Shine Not Burn(95)

“I’m the one who disappeared that night in Vegas and started the rumors. Ginny made a mistake overhearing only part of a conversation and letting it get the best of her, but if I hadn’t done all that, it never would have happened.”

“But she was totally wrong for coming on to you. I mean, come on. She doesn’t deserve that much of a break.”

“Let’s just say she showed her true colors that day. Ian never forgave her. He canceled the wedding, tore up the honeymoon tickets, and mailed her the pieces.”

“Is he okay with everything now?”

“No. He’s just surviving day-to-day, drinking too much, partying way too much in town. He hates it here. He had a job all lined up in Portland, working as an architect in this new firm. His first job out of school. But after the Ginny thing, he just couldn’t deal. He blew them off, blew off all his plans for the future … he’s just been riding out his time at the ranch, drinking almost every night with his buddies. He’s in a bad way, but right now he’s not really accepting any help from anyone. Boog keeps an eye on him for us, but that’s about all we can do.”

“I feel terrible.” My heart ached for both of them and their parents. I could tell they were all suffering for it. It made me so sad to know that I had something to do with it.

“Why do you feel terrible? It’s not your fault.”

“It is too. If it hadn’t been for me, you would have been with them all night and then there wouldn’t have been a rumor. No rumor, no upset fiancée, no funny business in the back room.”

He turned to face me, pulling my shoulder around so I was facing him. “Oh, so you’re like a spider who lured me in to her web and I had no choice in the matter? I can tell everyone I was just an innocent victim?”

When he said it that way it made me feel silly, but I still wasn’t ready to walk away without taking any of the blame. “Yes, that’s what happened. I lured you into my web.” I stepped closer and hugged him to me. “I wore booby-pusher-uppers that night and that tight dress and heels. You fell right into my trap. You had no choice.”

He hugged me back tightly and leaned down to inhale the skin of my neck. “You’re right about that. Once I saw you, I had no choice. I was done for good. You’re the last woman I ever want to be with.” His hands slid down my back and squeezed my rear end as we lifted our faces to gaze at each other.

The combination of his touch, his words, and the way he was staring at me with love shining out of his eyes made my whole system go haywire.

“We’re going to have sex again, aren’t we?” I asked softly, the wetness building in an instant.

He gave me a wicked smile. “Hell yes, we are.” And then he lowered me to the ground.





Chapter Thirty-Five





THE WEIGHT OF MACK’S HEAVY body pressed my back into the soft earth beneath the blanket. His breath was sweet and his mouth insistent, the scratchy surface of his shaved upper lip giving me a thrill as it slid across the sensitive skin of my lips and neck. His hat tipped off and fell into the grass next to my head.

“What if someone sees us?” I asked, feeling his growing need pressing into my leg.

“No one’s out here except you, me, and the horses, and they don’t care what we do, so long as we let them eat in peace.” His lazy smile arrested my heart. “Just relax and let me love you.” He dipped his head down and kissed the hollow of my neck, pulling the neckline of my t-shirt down to expose my skin and kiss there too.

I closed my eyes and ran my fingers up and down his back, loving how the muscles bunched up and relaxed as he covered me in his affection. He was such a strong man. I felt safe with him. Turned on just at the thought of him.

“Do you like this?” he asked, nuzzling my ear and giving me chills.

“I like everything you do,” I said softly. “Everything feels amazing.”

He came back up to my face and kissed me on the mouth hard before pulling away. “Get up.”

“What?” The fog that had started to take over my conscious mind quickly dissipated, leaving me confused.

“Stand up and take your clothes off for me. Strip, sexy girl, I want to watch.”

I giggled. “Get out of town.” My face flamed at the idea of him seeing me in the broad daylight like that.

“No, I’m serious.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss against my lips, forcing them apart and pushing his hot tongue inside. My nipples went rock hard. I reached for him blindly as my eyes slid shut, but he pushed my hands gently to the side and pulled away. I opened my eyes and pouted.