"Horseback riding."

He made a sound like a game show buzzer. "Wrong answer," he said in a soft voice that sent a pleasurable tingle down her spine. "And sailing is the wrong answer, too."

"Oh yeah? What kind of cowboy are you?"

"Invite me over tonight and I'll show you." He leaned down and flicked his tongue over her earlobe. "I'll even bring dinner and cook for you."

Bring dinner? A feat that would require a trip to the supermarket? And cook? And sex? Yikes. If she didn't get away from him right now, she'd never make her scuba lesson.

Stepping away from him and the potent spell he seemed to cast upon her whenever he was within a ten-foot radius, she forced a deep breath and a smile.

"All right, cowboy, you've got yourself an invite. How does seven o'clock sound?"

"Like a long time from now."

Damn it, it sure did.


* * *

At exactly seven o'clock -which had indeed seemed like a long time-Josh deposited a half dozen white plastic grocery bags on Lexie's kitchen counter. Raising his chin, he sniffed the air.

"What's that odor?" he asked. "It smells like something burned."

Color rushed into her cheeks, making his fingers itch to touch her skin. "Nothing. I, um, set the oven on self-clean. It makes a funny smell."

She turned from him and tried to look in the bags, but he grabbed her around the waist, pulling her close.

"No peeking," he said.

She made a pouty face, and he laughed. "You remind me of a kid on Christmas morning."

"And you're being a Grinch. Can't I have just one tiny peek?"

He pretended to ponder her question as he backed her up until her backside bumped against the counter. "Maybe one tiny peek-but it's going to cost you."

"Name your price."

He rubbed himself slowly against her.

A wicked gleam flared in her eyes. "You drive a hard bargain, cowboy."

"That I do, ma'am. Wanna see how hard?"

"Like you wouldn't believe."

With a groan, he gave her the kiss he'd been thinking about all afternoon. She parted her lips in welcome, and he deepened the kiss, his tongue claiming the minty heat of her mouth. His hands slipped under her bright pink tank top, skimming up her smooth back. A groan rumbled in his throat. She wasn't wearing a bra.

Breaking away from her lips, he kissed his way across her jaw and down her neck while his hands came forward to cup her breasts. Her nipples tightened, pressing into his palms, and a long, low sigh of pleasure escaped her.

Every thought fled from his head. Damn, it was as if a fog of hot need swallowed him every time he touched her. Hell, every time he got near her. Aching, his erection straining against his jeans, he grasped her hips and lifted her onto the counter. Her eyes flared with arousal, and with her lips wet from their kiss, erect nipples pressing against her shirt, she leaned back on her hands and spread her legs.

He pulled down her tank top, exposing her breasts and trapping her arms against her sides. Leaning down, he took her taut nipple into his mouth, while he ran his hand up her leg and under her short, full skirt. Her panties were already damp, inciting him further as the musky scent of her feminine arousal assailed him.

Pushing aside the wisp of material, he slipped two fingers into her wet heat. A cry of pleasure ripped from her throat and she opened her legs wider, moving sinuously against his hand. She came almost instantly, and he raised his head to watch her orgasm consume her as she pulsed around his fingers.

The instant he felt her relax, however, she blew away any thought he might have entertained about her going limp in his arms. Instead she sat up and reached for the button on his jeans. "More," she demanded in a rough, smoky voice, her eyes hot. "Now. Now."

He'd learned his lesson well, and pulled a condom out of his back pocket. Seconds later he thrust into her, hard and fast, wild and hungry, as if they were starved for each other. Gripping her hips, he stroked her deeply, watching himself thrust into her, then withdraw, thrust, then withdraw.

"Josh," she moaned, her body tightening around him. The feel of her, the sound and sight of her, pushed him over the edge, and his release rushed through him.

"Lexie." Her name whispered past his lips like a prayer, and he clasped her tightly against him. When he could breathe again, he leaned back and brushed a damp curl from her forehead.

"If that was the appetizer," she said in a still slightly breathless voice, "then I can't wait to see what you're cooking up for the main course."

"I don't know. At this rate, we may not eat until mid-night. You're a big distraction to the chef."

She didn't look the least bit contrite. Moving against him she asked, "You complaining, cowboy?"

"Hell, no."

"Well, that's good. 'Cause I'm not finished with you." She looped her arms around his neck and planted a noisy kiss on his cheek.

