Tempting Love (Cowboys & Angels 3)

We both moaned at the same time when he pressed his body close. The kiss turned hungrier as I took hold of his strong arms. My head spun as my body was wrapped in the euphoria that only Mitchell Parker could deliver. A strange feeling of peace settled into my chest as I let the wall I’d built around my heart fall. I was letting him in, and nothing was going to be the same from this point on.

My heart thundered in my ears as I kissed Corina. Her arms moved over my arms and wrapped around my neck, drawing me closer to her body. It felt like an eternity passed as we kissed, until we both needed to breathe.

Leaning my forehead against hers, I whispered, “I’ve missed you so much, dove.”

Corina drew back and gazed into my eyes. A single tear slipped from her beautiful baby blues. I gently brushed it away.

With a breathtaking smile, she placed her hands on my chest. “What took you so long?”

“I was a fool, plain and simple.” I chuckled, gently running the back of my hand down the side of her face. “I swear to you, I’ll never hurt you again. Please believe me when I say that.”

Her hands grabbed at my chest as she took a shaky breath. Her eyes were screaming that she wanted to say something, but she looked down for a brief moment before gazing back into my eyes.

“I believe you, Mitch.”

Placing my hands over hers, I laced our fingers together. “You know I’m going to mess up.”

She giggled. “I know.”

“Can we make a promise to each other right now that if something bothers us, or we’re unsure, we’ll talk about it and not jump to conclusions.”

Corina nodded. “I like that promise.”

Squeezing her hands, I kissed her on the forehead. “So do I. Now, let me show you the house before we get some food.”

We walked toward the house, hand in hand. Never in a million years had I thought want something like this, but I did…and, most importantly, I wanted it with her. Every time I thought of Corina, my mind wandered off in a million hopeful directions.

Stepping on the porch, I watched Corina look around. “It’s huge! I can totally see a porch swing with some rockers sitting out here.”

I made a mental note. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to be sharing this house with her. I wanted it to be perfect in every way.

I unlocked the door and we headed inside.

“Oh my!” Corina gasped. “It’s so true to the time period.”

“The previous owners were the original owners. They never changed a thing. When Mr. Robinson passed last year, his son came in and had everything restored, but made sure to keep it exactly the same. The wallpaper in here…”

I led her into the parlor.

“It’s the exact same pattern. He took a piece of the original wallpaper and had it reproduced. It was important for him to restore the house to look the way it did when he grew up. The colors, the fixtures, the flooring…everything is either original to the house, or a reproduction.”

Corina took everything in. “Did they open this wall between the dining and living?”

“It was built with stained-glass doors originally. Seems like Mr. Robinson was the first to come up with the open floor plan.”

“I’d say,” Corina replied with a chuckle.

We toured the rest of the house and ended up on the second floor back balcony.

“Wow. Look at the view.”

“It’s pretty,” I admitted. “Not as pretty as Amelia and Wade’s place, but still good.”

She turned to me and tilted that pretty little head. “I think it’s perfect.”

I placed my hands on her hips and drew her a little closer. With a grin, I replied, “Good, I’m glad you think so. I really hoped you’d like it.”

When her teeth sank into her lip, I had to keep myself from dragging her in for another kiss. “Hungry?”

“I am starved! All that ice skating worked up an appetite.”

With her hand in mine, we made our way to my truck. Opening the passenger door, Corina paused before getting in.

“Mitchell?”

“Yeah?”

She worried her lower lip before those beautiful blue eyes met mine. “I didn’t mean it when I said I hated you that night in the club. I was angry, and I shouldn’t have said that.”

My throat grew thick as I placed my hand on the side of her cheek. “I’m the one who needs to be apologizing for being a complete and utter asshole.” I took a step back. My heartbeat quickened, and I knew I had to tell her the truth. I didn’t want anything false between us.

“Corina, I need to tell you something.”

Her smile faded, and she looked away. I was pretty sure she knew what I was about to say.