No, she rather thought she didn’t. She stared at his mouth and wondered, could this large man be gentle with her? There was one way to find out, an idea that had her skin crawling with anticipation. But it would change everything.

Was she ready for that?

Her family thought her reckless, irresponsible—and she’d spent years trying to prove them right. Now she had a future mapped out, one that didn’t include a husband or even a handsome casino owner. So what did she want?

Standing across from this enigmatic and rugged man, she knew the answer. Perhaps she was reckless and irresponsible because she wanted to explore whatever was happening—and she’d discuss it as directly as he had.

“Wrong. I barely know anything about you,” she said. “For instance, I haven’t the first clue on how well you can kiss.”

He paused, but only for a second. “Are you asking for me to rectify that?” He reached out to slide his hands up her arms, past her shoulders, until rough fingers trailed under her jaw. “Because you’ll find I’m very amenable to requests.”

She shivered as he traced the skin of her throat with his knuckles, his gaze never dropping hers. It was as if the simple touch was a test. As if he expected her to push him away.

She didn’t.

The touch had the opposite effect, the backs of his fingers mesmerizing as they swept back and forth. Tingles followed in his wake and she was quickly realizing that, yes, Clay could be quite gentle with her. And she liked it. A lot. The air grew heavy in her lungs, each breath filled with expectation, and she leaned in ever so slightly.

He bent his head, his hands shifting to cradle her jaw. She could see the whiskers on his face, the bow of his upper lip. Dark lashes that framed his eyes. Tiny lines and creases in the skin that signified a life well lived. Every inch of him was fascinating, each mark and scar another facet of his mysterious past.

His mouth hovered just above hers, their noses almost touching. “Change your mind yet?”

“No,” she whispered and then his lips brushed hers, softly at first, barely a graze. Her lids swept closed and she held perfectly still, waiting. Then he was kissing her—really kissing her—and she felt herself falling, spinning as his mouth caressed her lips. He held her tight, his large frame solid and warm against her, and she clutched his shoulders, holding on, as she kissed him back.