Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3), Kahlen Aymes [essential reading txt] 📗

since the day in the barn. It was a sort of sensual torture that I couldn’t get enough of.

“If I’m your ‘babe’ why haven’t you made love to me again?”

Ben sighed heavily in the darkness, his warm breath washing over my face; his hand came up to cup my cheek. “I was wondering if you’d get around to that.”

“Is that bad?”

It was dark in the room, but I was close, and my eyes had adjusted enough to see the corner of his mouth lift in a half smile. “No, I just don’t want to rush you. I don’t want you to think I just want sex with you, plus you’re worried about what everyone will think.”

I offered a half nod as my heart skipped a beat. “Having you stay here overnight is enough to get tongues wagging, so that part is moot.”

He shook his head. “No, it isn’t. We just tell them I’m here as protection. Personally, I don’t give a rat’s ass what anyone thinks, but I don’t want you to stress about it. I want to take things one day at a time and to have fun this next week. You’re going to love the little munchkins.” His white teeth flashed in the darkness. “They’ll get your mind off all of this. They’re a trip.”

I was all set to begin my new job the following Monday, but today was the day Ben’s sister was arriving with her kids. I was excited for the weekend and it would be a good distraction from the awful dreams.

Ben had planned a couple of one day excursions into Yellowstone, but other than that we were just going to pitch some tents on the property, go horseback riding, and cook on an open campfire.

Ben’s side was healing nicely, but still not fully. I had thoroughly enjoyed the last lazy week at home just taking care of each other. He was so perfect that, at times, I forgot to worry and tried to enjoy my time with him. Nothing ever felt so right as it did with Ben.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with them.”

“They’ll fall in love with Dark, and Remi really wants a puppy, so she’ll adore Gem. They’ll have so much fun. I wish you could push back starting at the diner,” he said regretfully.

“I know. Me, too, but I don’t see how I can. Arlene was so nice to offer, I can’t can on her.”

“I don’t think you even need that job,” Ben protested.

“Maybe not, but it will be good to get out. I can’t just sit on the ranch all day. Especially now that I have to do the dirty work,” I teased lightly.

“You think so, huh?”

It would be sad next week when I wouldn’t see him as much, and I was thinking about what he said. I really didn’t need the job at the diner. Taking care of the ranch would keep me busy enough and maybe I could solicit a few more horses to board, but it would help me meet people and get back to normal. “I do.”

We continued holding each other in the middle of my bed, though I wanted more and sensed that Ben did, too.

“It’s going to be a busy week. Try to get some sleep, honey.” His hand slid up my arm and gave a little squeeze near my shoulder.

My heart fell. “Sleep?”

“Yes, and no more bad dreams. I command you,” he said, amusement lacing his voice.

I drew in a frustrated breath, my hand sliding down his chest and lower, but his hand closed over my wrist, stopping me.

“Plenty of time for making love to come. If you still want to.”

I wondered if he was joking as my body quickened and the air between us electrified. “I want to,” I whispered.

Almost involuntarily, my hips arched toward his, and my chin lifted. Mouth open, I was silently begging him to kiss me. It was the truth. In that second, all of my fear of losing him melted away and all I wanted was to be in his arms, his body possessing mine, his mouth consuming me.

“Well, that’s good, because if you didn’t, I might not survive.” His voice was low and hungry.

He was so chivalrous and romantic, it only made me want him more. I didn’t want to come off as a wanton slut, but I wished with my entire being he wouldn’t make us wait. “What about a quickie?” I teased.

He laughed and instantly, I was taken by surprise when Ben rolled on top of me, pinning me to the bed and parted my legs with his muscular ones. “Listen, woman, there will be no quickies. Not with you.” His hand gently pushed my hair back. “Only long, slow, amazing, delicious nights together.”

I could feel that he was already hard; my loose knit shorts barely providing a barrier between us. Suddenly, I wished I’d worn something sexier to bed.

I smiled softly; the promise made a thrill shoot through every cell in my being.

“Got it?” he pressed his erection into my tender flesh emphasizing the words, leaving me in no doubt of his desire. Ben laughed sexily, sending a jolt of lust straight through my core.

“Uhhh,” I lamented. “Not yet, but I’m hoping to,” I said, half joking and arching my hips in answer. Our eyes met, his sparkling in the darkness.

Ben groaned and dropped his head, burring his face in my neck and hair. “Marin, stop teasing me. I promised myself that I wouldn’t push you. After the last time and your regret afterward, I decided you needed more time.”

“You may be right, I probably do, but I don’t want to wait, Ben. Here, right now, in your arms, I’ve never wanted anything more,” I admitted honestly, hooking my legs around both of his, and digging a heel into the back of one of his thighs.

His face sobered as our eyes locked. “I want you so badly, but there will be no going back. The first time was giving into desire, now,