I didn’t know how to say that I wanted to be alone with him where it was safe for us to be
together, but he obviously caught my meaning.
“Anything for my sweetie.”
He took my hand, walking me out of the barn and around the back of the farmhouse to my
door. I unlocked it quickly, and we went inside. As I kicked off my sneakers and he pulled
off his boots, I realized that the large bed was suddenly the most important piece of
furniture ever.
Somehow, I wasn’t nervous, only excited. As those thick, muscular arms wrapped around
me, there was no way I could be afraid. Dean had cared for me from the second we met,
and I knew he’d never stop. The urge to show him how I felt was overwhelming, but I’d
figure it out.
CHAPTER TEN
* Dean *
As I held Joanna against me, I felt the tiniest shiver run through her. “Sweetie, don’t be
scared. You know I would never hurt you.”
Her cheek snuggled into my chest as she murmured, “I know. I don’t think I’m scared… Just
nervous. Or curious.”
Picking her up, I carried her the two steps to her bed, sitting her down on my lap. “I never
want to make you nervous, Joanna. Just tell me what you’d like.”
Her fingers slipped into the neck of my t-shirt, gliding along my skin gently. “I guess I just want to be with you,” she said softly.
“I can’t spend the night, sweetie, but I could tuck you into bed. Would you like that?” she
nodded, her chin rubbing against my collarbone.
“You’re probably tired from working so hard in the fields these past few days,” I murmured,
slowly unzipping the back of her sundress. “Shall I help you?”
She nodded against my chest again. Running my palm against the silky skin of her back, it
felt like she was relaxing with me. Standing her up, I pulled her dress forward, and she
helped me wriggle her out of it so that it fell to her feet.
God, she was beautiful. So sweet and soft. Running my hands along the curve of her round
hips, I pulled her to stand between my legs, kissing her as I unhooked her bra. Then I let
that drop to the floor as well, enveloping her firm breasts in my palms. They were the