Reckless

Let me just say that when a beautiful woman comes apart in your arms, it makes you take stock of your life.

A few weeks ago, I was miserable. No two ways about it. Miserable that I hadn’t been able to keep my family together. Miserable that I was working so much. Miserable that life hadn’t turned out the way I planned.

Right now, though? Despite the painful erection biting into the zipper of my jeans, I feel pretty damn content.

Tori pants, laughing, the sound musical.

Wiping my mouth with my forearm, I slide down next to her and pull her close.

She nestles into me, wrapping her arm around my neck and throwing her leg over my thigh. I caress the smooth expanse of her back, enamored by her soft skin and the sweet scent of her hair.

Clearing my throat, I tell her the truth. “I’m not sure if messing around in my truck in the back pasture is the most romantic thing ever or supremely low-class.”

She hums. “That’s easy. Super romantic and adventurous. And I love adventures.”

I chuckle, completely charmed by her free spirit. “Noted.”

Tori is so unlike the women I’ve been with before. I wasn’t lying when I told her she wasn’t really my type. Why I’ve always dated high-maintenance women is beyond me, because being with this girl who is laid-back and fun is fucking addictive. Allison would’ve died twice had I suggested cuddling in the back of my truck under the stars.

Tori shivers in my arms, and I rub her shoulders to warm her. “I’m an ass. Here you are freezing to death. We should go inside.”

But her immediate reaction makes me smile. “No, I love it out here. Let’s stay longer.”

Through the back window of the cab, I reach for another blanket, toss it over us, and pull her close. When her bare chest touches mine, I have to bite back a groan because she feels so damn good.

Completely addictive.

Threading my fingers through her thick hair, I whisper, “So I guess this means you’re reconsidering that whole ‘not even if you’re the last man on earth’ speech you gave me a few weeks ago?”

“Oh, God.” She presses her lips to my chest as she snickers. “You have to know I’ve always thought you were hot as hell, even when we were arguing.”

I like to think of myself as a fairly confident guy, but I’d be lying if I said that compliment doesn’t feel good coming from her.

She glances up at me, her hair tumbling over her chest like she’s my own X-rated mermaid. “If you hadn’t opened your mouth that first day we met, I’m pretty sure I’d have taken you on your kitchen counter.”

Smirking, I kiss her. “And if you hadn’t opened your mouth, I’m pretty sure I’d have let you.”

Crawling on me, she nibbles on my neck. Bites my ear. Licks my bottom lip.

I’m praying for some restraint when she says, “We should do this all the time. I bet we could squeeze in a quickie during the seventh-inning stretch.”

Have I mentioned I love that she watches baseball?

“Baby, I’m impossibly hard right now, so I’m not sure I can handle you talking baseball and sex in the same sentence.”

“Then maybe we should get to the sex.”

As her hands go to my belt, I reach for her wrists to stop her. Call me old-fashioned, but when I do things with this woman, I want to do them right.

“What’s wrong?” Those big eyes turn up to me.

“Nothing’s wrong. Just…” Damn, how do I say this? “I didn’t find you tonight so I could get laid.” Though heaven knows I’d really enjoy it.

“Okay, but… you don’t want to?”

I’m wrestling with how to say what’s on my heart when she starts to pull away. But I’m too fast for her, and I wrap my arms around her tiny waist and fit her against my chest.

“Fuck, yes, I want to.” I stroke her hair and press a kiss to her forehead. Clearing my throat, I blurt it out. “In exactly three days, my divorce will be finalized.” Tori stops breathing, so I kiss her again. “And while I’d love nothing more than to fuck you until you can’t walk straight, when we do eventually take that step, I don’t want shit from my past hanging over me. Does that make sense?” Please, let that make sense. I barely understand why I’m turning her down right now, except I want things with Tori to be perfect.

A long, quiet minute passes, during which half of me wants to kick my own ass for not being one of those guys who can shut down the shit in his head and fuck like it’s a recreational sport.

“No, I, um, I get it.” Another awkward silence ensues until she pushes off me and reaches for her top. “You know, Ethan, if you didn’t want to do this with me, you didn’t have to. I feel stupid, like I just threw myself at you, and—”

She doesn’t get to finish those words because half a second later, she’s pinned underneath me.

“Honey, you feel that right now?” Looking straight into her eyes, I grind my hips into her so she can see exactly how much I want her. “You make me come undone. From the moment you strutted into my house, you have occupied most of my thoughts, half of my dreams, and at least two-thirds of my future plans, so do not for one minute think I’m not dying to be with you.”

The hard look in her eyes goes hazy, and I graze her lips with mine. “When we do this, preferably in about three and a half days, I’ll be one hundred percent yours to do with as you please.”

That gets me a small smile before her expression turns solemn. “I’m sorry.” She blows out a deep breath. “You’re right. Of course we should wait.” Nodding, she leans up to kiss me, but this time it’s sweet and soft. “I actually really respect your decision.” She looks like she wants to say something else but doesn’t.

We’re quiet again, and while I’m glad she understands where I’m coming from, I don’t want this serious vibe to overshadow the fun we’ve had tonight. So I nuzzle against her neck and nibble her soft skin. “Just so we’re clear, though, you make me fucking crazy.” My cock might never forgive me for waiting.

And then I tickle her until she’s howling with laughter and the smile on her face makes my heart knock painfully against my chest.

This girl’s gonna be the end of me. But I don’t think I care.