Kissin' Tell (Rough Riders 13)

“You ready to play?”

“I thought we were going out for ice cream?”

“After.” He dribbled the ball around her. Stopped and took a shot at the basket. Naturally, he sank it. He chased after the ball and bounced it as he returned.

“You’re good. Why didn’t you play in high school?”

“It conflicted with rodeo season. I like shooting hoops for fun. Not everything has to be about competition.”

Her eyes met his in direct challenge. “So we’re not havin’ us a little contest?”

Tell laughed. “You mimic me pretty well, sweetness. Yes, we’re havin’ us a little contest.”

“I can’t go one-on-one with you, Tell. You’re too big.”

He eyes smoldered. “I’ve no doubt you could take me. Take all of me just fine.”

Wasn’t he just pouring on sexual innuendo today? And didn’t she get a secret thrill out of it? When was the last time any man had cajoled her into having fun while making her think of hot skin, cool sheets, and a night without end? Never, probably.

“We’re playing for ice cream?”

He shook his head slowly, gifting her with a sexy, sly grin. “If you win, you get to pick the place on your body I kiss. If I win, I get to pick the place on your body to kiss.”

Her mind automatically compiled a list of spots, adding stars and hearts to her favorites.

“Earth to Georgia.”

Her gaze zoomed back to him to see a sinful grin on his handsome face. “That sounds like a heckuva good deal for me. What do you get out of it?”

He loomed over, all hard-bodied man. “I finally get to put my mouth on you wherever I want.”

“So confident you’re gonna win?”

“I’ve already won.” Tell pressed his lips to hers and let the kiss linger. No tongue, just the warm tease of his mouth. “I trust you know how to play horse?” he murmured between soft smooches.

“Yes. But I get to shoot first because you’re going down.”

“Or I’m goin’ down on you.” Grinning wickedly, he handed her the ball. “Show me whatcha got, hot lips.”

Georgia had always hated that nickname, but coming from Tell in that husky male rasp…made it sound sexy. Standing on the right side of the basket, she shot and the ball bounced off the glass to the other side.

“Tough break. My turn.” Tell performed some fancy dribbling maneuver around her. Stopping beneath the basket, he took the shot.

Nothing but net.

“And the crowd goes wild.” Tell spun a circle, pumped his fist into the air, then passed her the ball.

Okay. She could do this. No sweat. She lobbed the ball at the basket and it dropped in. She must’ve had a surprised look because Tell laughed when he high-fived her.

He snatched the ball and lined up at the free throw mark. He bounced the ball four times and then let it fly.

Swish.

Dammit. She’d never make that shot. Georgia felt Tell move in behind her at the free throw line; his breath tickled her ear. “Don’t forget. It was four bounces before the shot. If you don’t do it exactly right, you’ll earn a penalty.”

She faced him. “That’s not in the rules.”

“There’s one thing you oughta know about me, sweetness. I make up my own rules.”

Tempting to break the rules just to see what he’d do. But Tell probably expected that. She dribbled four times and sent the ball into the air, only to watch it bounce off the rim.

“And she earns an ‘H’. Better luck next time.”

For the next two shots, Tell remained in the same place at the free throw line. He aced both baskets, which added an “O” and an “R” to her score when she missed both hers.

Tell slam-dunked the next one.

“Now that, Tell McKay, is just plain mean. I’m short. I need a ladder to make that shot.”

“Or some help.” He handed her the ball. “Hold on.”

“What?” barely squeaked from her mouth before Tell wrapped his arms around her thighs and hoisted her up. “Omigod, I weigh too much for you to be lifting me.”

“Bullshit. Now dunk that ball in the basket.”

Using both hands, she slammed it in the hoop. She released a loud whoop and kept her eyes on Tell’s as he allowed her to slide down his body slowly enough that every hard inch of his upper torso pressed into her thighs, belly and chest.

When they were eye to eye, Tell muttered, “You’re just so goddamn tempting I can’t help myself,” and snared her mouth in a kiss.

Tell McKay kissed the daylights out of her. Even after he finally let her feet touch the ground, Georgia still had that floating sensation.

“I could get used to seein’ that dazed look every time I kiss you.”

“I could get used to you kissing me like that,” she shot back. “But I know what you’re doing.”

“What?”

“Cheating. Trying to keep me off-balance.”

“Yep.” He flashed an unapologetic grin. “And I’m even gonna let you take the next shot.”

“Only because you believe I won’t make it.”

He walked backward with his hands out. “So prove me wrong.”

As Georgia scooped up the ball, she had a brilliant idea. She dribbled the ball until she reached the free throw line. Then she turned around.

“Georgia, what are you doin’? You’re facing the wrong way.”

“I know.” With her back to the basket and her feet spread wide apart, she swung the ball between her knees and threw it over her head. She spun quickly, watching the ball hit the backboard, sloppily rimming the bucket before it dropped in. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She skipped toward Tell, taunting, “In your face, McKay.”

“You think I can’t do it granny style, hot lips?”

“I’m sure you can. Just as I’m sure you’ll make a crack about preferring to do it doggie style.”

“Guess you’ll find out, won’t you?”

Georgia cooed, “I’m game for that right now.”

Tell let the ball drop. He stalked her, but it wasn’t like she tried to get away. He bent down and slapped his hands on her ass. “Jump up and wrap your legs around my waist.”

“But—”

“Do. It. Now.”

That bit of bossiness coming from him was hot. Soon as she moved, he lifted her, keeping a firm grip on her ass. Georgia emitted a little yelp, clutching his shoulders as he walked her backward until her upper body rested against the steel post.