I had to admit, I had been irritated by the intrusion at the time, but now I could see the reason for Clint’s fear and anger.
I love my job, but that ranch was strange and unfriendly.
I stepped out of my car and waved at one of the hands I recognized, who waved back. It was nice, coming onto a ranch and having everyone be friendly, like this one.
Deliberately, I shoved the Yates ranch out of my mind. I was here to see Clint and have a good time with him. Yates and Banks were just not going to take up any more of my time today.
I headed up to the back door and walked into the kitchen, knocking on the door before I opened it.
Clint pushed his chair back and stood up from the table, knocking his chair aside and tipping over an empty glass.
Paying that no mind, he closed the distance between us in three long strides and took me into his arms, holding me tightly. I could feel his nose buried in my hair and his fingers digging into my sides, but I didn’t protest. I clung back, just as tightly, smelling the rich manly scent of him and trying not to cry with relief as my cheek rubbed against his soft faded work shirt.
“Don’t leave for the weekend again,” he mumbled into my hair, “Not when I have to do without you all week.”
I nodded. I was so right to have come here. I belonged in his arms.
Never before had I felt so safe when I was being held by a man. Being in Clint’s arms was like coming home after a long day.
I don’t know how long we stood there, swaying together, not talking. He was warm and strong against me, and being in his arms was all that I wanted.
He gripped my shoulders and pulled me away from him to stare deeply into my eyes.
“I missed you so fiercely,” he growled. “Are you mine, Naomi? I need you to be mine.”
I nodded.
“I’m yours, I’m definitely yours,” I gasped.
I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed him softly on his cheek, enjoying the way his five o’clock shadow prickled against my lips, making goosebumps rise on my arm.
Quickly, I followed that kiss with another soft one on his other cheek, and then, delicately, I pressed my lips against his and almost immediately pulled them away. I kept that up as he held me, small teasing kisses against his lips and face as he held still.
When I darted in and pressed a firm kiss against his lips, he pulled me close against him. My lips parted, his tongue slid between them and tangled with my own in an expression of feverish desire.
I loved the feeling of him touching me. I loved being held in his arms like that, being his.
He scooped me up, suddenly, and threw me over his shoulder as I squeaked. He crossed the living room in great strides, heading quickly to the hallway.
I held on tightly to his shirt and tried not to kick him as I giggled, upside down, staring down at his jeans-covered ass. It was a good sight. Muscular.
I heard a door open.
"Careful, now," Clint grunted as he lifted me off his shoulder and tossed me onto an enormous bed. I'd seen his bedroom briefly, but never so much as sat on the bed. Too much temptation for us both.
Apparently that was not Clint's concern right now. Before I had even truly caught my breath, he was on me, lean hard body covering my own, and I once again allowed him to plunder my mouth with his searching tongue.
I gasped and writhed, arching myself against him. This is what I had wanted for so long.
He pulled away from my mouth and stared into my eyes.
"I need you," he said. "I need to touch you."
I nodded, and his hands were immediately pulling my shirt up. He eased his weight off me for a minute, let me sit up, and yanked the shirt off over my head.
Our laughter mingled and he reached around me, getting my little white bra off of me with careful determination.
As soon as my perky breasts were revealed to him, he leaned down and flicked my nipple with his tongue, carefully caressing the other breast with his hand.