Any Time, Any Place(40)

"Crap, you're right. Why would I buy you dinner when you're not only beautiful, but great company? Why would I give you a break on my services when I'll be reaping the benefits of free advertising for Pierce Brothers once everyone sees my work? Darlin', if these are your high standards in a husband, I better rescue you right now. Let me give you some sound advice." He leaned in, each word punctuated with smoky, toe-curling heat. "Aim higher."

Sexual tension rippled around them. She mentally fought her treacherous body with clawing hands and desperate kicks. Then took a step back for safety. Raven was rarely nervous around men. There was nothing left of the once shy or broken girl who chased after an array of boys to prove something or slay the demons. She experienced sexual interest and enjoyed kissing. She liked the press of hard muscles against her soft curves, and the scratch of scruff against her lips. She was confident in her sexuality, comfortable with what she wanted, and rarely wasted time on head games or wordplay.

But Dalton affected her in a way that dragged the past and present together and merged them into one delicious chemistry. Her tummy tumbled, and her nipples hardened, and her mouth trembled, and he hadn't done a damn thing but just stand there, leaning against the shed door, fingers hooked in the loops of his jeans, blistering heat in his blue eyes.

She blurted out the first thing that came to her mind.

"I like it out here."

His gaze narrowed, assessed. Feeling ridiculously foolish, Raven cleared her throat and kept talking, scrambling for balance. "It's quiet, I mean. My cabin is also by the woods, but I don't have the same clear views you do of the night sky. I like looking at the stars."




 

 

Now, why the hell had she told him that? She needed to get her act together; this was getting embarrassing. He hadn't responded yet, just stared at her with that intense expression, making her more heated and uncomfortable.

"What did you just say?" He flicked out the question with a touch of demand.

She forced a laugh and waved her hand in the air. "Nothing, I'm babbling for no reason. Really tired. I'd like to head back now."

She turned on her heel, but his hand shot out and stopped her. Five fingers blazed into the skin of her upper arm. Her tat tingled under his touch.

"Wait. What did you say about the stars?"

"I like looking at the stars. Kind of a hobby of mine, that's all. Your house is elevated perfectly, with the eastern horizon on display. I bet you could catch Boötes tonight around eleven. Boötes is a constellation in the summer, it has this bright star called Arcturus and it's pretty cool to trace it. You can find it if you follow the Big Dipper." He looked so shocked, Raven shook her head. "Sorry, not many people are into stargazing. Can we go?"

"Not yet." He didn't release her, but the move still didn't feel aggressive. It felt more . . . solid. Right. "I know what Boötes is. I know Arcturus, too. I happen to have a telescope set up on my balcony. Stargazing is one of my hobbies, too."

She squinted with pure suspicion. "Dude, don't play me. You don't have to make up hobbies just to get an inroad. I told you we won't be sleeping together."

"God, you're a pain in the ass." He moved into her space, stopping inches away. She fought a shudder as the waves of male energy struck her like Zeus with his thunderbolts. "I don't lie, Raven. I don't pretend to be someone I'm not just to make a play. That insults me and you. I'm kind of obsessed with astronomy, and I've never met someone else with the same interest."

Her eyes widened with the knowledge. He was a closet nerd, just like she was. Suddenly there was too much between them. At his physical nearness, her barriers quivered in warning, and she was desperate to get away.

Yet she didn't move.

His eyes darkened to a gorgeous ocean blue with a bit of storm. His head dipped another inch, and his warm breath struck her mouth. She trembled.

"I'm in trouble."

She tried to focus on his words, but those carved lips fascinated her. His features were beautiful, from his square jaw touched with scruff to the arrogant blade of his nose and his perfectly arched brows. His gaze delved so deep, she felt trapped in a hypnotic state.

"Wh-what are you talking about?" Oh, my God, had she stuttered? Why weren't her limbs working? 

He upped his game. His other hand reached out and he ran a finger lightly over her cheek. The slightest brush of skin-to-skin contact left a trail of fire. She tried to step out of the web of sensation, but the threads were strong and sticky, and she couldn't move. Didn't want to move. What was happening? She was always in control of her sexuality and what she would or wouldn't do. But right now, Dalton held all the power. Yet she didn't feel threatened. Only felt the need to move closer; breathe in his scent; touch the lean, muscled length of his body.