Only 06 - Winter Fire

sex?”
    â€œYou liked what you had of it with me.”
    â€œBut I didn’t have, er, all of you. I ran away before you could hurt me.”
    His left eyebrow went up in a black arc.
    â€œWhat makes you think I would have hurt you?” he asked mildly. “I hadn’t hurt you up to then, had I?”
    Despite the heat sweeping up her cheeks again, she spoke as plainly as Case had. She was determined that he understand how mistaken he was.
    She didn’t like sex.
    Period.
    â€œI’ve seen you naked,” she said bluntly. “You’re big. Hal wasn’t nearly as big and he hurt me.”
    Case’s black eyelashes lowered for an instant. He hoped he wasn’t blushing as much as she had, but he wouldn’t have bet a lot of money on it.
    Talking about sex was a lot harder than simply doing it.
    â€œIt hurt because you weren’t ready for him,” Case said finally.
    She frowned in confusion.
    â€œReady?” she asked. “What does that mean?”
    â€œA woman’s body…changes when she’s ready for her man.”
    â€œLola never said anything about a woman being ready. When the man is ready he has sex, that’s all.”
    â€œLola was a prostitute,” he said bluntly. “The men who came to her wanted sex and they wanted it fast. They paid to get it that way.”
    â€œSo?”
    Case opened his mouth, then closed it.
    â€œDid you and Lola ever talk about seduction?” he asked after a time.
    â€œSure. That’s where women are fooled into believing it won’t hurt.”
    â€œIt doesn’t!”
    â€œNot for the man,” she retorted.
    Carefully he put down his rifle. He cupped both hands over her face.
    â€œWill you let me kiss you?” he asked.
    â€œJust kissing?”
    â€œJust kissing.”
    â€œThat’s all?”
    â€œThat’s all,” he whispered against her lips.
    Then he lifted his head and watched her troubled gray eyes while she thought it over.
    Suddenly she smiled at him almost shyly.
    â€œAll right,” she whispered. “I liked being kissed by you.”
    Case came very close to smiling in return when he thought of the depth of her sensual ignorance.
    Just kissing covered a lot of very sweet territory.

15
    S arah watched Case’s head lower to hers and his black eyelashes close. She felt the brushing warmth of his lips over hers all the way to her toes. She sighed and shivered at the same time.
    â€œYou’re still cold,” he said huskily. “I should get your jacket.”
    â€œI’m not cold.”
    â€œYou’re shivering.”
    â€œNot that way. I just felt quivery and good all over when you kissed me.”
    She both felt and heard the quick breath he took.
    â€œThen I’ll do it some more,” he said.
    His lips moved over hers again, and again she trembled slightly in response. He nuzzled the corners of her mouth, the edge of her jaw, the delicate lobe of one ear. Then he sipped at the pulse beating quickly in her neck.
    With each motion of his head, his beard stroked her skin like a soft brush, bringing her nerve endings to wild, shimmering life.
    â€œYou sure you’re not cold?” he asked.
    Nodding her head, she made a murmuring, purring kind of sound.
    â€œLike it?” he asked.
    â€œYes,” she whispered.
    â€œGood. Slide your arms around me and come in real close.”
    â€œI’m not cold. Really.”
    â€œI am,” he lied.
    â€œOh,” she said, contrite. “I didn’t think of that. You always feel so warm to me.”
    Sarah slid her arms around Case and nestled in close. Her breasts pressed against him. She was surprised to find that her nipples were sensitive again. Not hurting, just…alive.
    And when she moved subtly against his chest, the odd, shivery feeling rippled through her from her breasts to her knees. It felt so good that she arched her back slightly and rubbed against him again, more slowly.
    â€œIs there a rock under your hip?” he teased.
    â€œNo. I just like…”
    Her voice frayed into silence.
    â€œWhat do you like?” he asked.
    She licked suddenly dry lips.
    â€œFrom the color of your cheeks,” he said, “I think I know what you’re trying to say. Let me help.”
    She gave him a startled look.
    â€œFirst I’ll just get rid of my gloves and put my hand here,” he said.
    His long fingers spread wide between