NATALIE HANOVER
"Your butt is okay. I guess," said Natalie.
"Oh. Well. So's yours. I guess."
"What's wrong with mine?" she asked.
"Admit that you like my behind and then I'll tell you the truth about yours."
"Had I been looking at it in any other capacity than just your, uh, judge, I would have to say," she looked away from him and muttered, "It's a really great butt."
He cupped his ear. "Sorry. What was that?"
"You have a top-of-line class-A rear end," she said louder.
"Why, you flatter me," he said. "You've got a pretty nice one yourself."
They looked at each other in awkward silence.
Natalie snickered.
Garrett chuckled.
Then they both burst out laughing.
They quieted down, and the awkward silence returned.
Garrett's eyes were so blue, so intent, that she forgot whatever words had been forming in her mouth.
He stepped closer and put his thumb on the corner of her lips. He stroked a line under her chin and bent his head.
Butterflies did aerobics in her stomach as his gaze sought hers. Torn between the desire flowering in her stomach and the doubt trickling down her spine, her heart almost stopped when he asked, "Natalie, may I kiss you?"
***|***|***|***|***
GARRETT HART
Garrett could see Natalie's hesitation. Her whole body tensed for an eternal second, and then she closed the space between their lips.
A slight shudder enveloped him when her warm mouth met his.
He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her close, wanting to feel her pliant woman's body against him.
He brushed her lips, once, twice, and settled his mouth across hers with insistent, gentle pressure.
He lingered on her lips, loving their soft warmth.
Reluctantly, he lifted his mouth, but only so he could take other pleasures. He kissed the underside of her chin, his tongue touching her delicate jawbone.
Her body trembled against him and he wanted to give her more, much more.
Trailing butterfly kisses across her jaw, he stopped to lightly nip her ear. To his delight, she gasped and put her arms around his neck. Her fingers delved into his hair.
With his tongue, he traced the shell of her ear, eager to give her more enjoyment.
She arched, offering her neck to him, and he took the invitation. Her perfume reminded him of honeysuckle and her skin tasted just as sweet as that flower's hidden nectar.
When he sampled the tender flesh in the hollow between her neck and collarbone, she drew in a sharp breath and her hands clenched his hair. Her response made the thick desire pounding through him surge to his already unbearable hardness.
He captured her lips again, pushing them open with his tongue. God, she tasted so good.
Her tongue tentatively explored his bottom lip and he groaned. She nipped him then gave the same torturous attention to his top lip.
He crushed his mouth against hers; his kiss more demanding as hot need coursed through him.
He plunged his tongue again and again into her mouth, a prelude to the even more intimate physical act. He heard her soft cry and pure male satisfaction rushed through him.
His body and mind were enmeshed in the joy of holding her, of touching her. She filled his senses so completely, his very soul felt connected to hers. All he knew or cared about for this moment was her.
Natalie.
The girl who'd held his heart without knowing it was in his arms. For the last fifteen years, he thought he'd lost the opportunity to love her.
And now ... she's mine. I won't let you go again, Natalie. Never again.
The scent that was hers alone mixed with her perfume, enticing him to explore further.
Had he ever wanted a woman so much? No, his mind cried, never. Cupping her bottom, he lifted her and rubbed his erection against the core of her femininity.
He felt her withdrawal even before her body went still. It was like a fire suddenly extinguished; leaving him cold and in the dark.
She pulled out of his arms and turned her back to him. He saw her shoulders shake and heard her harsh breathing. He stepped forward. He wanted to hold her again.
She must have heard him because she whirled around and flung her hands out to ward him off.
"No," she whispered.
"I didn't mean for it to go that far," he said.
"I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it," she said in a low voice. "I'm just not ready to—do anything physical with you."
"I'm sorry," he said. He reached out to touch her hair, but she flinched. He dropped his hand. "I like you, Natalie."
She stared at him, her lips swollen from his kiss. "You like me? You don't even know me."
Yes, I do. He'd thought he'd given up on his white moonlight, the girl in his heart since he was sixteen. Give her space. Give her time. He clenched his fists at his sides.
"I need to check on the mama dog," he said. And I need to calm the hell down.
"Garrett..."
He smiled. "Eat something. I'll be back in a few minutes."
***|***|***|***|***
NATALIE HANOVER
Natalie watched through the kitchen window as Garrett strode toward the barn.
Whew. That man was beautiful.
Susan chose that moment to enter the kitchen. "I'm back!"
"I want to go home," Natalie said.
"We haven't filmed any segments yet," Susan protested. "You signed a contract. And I intend on keeping my job, which I may remind you, is on the line. Anyway, are you going to let him win your money?"
Natalie looked at her friend for a long moment. Confusion, irritation, and remnants of intense desire warred within her. She hadn't felt this way with Michael. Her late husband hadn't made her feel the gut-wrenching twist of want that Garrett invoked in her. Never before had her body felt like one, big flame burning out of control.
Garrett made her feel that way and that kind of absolute passion scared her senseless.
"Earth to Natalie." Susan frowned, crossed her arms, and looked at Natalie in a way that was reminiscent of a drill sergeant staring at new arrival in boot camp.
Natalie squirmed under her friend's scrutiny, and sighed. "After what just happened, I'm not sure Garrett will continue the bet."
"What happened?" Susan asked, her eyes lighting with interest.
Natalie pressed her lips together.
"Fine. I'll go ask Garrett." Susan gave Natalie a measuring look and then walked out the back door and toward the barn. Natalie watched her friend maneuver through the high grass in her pencil skirt and high heels.
Well, damn.