Rocky Mountain Rebel by Vivian Arend Page A

was sure. If a little thumb rubbing got her aching between her legs and longing for more, she’d done this perfectly in terms of asking for help. “Only don’t go too slow, okay? I’m not gonna break.”
    She didn’t see him move. Somehow, though, she hit the ground and he was over her. His elbows were braced on either side of her head, and his knees must have been on the ground, because otherwise she would have been crushed beneath him.
    Instead, she was caught between the solid ground and his rock-solid body. Just the lightest of contact between them, mostly heat.
    Oh God, though, the heat , especially at her core where a thick ridge pressed…
    His cock , Vicki. Think the damn word. You’re going to get a close-up view at some point, so use the big-girl words.
    She forced herself to acknowledge the truth. Where his cock made contact, need and excitement roared though her. Her mouth went dry as she stared into his face, wondering what he would do next. All thoughts of stopping him had vanished.
    If he stripped her right then and there, she’d willingly get grass stains on her ass.
    He wasn’t breathing too smoothly himself. The hot stroke of his jagged gasps rushed past her cheek, and she braced herself for the next first. He was going to kiss her. She was sure of it. Crushing her lips beneath his, taking her by storm. That had to come next.
    She debated closing her eyes, but he held her trapped with his gaze.
    A long, low rumble issued out, his chest moving slightly as he spoke. “You might not be breakable, but I already said it. This is worthwhile doing right.”
    He lowered his head, his cheek brushing past her hair. She swore he took a deep breath before he rose. All the muscular length of him towering over her.
    Vicki lay in the grass, the cool blue of the October sky framing the big cowboy. She took her time looking him over as the rush of whatever he’d triggered buzzed through her system. “How long is it gonna take before my heart rate goes back to normal?”
    “Hell if I know. That’s good, though. Tells me I’m not the only one turned on like crazy right now.”
    She tried not to stare at his hard-on. “You aren’t the only one. Fuck, no.”
    He grinned and held out his hand. “Tomorrow, come to the small barn around ten and we’ll get started.”
    The sexual tension between them deflated, at least on her part. The first thing she thought of was the terror of the horses, but she hid it under the other fear. “Jesse?”
    Joel pulled her to vertical. “He won’t be home until late afternoon. We’ll be done morning chores, so Blake and Matt won’t be around. Trust me.”
    She wanted to, but saying and doing were two different things. She’d already opened up a can of worms starting this entire thing. “That’s gonna take more time.”
    He snorted. And didn’t let go of her fingers. “Come on. Walk with me for a minute.”
    It was a good thing he led her to the level section at the top of the hill, because hanging on to his hand was more distracting than she’d thought possible. He didn’t let her loose, as if there were a delicate iron band around her wrist, holding her to his side.
    She didn’t want to let go.
    “You still looking for a job?” he asked, deep voice smoothing over her like butter.
    Vicki shook her head to clear the cobwebs. “What’s that? Oh, no, I got on at the shop. I start full-time on Monday, thanks to you.”
    “None of my doing. You going to miss the café?”
    She sighed. “Yeah, I love cooking. But the shop is a safer place to work. Less chance of breaking people’s heads, that kind of thing.”
    Joel paced steadily, guiding her along. He was probably itching to ask her about Eric, or was her guilty conscience making everything all about her? No matter. Some secrets were not coming out today. Not ever, if she had her choice.
    So she tried to return the distraction. “You enjoy ranching?”
    Joel pulled her to a stop and looked over the land. She liked