Page 76 of Texas Honor

“Telling me the truth about what you feel when I touch you,” he told her. “My God, I’ve got a low boiling point with you, Maggie,” he added softly, fervently. “I never dreamed it would be like that.”

“Neither did I,” she said, her voice soft, colored with what she was feeling so unexpectedly. “I...used to...” She stopped, horrified at what she was about to reveal.

“Used to what?” he coaxed, moving closer. “Used to what, honey?” he repeated, touching her lips gently.

“I used to daydream about you,” she murmured, lowering her eyes to his hard chest. “About kissing you.”

“You weren’t the only one.” He tilted up her chin. “The reality is pretty devastating. I gather it wasn’t like that with your ex-husband?”

She shook her head. “I never really wanted him physically,” she said. “I suppose he knew.... Do men know?” she asked, lifting plaintive eyes.

He nodded slowly. “I would, anyway,” he said. “It’s hard to fake.”

“He couldn’t make me want him. That made it worse. He had so many women, and I tried not to mind, but after a while, I felt like a Medusa.”

“Why did you marry him?” he asked.

She shrugged. “He was a lot of fun. He’d take me places and give me things.” She smiled sadly. “I’d never had a man pay me any attention. Not like that. I was a pushover.”

“I could have,” he said half under his breath, and the look in his eyes disturbed her. “If you hadn’t been so young, honey.”

“You were almost thirty,” she remembered, searching his hard face. “Already a grown man. You fascinated me.”

“I know.” There was a world of emotion in those two words. He brushed back the hair from her temple, his fingers warm and hard and strong. “And frightened you. It was because of me that you stopped coming here to see the girls, wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” she confessed softly, smiling. “I knew I couldn’t hide what I was feeling. I was afraid you’d see it and make fun of me or be embarrassed.”

“I wouldn’t have done either,” he told her, his voice gentle. “I’m not sure how I would have handled it, but I’d have managed without hurting your pride too much.” He pursed his lips musingly. “I lost track of you after the girls left school. I always meant to look you up again, but your family moved to Austin.”

“It’s just as well,” she said. “You’d have wanted more than I could give.”

He smoothed her hair. “No, I wouldn’t have,” he said firmly. “I’d have respected your innocence. I wouldn’t have asked you to give it to me without a commitment.” His chest rose and fell slowly. “Maggie, are you going to be able to handle a physical relationship again?”

She felt her body relaxing against his, felt her helpless reaction to his strength. Her fingers played with a button on his shirt, and she bit her lower lip, succumbing to old memories and new hungers all at once.

“I don’t know,” she said.

He nuzzled her cheek with his. “Shall we find out?”

Her lips parted on a trembling breath. “I’m afraid.”

“No reason,” he said gently. His mouth brushed over her cheek, her ear. “I’m older. It’s hard for me to lose control now. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.” He smiled against her cool cheek. “No sex, honey. Just some very light lovemaking.”

She lifted her eyes to his. “I want to,” she said, letting him see the mingled hunger and apprehension.

“Remember who I am,” he breathed, touching her hair. “I’m Gabriel. I’ll never hurt you. Never.”

She reached up and he bent to lift her, but he grimaced and had to set her down.

“Damn,” he groaned, rubbing his arm and laughing through the pain. “Damned snake! It’s still sore.”

“Your poor arm,” she said softly, touching it lightly. “I’m sorry.”

“So am I,” he said, sighing. “It’s slowed me down a little.”

She smiled. “I think I like that. For now, at least.”

He glared at her, moving into the big armchair with slow ease. “Come here, then,” he said, holding out his hand. “But watch where you touch.”