Page 50 of That Conflicted Feeling

Whatthe hell amIdoing?

Iopen my eyes a fraction and peek out to see his, tight shut and rimmed by thick, dark lashes.There’sa slight furrow in his brow, like he’s lost in me.Likehe means it.

Buthow can he mean it?Whywould a man like him ever want someone like me?

AlthoughIknow this is the worst idea in the world, it doesn’t stop me from wanting to lose myself in him too.Whateverthis magic is that he’s performing on my mouth, completely dissolves my self-control.Givingin,Iallow my eyes to drift shut again asIpart my lips allowing his tongue to meet mine.

Oh, sweetJesus.He’sgentle, unrushed, almost caring.AndImight have turned from a human into a puddle of mush.

It’sbeen so long,Iwasn’t sureI’dremember how to kiss even ifIwanted to.Butmy body seems to know exactly what to do withMax.Idisappear into him, as every nerve that’s been asleep for years wakes up with a start and springs into tingling life.

Everythought in my head falls out and is replaced by a starry sky asIsoak him in.There’sa faint taste of toothpaste and a waft of the same rosemary and mint hair productIfirst smelled when he unhooked me from the door nail.

Mygrip must be bruising his arm.Butfar from pulling away, he leans in and presses my vibrating body against the tractor.Hissoft kiss turns urgent, like there’s nothing he wants more right now than me.

Tenderfingers stroke the back of my neck, sending shivers coursing down my spine and banishing any shred of rationalityImight have had left.

Allthat remains are the somersaults in my belly, the wetness at my center, and the throb in my clit, asIbear down on the strong, firm thigh between my legs.Heeases it upward to hit precisely the right spot, andIsigh into his mouth as he grazes his long, hard dick against my belly.

GoodGod,I’mdry humping a smoking-hot billionaire against the side of a tractor while the protestIorganized against him gathers steam on the other side.

Thisis not howIsaw my day going.

Islide my hand across his chest and find the firm pecsI’dadmired when they were peeking out from my mom’s bathrobe.

It’sexciting.Anddelicious.Andthe hottest thingI’veever known.

Andit’s also a very,verybad idea.

Thechant from the other side of the vehicle cuts through my lust-fogged haze.

“Five, six, seven, eight…”

Mybody and my mind have never been so conflicted.Nomatter how muchIwant this, no good can come of it.Notfor me, not forMom, not for the town.

WhywouldMaxDashwoodever want to kiss me anyway?Isthis just an extreme schmoozing tactic to get me on his side?

Ican’t fall for it.Ihave to stop.Ihave to make myself stop.

Hisheart thuds under my hand asIease my mouth from his and force myself to do one of the most difficult thingsI’veever done—pull back and slide out from between him and the tractor.

Ican almost hear my lady fig yell, “Whatthe fuck is wrong with you?”

Maxlooks dazed. “Iseverything okay?”

Heslides the fingers that just a second ago were tickling my neck, through his lush, sexy hair.

Jesus, he’s so handsome.Andcharming.Andhe wants to kiss me.

ButIcan’t.Isimply can’t.

Someonehas to have principles around here.

Iyank my cap farther down my forehead, snatch my jacket tight across my chest, and fold my arms over it. “Youcan’t get me to call off the protest by kissing me.”

“Youthinkthat’swhatIwas doing?”Helooks almost offended. “Imean, obviouslyIdo want you to call it off.Butthat’s not whyIkissed you.”

Ican’t allow myself to believe that for a second. “Yeah, sure.”Isnort and shake my head. “Youthink if you ravish me against the side of a tractor,I’lldo anything you want.”