“Yeah, it did, but that doesn’t make it any less real.” He grabbed me and pulled me against his body. “I’m hard for you even now.”

“That’s physical, Rock. What about—”

He crushed his mouth to mine before I could finish my sentence. I opened instantly, giving him my tongue and then sucking on his. He tasted of the ride today, of the wild prairie, of the big Montana blue sky. Of wildflowers and leather. Of sunshine and cinnamon.

Of trust.

Silly, I knew. What did I know of trust? I’d been betrayed twice, and though I hadn’t physically betrayed my previous lovers, I had in my mind.

He consumed me with the kiss, and soon I couldn’t think at all. Only emotion bubbled through me.

Love, passion, desire.

Everything and nothing. All at once, from the pit of my belly to the tips of my fingers and toes. I knew nothing except this moment. This kiss.

This man.

He swept me into his arms, not breaking our kiss, and walked into the bedroom. There he finally broke the kiss with a loud smack.

“We’re sweaty and dirty from riding all day, but I can’t wait for a shower.” He pushed my leather jacket over my shoulders, and it fell to the floor. Then he met my gaze with his searing green eyes. “I burn for you, Lacey. I fucking burn for you. I was hard all day just from having you hold on to me as we rode. I’ve never burned this way for a woman before.”

I scraped my fingers across his stubbly cheek, letting my thumb fall over his full lower lip. He kissed it gently.

“Trust me,” he said, his voice low and husky. “Trust me, Lacey.”

In that moment I’d have promised him anything, if he’d only kiss me again.

Instead, he stared at me, heating me, nearly melting my clothes away. Even the leather chaps I wore seemed to melt under his gaze.

“I never imagined I could feel the way I feel about you. You’ve awakened something in me, Lacey. Something I thought was dead forever.”

He pressed his lips to mine once more before I had a chance to consider his words.

Instead I melted into his kiss. His lips and tongue stayed occupied with my mouth while his hands deftly removed my leather chaps and riding boots. They plopped to the floor next to my jacket. My T-shirt and jeans went next, and soon I stood in only my bra and panties.

Scratch that.

Only my panties.

Rock made quick work of my bra.

He breathed in. “I smell you. Apples and roses. Nothing on earth smells as good as you do when you’re ripe.” He thrust one hand beneath my panties and through my slick folds. “So wet. So wet for me. Damn.”