“I like this plan.”

  “I think you’ll like the new one, too.” He brushed his mouth against hers. “Turn me loose.”

  “It better be good, because I really want –”

  “It’ll be good.”

  She relaxed her hold and he began a leisurely journey of discovery. He’d kissed her breasts the night before, but this time he savored the experience, nipping and licking her nipples until she quivered and gasped beneath him.

  “Zane.” She clutched his head in both hands.

  “Hm?” Cradling her breast, he drew her fullness into his mouth.

  “You’re…driving me…crazy.”

  Just what he wanted. He continued to lavish attention on her breast while he slipped his hand between her thighs. Her slick heat almost made him come, but he clamped down on his response as he ramped up hers. Firm strokes quickly had her panting. Arching into his caress, she pressed her fingers into his scalp and claimed her release with a deep moan.

  Sweet music. Slowly he kissed his way down her flushed skin and replaced his hand with his mouth. As he took her up again, her incoherent cries ended with a shout of triumph when she came. He’d reached his limit. Sliding up her sweat-dampened body, he thrust his aching cock deep. Oh, God. Yes.

  Locked in tight, he held very still so her lingering spasms wouldn’t trigger his own.

  Her eyes were glazed with passion and her body trembled with each labored breath. “I’ve never…had two.”

  Pressure built in his groin, pushing him closer to the end game. “Let’s go for three.” He didn’t know if he could hold out, but it was worth a try.

  She shook her head. “Impossible.”

  “Let’s see.” He began to move with a slow, steady rhythm and she tightened around him. He smiled. “Possible.” He held her gaze and watched her eyes widen. Oh, yeah, she could do this.

  She grabbed his butt cheeks and began to help him, rising to meet each stroke with a tilt of her hips that would give her closer contact. He was in the zone, now. What a beautiful thing to make love with the right person.

  She began to quiver.

  He took his cue and increased the pace. “Come for me, Buttercup.”

  “You come for me.” She dug her fingers into his glutes.

  Damned if he didn’t. At the same time his control snapped, so did hers. He came in spectacular fashion and made a hell of a lot of noise. She did, too. Perfect.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Mandy lay in a tangled heap of sexual bliss while Zane left to take care of the condom. When he came back, he stretched out beside her without a hint of self-consciousness.

  His relaxed behavior helped set the tone. Rolling to her side, she propped her head on her hand and gazed at him. “Here’s my question.”

  “Shoot.” He turned on his side and faced her.

  “Since I can’t imagine sex any better than that, should we quit now while we’re ahead?”

  He laughed, which made the corners of his eyes crinkle. They hadn’t crinkled that way when he was seventeen. He had a man’s face, now, and a man’s body, and a man’s…oh, yes, he certainly did. Even at rest his package was impressive.

  “You won’t get me to agree to that, not when we have an entire night ahead of us. We may never have better sex, but no two times are the same.”

  She smiled. “In your world, maybe. In my world…well, never mind.”

  “Sorry to hear that.”

  “On the other hand, repeating that last episode wouldn’t be so bad.”

  “Won’t happen, but I’m glad you liked it.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “There’s more where that came from, but first let’s fuel up.”

  “Would you think it was crazy if we ate out on the deck? We could build a fire and make s’mores if Mom has the stuff for them.” The chocolate cake had been sitting in a cold oven all day. That was probably a lost cause for dessert.

  He grinned. “Sounds like fun. I’ll stoke up the fire if you’ll warm up the soup and open the wine.”

  “Deal.”

  He stood and held out his hand to help her up. But instead of letting her go once she was standing, he pulled her close. “I sort of hate to see you putting on clothes, though.”

  “Would you rather stay in here so we don’t have to?”

  “No, it’s probably a good idea if we both get dressed.” He tucked her against his hardening cock. “As you can tell, I have a one-track mind. We might never get around to dinner.”

