Taking Catie (The Temptation Saga 3)

“A gentleman would wait for my answer,” Catie continued.

“Sugar, if you don’t know by now, let me fill you in.” He grabbed her arm and dragged her to the crowded dance floor. “I ain’t no gentleman.”

He pulled her against his body and reveled in her warmth, her softness. Why couldn’t he get enough of her? She was so young, so innocent.

Well, not so innocent anymore. He’d taken care

of that. He was probably the first in a long line of lovers she’d have. A knife sliced into his gut. Why should that bother him? He didn’t want her. Well, not true. He wanted her. Just not forever. And she deserved forever.

Forever with a man who loved her.

So why was the thought of any man touching her so horrible? So vile? He squeezed her close, and her small gasp rang in his ears.

“Let’s go,” he said, pulling her off the dance floor and toward the door of the Bullfrog.

“Chad? What’s going on?”

He pulled her out the door and around to the parking lot behind the bar. Several couples laughed intimately in the shadows. Chad headed for his pickup and pushed her against the driver’s side. He clamped his mouth down on hers.

“Mmmpphhhh.” Her voice was muffled against his seeking tongue.

He forced her lips open and plunged inside. Sweet God, lime and raspberries again. Did this woman know how to bewitch him? He’d never tasted anything so intoxicating.

He ripped his mouth from hers. “What have you done to me, sugar?”

“I… I haven’t done anything, Chad.”

“You’ve bespelled me. Bewitched me.”

“You’re being silly. Don’t joke like that.”

Her voice was sweeter than the softest tune on a flute. He pressed his lips to her neck, raining kisses on her smooth skin and inhaling her fresh outdoorsy scent. “I want you, Catie. I want you in my bed.”

“Oh, Chad.” Her exhale was a whispered caress against his neck.

“Let’s go.”

“I… I can’t.”

“Why not?” He nibbled her ear. “The competition’s over. You won. No more ethical problems.”

“Because. I don’t want a roll in the hay.”

“I know, sugar. I know.”

“Chad.” She pushed at his chest.

He held her firmly. “What?”

“Why did you pick me?”

“Because you were the prettiest, had the most poise, and no one can beat you on horseback.”

“But was I your choice?”

“Yeah. You were. But my vote on the fashion show got disqualified.”

“Disqualified? Why?”