Page 65 of A Rancher's Heart

She was mad at herself for having spoken out of turn, but she was even madder at Caleb for what he was doing. “Look, there were a bunch of catty creatures there that day who were not being very nice, making remarks they shouldn’t about all sorts of things. So, yeah, I got a little snarky with them, but I didnotsay we were sleeping together. I said you had no reason for them to farm out your services like a stud bull for hire.”

“Well,baby, your smart comments caused trouble.”

Really? He was going to come in here and go asshole on her? She might find it difficult to think straight with him shirtless and all, but this was not happening.

He was right…but he was totally wrong.

Fine if he wanted to punish her for screwing up. But not likethis. This was so far over the line the other direction she was actually shocked he’d gone through with it. If she hadn’t been as annoyed as a cat stuck in a rainstorm she might have been impressed at the level of his game. Then she realized…

Caleb’s expression might be unreadable, but his eyes—

He couldn’t hide the fire burning in his gut. Lust, not anger.

It appeared his little lesson had backfired.

Inspiration hit—a bad, wicked idea that was so wrong. Soverywrong, but now that it was fully formed, stopping was damn near impossible.

She needed to turn away.

Need to grab on and take a bite.

God, she needed a bite of Caleb Stone.

Do it. Take a bite.

Fine, it was a bad idea, but she’d blame the stupidity on the heat in her veins, bubbling now with sexual frustration as well as anger.

She lifted her chin and looked him in the eye as she adjusted position. Closer. Closer, until she could skim her fingertips over his impossibly hard chest. Circling and teasing the light dusting of curls and the tight surface of his nipples.

“I’m sorry,baby. You’re right. I misspoke. Youarejust fine without a woman. Your bed isn’t cold and lonely.” As she spoke she slid her hand down. Slowly, lower, until her thumb stroked the thick ridge she found waiting, pressed to the front of his jeans. “You don’t spend the night with your fist wrapped around your cock.”

Caleb swallowed hard. His pulse raced at the base of his throat.

“Tamara—” The word was a harsh growl.

But he didn’t move away.

“Or maybe you do. Taking care of yourself—I’m sure youtake care of yourselfno problem.” Tamara unsnapped the button on his jeans. He grabbed her wrist. “Not that I blame you. I do the same thing.”

The sound of his zipper being lowered meshed with a dangerous rumble deep in his chest. He let go of her hands, and then, oh my God, he was touching her. Skimming his palms up her waist, slowing as he passed her breasts.

She ached. She waited, no longer angry, but on fire with desire.

Caleb sucked for air, chest heaving as he fought—for control? For strength? He slid his fingers into her hair and tightened, lifting her face.

Then his lips crashed down and he was kissing her senseless. His rock-firm body met hers as his other hand jammed against her lower back, locking them together. It was incredible, like cool wine on a hot day, all delicious sweetness and tingling pleasure.

Tamara tangled her hands in his hair as he took the kiss deeper. Tongues fighting, bodies wrapping tighter.

She was nothing but aching need on the inside. An empty aching need waiting to be filled. Tamara was tempted to climb him like a tree, clinging tight until they were both satisfied. A shiver raced up her spine as he lifted her skyward, and she wrapped her legs around him, wishing the layers between them were gone.

This kiss was fierce and possessive, one hand cupping her breast, and she wasn’t sure how it happened but she was on the bed, hot male draped over her like a sexy,sexyblanket.

He caught the hem of her nightie, scrunching the fabric upward as if ready to strip it for her. She could go along with that. She could shove his jeans down and roll them until—

Caleb jerked back, just enough to separate them. Chests brushing as they fought for air.

Her entire body tingled as he rolled off. He kept moving until he was on his feet, standing beside the bed.