Loving Cara (Love Under the Big Sky 1)

His chocolate-brown eyes stare into mine and he again pins me, his pelvis cradled against mine. He lifts one hand to brush the hair away from my face.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper, my breath coming in pants. I don’t know if I’m light-headed from the wine or Josh’s kisses.

He shakes his head, nuzzles my nose, and I can feel his erection pressed to my center.

I grip his face in my hands and stare him in the eye. “What are you doing here?”

“I don’t know.” He closes his eyes and sighs, leaning his forehead against mine. “One taste of you wasn’t enough. I can’t get you out of my head.”

He lowers his lips to mine again, gently this time, and he slowly brushes them back and forth, nibbling at the sides of my mouth, licking my lower lip with just the tip of his tongue. I’m vaguely aware of my cell ringing, but I don’t care.

I roll my hips, just a tiny bit, and grin when he groans against my lips. He pushes more firmly against me, shooting sparks through my clit and up my spine.

I want him. Now.

Both of his hands glide up my hips, my sides, and cup my full breasts. He worries the nipples with his thumbs as he sweeps his amazing lips down my jawline to my neck.

“You’re so sweet,” he whispers. “You’ve been drinking wine.”

I grin and nod. He chuckles softly against my skin, making me tingle even more.

“Can I pour you a glass?” I ask, my voice trembling.

“No, I’m drunk enough on you, sweetheart.” He settles his lips over mine again and boosts me higher against the wall, even tighter against him.

I plunge my hands in his thick, dark brown hair and hang on for dear life as his mouth plunders mine, his tongue dancing and rubbing with my own. Finally he pulls back, panting raggedly. He kisses my cheek softly and brushes his thumb over my lower lip.

“I’d better go before I rip the clothes off your delectable little body and take you against this wall.”

“Go ahead.” I enjoy the way his eyes widen as he swallows thickly. Holy shit, did I really just say that?

“Not yet.” He shakes his head and slowly lowers me to the floor. “It’s too soon, and as much as I want you right now, I don’t want to rush this.”

“Why not?” I whisper, his words a balm to my ego. I want him. I shouldn’t, and this is nuts, but I so, so want him.

“Because this isn’t a one-night stand for me, Cara. I don’t know where this will go, but it’s not a quick fuck against the wall by your front door.”

“I have a bedroom,” I offer with a smile.

He grins down at me, his eyes happy and warm. “Soon,” he promises, and cups my cheek in his hand once more, gently kisses me, and then sighs. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

He opens the front door and looks back at me, almost hesitating as if he wants to say something more, but he turns and shuts the door behind him, and I’m left leaning against my wall, a panty-soaked, gasping-for-breath mess.

So much for maintaining my professionalism.

Taking a deep breath, I reach for my phone and call Jillian back to reassure her that I wasn’t just attacked by a serial killer.

* * *

I’m a complete wimp.

I called in sick this morning for the first time in four years.

I shake my head in disgust and pour more beige paint into the pan, run my roller through it, and smooth it over the wall. I couldn’t face Josh today. I need to get a handle on my emotions, and I can’t do that when I’m around him.

He’s too . . . Josh.

How can he just come into my home, kiss the hell out of me, and then leave as if nothing happened? Okay, so he didn’t leave as if nothing happened, but still. Who the hell does that?

And why do I so desperately want him to do it again?

Because he’s hotter than sin and you want in his pants.

“Cara?”

I frown and turn at the sound of Seth’s voice coming from my front door.

“Seth, you’re supposed to knock, for God’s sake!”

And there’s Josh, right behind him.

“I’m back here!” I yell out with a resigned sigh, set the roller in the pan, and wipe my hands on the rag resting on my shoulder.

I turn to find Seth and Josh staring at me from the door. Seth wrinkles his nose and sighs. “I do not want to paint. Tell me you’re not going to make me paint.”

Josh leans casually against the doorframe and smirks at me. “Sick, huh?”

I shrug and turn around, cleaning up my mess.

“Are you feeling better?” Seth asks.

“I’m fine,” I mumble.

“Seth, why don’t you go wait for Cara at the kitchen table.” Josh hasn’t taken his eyes off me, and I squirm as Seth leaves the room. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine,” I repeat as I place the lid on the can of paint.

“You called in sick this morning.”

I shrug again, not wanting to admit that he’s the reason I didn’t come to work, and pissed that my lust for him is interfering with my job.

“Look at me.” His voice is firm. I close my eyes and cross my arms over my chest.

“Maybe you should find Seth a different tutor. I can make some calls.”

Josh moves into the room, grips my chin between his thumb and finger, and tilts my head back to look him in the face. “No.”

“Josh . . .”

“No.” He shakes his head. “Seth actually smiled at me this morning, Cara. He was respectful to my parents when they told him to feed the dogs and collect the eggs this morning. That’s because of you. I’m not hiring someone else.”

“I’m so glad, really, but I think—”

“Stop thinking so hard.” He offers me a half smile, that sexy dimple winking at me, and I feel myself soften. “I’m not going to ravage your body in front of him. I can control myself.” Josh frowns and narrows his eyes. “But when he’s not around, I plan to touch you as much as possible.”

I can’t stop my gasp or the way my eyes go round in surprise. “This is crazy,” I whisper.

“Call in sick again and I’ll come find you, if nothing more than to make sure you’re okay.” He smirks arrogantly and backs away. I immediately miss the warmth of his body so close to mine.

“I’m not helpless.”

“If you don’t want me to pursue you, say the word and I’ll stop. I’m not in the habit of harassing women.” He crosses his arms over his chest, his biceps flex under his white T-shirt, and I am once again a quivering, wet mess.