Читать книгу The Best Kept Secrets... - Оливия Гейтс - Страница 13

Chapter Four

Jillian doubted she'd ever met a more arrogant man. And what was even worse, he had the nerve to stand in front of her with his Stetson tipped back and his legs braced apart in an overconfident stance. How dare he tell her what she would do? Kiss him back? Did he really believe that? Honestly?

She tilted her head back to glare up at him. He didn’t glare back, but he held her gaze in a way that was unnerving. And then his eyes moved, slowly raking over her from head to toe. Was that desire she felt rushing through her body? Where had these emotions inside of her come from? Was she getting turned on from the way he was looking at her? She tried to stiffen at the thought but instead she was drawn even more into the heat of his gaze.

“Stop that!”

He lifted a brow. “Stop what?”

“Whatever you’re doing.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “So, you think I’m responsible for the sound of your breathing? For the way your nipples have hardened and are pressing against your shirt? And for the way the tip of your tongue is tingling, eager to connect with mine?”

Every single thing he’d pointed out was actually happening to her, but she refused to admit any of them. She crossed her arms over her own chest. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Then I guess we’re at a standoff.”

“No, we’re not,” she said, dropping her hands to her sides. “I’m leaving. You can play this silly game with someone else.”

She turned to go and when his hand reached out and touched her arm, sharp spikes of blood rushed through her veins, filling her pores, drenching the air she was breathing with heated desire. And what on earth was that hunger throbbing inside of her at the juncture of her thighs? And what were those slow circles he was making on her arm with his index finger? She expelled a long deep breath and fought hard to retain control of her senses.

Jillian wanted to snatch her arm away but found she couldn’t. What kind of spell had he cast on her? Every hormone in her body sizzled, hissed and surged with a need she’d never felt before. She couldn’t deny the yearning pulsing through her even if she wanted to.

“You feel it, don’t you, Jillian? It’s crazy, I know, and it’s something I can’t explain, but I feel it each and every time I’m within a few feet of you. As far as I’m concerned, Pam and Dillon are the least of our worries. Figuring out just what the hell is going on between us should be at the top of the agenda. You can deny it as long as you want, but that won’t help. You need to admit it like I have.”

She did feel it and a part of her knew there was real danger in admitting such a thing. But another part knew he was right. With some things it was best to admit there was a problem and deal with it. Otherwise, she would lay awake tonight and regret not doing so.

His hand slowly traveled up her arm toward her lips. There he cradled her mouth in the palm of his hands. “And whatever it is has me wanting to taste you and has you wanting to taste me. It has me wanting to lick your mouth dry and you wanting to lick mine in the same way.”

He paused a moment and when he released a frustrated breath she knew that whatever this “thing” was between them, he had tried fighting it, as well. But he had given up the fight and was now ready to move to the next level, whatever that was.

“I need to taste you, Jillian,” he said.

As much as she wished otherwise, there was a deep craving inside of her to taste him, too. Just one more time. Then she would walk away, mount her horse and ride off like the devil himself was after her. But for now she needed this kiss as much as she needed to breathe.

She saw him lowering his head and she was poised for the exact moment when their mouths would connect. She even parted her lips in anticipation. His mouth was moving. He was whispering something but instead of focusing on what he was saying, her gaze was glued to the erotic movement of his lips. And the moment his mouth touched hers she knew she had no intention of turning back.

* * *

Nothing could have prepared Aidan for the pleasure that radiated through his body. How could she arouse him like no other woman could? Instead of getting bogged down in the mystery of it all, he buried his fingers in her hair, holding her in place while his mouth mated hungrily with hers.

And she was following his lead, using her tongue with the same intensity and hunger as he was using his. It was all about tasting, and they were tasting each other with a greed that had every part of his body on fire.

He felt it, was in awe of it. In every pore, in every nerve ending and deep in his pulse, he felt it. Lowering his hand from her hair he gently gripped her around the waist and, with their mouths still locked, he slowly maneuvered her backward toward the tree he’d leaned against earlier. When her back rested against the trunk, her thighs parted and he eased between them, loving the feel of his denim rubbing against hers.

Frissons of fire, hotter than he’d ever encountered, burned a path up his spine and he deepened the kiss as if his life depended on him doing so. Too soon, in his estimation, they had to come up for air and he released her mouth just as quickly as he’d taken it.

He tried not to notice the thoroughly kissed look on her face when she drew in a deep breath. He took a step back so he wouldn’t be tempted to kiss her again. The next time he knew he wouldn’t stop with a kiss. He wouldn’t be satisfied until he had tasted her in other places, as well. And then he would want to make love to her, right here on his land. On the very spot he planned to build his house. Crap! Why was he thinking such a thing? In frustration, he rubbed a hand down his face.

