The Barrington Brothers: When Opposites Attract... / Single Man Meets Single Mom / Carrying the Lost Heir's Child

“I’ve never appreciated being stranded in a thunderstorm,” he told her. “But I have to say, this definitely has its perks.”

Tessa laughed, making a fist on his chest and propping her chin on top. “I never thought of storms as romantic before, but now I won’t see them as any other way.”

“I’ve worked on scenes set in thunderstorms. They’re not near as fun as this.”

The sun had set, so only occasional flashes of lightning illuminated the cabin, allowing her to get brief glimpses of Grant’s killer smile amid dark stubble.

“We can try to make it back,” she offered. “I mean, I don’t want you to feel like you’re stuck.”

“I have a beautiful naked woman on top of me. I assure you, even if the weather was sunny and perfect, I’d be in no hurry to leave.” He gripped her hips, turning them to align with his. “I don’t feel stuck. Lucky, satisfied and relaxed, but not stuck.”

Tessa flattened her palm against his strong chest. “I’m glad I waited. I’m glad we met, even if I wasn’t a fan of this film.”

Grant chuckled. “And how do you feel about the film now?”

“I believe you’ll do the best job portraying my family in a positive light. That’s what I was most worried about.”

When she rested her head against his chest again, Grant’s hands slid through her hair, moving it off her back so he could stroke those fingertips up and down again.

“What else worries you?” he asked.

She laughed. “About the film or life in general?”

“You have that many worries, huh?” He kissed her forehead and nudged her legs apart until she straddled him again. “Maybe I should just take your mind off all of them for a while.”

She jerked up. “Again? I mean, already? Aren’t you...you know, done?”

Grant’s rich laughter made her feel like an idiot.

“Hey, cut me some slack, Slick. I’m new here.”

His hands encircled her waist. “Oh, you’re not new anymore. You’re experienced, and now I want you to take complete control. Do what you want.”

Her mind raced. Other than what she’d read in books, she really had no idea what to do, because she’d never experienced anything firsthand.

“I only brought one condom,” she told him as another bolt of lightning lit up the sky, slashing through the windows. “I wasn’t expecting...”

“I’ve never had sex without protection,” he told her. “My last physical was only a couple months ago and I was clean. But it’s your call. I’ll only do what you’re comfortable with.”

Tessa bit her lip, wondering what she should do. Her body told her one thing, her mind told her another.

“Well, I know I’m clean, and I’ve been on birth control for other health reasons.”

He tipped his hips slightly and slid his hands up to cup her breasts.

“You’re not playing fair,” she told him.

“Oh, baby. I’m not playing. I’m taking this very, very seriously.”

He wanted her to take control? Fine.

Tessa sank down on him in one slow, easy glide. She smiled as he groaned. More than likely he thought she was being torturous, but in all honesty she wanted to make sure she wasn’t too sore. But, hey, if he thought that was sexy...

“Tessa,” he all but growled. “Honey, you’re killing me.”

The endearments he tossed about warmed her. She kept telling herself not to read anything into them, but keeping an emotional distance was downright impossible.

Tessa blocked out any negative thoughts, because right now, she intended to show this city slicker just how country girls liked to be in control.

Fifteen (#u69b6edb5-ba8e-58d8-8726-83cba9e35667)

Tessa jerked with a start, wondering what had actually woken her up. Beneath her, spread out on the chaise, Grant groaned and twitched.

Arms and legs tangled, Tessa tried to sit up, but Grant’s hands gripped her shoulders.

“Melanie, stop!” he yelled.

Tessa froze. Melanie? Whoever this woman was, she was causing him nightmares. Please, don’t be a girlfriend. Or worse...a wife.

“Grant.” Tessa tried to break from his hold as she patted the side of his face. “Grant, wake up.”

The storm wasn’t as violent as earlier, but growls of thunder still filled the night. The occasional lightning was the only thing cutting through the darkness of the cabin.

“I’m so sorry,” he cried.

Tessa couldn’t stand the anguish ripping from him. So she did the only thing she could think of: she slapped him, hard.