Page 12 of A Rancher's Vow

“I don’t know. It seemed like the right thing at the time.” He leaned in and kissed her once more. Lingering on her lips, teasing out a final willing response. Once he had that sweet surrender, Dustin slipped back to his side of the couch. Far enough to give her a small circle of personal space, close enough that if she wanted to touch him, she could.

Choices. He’d learned a lot about them in the past years. And right now, Charity needed to know that as fun as this had been, she still had all the choices she needed.

Which started with getting her shoulders to relax away from her ears. “You needed that germ-proof layer, remember?”

Thankfully, laughter broke through her serious expression. “Absolutely. But now I need to know if you go around kissing all the girls so you can provesharing is caring.”

She had no idea, which was good. Meant what he’d done over the years had somehow stayed out of the gossip mill. Not that he’d been up to anything too wild, but still, some things were supposed to stay private.

“You see me hound dogging around town?” He paused. “Not that hound dogging would be a bad thing, as long as whoever I was with was willing and enjoying themselves.”

Charity hesitated then shook her head. “No. Most comments are that you’re a fun dance partner and most likely to be the designated driver instead of the partier.” She smoothed her shirt over her chest. Straightened her skirt. Obviously getting herself back under control.

Thankfully when she met his gaze again, a real smile danced on her lips. “Unexpected as it was, I did enjoy myself.” Her gaze trailed over him. “What about you?”

“I enjoyed myself, too.” Absolute truth.

Her lips twitched. “My sister insists that if I’m old enough to do the things, I can say the things. Therefore, straight up. You didn’t come. You want some help with that hard-on?”

He shook his head. “No. I don’t have any germ phobias to deal with.”

She laughed out loud. “That’s not an answer.”

Dustin shrugged. “Straight up then. Just because you came doesn’t mean I have to as well. It won’t set the universe spinning out of whack if there isn’t cosmic balance in climaxes.”

A soft hand landed on his knee. “I don’t mind.”

He covered her fingers with his and squeezed. “I know, and I’m interested on one level. But I’d actually like to finish watching the movie with you more than jerking one off right now.”

Her eyes lost some of their brightness. “Oh. Okay.”

Damn it. Seemed he needed to deal with one other issue. He caught her chin in his fingers and kissed her again, hard and needy. As he kissed, he slid their joint hands to his cock. The damn thing was a steel-rod against the front of his jeans.

Her fingers tightened over the ridge, and her small gasp escaped between their joined lips.

Dustin forced himself to speak softly instead of growling the words. “In case you were wondering, I’m not saying no because I don’t find you attractive. If you don’t believe the words, believe my cock.”

She pressed her palm to him, rubbing lightly. “Okay. So—you don’t want to get off?”

“Don’t need to right now. Having a hard-on doesn’t mean I have to come. They aren’t dangerous, no matter what some guys might have told you.”

A snort escaped her. She slid her hand up to cup his face, staring at him as if seeing him for the first time. “Okay. Tonight—whatever this was tonight—we’re okay?”

“We’re okay,” he agreed. “We’re friends, yes?”

She nodded, easing back on the couch. She curled her legs partially under her, though, which left her feet pressed to his thigh.

Dustin considered his words carefully. “I don’t fool around with all my friends, in case that question hits your brain. I’m not interested in kissing Fern.”

“What about Shim?”

He checked carefully, but since she wasn’t joking, he answered the question seriously. “He’s a great guy, but nothing about him makes me want to kiss him. Kick his butt, absolutely.”

“Okay.” Her hair was tousled wildly around her shoulders, and with her expression, she looked as if she were about to embark on a dangerous mission.

“Straight up, I didn’t expect this to happen. I had fun touching you. Kissing you. But I’m not looking for this to change anything between us.”

Worry slid away, and her expression brightened. “Thank God.”