Josh by R.C. Ryan Page A

rounded the barn and headed along the long, curving driveway, he said, “Now lower that lever.”
    She did, and the scoop lowered until it was scraping the snow.
    “Oh, Josh. Look.” Her eyes were wide with excitement as they rolled along, scraping snow until the massive scoop was filled.
    “Now pull back on that lever,” Josh instructed.
    She did, and the scoop lifted smoothly until it was at eye level.
    “Now press that lever to turn around.”
    She did, and executed a perfect circle before heading behind the barn.
    Once there Josh showed her how to lift the scoop high before tipping it to spill the contents. When the scoop was emptied, she turned to him with a look of absolute delight.
    “Oh, that was amazing. Can I do it again?”
    He was staring at her with the strangest look. And then, without a word his arms came around her and he dragged her against him.
    And kissed her.
    It was the most amazing kiss. His lips warm and firm and seductive, moving on hers with all the skill of a very capable lover. While his mouth worked its magic, his hands at her back had a skill of their own, moving along her spine, across her shoulders, sending heat radiating all the way to her toes.
    “Mmm.” He muttered against her lips. “You tasted just as sweet as I’d thought you would.”
    “And you taste…” She sighed. “Delicious.”
    His hands were in her hair, his mouth moving seductively along her throat to nestle in the sensitive little hollow between her neck and shoulder, sending the most amazing shivers along her spine.
    After her initial shock, it occurred to her that this had been worth waiting for. Here was a man who knew exactly what he was doing. And what he was doing to her was absolute magic. She couldn’t seem to form a single coherent thought except one: she never wanted this to end.
    He nuzzled his way back to her lips. The kiss spun on and on, until her breath backed up in her throat and she could see stars behind her closed lids.
    When at last he lifted his head, she actually moaned, wishing he would do it again.
    She strove to keep things light. “So this is what it takes to get you to kiss me. All I have to do is drive some manly equipment.”
    He gave her that dangerous smile she’d come to love. “In truth, I’ve been wanting to do that since I first saw you on the mountain.”
    “Then why did you wait so long? Were you afraid I’d think you were easy?”
    At her joke his smile grew. “Yeah. That’s it. I was playing hard to get.”
    “You want to kiss me again?”
    His gaze burned over her mouth. “Oh yeah. But I think I’d better wait.”
    “All part of your hard-to-get game?”
    He shook his head. “Big Jim. About to come aboard.”
    She turned just in time to see the white-haired man climbing up to their machine.
    Josh leaned close. “I hope we can continue this another time.”
    His grin nearly stopped her heart. “Count on it.”
    Josh’s grandfather opened the cab door and poked his head inside. “Good job, boyo. I think we’ve clearedenough snow to get ourselves out to the main highway now.”
    Sierra felt her heart tumble. How easy it had been to forget that she was leaving. Now reality was slapping her in the face.
    She didn’t want to go. Especially now. She wanted more than anything to stay here with this fascinating family, and get to know them better.
    Who was she kidding? She wanted to stay here with Josh. He was just beginning to warm to her.
    Warm? It was too mild a term. If that kiss was any indication, he was absolutely hotter than chili peppers. And she wanted more.
    Big Jim indicated the barn, where he’d already parked the snowplow. “Drive us around, boyo.” He remained standing on a metal runner and clung to the door.
    Josh easily lifted Sierra and slid into the driver’s seat before setting her down beside him. With a flick of the controls, he drove them into the barn and parked neatly.
    “Come on, lass.” Big Jim climbed down and held out his