Mistletoe & Marriage: Snowbound Cowboy. Patricia Thayer

couldn’t stop looking at his hands. His palms were large and his fingers long and tapered. What would they feel like against her skin? A shiver ran down her spine. She shook away the thought. “But you’ll have your own life.”

      “I doubt I’ll have time for a life if I’m busy with a ranch.” He shrugged, his gaze focused on her. “A boy needs a man around when he gets to a certain age.” Then hurried on to say, “That’s not to say you won’t find someone, you’re very attractive. But if you don’t, then you can always call me.”

      Amelia’s heart pounded as she put her pup back with Izzy, then bravely leaned forward and planted a chaste kiss on Boone’s cheek. She pulled back slightly and swallowed hard. “You’re a sweet man, Boone Gifford.”

      The look in his eyes quickly changed as the irises darkened to a smoldering black. “You wouldn’t say that if you knew what I was thinking right now.” His voice was low and husky.

      Amelia knew she should get out of there, but it had been so long since she’d been close to a man. A man who stirred her. A man who made her yearn to feel his touch, his kiss.

      She threw caution to the wind and said, “Tell me, Boone.”

      He didn’t hide his surprise, as he reached out and cupped her face. “Can’t seem to find the words, darlin’. I’ll show you,” he breathed as his mouth closed over hers.

      The kiss was gentle at first, but it still sent Amelia’s heart racing, as she hoped and prayed that he would never stop. Her hopes were answered as he pulled her against him and deepened the connection. His tongue slid along her lips until she opened for him, letting him inside to caress and taste her. With a moan she wrapped her arms around his neck and used her tongue to tease him.

      On a groan, his hand moved to her breasts, stroking their fullness. He broke off the kiss, his gaze searching her face. Neither spoke as he dipped his head and kissed her again and again. She’d never known such hunger, such need. She’d kissed men since Russ, but it had never felt like this.

      Boone’s hand slipped under her sweater, touching her skin, raising goose bumps as he reached her bra and managed to unhook the lacy garment. On a whimper, she arched her back as his masterful hands began to stroke and knead her breasts.

      “Oh, Boone,” she gasped.

      He ran kisses down her neck, his breathing heavy. “You want more?” His fingers toyed with her nipple, causing it to tighten into a hard nub. He quickly moved to the other.

      “Please,” she said.

      Suddenly a whimpering sound broke them apart. Izzy was standing next to them.

      Boone released her. “Looks like someone else needs our attention.”

      “I better let her out,” Amelia said as she stood.

      “No, I’ll do it.” Boone was out of the pantry before Amelia could say anything.

      Five minutes later Boone cursed at himself while he gathered wood as he waited for Izzy to finish her business. What had he been thinking? Apparently, he hadn’t been thinking at all when he’d kissed Amelia Hughes. And the last thing he needed to do was fall for this woman. In the end she was going to hate him.

      The chocolate lab was easy to spot in the snow. “You ready to go back inside, girl?” In answer the dog bounded up the steps. Boone wasn’t as eager to return, knowing he was lying to a woman he was crazy about. He’d lost her before he’d even had a chance to win her.

      Chapter Seven

      THE NEXT DAY it was cold and gloomy. The snow had stopped, and all Amelia wanted to do was get out of the house. She wasn’t used to being confined for so long. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if she could hear from Kelley.

      She’d listened to the news on the radio and discovered the storm had crippled the entire area, including Helena. Luckily, the weather system was moving on. Now if it would warm up enough so the snow would melt.

      She wanted work crews to restore electricity and phone service. Then Boone Gifford could go back to the Sky High Ranch and things would get back to normal. She glanced at the man seated at the kitchen table with Jesse. The same man she’d kissed last night. The same man whose sure hands had caressed her skin, teasing her with a taste of pleasure she’d never experienced before. She bit back a moan of frustration.

      “Mom? Are you okay?”

      She fought at hiding a blush. “I’m fine, honey. Just tired of being inside.”

      The boy’s brown eyes widened. “Boone said if it’s okay with you, and I dress warm, I can go to the barn with him when he feeds the horses.”

      Amelia stole a glance at the man she’d been avoiding all morning. He acted as if she was the last person he wanted to be around.