She took a sip. “Like I said, I know nothing about wine, but this is good. Kind of spicy.”
“There you go. Take another sip and let it float on your tongue for a minute and then ooze down your throat. Can you get the berries, the green pepper?”
“Green pepper?” She took a sip and followed his instructions. The wine was soft on her tongue. She swallowed. “I’ll be damned. I do taste green pepper.”
“Told you.” He smiled. “I’m going to throw these steaks on the grill. Be back in a minute.”
Instead of waiting, Amber followed him out to the patio and watched as he lit his gas grill.
He turned to her, his brown eyes blazing like the flames on the grill. “Amber?”
“Yes?”
“May I be frank?”
“I thought you were Harper.” Bad joke. Really, Amber? Did you really say that?
He smiled that lopsided smile. “I’m serious.”
“Okay, sorry. Sure. What?”
“Would you come to bed with me?”
“Huh?” Talk about spur of the moment. No talking? No kissing? No heavy petting? No seduction attempt whatsoever?
“Here’s the thing. I haven’t been able to think straight since you kissed me at Catie’s. All I can think about is you in my bed. I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted a woman this badly.”
He advanced toward her. “You’re so beautiful. And those lips…so full and red.” He traced them with his fingers.
Her skin heated. Little jolts lit up where his skin touched hers. One finger trailed over her cheek, down her neck, and over the swell of her breast.
“I bet these are perfect like the rest of you.”
Her nipple tightened.
His eyebrows arched. He’d noticed.
“I see you’re not immune.”
Immune? Who could be immune to him and his tousled charm? He was yummy. “Of course I’m not immune. Why do you think I agreed to have dinner with you? But I didn’t agree to hop in the sack with you.”
“No, you didn’t. That’s why I’m asking nicely.”
“Have you ever seduced a woman, Harper? Because if you have, I hope you did a better job than you’re doing right now.”
He laughed. “I’ve had a few in my day. Though less than you probably think.”
She smiled.
“I just don’t see any reason to beat around the bush. I want you in my bed. I want to kiss those lips of yours until they’re raw, I want to suck on those hard nipples until they’re crimson from my whisker burn.”
Amber heated. Her sex throbbed. How was he doing this?
“I bet you’re sweet as a candy apple between your legs.”
Harper Bay? How had she always thought he was some kind of Goody-Two-shoes? He was the second most eligible bachelor in Bakersville for a reason. She hadn’t known he could talk so dirty. And she hadn’t known it would make her crazy with desire.
“The steaks’ll burn.”