"Oh, yeah? What did you have in mind?"

"A little game."

"Well, if it's anything like the last game, you can definitely count me in. What's this game called?"

She grinned. "Doctor."

He smiled back. "I already know how to play that one."

"Excellent. Then you know the drill. Take off your clothes."

"Stick out your tongue."

She pursed her lips. "Hey! That's my line."

Lifting her off the counter, he headed down the hall toward the bedroom. "How about if we both take off our clothes, and both stick out our tongues, and see what happens?" he suggested.

Holding on tight, she nibbled on his earlobe. "I think we both know what will happen. Since I never got my peek, is there anything in those grocery bags that needs to go in the fridge?"

"Nope. I bought a bag of ice that's in with the perishables. And that should prove just what sort of cowboy I am."

"The smart kind?"

"That, and the Boy Scout kind. Always prepared." Walking into the bedroom, he deposited her on the bed, then set about removing his clothes. "You'll note I had a condom in my pocket."

"That was a very smart-and much appreciated-move."

"Yeah? Well, Miss Lexie, then hang on, because my clothes are off and I think you're going to appreciate my next move even more."


* * *

Wearing nothing except Josh's denim shirt, Lexie patted her mouth with her napkin.

"That steak was delicious. The potato, green beans, and salad, too. You're a great cook."

"Glad you liked it. Wait till you see what I have planned for dessert."

Lexie groaned. "I couldn't eat another thing."

"Don't worry. It's not that kind of dessert."

"Oh." Their eyes met across the width of her kitchen table and she couldn't help but smile at him. Garbed in only his boxer briefs, he was a very distracting dinner companion. Distracting and entertaining. Watching him prepare dinner, she'd learned that there isn't much that is sexier than a nearly naked man slaving over a hot stove.

"Why don't you go relax in the hot tub while I clean up?" she suggested. "I'll meet you out there."

"Why don't I help you clean up, then we can go relax in the hot tub together."

"But you cooked. You shouldn't have to clean up, too."

"I'd rather be in the kitchen with you than out in the hot tub alone."

Good Lord, this man was going to kill her. Reaching out, she captured his hand. Bringing it to her mouth, she gently nibbled on his index finger, then sucked it into her mouth. His eyes seemed to glaze over and he shifted in his chair.

"You keep doin' that, darlin', and these dishes will stay right here."

"Hmm," she hummed against his fingers. "And that would be really bad, right?"

He chuckled. "I think I sense a bit of the procrastinator in you."

"Only when it comes to housework," she stressed, peppering his fingers with kisses and flicks of her tongue. "Especially laundry. I do it, but I hate it." She eyed him with speculation. "I don't suppose you like to do laundry?" Nah. He couldn't be that perfect.

"Can't say that I like it, but it's one of those things that's got to get done-so you just do it."

"Ah, but I have this very interesting theory about laundry," she said. "Would you like to hear it?"

"Love to-but I'd love it more if you'd sit on my lap while you told me."

Releasing his hand, she rose, then resettled herself by straddling his lap, facing him. "You see," she explained, slowly trailing her fingers down his bare chest, "if everyone would just get naked, there'd be no need for clothes, and thus, no need for anyone to do laundry ever again. Think of the ramifications. Think of all the time we'd save never having to shop for clothes. All the money we'd save not having to buy clothes. All the money we'd save on food. With everyone running around naked, you'd want to be in the best shape possible, so everyone would eat less, thereby saving on groceries." She tickled her fingers over his ridged abdomen and he sucked in a breath. "Of course, the whole idea would only work if everyone did it."

"You sold me. Let's test it out right now."

She raised her gaze from the fascinating ribbon of hair bisecting the skin below his equally fascinating navel. "Huh?"

"Let's get naked." He unsnapped her shirt with one firm tug, then immediately leaned forward to take her nipple into his warm mouth.

Heat shot through Lexie and she arched her back. "I thought you wanted to clean up."

"Later. Right now I want you." He cupped his hands on her buttocks, pulling her tighter against his erection. "Any complaints?"

"Absolutely not."

"Unfortunately the condoms are in the bedroom."

"Except for this one." Smiling, she pulled a plastic package from the pocket of his denim shirt, then dangled it between her fingers. "Slipped it in there before dinner. Boy Scouts aren't the only ones who know how to be prepared."