Tantalizing Maria (The Temptation Saga 7)

“But I’ll leave if you want me to. I mean, I didn’t come here to…force myself on you or anything.”

“Oh, I know that.” And she did. In her soul she knew he’d never hurt her. How? She wasn’t sure. But she knew.

“Do you…want me to go?”

Meghan was fast asleep. Mama wouldn’t be home until morning. And Maria’s bedroom door had a lock on it…

“I… I don’t know.”

“Well, you can think about it.” He set the can of soda on the counter. “But I do want you. I want you like I’ve never wanted anything.”

Her skin tingled. Her tummy fluttered. God, she wanted him too. More than she’d ever wanted Greg or anyone else. More than she wanted chocolate ice cream—her favorite—at this very moment.

She nervously took a sip of her own drink. It bubbled in her throat. The sug

ary aftertaste lay on her tongue, but it couldn’t compare to the memory of the sweetness of Jeff’s lips on hers.

Her nipples hardened under her T-shirt. She squirmed. Was she going to do this?

She knew the answer before she asked herself the question.

She would give her virginity to Jeff Bay—a man she’d known for less than twenty-four hours. The decision was crazy and impulsive and completely irresponsible.

But it was right. So right.

She knew nothing about taking a man to bed, but she didn’t care. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it in her own. Without uttering a word, she led him to her bedroom.

Chapter Six

Maria stood at the sink in her big country kitchen, peeling apples. Homemade applesauce for dinner tonight, along with pork chops and fried rice and onions. The combination had been one of Wayne’s favorite meals—good old comfort food.

She needed a little comfort right now.

Maria was worried. She bit her upper lip as she worked with the fruit, and stopped when she tasted the metallic flavor of her own blood on her tongue. Harper said Jeff had been working every day and seemed fine, but something gnawed at Maria. Even though he resisted coming to the main house, Jeff had shared a couple of meals a week with Harper and Amber at their table since he’d come to the ranch. He hadn’t been there lately.

Something was wrong.

She jumped when a throat cleared behind her.

“Ouch!” Her paring knife sliced into the palm of her hand. Blood gushed from the cut as the pain lanced into her.

“Mia!” Jeff rushed toward her. “What happened?”

Tears formed in her eyes. Just a cut, for God’s sake. Yes, it hurt, but she’d had worse. Why was she crying? “I… You startled me. I cut myself.”

“I’m so sorry. Here—” He took her hand and held it under the faucet.

The cool water stung at first and then soothed the smarting pain.

Jeff rummaged through drawers until he found a towel. “Let me see,” he said. “Not too deep. You probably don’t need stitches.”

“Stitches? Oh, for goodness’ sake, it’s just a little cut.”

“It’s a pretty deep cut, Mia. What are you using for knives in here? Samurai blades?”

Mia smiled despite herself. “They’re just regular forged steel knives.”

Jeff wrapped the towel around her hand and applied pressure. Sparks ignited within her. For so long she’d longed for his touch. Now she was grateful to that stupid knife for giving her the opportunity. She’d have cut herself a year ago if she’d known she’d get his attention.