The Rancher Takes A Bride (The Burnett Brides Book 1)

breathing quickening at the raw, naked desire she saw there.
    Slowly he rose to his feet, his hand reaching out and pulling Rose up out of the water with him. He leaned toward her, and she met him halfway, his lips barely touching hers, before he broke away. It was a tease, a gentle promise of more to come, that left her aching with want.
    His hands reached for the buttons on the front of her dress, and Rose knew she was unable to say no. She didn't want to say no.
    Rose almost quit breathing. Their eyes locked in a not-too-subtle exchange that left no doubt what he was feeling. Her own hands reached up and started to unbutton the front of his shirt, the wetness of her fingers slipping on the wooden buttons. Her nerves caused her hands to shake.
    She was lost to the sensations his touch evoked as he reached inside her opened dress and caressed her breast. She knew there was no turning back, there was no more denying that she hungered for Travis's touch. She wanted to be in his arms.
    She finished unbuttoning the wet shirt and slid her hand inside to touch his satiny skin. His muscles rippled beneath her stroke, and she sighed as her fingers traced the length of his chest, feeling the hard contours.
    Still locked in a staring battle, he gasped, "The mud ... let me finish rinsing the mud off you."
    His hands slid the wet material of her dress down over her shoulders, down her arms. She stood before him, her chemise showing from the waist up, soaking wet, her nipples peeking through the clinging material.
    Taking her hand, Travis pulled her up and led her into deeper water. When they were waist-deep, he turned and began sluicing water on her, trailing his hands down her arms, cleaning the mud off her. She did the same for him, running her hands down his muscular arms, reveling in the feel of his skin, aching to let her lips trail where her fingertips had lingered.
    His movements increased in speed, and she followed his lead, hurrying to some unknown destination. Wanting to get there quickly before she rationalized her actions.
    Suddenly he stopped, his finger moving down her arm, leaving behind a trail of goose bumps. "I think that's all."
    She gazed up at him. His eyes were almost glassy, as they shone with a fire that drew her to his flame. He was mere inches from her and she suddenly was nervous about what was to come next. "I ..."
    His lips covered hers in a kiss that promised much more to come. A kiss that tantalized her senses with promises of today and dreams of tomorrow. A kiss she knew would change her forever.
    She opened her mouth greedily, accepting his unspoken acknowledgement of passion, wrapped her arms around him, pressing her body into his, sending her own message of sensation.
    She felt him lift her in his arms and knew she wanted this moment with this man. Knew that this was her destiny.

Chapter Twelve

    Travis lifted Rose up in his arms and carried her from the pond. He couldn't resist her any longer. He'd tried—Lord, had he tried—but now, here, he had to have her.
    She wound her arms around his neck, her hands caressing the sensitive skin below his ears, keeping his pulse pounding. Her head lay cradled against his chest as she gazed up at him from beneath her lashes, her emerald eyes dark with passion. Slowly she ran her tongue across the naked skin along his neck, and he thought his knees would buckle.
    "Wait," he cried, stepping onto the slippery bank, eager to see her naked flesh.
    Carefully, he set her feet on the ground, letting her body slide against his until she was standing. He leaned over and put his lips against her exposed ear- lobe. Nibbling softly, his lips moved down her neck to the tempting curve of her shoulder. She moaned, a soft, delicate sound, and he tugged at her dress. His hands went around to the back of the skirt and quickly he unhooked the waist, letting the garment sag to the ground.
    She stood before him, her chemise clinging to her skin like a lover. The front dipped low to expose the swells of her full breasts; her nipples beckoned him through the wet garment and he longed to touch them, put his lips around each sweet kernel.
    She reached out a tentative hand and ran it down the front of his chest, down to his pants, her eyes trailing her finger. At the waistband she hesitated, glancing up at him shyly. The urge to throw her down on the ground and plunge himself into her almost overwhelmed him, but he resisted.
    The woman had an innocent seductive air about her. He