Page 8 of Her Heart's Desire
Tempted to see what the scope was homed in on, she hesitated. The knowledge she would be invading his privacy made her pause. She was probably being too suspicious. She’d have to face the consequences if he found out. He was bound to be furious.
Her foot wobbled on the tread, and she sucked in a shaky breath as a remnant of her old fear of heights resurfaced. She tamped down the incipient panic attack, practicing her deep breathing and repeating her mantra just as the therapist had taught her. Regaining serenity, she started to step up when a thump from below caught her attention. She looked down and froze, panic washing over her anew.
Jake stood at the bottom of the ladder, glowering up at her.
He took a step closer. “Well, if it isn’t my cat burglar. I didn’t know you went in for second-story work, Sunshine. Want to tell me what you’re doing up there?”
She shook her head. Silently repeating her mantra, she tried to stay still.
A nerve pulsed in his jaw. “In that case, why don’t you come down from there?”
“I don’t think I can.” She met his eyes and saw a glimmer of understanding dawn there.
He shook his head. “Don’t tell me you’re still scared of heights.”
“I thought I was over it, but I’m not. No thanks to you.” Through clenched teeth, she muttered, “Get me down from here, Ramsey.”
He grinned back. “Hold still, and I’ll take care of you.”
She wanted to kick him for finding this situation amusing. Instead, she conjured up a picture of a dewy meadow filled with wildflowers and changed her mantra to—I hate Jake.
He scaled the ladder, standing with his feet on the rung below hers.
The ladder swayed, and she screamed, closing her eyes, sure they would fall.
“You’re not going to fall.” Jake’s voice was soft and reassuring. “Can you step down with me?”
She gave a tiny shake of her head.
“Yes, you can,” he said.
He smoothed her hair back. He leaned into her, letting her feel his intriguing warmth, and kissed her exposed nape.
She gasped. Her knees wobbled, but not from fear this time.
“Feel good?” he asked suggestively. “Come on, baby, let’s go down.”
She suddenly found herself moving with him. Every time she got frightened, his plundering lips were there to shock her out of her fear.
At last, her feet touched the floor, and she slumped against the ladder, trembling from relief and excitement.
His hands clasped her shoulders in a firm grip. He gently turned her around. A heady mix of emotions flashed in his gray eyes before his mouth came down to claim hers.
An excited languor surged through her. Her lips parted under his masterful ones. The kiss was hard and more wonderful than she’d remembered. He pressed her back against the ladder. His chest rubbed against hers. Her nipples instantly beaded into hard points. He stepped between her open legs, nestling his manhood against the juncture of her thighs. She shivered, sucking at his tongue, wriggling against him as he bumped against her. She found herself rubbing against him as pressure built inside her.
A kiss like this was what she ached for, she realized. Waves of anger, fear, and betrayal washed away under his ministrations. He groaned into her mouth and pressed tighter.
He broke the kiss, and murmured something dark and desperate as he bent to suck on her neck.
Her face burned, as well as her whole body. She whimpered against him. She tried to put her arms around him, but he held them fast, effortlessly restraining her for his pleasure. She grew wet as she shimmied against him. His erection was harder, pressing closer, and then suddenly...
She came. Orgasm wracked her body as she clung to him and cried out.
He went still, his body stiff. He pushed her back against the ladder, their mouths inches apart.
Her cheeks flamed while she gazed into the smoky depths of his eyes. Good grief, she’d practically humped the man. And, worst of all, she’d come from a kiss and some petting. Shewasthe sex-starved princess Grayson had called her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean...” She caught the desire die in his eyes, and her protests dried.