The Ashtons - Cole, Abigail & Megan

be provocative. But he’d never seen her look so hot.
    The soft fabric loosely draped her breasts, but did little to hide their hardened peaks, leaving no doubt that she’d removed her bra. When he noticed that the hem of the damned thing barely reached midthigh, it was all he could do to keep from groaning aloud. She had the longest, shapeliest legs he’d ever seen. His overactive imagination—not to mention his hormones—were off and running. When he thought of how it would feel to have her wrapped around him as they made love, his body came to full erection, and he clenched his back teeth together so hard, it would probably take a crowbar to pry them apart.
    As he continued to stare, he noticed that Abby’s cheeks had turned a pretty pink and he could tell she was embarrassed. But she held her head high and her gaze never faltered.
    “I forgot to bring my robe.”
    Without thinking twice, he stepped forward and pulled her to him. “Don’t get me wrong, honey. I’m not complaining about what you’re wearing.” He drew some much-needed air into his lungs. “Actually, make that what you’re not wearing. But you’re about to give me a heart attack, and it’s getting damned near impossible for me to keep my hands to myself.”
    Her soft body pressed to his was heaven and hell rolled into one, and he’d have liked nothing more than to strip them both, climb into bed and spend the rest of the night loving her. But she trusted him not to push for more than she was ready to give. And he’d walk through hell before he let her down. The only trouble was, he was damned close to reaching his limit, and he was man enough to admit it.
    Knowing that he’d be lost if he so much as kissed her, he nuzzled the satiny skin along the column of her neck. “I’m giving this chivalry thing my best shot, honey. But I’m fighting a losing battle. That’s why I think it’s time for you to go to bed.”
    When he released her and stepped back to pull on his boots, she looked confused. “Where are you going?”
    Reaching for the door, he stopped long enough to give her a quick kiss. “I’m going to run a few laps around the campground, then I’ll find a couple of horses to bench-press. After that, I may wrestle a bull or two.”
    Russ stepped out of the trailer, closed the door behindhim and walked away before he could change his mind, go back inside and make love to her until they both passed out from exhaustion.
    As he walked down the path to the barn, he released a frustrated breath and willed himself to relax. He was in a place he’d never been before and he had no idea how he was going to handle it, or even if it could be handled. Something told him that it was beyond his control, and that’s what had him tied in knots.
    There was no doubt that Abby aroused him physically. Hell, he’d been hard almost from the minute he’d laid eyes on her. But the fact that she turned him on emotionally was what had him waging an internal battle with himself.
    He’d thought they could have a good time while she was visiting California and, when the time came for her to go back to her farm in Nebraska, there would be no feelings involved and no regrets. But somehow she’d managed to get under his skin as no other woman ever had, and if they made love, he had a feeling he’d never be the same again.
    Shaking his head, he sat on a bale of straw outside of Dancer’s stall. Something else that had to be considered was the fact that he was almost positive she was still a virgin. And that put a whole different spin on the situation.
    He was old-fashioned enough to believe that whena man took a woman’s virginity it meant something more than just a roll in the hay for physical relief. A woman’s first time making love should be special, and with a man she cared for deeply and who cared for her in return.
    There was no doubt in his mind that they both had that going for them. But the logistics were all wrong for them to build any kind of lasting relationship. Her home was a thousand miles away, and he had nothing to offer her if she stayed here.
    Rising to his feet, he slowly started back toward the trailer. If they made love, could they both come away from their time together without suffering some kind of emotional pain? Or when the time came for her to return to Nebraska, would he be able to watch her go without his heart going with her?
    The following afternoon, Abby watched Russ back the bay gelding into the hazer’s box