“I think we need to move on.”

Her words made him look back at her and an ache settled deep in his stomach. She was beautiful and desire escalated through him all over again. Giving in to what he wanted, he took a step forward and lowered his mouth to hers, taking a sweep of her mouth with his tongue. His groin swelled when she caught his tongue and began sucking on it.

He broke off the kiss and drew in a ragged breath. “Jillian! You’re asking for trouble. I’m within two seconds of spreading you on the ground and getting inside of you.” The vision of such a thing nearly overpowered his senses.

“I told you we should go. You’re the one who kissed me again.”

He smiled. “And you kissed me back. Now you understand what I meant when I said there are some kisses that can’t be avoided. You didn’t want me to kiss you initially, but then you did.”

She frowned slightly. “You seduced me. You made me want to kiss you.”

His smile widened. “Yes, to both.”

“So this was some sort of lesson?”

He shook his head. “Not hardly. I told you I wanted to taste you. I enjoyed doing so.”

“This can’t become a habit, Aidan.”

“And I don’t intend to make it one, trust me. My curiosity has more than been satisfied.”

She nodded. “So has mine. Are you ready to show me the other parts of Westmoreland Country?”

“Yes. We’re headed for Adrian’s Cove next and then Bailey’s Bay and Bane’s Ponderosa.”

He backed up to give her space and when she moved around him, he was tempted to reach out and pull her back into his arms, kiss her some more, until he got his fill. But he had a feeling that getting his fill would not be possible and that was something he didn’t want to acknowledge.

* * *

“So, how did the tour go with Aidan yesterday?”

Jillian glanced up from her breakfast when Bailey slid into the chair next to her. Pam had shared breakfast with Jillian earlier before leaving for the grocery store, and had asked her the same thing. It had been hard to keep a straight face then and it was harder to do so now.

“It went well. There’s a lot of land in Westmoreland Country. I even saw the property you own, Bailey’s Bay.”

Bailey smiled. “I can’t claim ownership until I’m twenty-five so I have a couple years left. But when I do, I plan to build the largest house of them all. It will even be bigger than this one.”

Jillian thought that would be an accomplishment because Dillon and Pam’s house was huge. Their house was three stories and had eight bedrooms, six bathrooms, a spacious eat-in kitchen, a gigantic living room, a large dining room with a table that could seat over forty people easily, and a seven-car garage.

“I can’t wait to see it when you do.” Jillian liked Bailey and had from the first time she’d set foot in Westmoreland Country to attend Pam’s engagement party. And since there was only a couple years’ difference in their ages, with Bailey being older, they had hit it off immediately. “What happens if you meet and marry a guy who wants to take you away from here?”

“That won’t happen because there’s not a man alive who can do that. This is where I was born and this is where I’ll die.”

Jillian thought Bailey sounded sure of that. Hadn’t Jillian felt the same way about her home in Wyoming at one time? Although it hadn’t been a man that had changed her mind, it had been the thought of how much money Pam would be paying for three sisters in college. Although her older sister had married a very wealthy man, it still would not have been right.

“Besides,” Bailey said, cutting into her thoughts. “I plan to stay single forever. Having five bossy brothers and seven even bossier male cousins is enough. I don’t need another man in my life trying to tell me what to do.”

Jillian smiled. When she’d heard the stories about all the trouble Bailey used to get into when she was younger, Jillian had found it hard to believe. Sitting across from her was a beautiful, self-confident woman who seemed to have it going on. A woman who definitely knew what she wanted.

“I hope Aidan was nice and didn’t give you any trouble.”

Jillian lifted a brow. “Why would you say that?”

Bailey shrugged. “Aidan has his moods sometimes.”

“Does he?”

“Yes, but if you didn’t pick up on them then I guess he did okay.”

No, she hadn’t picked up on any mood, but she had picked up on his sensual side. And he had definitely picked up on hers. She was still in a quandary as to exactly what had happened yesterday. It was as if she’d become another person with him. She’d discovered that being kissed senseless wasn’t just a cliché but was something that could really happen. Aidan had proven it. Even after brushing her teeth twice, rinsing out her mouth and eating a great breakfast Pam had prepared, the taste of him was still deeply embedded on her tongue. And what was even crazier was that she liked it.

Knowing Bailey was probably expecting a response, she said. “Yes, he was okay. I thought he was rather nice.”

Bailey nodded. “I’m glad. I told him he needed to get to know you and your sisters better since he’s rarely home. And we’re all family now.”

All family now. Bailey’s words were a stark reminder of why what happened yesterday could never be repeated. They weren’t just a guy and a girl who’d met with no connections. They had deep connections. Family connections. And family members didn’t go around kissing each other. Why of all the guys out there did she have to be attracted to one with the last name Westmoreland?

