inexperienced.”
“Why?”
“Because it’ll force me to take my time and enjoy every moment of bein’ with you.” Carson dipped his head and tugged on her hair until she bared her throat to him.
Her entire body broke out in gooseflesh when his lips touched her skin. He nuzzled and licked the sensitive flesh until she had difficulty breathing and her body reacted in ways it never had before.
“You like this?” he murmured in her ear.
“Yes.”
“I’ll take it as slow as you want.” He smiled against her neck. “Until you don’t want me to go slow anymore.”
“You sound so sure of yourself, McKay.”
Carson lifted his head and looked into her eyes. “I am sure. Not because I’ve got experience but because of this.” He curled his palm over her throat and rested his thumb at the spot where her pulse raced. “And this.” Then he slid his hand down her chest and gently cupped her breast, sweeping his thumb over the hardened tip of her nipple. “And this.” His hand slipped around her back, following her spine to the curve of her behind. Then he pressed her lower body against his and she could feel his erection digging into her belly.
Her gaze zoomed to his.
Taking her hand, he kissed her palm before placing her hand on his chest. “And because of this. My heart is damn near ready to beat out of my chest. My hands are shakin’ at the thought that I might actually get to put them on you.”
“Carson.”
“Say yes.”
“Yes to what?”
“Bein’ with me.”
“Yes.” Carolyn framed his face in her hands and kissed him. Mimicking the way he’d kissed her. The soft wet glide of lips. The gentle rub and swirling tease of her tongue against his. She let all of the nuances of kissing him wash over her, not wanting to miss a single one. The smoothness of his cheeks, the strength in his jaw, the wonderful scent of his body heat drifting from beneath the collar of his shirt. The tightening and releasing of his fingers on her butt. How his big, strong body shook with need.
For her.
She slowed the kiss gradually, rather than just ripping her mouth free. She rested her forehead at the base of his throat and tried to figure out a way to calm the blood pumping, body tingling effect the man brought out in her.
Carson’s lips connected with the top of her head and he stayed like that for several long minutes before he released her. “I want to see you tomorrow. Can you get away?”
“Probably. As long as it’s right after church gets out.”