  “Wow.” She flattened her palms against his bare chest and gazed up at him as excitement curled in her stomach. “I’m impressed. I didn’t think guys usually –”

  “They don’t. I don’t. I’m kind of impressed with myself, to be honest. I thought I left those days behind me years ago.”

  “Maybe it’s just a fluke.”

  “Or maybe it’s you.” He leaned down and gave her an open-mouthed kiss while he kneaded her bottom with talented fingers. When he let go and stepped back, he was breathing hard and ready for action.

  He wasn’t the only one. She gulped. “Listen, do you want –”

  “Yes. But no. If you’ll do me a favor and get dressed in your bedroom, I promise I’ll be settled down by the time you come back.”

  She gathered up her clothes and left the room. No man had ever wanted her so intensely and it thrilled her down to her toes. Then again, she’d never been as fully aroused by any other man, either.

  Once she’d reached her bedroom, she considered other options besides putting her clothes back on. He’d laugh at her flannel rubber ducky PJs, but he’d appreciate how easily they came off after they finished dinner. She put on her red velvet slippers, brushed the tangles out of her hair, and went back to the living room.

  He wasn’t there, but she could see him through the picture window. He’d turned on the floods so he could build a fire. In his sheepskin jacket, jeans, boots and Stetson, he was the epitome of a rugged cowboy, especially carrying an armload of firewood he’d taken from the bin under the deck.

  He must have become aware of her watching him because he looked up. Sure enough, he laughed when he spotted her dressed in rubber ducky flannel. Then his laughter faded and he just looked at her, as if memorizing the image.

  Logically, he’d want her to stay in Montana. He’d mentioned it before when they’d talked about training Licorice, but it had been an offhand remark. Or maybe not so offhand.

  Giving her a quick smile, he went back to his work and she walked into the kitchen to warm up their dinner.

  She couldn’t stay. Being wanted made her feel warm and cozy, but sad, too. Naturally if she returned here to live, her mother wouldn’t leave and he’d be happy about that. But her mother wasn’t the main reason he’d want her to stay, not after the past two days.

  Eagles Nest had become a symbol of her lost innocence, though, and she couldn’t get past that. Her mother had been the only reason to visit. She was attempting to change that dynamic.

  Discovering a new relationship with an old friend was exciting, but Zane was anchored to a place she wanted to forget. She wouldn’t forget him, though. She hadn’t been able to even before he’d given her the most passionate moments of her life. But he wasn’t enough reason to move back.

  She had the soup kettle on the stove, the wine open and was slicing a loaf of bread from the Eagles Nest Bakery when Zane came into the kitchen bringing the scent of wood smoke and pine trees.

  Laying his hat on the counter, he looped an arm over her shoulder and leaned down to nuzzle the side of her neck. “Love the outfit.”

  “Me, too.”

  “I see you’re still partial to anything yellow.”

  “Yep, including butter. I’m planning to toast the bread and butter it.”

  “Yum. Nothing like warm melted butter on fresh bread.” He lifted her hair and nibbled on her ear. “I take that back. Some things are way better.” He slipped his hand under the hem of her top and fondled her breasts.

  “You’re taking a big chance fooling with a woman who’s working with a sharp knife.”

  “Then let me have the knife.” He took it from her and laid it on the counter before turning her to face him. “Those PJs are sexy as hell.”

  “No, they’re not.”

  “On you they are.” He slid his hands to the small of her back and under the elastic waistband. “Just think of what I could accomplish while the soup’s heating.”

  She caught his wrists and held on. “The soup’s already bubbling. I’m tempted to let it boil over, but that would make a huge mess.”

  He held her gaze. “Totally worth it.”

  “We’d waste my mom’s soup.”

  “You got me there.” He sighed and released her. “Aunt Jo makes awesome veggie soup. Go get your jacket while I toast the bread. It’s cold out there.”

  “I know.” She backed out of the kitchen. “That’s what makes it fun.” She hadn’t felt this sense of adventure for years.

