Tripp’s gaze blazed over her. “Only when I’m craving something specific,” he said. When those sinful eyes roamed from Charlotte’s breasts to her legs, she was ready to beg him to devour her.
He met her eyes and she stumbled a little, bumping into a rack of shirts. It was enough to break the spell. She refocused on the task at hand, which was fast becoming “don’t get caught up in Tripp’s eyes.”
…
Jesus Christ, Tripp was going to lose his mind. That shopping experience was a special kind of torture. The glimpse of Charlotte’s creamy cleavage and silk panties would be enough to give him a hard-on for the rest of the night.
Not to mention, Gracie really liked her. Gracie eagerly gravitated toward women in a way that made Tripp uneasy, but she had never sought out a woman quite like this before. Like there was a real connection. Teachers, troop leaders, friends’ moms were all well and good, but her attachment to Charlotte was more. Tripp was treading dangerous water with his daughter’s heart. And he’d never gamble with that.
Still, tonight he couldn’t get the smell of Charlotte out of his nose. She was sunshine and flowers and sex. All that smooth skin and those toned thighs. He wanted her legs wrapped around him again.
They didn’t speak on the ten-minute ride back to his ranch. Gracie did, though. A lot. And all to Charlotte.
When they pulled up, Tripp got her out. “Run on in, baby girl. Help Uncle Bo finish up those steaks.”
Gracie did what she was told but waved before disappearing inside. Smiling, Charlotte headed for her car and put her shopping bags inside. It wasn’t until she shut the door and turned to face him that Tripp realized he’d been following her like a damn puppy.
She blinked, clearly not expecting him to be right there. “Look, I know we’re not friends or anything,” she began,
“and honestly, I don’t even know what your problem is with me half the time, but we’re neighbors.”
“His problem” had everything to do with not wanting to get involved with Charlotte, yet wanting more of her at the same time. A lot more. Starting with a kiss. Then a night. Then another night. And then another.
But idiot that he was, he didn’t say any of that.
Instead he took a step toward her. “My problem is I’m hungry.”
She edged away, her eyes going hot. “I have no idea how I missed it that first night, but I think you’re just grouchy no matter what.”
“Maybe. Only one way to find out.”
He took another step and she tried to counter, but he’d backed her into the side of the car. Her eyes went wide.
That’s right, darlin’. You’re trapped.
It was just them, alone in the dirt driveway, surrounded by a wide-open Wyoming summer.
He didn’t know where his mind went when she was around. He just knew he needed a single taste, a single touch, to get him through.
So he took it.
He teased his lips against hers, and she wasn’t pulling away. So he nibbled on that plump bottom lip, then took a gentle bite.
She moaned and grabbed the car behind her for support. He chuckled against her mouth. He was getting to her, just like the other night. She’d been so high on the pleasure she’d reached out, trying to get her hands on anything she could.
And he needed his hands on her. To hold tight and deep and lose himself.
He slid his hand up her thigh, only this time, he didn’t stop. He pushed her panties aside and rubbed that soft, tender spot between her legs.
“More,” she whispered. “Please…” Her whispers were soft but throaty. Need radiated from her like steam.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said against her mouth. He drove one finger inside her, and her lips trembled against his. She was trying to hold on to control, but he had no intention of letting her.
As he worked her with his mouth, he reveled in how well he could read her body already. How well she could read his. She clearly needed him, and God it felt good. He’d forgotten what it was like to be wanted like this. If he had his way, he’d bury himself inside her sweet heat and not come out for weeks.
“How do you do this to me?” she asked with a little anger behind her words.
“You’re the one that’s a pain in my ass,” he growled.