MONTANA BRIDE

Excerpt

“But you were hurt.” She clutched his shirt.

“Ma'am, I rode a lot of bulls and bucking horses in my rodeo days and survived. There's an old saying, 'There ain't no man that can't be throwed.'”

She looked up as her eyes darkened to a deep jade. “That's supposed to make it okay? I don't think so.”

He couldn't help himself. She looked so damned worried and indignant, he kissed her forehead, a soothing, big-brother kiss. One that turned into something deeper as his lips moved down to her mouth.

“More,” he muttered. Framing her face with his hands, he pressed his lips tighter to hers. His heart raced as her mouth softened under his. Her pulse throbbed in the tender flesh where their lips touched. God, she was honey and fire.

Wrapping his arms around her, he nuzzled her cheek, breathing in her sweet fragrance. She slid her hands around his waist, and her fingers danced along his muscles. He changed the angle of his head and dove deeper into the kiss.

Her eyes closed. She looked so sweet, he touched each lid with his lips. She snuggled closer. Her wordless moan lit a smoldering heat. He skated kisses down her temple, her cheek, homing in on her tender lips. She tasted like the mountain wind—fresh and free.

Free? Slowly he stepped back from her, feeling the gulf of open air between them. The kiss and holding her had been a mistake. He didn't want to let her go, but he wasn't free to want her. She was his boss…