  Zane hadn’t finished toasting and buttering the bread when she came back wearing her jacket, so she checked in the pantry for marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate bars. “We’re in luck!” She came out with all three. “S’mores are happening!”

  “Got forks to toast the marshmallows with or do I need to bend some coat hangers?”

  “We used to have some. Let me look.” She ducked into the pantry and came back with two long-handled forks.

  “Those look familiar.”

  “We used them when we were kids. There are nine, enough for your family and mine.” She paused. “I mean, when my family was three people.” Those were the memories that hurt. It had all been a lie. Her dad had been carrying on with other women for years before he accidentally got someone pregnant.

  His blue gaze softened. “I hope you know that us McGavins think of you and your mom as family.”

  “That’s nice to hear.” She heaved a sigh. “And I appreciate all you’ve done for Mom, but we can’t piggyback onto your traditions. We need to establish our own. That’s where a different place like New York makes sense. Clean slate.”

  “You mean like moving on.”

  “Yes, exactly.”

  He nodded. “I get that.”

  “I’m glad.” Relief flooded through her. “It helps to know you understand. You obviously love Eagles Nest, but I –”

  “You don’t anymore.”

  “No.” His sad expression made her sigh with regret. “Sorry.”

  “So am I.”

  “And now I’ve ruined the mood. Way to go, Mandy.”

  “You haven’t ruined my mood.”

  “Really? You’re looking pretty unhappy.”

  “I’m over it.” He flashed her a smile. “We have dinner, dessert and logs blazing in the fire pit. You’re wearing rubber ducky PJs. What more could I want?”

  “Beats me.” She handed him the toasting forks. “Let’s get all this stuff out on the deck and start our feast.”

  Moments later she‘d settled on a deck chair in front of the fire with a side table between her and Zane to hold their meal. She’d left the living room lights on so they wouldn’t have to bother with a lantern.

  “Cozy.” Zane dug into his soup. “This is probably rude, but don’t expect me to make pleasant conversation. My mom taught me not to talk with my mouth full and I’m starving.”

  “Understood. Just eat.” She attacked the soup and bread as eagerly as he did.

  In no time at all, he left his chair. “I’m going for seconds. Can I get you more?”

  “You bet. Thanks.” She handed him her bowl and leaned back to enjoy the atmosphere. Sipping her wine, she listened to the fire crackle and pop. It was the only sound. Beyond the pool of light cast by the light from the house, the forest was cloaked in darkness.

  Before she’d left here ten years ago, she’d begun to actively hate the quiet of rural living, especially at night when shadows were deep. She’d welcomed the noise and twenty-four-hour illumination of the city. Returning to the evening silence of the woods on her visits to her mom had been a challenge.

  That had eased over time, and tonight it didn’t bother her at all, maybe because she was so relaxed. Three orgasms, a hot meal and a glass of wine could do that. It also helped that she knew Zane so well. Once she’d pushed past the awkwardness of being attracted to her best friend, she’d discovered an advantage to best-friend sex.

  After tonight, she’d know Zane McGavin better than she knew anyone on the planet. There was comfort and safety in that, making the sex even better. Parting wouldn’t be easy, but she didn’t have to deal with that yet.

  The light went out in the living room, leaving only the glow of the fire pit. She turned as the door onto the deck opened. “Can you see where you’re going?”

  “I’ll aim for the fire. Should be fine. Without the light, it feels more like we’re camping.” He reached the chairs and handed her a steaming bowl.

  “Thanks.” She dipped out a spoonful and blew on it.

  “I turned off the stove. Figured we wouldn’t go for thirds.”

  “Not if we’re leaving room for s’mores.” She tested the spoonful with her tongue. Much cooler. “Do you go camping anymore?”

  “Not since I took on the raptor project.”

  “I guess that would tie you down.” She began eating her soup.

  “I don’t mind. Kyle would watch the birds if I asked him, but I like taking care of them. It’s not a chore.”

  “You love your life, don’t you?”

  “I do. I figure you love yours, since you’re still there.”

