Adonis in Texas (Rugged and Risque 2)

“I may be inexperienced, but I do know what I’m getting myself into. Or at least, what I’m trying to get myself into.” She winked at him and it was his undoing.

Everything about her made it impossible for him to deny her desires—or his own. Gathering her close, he hoisted her up and, once again, carried her into the bedroom. Though this time, he drew up short just past the threshold.

Her entire room had been transformed into a romantic scene from a movie. The bed was turned down and red rose petals were scattered all over the dark brown duvet and cream-colored, satin sheets. More petals were strewn over the hardwood floor. Soft, sensual music flowed from the iPod speaker dock on a nightstand. A musky, enticing scent wafted on the air. And the moonlight that shimmered through the windows was enhanced by the flicker of candles, which were the waxless kind.

Recalling he’d seen similar ones in her shop, he said, “You’re terrified of another fire, aren’t you?”

With a nod, she told him, “Liza and I were extremely lucky to get out of that old, under-fire-code building alive. If Jack hadn’t been so resourceful—or brave—we’d have been in big trouble. Our last resort was to jump out the second-story window.”

“You would’ve broken a lot of bones,” he commented. The idea of Ginger’s life being in jeopardy made him strangely tense, so that he couldn’t even move from the spot in which he stood, with her still in his arms. Moreover, knowing his aunt had been the one to put her in such peril caused his gut to wrench. Ginger had told him the fire had been an accident and he believed that. His aunt was not a malicious woman by nature. Frigid and bitter, yes. But not homicidal. Yet it still unnerved him that she’d been the one to cause the fire.

Obviously noting his tension, Ginger whispered in his ear, “Planning on putting me down anytime soon, stud? Maybe joining me in bed?”

He forced a grin, though he was still disturbed by an incident that had

numerous implications, such as how serious and suddenly personally involved he was with Ginger’s safety. How ridiculous it was his aunt had been so shocked and appalled by sexy lingerie that she’d accidentally knocked over lit candles in Ginger’s store. The fact that it was Ginger’s store, in general. And the apparent animosity Lydia felt toward her.

Ryan wasn’t one to stir up a hornet’s nest with his family—he’d always gone with the grain, with the exception of his chosen profession. And now his association with Ginger. He’d also always believed in the “blood is thicker than water” adage. Yet he quite clearly could not side with the Bains when it came to the woman he held in his arms.

That realization was a tough pill to swallow. He didn’t want to upset the family apple cart. Nor was he willing to give up Ginger for them.

“You are thinking way too much about all of this,” she murmured against his temple.

He said, “I just don’t want to make any mistakes with you.”

She sighed. “None of this is going to go smoothly. How can it? Particularly given all the circumstances surrounding our…whatever this is.”

Finally depositing her on the bed, he said, “This is not something I’m taking lightly, Ginger.”

“Nor am I.”

He settled alongside her, pulling her to him as they lay on their sides so they could face each other. He told her, “When I was sitting in the diner, staring out the window, wondering how the hell I was going to tell my aunt and uncle I didn’t intend to pursue ministry work, you came out of your store. Standing under the golden glow of those antique streetlamps, your blonde hair glimmering in the light, I thought you looked like an angel.”

She stared curiously at him, but didn’t say a word.

Continuing, he said, “I glanced up at your sign and realized who you were. Dozens of memories of you came back to me. Mostly your pretty smile, your soft laugh and how protective I’ve always been with you. And I suddenly thought…” He let out a long breath, not sure how she’d take the admission he was about to make.

But her eyes were dreamy and her voice compelling as she urged, “What did you think?”

Ryan never had been one for holding back or playing games. He said, “I thought, ‘There’s a woman I could fall in love with’.”

Her breath caught. Her gaze remained locked with his as they faced each other, her eyes misting. Several long seconds passed until she finally said, “That’s the most romantic thing you could have said to me tonight.”

“Not too cheesy?”

She laughed again, though it sounded a bit strained by emotion. “Good Lord, no. What girl wouldn’t want to hear that? Especially coming from you.”

He kissed her, then muttered, “You’re the only one I’ve ever said it to. And for the record, you are no girl, Ginger. You are sexy and sensational and all woman.”

“You really do say the sweetest things.”

After another tender kiss, his mouth trailed over her floral-scented skin, his lips and tongue sweeping along her neck, his teeth gently nipping from time to time. She squirmed in his loose embrace as his hand moved between them, inching upward to palm a breast.

Ginger’s throaty moan and the tangling of her fingers in his hair heightened his arousal. His cock swelled and his pulse raced. Her back arched, pressing her breast more firmly against his hand. Ryan whisked aside the lace covering her, tucking the material under her full mound as his tongue lapped slowly at her small nipple. It pebbled instantly, and he drew it into his mouth, suckling the puckered peak as his hand shifted and he cupped an ass cheek. He held her against his body as he rolled onto his back.

His fingers slipped under the hem of her nightie and curled around the thin straps of her G-string. Though he regretted not having sneaked a peek at the miniscule panties, he had other things on his mind. Dragging the lingerie down her legs, he let her shimmy out of them when they reached her calves, with a little help from him. Then he grasped the backs of her thighs, guiding her legs apart so she straddled him at the waist.

Ginger undid the buttons on his flap and yanked the shirttail from his jeans. Her slender hands splayed over his chest and her long curls teased his skin as she bent her head and flicked her tongue across one of his nipples.