Pure Temptation & Old Enough to Know Better: Pure Temptation / Old Enough To Know Better

“Maybe later.”

“Was it anything like mine?”

“No.”

She sat in the truck as the silence grew more and more intense between them. The air-conditioning was off, but the outside heat hadn’t penetrated the cab yet. The warmth she felt was all coming from inside her, and she was ready to do something about it, but she didn’t know whether she should make a move or let Mac be the first one. From the corner of her eye, she could see him sitting there, staring into space. He seemed hypnotized. At last she decided to say something. “What next?”

“Give me a minute. Then we’ll take the blanket in the back.”

She peered at him. “Are you feeling sick or something?”

“No, I’m feeling aroused.”

“You are?” She glanced down at his jeans but it had become too dark to see much. “Cool. Was it my dream that turned you on?”

“Sure was. But then you probably knew that would happen, after all your reading about fantasies.”

“No, I didn’t.” She felt thrilled with herself. “I wondered if you’d laugh.”

He groaned. “I guess you don’t know me as well as you think you do, then.”

“Then you…really want me right now?”

He looked over at her. “Yeah. I really do. What a surprise, huh?”

“Oh, Mac.” She put a hand against her racing heart. “That makes me feel so good.”

He gave her a slow smile. “I guess this isn’t going to be as difficult as we thought.”

She smiled back. “I guess not. Want me to put the blanket in the back and wait for you?”

He took a deep breath. “I’m okay now.”

“Are you ever going to tell me your dream?”

He took off his hat and laid it on the dash. “Not right now. It’s a little more graphic than yours.”

“And you said you didn’t remember!”

“I’ve tried my damnedest to forget all about it. I thought I had, until you started talking about dreams.” He opened his door. “Stay there. I’ll come around and help you out. I don’t want you stepping on a snake in those sandals.”

“I’ve lived here all my life, Mac.” She picked up the blanket from the floor. “I certainly know enough to check for snakes before I get out of a vehicle after dark in the middle of nowhere.” She opened her door.

“Hey.” He turned back to her. “Could you pretend that you’re a timid female for a few minutes and give a guy a chance to be a big brave he-man? It’s good for the ego.”

“Oh.” She grinned and pulled her door shut again. “All right, but I think it’s stupid.”

He shook his head. “Maybe this will be exactly as difficult as we thought.”

Tess sat obediently while Mac rounded the truck and opened her door, although waiting for him to take care of things wasn’t her style. But if that made him feel more romantic, then she was all for it.

He held out his hand. “I’ll take the blanket first and then come back for you.”

“I can take the blanket.”

“Tess.”

“Oh, okay, here’s the blanket, Mr. He-man, but this is dumb. We could make it in one trip.”

“Yeah, if we’re going for efficiency. I was after a different effect.” He walked around to the back of the truck, pulled down the tailgate and climbed in.

She listened to him arranging the blanket. A couple of years ago, he’d installed an all-weather cushioned pad in the bed of his truck. At the time she’d wondered if it had anything to do with his love life, but she’d decided not to ask. Now she was pretty sure she knew the answer.

He hopped down from the truck and came back to where she was waiting.

“Can I put my dainty foot on the ground yet?” she asked.

“Not yet.” He gazed up at her. “Have you ever been lifted down from a pickup?”

“Not since I was six years old. Once I could manage by myself, it seemed silly when I was perfectly capable of—whoa!” She gasped as he took her by the waist and lifted her out of the truck. Instinctively she put her arms on his shoulders, which was a good move because her feet still dangled in midair.

Balancing her against his chest and looking into her eyes, he let her slide down in a slow, sensuous movement. Warmth rushed through her as the friction of his body against hers gave her a complete and thoroughly arousing caress. At last her feet rested on the ground, and she let out her breath.

He held her close and gazed down at her. “Did that seem silly?”

Completely absorbed in the experience of being tucked so intimately against him, she shook her head.

“Think you’re ready for a kiss?”

Oh. She gulped. “I…don’t know.”

“Let’s try it.” Holding her close with one arm, he reached up with his free hand and gently combed her hair back from her face.

She’d seen this tender side of him, usually when he was working around animals, or the times when she’d hurt herself and he’d been the one to doctor her up. But now she wasn’t hurt, and his sensitive touch was meant to excite, not soothe her. He was succeeding admirably. She was trembling so much she wondered if she’d be able to stay upright.

“You’re nervous.”

“Yes.”

“Me, too.” He continued to comb her hair back, lightly massaging her scalp with his fingers.

“I can’t tell.” His touch felt awesome.

“Macho guys learn to hide their nerves. I’m hoping you like this.”

“So am I.”

He chuckled. “Do you remember the bubble-gum kiss?”