  “Right.”

  “That didn’t sound like a ringing endorsement.”

  “I’m pretty happy.”

  “On a scale of one to ten?”

  “About a seven most days.” She glanced over at him. “How about you?”

  He chewed and swallowed. “Usually a nine or ten. Today it was heading downhill, but it’s picked up. If I leave Mom’s accident out of the equation, it’s a definite ten, especially beginning around sundown.”

  “I see.” She smiled to herself.

  “Finished with your soup?”

  “Not yet. Getting hungry for s’mores?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Go ahead and open the crackers and marshmallows. I’ll be done in a minute.”

  “I’ll wait for you. We should let the fire die down a little, anyway.”

  She ate the rest of her soup and set the empty bowl on the table between them. “All done. What did you do with the forks?”

  “Left them on the railing. I think that fire’s still too intense for marshmallows.”

  “Then why were you so eager for me to finish my soup?”

  “I can’t stop thinking about your rubber ducky PJs.”

  She was glad she’d worn them. “Is that why you turned out the living room light? You wanted to fool around?” Her body tuned up right on schedule.

  “Would you have an objection?”

  “No, but I’m not sure where –”

  “My chair’s roomy.”

  “But it’s hard.” She giggled. “Don’t say it.”

  “Just so you’re thinking it.”

  “I’ll be right over.” She pushed herself to her feet and edged around the small table to stand in front of him. “What now?”

  “Slide out of those rubber ducky bottoms.”

  “My legs will get cold.” She was shivering, but not from the cold.

  “I intend to warm them right up.” He lifted his hips and fished a condom out of his pocket.

  “You do realize this is crazy.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I do. I like crazy. Are you going to take your bottoms off or do you need help?”

  She liked teasing him so she moved between his spread knees. “I need help.”

  “Glad to oblige.” Grasping her hips, he pulled her closer. Then he slid both hands under the hem of her jacket and connected with the waistband of her jammies. “I’m sensing there’s a tie involved in this setup.”

  “Maybe.” She became giddy with anticipation. “I can’t focus on anything but sex right now.”

  “I understand the problem.” He found the tie and undid it. “Progress. Now we can just slide these rubber ducky bottoms down so I can locate the good stuff underneath.” He shoved them to her knees. “There we go.”

  “Cold air. I feel cold air.”

  “Let’s see what I can do about that.” He slipped his hand between her thighs. “Open up for me, Buttercup.”

  “I can’t. I’m hobbled.”

  “So you are. Lift your right leg and I’ll fix the situation.” He slid her foot free and the PJ bottoms dropped to the deck.

  “Now I’m really cold.” She wasn’t, but playing along was fun, more fun than she’d ever had getting naked with a guy.

  “I’m on it.” Cupping her bottom with one hand, he fondled her with the other. He was a master at this and he stroked boldly, claiming her with his touch. “Getting any warmer?”

  “A little.” She gasped as he went deeper and found her G-spot. “You might want to…stay there…for a while.”

  “Thought so. Felt you clench.”

  “Mm.” She concentrated on the sensation he created with the steady rhythm of his fingers. “That’s good. That’s very…” Without warning, she erupted in a warm, undulating climax. She grabbed his shoulders to steady herself as the waves broke over her like surf on a tropical beach.

  His voice, husky with desire, penetrated her fog. “Warm, now?”

  “Very.”

  “Then hang out right there for a sec.”

  “Okay.” Suspended in a hazy world of sensual pleasure, she was vaguely aware of rustling and unzipping, foil tearing and latex snapping.

  “Now.” His strong hands guided her. “Put your knees on either side of me. That’s it. There.” He found her entrance with the tip of his sheathed cock. “Slide down.” He sucked in a breath. “Like that. Hold still.”

  “I don’t want to.” The joy of being filled to the brim made her want to move. The rough denim of his jeans rubbed against her bottom and excited her even more.

  “Please.” He held her tight. “I’ll come and I don’t want to. Not yet.”