“So, besides Bailey’s Bay where else did he take you?”

To heaven and back. The words nearly slid from Jillian’s lips because that’s where she felt she’d actually been. Transported there and back by a kiss. Amazing. Pulling her thoughts together, she said, “First, we toured Aidan’s Haven.”

“Isn’t it beautiful? That’s the property I originally wanted because of the way it’s surrounded by Gemma Lake. But then I realized it would have been too much water to deal with. I think the spot where Aidan plans to build his house is perfect, though, and will provide an excellent view of the lake and mountains, no matter what room of the house you’re in.”

Jillian agreed and eradicated the thought from her mind that Aidan’s wife and kids would one day live there. “I also saw Adrian’s Cove. That piece of property is beautiful, as well. I love the way it’s surrounded by mountains.”

“Me, too.”

“And from there we visited Bailey’s Bay, Canyon’s Bluff and Stern’s Stronghold.”

“Like the names?”

Jillian smiled. “Yes, and I heard they were all your idea.”

“Yes,” Bailey said, grinning. “Being the baby in the family has its benefits. Including the opportunity to play musical beds and sleep at whatever place I want. I was living with Dillon full-time, but after he married I decided to spread myself around and check out my brothers’, sisters’ and cousins’ abodes. I like driving them crazy, especially when one of my brothers or cousins brings his girlfriend home.”

Jillian couldn’t help but laugh. Although she wouldn’t trade her sisters for the world, it had to be fun having older brothers and male cousins to annoy.

“What’s so funny?”

Jillian’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing that voice and knowing who it belonged to. Aidan leaned in the kitchen doorway. Wearing a pair of jeans that rode low on his hips and a muscle shirt, he looked too sexy for her peace of mind. She couldn’t help studying his features. It was obvious he’d just gotten out of bed. Those dark eyes that were alert and penetrating yesterday had a drowsy look. And she couldn’t miss the dark shadow on his chin indicating he hadn’t shaved yet. If he looked like that every morning, she would just love to see it.

“I thought you’d already left to return to Boston,” Bailey said, getting up and crossing the room to give him a hug. Jillian watched the interaction and a part of her wished she could do the same.

“I won’t be leaving until tomorrow.”

“Why did you change your plans?” Bailey asked, surprised. “Normally, you’re in a rush to get back.”

Yes, why? Jillian wondered as well and couldn’t wait for his answer.

“Because I wasn’t ready to go back just yet. No big deal.”

“Um,” Bailey said, eyeing her brother suspiciously, “I get the feeling it is a big deal and probably has to do with some woman. I heard you, Adrian and Stern didn’t get in until late last night.”

Jillian turned her gaze away from Bailey and Aidan and took a sip of her orange juice. The spark of anger she suddenly felt couldn’t be jealousy over what Bailey had just said. Had Aidan kissed Jillian senseless, then gone somewhere last night and kissed someone else the same way? Why did the thought of him doing that bother her?

“You ask too many questions, Bay, and stay out my business,” Aidan said. “So, what’s so funny, Jillian?”

Jillian drew in a deep breath before turning back to Aidan. “Nothing.”

Bailey chuckled. “In other words, Aidan, stay out of her business.”

Jillian heard his masculine grunt before he crossed the room to the coffeepot. The kitchen was huge, so why did it suddenly feel so small now that he’d walked in? And why did he have to walk around with such a sexy saunter?

“Well, I hate to run but I promised Megan that I would house-sit for a few hours so I’m headed for Megan’s Meadows. Gemma is decorating the place before leaving for Australia and is sending her crew over to hang new curtains.”

Megan and Gemma were Bailey and Aidan’s sisters, whom Jillian liked tremendously. Megan was a doctor of anesthesiology at one of the local hospitals and Gemma was an interior designer who owned Designs by Gem.

Bailey turned to Jillian. “You’re here until tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then maybe Aidan can show you the parts of Westmoreland Country that you missed yesterday.”

Jillian could feel Aidan’s gaze on her. “I wouldn’t want to put him to any trouble.”

“No trouble,” Aidan said. “I don’t have anything else to do today.”

Bailey laughed. “Until it’s time for you to go and hook up with the woman who’s the reason you’re staying around an extra day.”

“Goodbye, Bay,” Aidan said in what Jillian perceived as an annoyed tone.

Bailey glanced over her shoulder at him while departing. “See you later, Aidan. And you better not leave tomorrow before telling me goodbye.” She swept out of the kitchen and Jillian found herself alone with Aidan.

She glanced over at him and saw him leaning back against the counter with a cup of coffee in his hand, staring at her.

She drew in a deep breath when Aidan asked, “How soon can we go riding?”