He stood up so suddenly she overbalanced on to her ass. She held her breath as he stalked around the bike, grabbed her forearms and picked her up.
‘Take it off, Robyn.’
‘Make me.’
She opened her eyes wide at him and licked her lips. His gaze followed the small movement of her tongue. With a stifled curse, he started to unbutton her coat, his fingers brushed against her breasts as he fumbled his way down the long line of buttons.
‘Shit, why didn’t you say something? Where’s your shirt?’
‘In the motel, drying in the shower, why?’
His gaze remained riveted on her black bra and the swell of her breasts. ‘You can’t stand around in your bra.’
‘Why not?’ She shrugged out of her coat and let it fall to the ground. ‘Let’s pretend it’s my bikini top.’
He swallowed hard. ‘It’s transparent. I can see everything.’
Robyn made a point of looking around. ‘No one can see us, we’re hidden by the trailer and you’re not interested in me, are you? So what’s the problem?’
He briefly closed his eyes and stepped away from her. ‘You’re right, there’s no problem. I’m perfectly capable of keeping my hands to myself.’
Robyn gave him her most gracious smile. ‘I knew that. Now let’s finish the bike so we can go shopping, OK?’
Dakota turned away to rinse out his washcloth and readjust his uncomfortably tight jeans. The sight of Robyn’s breasts reminded him of her uninhibited display the night before. Her nipples poked right through the flimsy black lace just begging to be touched and tongued.
‘Dakota?’
He stood up and almost came in his jeans. Robyn sat astride his bike leaning forward to polish the headlamp. Her body moved sensuously with the motion and her breasts threatened to escape her bra. He cleared his throat.
‘I think we’re about done.’
She smiled at him. ‘Are you sure? I was kind of enjoying myself.’
‘I bet you were.’
Her smile disappeared and she clambered off the bike. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
He threw his cloth into the bucket. Water splashed everywhere. ‘You just don’t give up, do you?’
‘Give up what?’
‘On your attempts to make me horny.’
‘I’m making you horny?’
She strolled up to him until her breasts rested against his chest, her belly snug against his erection. ‘I’m just cleaning your bike, like you told me to.’
‘Yeah, right.’
Her smile returned as she bent a little at the knees. ‘Perhaps it’s your problem, cowboy. Maybe you’re the one who needs to cool off.’
She stepped back, hoisted the bucket and threw the entire contents right into his face. With a roar he grabbed for her and the bucket hit the ground. Wet cloth rubbed against soft skin and she squeaked.
‘Let me go, you big idiot. You’re getting me all wet.’
‘I like you wet.’
He turned her in his arms and maneuvered her back against the side of his trailer. She looked up at him, her breathing as harried as his. Without further thought he bent his head and kissed her, ravaged her mouth with all the pent-up lust she’d inspired in him since he’d met her.
She didn’t stop him. Of course she didn’t, he was giving her exactly what she’d wanted all along. But he couldn’t stop, didn’t even care that she’d made a liar out of him.
Without breaking the kiss, he picked her up and rocked his hard cock against the soft spot between her legs. She moaned into his mouth and he kissed his way down her throat toward the wet swell of her breast and pert nipple. God, he had to taste her, even if it was only for a second.
Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he suckled and her body moved with his. Even through the soap suds she tasted
so
fine. He moved across to her other nipple, gave it the same attention until it was as hard as his shaft. Her hands slid between them and she shoved at his chest.
‘Are you done?’
Dakota opened his eyes and raised his head to find Robyn staring at him. Her triumphant grin told him all he needed to know. She’d proved her point. His word was as useless as any man in lust. Carefully he released her. Shame at his behavior crept over him and killed his arousal.
‘I’m sorry. I behaved like an ass.’
Something flashed in her eyes: surprise, shock, dis appointment? He wasn’t sure. He turned to pick up her coat and handed it to her.
‘Obviously I lied when I said I wasn’t attracted to you.’ He waited until she covered herself before continuing. ‘But I swear it won’t happen again.’
‘And if I wanted it to happen?’
He touched her cheek. ‘Hell, woman, you don’t know what you want.’
She frowned up at him, her lower lip trembling. He contemplated her angry face. Yeah, this would be the perfect time to give her his lecture about how all men weren’t the bastards she assumed they were and that she didn’t have to allow herself to be used. With a sigh, he slicked his wet hair away from his face.
‘Robyn, if you knew what you wanted you wouldn’t be here with me now. You’d be home with the people who love you.’
A single tear rolled down her cheek. She hadn’t struck him as a woman who cried to get what she wanted. He caught the tear on his thumb and brushed it away.
‘How about you take the key and go back to the motel to wash up. I’ll check the bike is running OK and come and pick you up.’
She took a deep breath. ‘OK, I’ll do that.’
He smiled at her. ‘That’s my girl.’
‘I’m not your girl and don’t patronize me. You’re the one with the girl’s name.’
Great, now at least her sass was back. He stepped away and raised both hands. ‘Whatever you say. Go put on your blouse and be ready to go.’
Chapter Five
Despite the searing heat, Robyn found she was shivering. God, she hated him,
hated
him. He’d turned her latest attempt to get the better of him into another opportunity to show off his holier-than-thou side. He’d
apologized
for giving her the hottest kiss she’d ever had and then he’d made her cry.
As she rounded the corner, she rubbed furiously at her eyes. She hated to cry. She unlocked the door and slammed it behind her, making the window glass rattle. The only good thing to come out of the whole episode was that he’d lied when he said he didn’t want her.
