Ember opened the door, propping a shoulder against the jamb. Unable to evade the sultriness from rising in her voice, she simmered, “You’re a little early. It’s only Friday, what are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t wait that long.” Nash hooked an arm around her waist, forcing an arch from the small of her back. Threading his fingers into the hair at her nape, he buried his face in her wild chestnut mane, nipping at her neck and ear. “I want to take you somewhere.”
Though her heart pounded enthusiastically, her shoulders slumped in regret and exhaustion. Straightening her spine, she clasped his jawline in her palms stroking her thumbs over two days worth of stubble.
“As much as I’d like to say yes, I’m not really up for going out tonight. I’ve had a long day and was getting—”
The heat of his sweet breath, coming hard and fast, drifted across her lips right before he took her mouth in a scalding kiss. The heady probing of his tongue sent her heart into an erotic tempo, silencing any excuses swirling through her brain.
Releasing her lips, Nash lowered his nose to hers, engulfing her vision in an ocean of blue heat.
“I promise, it’s beyond casual. You don’t need to change, and you can even go barefoot if you’d like,” he assured, jiggling her fingers. Concern weaved through his features examining the dark circles beneath her eyes. “Long day?”
Hints of compassion riding in his tone gutted her, leaving fatigue behind in a trail of lust.
“Yeah. I think I’d rather sit in the saddle all day or deliver calves than read over files and accounting.”
“I’d be—” Nash hesitated.
“Yes?” Ember questioned, casting him a soft imploring smile. “You’d what?”
Head averted, he seemed to ponder his response. “I was going to say that I’m good with numbers if you ever want some help.”
Taken aback by the offer, she worked to keep the shock out of the sincerity of her words, responding, “Oh. Well, thank you.”
Glimpsing downward, she took a quick scan of her jersey knit t-shirt dress. The well-worn scoop neck could be considered stylish if paired with heels and adornments, but for Ember, it was her favorite jammies.
“Are you sure I can go like this?”
His gaze followed hers, attention lingering at the hem of her gray dress brushing along her upper thighs. The carnal intensity of his blues wrapped in dark inky lashes set fire to the spark already growing in her core.
“Oh, I’m sure.” Coasting his strong hands over her hips, one brow stretched for the ceiling. “No panties?”
A sexy grin hooked the corner of her mouth. The pressure of his fingers, maddeningly delicious, sent a tremor of delight spindling down her spine one vertebrae at a time.
Ember licked her lips to speak but couldn’t manage a syllable.
Staring him in the eye, she cleared her throat and attempted to swallow. “Would you like me to put a pair on?”
Inching down, he leveled her with the fire building in his gorgeous eyes. “Get in the truck, woman.”
After leaving Bee a note, they walked outside. A big, black dually truck dressed with a beefy bumper sat in the drive.
“Did you get a new truck?” she inquired, making her way around the back of the bumper.
“Na, this is my ranch truck.”
“Where are we headed?”
A gasp whooshed from her lungs as his fingertips curled around her hip bones, gently tugging until the length of her back pressed against his solid chest.
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” he growled, greedy lips wandering over the sensitive curve of her neck.
Ember’s spirits soared.
Hearing the words of disclosure triggered a rush of adrenaline slamming through her blood. Her eyes drifted shut, closing out everything around them, relishing in the sweet burn of his mouth feasting on her neck.
A quiet moan hung on her breath. Every worry, every obstacle, every fear faded away leaving nothing but the gravity of the moment between them.
Spinning her to face him, his chest inflated with each frenzied breath, keeping rhythm with hers. His fingers tangled in her hair, clasping the sides of her face.
Unsure of how to reply, she beamed up at him, bottom lip tucking its way between her teeth.
Appearing to be just as tongue-tied by his own admission, Nash dropped his view to meet hers. Tiny lines pleated near his temples, flashing her the sexiest demure grin she’d ever experienced as he opened her door.
“I think you put some sort of spell on me. Now get in the truck, my little gypsy woman.”
Cocooned in the quiet confines of the vehicle, Ember sank into a relaxed, sedated state of mind. Neither acted on the need to speak out loud. Simply holding hands or the occasional sultry glance seemed to say enough for each of them.
Nash turned onto a narrow, gravel road running along the fringes of the Harris Ranch. Staring out the window, she took in the beauty of the native grassland dotted with scrub trees. She swayed to the music as she sang along to “Make it a Good One” by Brothers Osborne. The meaningful words came as a sweet, sorrowful reminder to make the most of every day.
They’d been driving for over thirty minutes when she noticed an enormous tree in the distance spiking her curiosity. She glanced at Nash and he tossed her an easy wink.
“Is that where we’re heading?”
“Umm hmm,” he replied, jiggling her fingers.
He parked the vehicle beside the ancient oak tree spanning nearly half the size of a football field. Eyes wide, Ember stepped out of the truck and meandered beneath the impressive array of vast branches.
Making her way to the trunk, which looked more like a trio of trees rather than one, she pressed her fingers into the deep creases of the thick, dark bark, studying its enormous size and beauty. Even if she and Nash held hands, it would be impossible to encircle half of the tree.
“What is this place?” Fascination clung to her tone.
“When I was young, I called it my hideout. I suppose now I’d consider it more of a sanctuary.”
“Wow. Nash, this is breathtaking. How old do you think this tree is?”
He leaned against the tailgate appearing more relaxed than normal, taking her in. “Not sure, but I’d guess at least two hundred years.”
Hulky limbs reached out from the tree, some soaring toward the sky while others practically swept along the ground below, it’s awe-inspiring beauty nothing short of majestic.
Ember stepped onto a thick branch hovering a foot above the dirt and grass. Hands stretched out to the sides for balance, she placed one foot in front of the other, as if tiptoeing along a balance beam. She hopped off the log pushing out her chest and throwing her arms into the air mimicking a gymnast dismount, prompting a snicker from the back of the truck.
The sound of rushing water captured her attention. Flashing him a soft, curious smile, she pointed to the tall blades of lush green grass in the distance. “Is that a creek I hear?”
Refusing to unlock her from his gaze, Nash moved toward her in stealth like precision, nailing her with a sense of allure so intense heat flushed over her flesh from head to toe. Her feet remained locked in place as he reached for her hands, tucking his fingers into her palms.
Ember glanced down at their joined hands.
The beating of her heart turned thunderous as the energy passing between them gathered force.