Bucking the Rules(97)

But he’d promised not to push.

“Where’s Seth?”

Not a question he’d expected. “At home with Bea. I’m sure they’re catching up on the week’s soaps. When I get home, he’ll likely think he’s his own evil twin, bent on revenge for one of his stuffed animals ruining his life.”

She laughed. “She’s just keeping up on—”

“Industry news,” they finished together, and chuckled.

“Yeah, well, anyway. You heading back to the bar? I think you’re going to have a standing room only situation on your hands tonight.”

“Eventually.” She smiled a little, the gesture confusing him. Normally, she smiled at him like that right before she would jump him in bed.

“Then I should let you go.”

“Don’t.” Her other arm wrapped around him, pulling them together. “Don’t let me go.”

“Jo,” he warned.

“I screwed up. Full disclosure, I do that sometimes. Maybe more than sometimes.”

The words, almost a mirror of what he’d told her before, made him smile. “People are watching,” he said without moving his mouth.

“Let them.” She didn’t look around, just kept eye contact. “I freaked out. You’ve had like a year to handle being a dad. I had a few days with the little guy, and only a couple of hours alone. I still need time to get there, feel comfortable with Seth. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like him.”

“I know that.” Taking a chance, he stroked one hand down her ponytail, gripping the end at the small of her back. “I do. And he likes you, too.”

“And I like his dad.” She took a deep breath, pressing her breasts into his chest. “Maybe I even more than like his dad.”

“More than like, huh?” He grinned at that. “How about I take the first step? I love you, Jo.”

She let her forehead fall to his sternum. “Why is it so easy for you to say? Isn’t the girl supposed to be all in touch with her emotions and the guy all hung up on using words like that?”

“So we’ve got a little role reversal. No big. I’m man enough to know when I’m in love. And I still get to wear the chaps.”

She laughed. Laughed so hard tears started to roll down her cheeks.“Okay. Take me home to my bordello.”





The minute her apartment door closed behind them, Jo tore at his shirt. Her hands slid over warm skin, sleek hard muscles. Oh, God, she’d missed him.

“Oh!” She startled as he lifted her up with both hands under her ass. On cue, she wrapped her legs around his waist and let him carry her the rest of the way to the bed.

“Don’t push me away again.” His lips moved over her face. Up the bridge of her nose, over her eyelids, her temple, down to nuzzle below her ear. “Kick me out for the night if you’re pissed at me. But don’t push me away.”

“No.” She could barely breathe the word through the tightness in her chest.

He lowered them both to the bed and undressed her slowly, pulling her nice jacket off and tossing it to the floor. She had a fleeting thought that it’d have to be hung up, but then he managed to tug the supportive chemise top down over her breast and latch his mouth on her nipple and she didn’t care about laundry. Her hands cupped the back of his head, fingers scratching. Her head dug into the pillow as she arched into him.

And then she was cold. Or cooler than she’d been before. Somehow he’d managed to divest her of her pants while she’d been enjoying his attentions up top. Smooth operator, this cowboy. Smoother still, as he slid down her body and put that sweet-talking mouth to good use. His shoulders propped her thighs wider and one hand rested over her stomach, keeping her from moving too much while he licked through her warmth.

Her stomach tightened under his touch, but he rubbed until she relaxed. At least, relaxed her torso. Her hands fisted in the comforter and she resisted the urge to scream. What with a full house downstairs, she figured that wouldn’t exactly be good for business. Or the rumors about her running a brothel …

“Oh, God. Trace …” Her hands found his head and she stroked until she couldn’t wait any longer. “Stop, please stop.”

He lifted his head, and she smiled. “With me.”

He broke land records for removing his clothes—if such records existed—and was with her in an instant, pushing inside her, moving with her until they were both sweating from the exertion to hold back. Without saying it, they both wanted to make it last.

“I love you,” he whispered, kissing her neck. “I love you.”