Page 28 of Breaking the Ice (Denver Stampede #6)

“Don’t be so shameless, Pucks.”

Her eyes sparkled as she gave him more scratches. “You’re cute and you know it. Just like your owner.”

“You think I’m cute?” I asked. She rolled her eyes, that smile still on her lips. “He’s going to shed all over you.”

“Is this your way of getting me out of my clothes?” Her voice dropped and went straight to my dick.

I raked a hand through my hair. “Fucking hell, Dani,” I rasped out.

“Isn’t that what you want? We didn’t come here first just to let Pucks out, did we?”

I twined my fingers with hers, tugging her closer. “Are you accusing me of getting you here under false pretenses?”

Her expression turned serious. “You would never.”

“You tempt me beyond reason,” I admitted, wrapping our linked hands behind her back so she was pressed flush against me. Her widened gaze told me she could feel how hard I was for her.

“You should do something about that,” she said, rocking her hips against me. I shuddered out a groan.

“We’re going to kiss and snuggle tonight, but nothing more than that, okay? No matter how much I want to spread you out on my bed and feast on every inch of you.”

“Holy hell, Gabe.” Her breath was audible as she arched against me.

I leaned down and kissed her throat, feeling her pulse fluttering under my lips.

Then I felt Pucks’s wet nose touching my hand that wasn’t currently braced against Dani’s back.

“Dammit, Pucks,” I muttered against Dani’s throat.

She started to giggle. Then her entire body was shaking as she straightened.

“Okay, okay. One more scratch and then bedtime,” I said sternly. “She’s not going to like you if you keep interrupting me kissing her.”

Pucks let out a happy bark and Dani ran her hand over his ears again.

“You are not helping me be stern with him,” I said, meeting Dani’s gaze.

She scoffed. “Oh, please. You don’t expect me to believe you’re in control here, right? I’ve seen the videos.”

“That’s just for show. He really does respect and listen to me.”

“Yeah, sure he does,” she said, humor lacing her tone. He spun in a circle, then came over and butted my hand.

“Yeah, I love you, too, buddy. But could you just go lay down or something?” I muttered good-naturedly.

Finally, Pucks trotted away and Dani was back in my arms, looking flushed and carefree. It might have been my favorite look of hers, and I wanted to do everything I could to make her always feel that way.

“Where were we?”

She flattened her palms on my chest, making my heart race. “I think you were about to kiss me, but then you said something crazy like we were just kissing and nothing more. I want more.” I groaned at the way she drew out those last words.

“You’ve been drinking,” I said.

“I barely have a buzz.”

“I want us to both be completely clearheaded when we have sex the first time. Fuck, you have to know how much I want you. More than my next breath, honestly. But I don’t want to mix alcohol in with this decision for either of us.”

“I’m not going to regret this tomorrow, Gabe.”

“I hope you won’t, but I’m not budging.” I could be strong, could resist her. Dammit.

“Are you sure? Because I’d very much like to have sex with you right now,” she said, dancing her fingers up my chest. “And the cold air diluted my buzz. It’s barely even there anymore.”

I covered her wandering hand with mine, holding it against me. “As tempting as your offer is—and believe me, it is—maybe we could just make out for a bit and snuggle. You could spend the night, and I’ll rock your world tomorrow if you’re still interested.”

She chuckled. “Rock my world, huh?

“Isn’t the saying nice guys always finish last?” I couldn’t help throwing that in.

She just gaped and I leaned in, giving her a quick peck on her jaw, before I stood back up again. The heat in her eyes was going to be my undoing, but I would not waver on this.

“What if I don’t want to stay over?”

“Then I’ll take you home right now. Is that what you want?”

“Nope,” she replied immediately. “Ugh. Fine. Sleep over and no sex tonight. But if I’m not in the mood tomorrow morning, it’s your own damn loss.”

“Yes, it will be, but hopefully you’ll still like me in the morning.” And I would like myself tonight.

“Your logic is irritating. Now, kiss me already,” she demanded, a smile on her lips belying the tone of her words.

“If you insist,” I teased.

“Do you enjoy riling me up?”

“Constantly. You’re even hotter when you’re irritated with me.”

She burst out a quick laugh and reached up, cupping the back of my neck. “Stop talking and start kissing.”

“If you insist,” I muttered.

I swept her up into my arms and carried her over to the couch. If we had started in the bedroom, I might not have been able to hold strong and fully resist her. But as I sat down and she straddled me, her heat directly over my rock-hard dick, I still began to question my sanity.

“Ooh, that feels painful,” she taunted, circling her hips, her body brushing against me.

Before she could utter another word, I shifted us, laying her flat on the couch and holding myself over her. Her eyes widened, her lips parted on a gasp, and she took in a shuddering breath that went straight to my cock.

Fucking hell, this woman.

But I could control myself. I wasn’t some prepubescent kid seeing boobs for the first time or something.

“If you can’t behave, Dani, I’m going to have to send you to bed by yourself,” I said firmly.

Which only made her eyes darken further and her chest move as she took in a deep breath.

“Gabe,” she whispered, her husky tone doing nothing for my common sense.

“I mean it.”

“That’s insanely hot.” She licked her lips and I groaned.

“Do you like being ordered around?” I asked, my brain completely on the fritz at this line of questioning.

“Uh, not really. Can you please just kiss me already?” Her thumb skated over my lips and I gently nipped at her skin, loving her tiny gasp.

“Will you be on your best behavior?” I asked.

“Just kiss me, you dummy.”

I chuckled and lowered my lips to hers, swallowing her indrawn breath and hoping that she would still want more from me in the morning.