A reluctant smile curved her lips. Damn, he was hot, especially with all that water dripping down him, molding the fabric to his chest and tight abs. She dropped her coat on to the bed and headed for the bathroom. Despite his size and the shock of being doused in dirty water, he hadn’t hurt her either.
She studied her flushed face in the mirror, touched her slightly swollen lips. He kissed like a man who knew his way around a woman’s body – like a man who would give her whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted it. That’s why she’d pulled away from him. She’d been too afraid to continue the kiss in case she begged him for more and lost her fleeting advantage. Between her legs a pulse throbbed and flowered into life.
She slid her hand inside her panties and found them wet, her sex open and willing. He’d been hard, she’d felt him rocking into her. With a sigh she withdrew her hand and washed up. No time for that now if she wanted to go shopping.
The faint sound of a high-revving engine filtered through the thin walls. Her black blouse was almost dry. She slipped it on and splashed water on her face to hide her tears. By the time she scooped up her purse and opened the door, Dakota was outside. The engine of the bike purred like a tiger at rest.
He’d exchanged his Stetson for a helmet and handed her one as she sidled up to the bike.
‘Put this on,’ he shouted over the rumble of the engine.
After seeing how grubby she looked, Robyn could hardly complain it would mess up her hair. She complied, tucked her braid neatly down the back of her collar and put on her sunglasses.
‘Get on.’
She climbed up behind him and wrapped her arms around his narrow waist. Beneath her the bike throbbed as if echoing the pulse of awareness between her thighs. Was that why men liked bikes so much? Did they get a cheap thrill every time they revved up?
She squeaked as he pulled away and held on tight, her eyes half closed against the sudden rush of warm dusty air. She still didn’t know exactly where they were going or how long it would take. What if he was a serial killer after all? She consoled herself that a splashy and vicious death would at least get her back on the front pages of the entertainment mags.
Dakota turned his head slightly and mouthed the words: ‘OK back there?’
She nodded and relaxed her grip, taking in the rugged desert scenery for the first time. She rested her cheek on the thick denim of his jacket, enjoyed the roughness and the distinct scent of horse and leather. They were back on the highway and headed toward what appeared to be a sizeable town. Perhaps she could get him to drop her here instead . . . but she wasn’t ready to leave him yet. The thought made her stomach flip over and she held on to him even tighter.
Dakota slowed down and pulled off the next ramp, bringing them down into a small shopping complex. By the time he killed the engine, Robyn had registered the name of the biggest store. She pulled off her helmet and faced him.
‘That’s Wal-Mart.’
‘Yeah, I know.’
‘I don’t shop at Wal-Mart.’
‘You do now, especially when it’s on my dollar.’ He grabbed her hand and started walking toward the entrance.
She tried to put the brakes on. ‘I have money.’
He raised his eyebrows. ‘I hadn’t noticed.’
Her cheeks heated at his candid appraisal. ‘I have, just not on me right now.’ She sighed. ‘Look, I can’t keep taking stufffrom you.’
‘Why? Do you think that makes you beholden to me or something?’ He shrugged. ‘It’s just money. I’ll
lend
you a couple hundred bucks, OK? That should be enough to get you a change of clothes and all the other stuffwomen seem to think necessary to survive. You can pay me back when we get to LA.’
He placed his hand in the small of her back and maneuvered her into the store. It was busy as hell: kids everywhere and parents shouting commands that no one appeared to listen to. Dakota grabbed a cart from an ancient greeter and headed for the ladies’ aisles. Robyn followed slowly along behind.
‘Don’t you have to go do something manly like look at guns or fishing tackle and bait?’ she asked.
‘Nope. I’d much rather help you choose new panties.’
Dubiously Robyn scanned the rows of lingerie. Had she ever been in a Wal-Mart before? God, everything was so cheap! She fingered a pair of pink and black lace panties. She was used to wearing Chanterelle or Agent Provocateur which cost hundreds of dollars just for the basics. Perhaps Dakota was right and she would be able to find herself a whole outfit.
‘I like these.’
She turned to find Dakota right behind her. He dangled a tiny scrap of black lace on the tip of his finger.
‘You would. I’m not buying them.’
‘Maybe I’ll buy them for myself then.’
She studied his groin. ‘I’m not sure they do them in men’s sizes. You’d only need a small.’
His slow appreciative grin made her feel all warm inside like pulled taffy. She struggled not to smile back.
‘Now, honey, you know that just ain’t true,’ he said.
‘I don’t.’
He considered her. Something in his smile made her skin tingle with anticipation. He moved closer and lowered his voice. ‘Well, I suppose it was dark when you sucked me off, but I’m sure you got a good feel for me.’
She fought a blush as he took her hand and kissed her fingers. Why did he have to be the one man who attracted her so deeply? What was it about him that made her want to fall into his arms and let him do whatever he wanted to her?
‘I thought we were supposed to be buying clothes for me, not listening to you bragging again.’
He squeezed her fingers and then released them. ‘I’m not bragging, lady.’
She grabbed the cart and walked blindly forward. The trouble was she knew he wasn’t. A searing memory of his cock filling her mouth made her swallow hard. Their relationship was so awkward. Her all too intimate knowledge of him and that tantalizing spark of unsatisfied lust that burnt between them made it way too difficult to think straight.
He caught up with her as she was choosing a pack of black T-shirts.
‘Robyn, I don’t know how to say this . . .’ He sighed. ‘Damn, this is hard.’
She glanced down at his jeans. ‘According to you it’s always hard, so what?’
He shoved his fingers through his dark hair. ‘Will you just listen? I’m kind of out of my depth here. We’ve practically had sex and yet I don’t know you at all.’