Lost Memories (Honky Tonk Hearts) by Sherri Thomas Page A

kiss. Not much of the conversation had sunk in, yet the feeling of his lips on hers had been burned into her mind.
    Only, the hot, tingling, and wanton thoughts were new and exciting. She couldn’t even remember what song they danced to, but the feel of vibrations pulsing through her veins remained strong.
    Fighting to keep her eyes open in the bright sun, she retrieved her glasses from the car. The shades dulled the blinding light, but not the pounding in her head as she picked her way to the barns. Upon entering she found the object of her fantasies bent over a hoof in T.J.’s stall.
    Nick’s eyes caressed her as she opened the door and advanced closer. The army-green T-shirt stretched as he finished the job.
    “Nice of you to join the living.” Straightening, he leaned on the animals side.
    “Sorry. I overslept.” She licked her dry lips and focused on the dirt at her feet. His black boots stepped closer, and she forced herself to stand still.
    As the heat and tension increased, her mind played back the scene at the Lonesome Steer. The dance. The kiss. Fluttering anticipation filled her. God, she wanted him to touch her.
    “About last night...”
    Pretend you don’t know what he’s talking about. The thunderous beat of her heart sounded in her ear. No. Talk to him. Tell him...
    Darcy glanced up and cleared her throat. “You mean the kiss?” The scorching hot entanglement of our lips.
    He stepped forward and removed the sunglasses.
    “Yes.” Lifting his hat, he ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve been up all night tryin’ to figure this out. The only explanation I came up with was the alcohol.”
    A desire to punch him flooded her. Why couldn’t he admit he wanted her. Maybe he wasn’t interested in a relationship? Maybe he’d only been caught up in the moment.
    No. She refused to accept that. This game of pretending wore on her jangled nerves. Her belly tightened as she stared, even as her body warmed under his gaze.
    “If...if the beer is the reason, why do I want to kiss you again?” she braved.
    Seconds ticked and his brown gaze never wavered from her face. The sound of birds chirping outside the barn mixed with the pounding of her heart were the only noises she heard. She lowered her gaze to the toe of her boot. Had she gone too far?
    A calloused finger raised her chin to his warm, searching gaze.
    “How did we get to this point?”
    She licked her lips and watched his Adam’s apple move.
    “It’s not a good idea.” His whisper held no merit as his warm mouth covered hers.
    Darcy opened to him as his tongue slid into her delving round and round. Her knees weakened, threatening to give out. If not for the tight band of his arm around her, she’d be lying in a heap on the stall mats. How was this a bad idea when the feel of his expert mouth ravaging hers felt so right?
    He invaded every inch of her mouth as his big body pushed her up against the wall.
    The taste of coffee and toothpaste, heat and desire swirled. A moan escaped. She couldn’t get enough as hands roved over her shoulders, down her back to her bottom, and squeezed the flesh.
    A growl, the raw sound of his need escalated her internal temperature. Darcy whimpered and hooked her foot around the back of his leg.
    “Nick, you in here?”
    Her heart spiked with the sound of Trent’s voice echoing through the barn as Nick tore his mouth from hers. Her body trembled with his sudden abandonment, and she wrapped her arms around her middle.
    Running a hand down his face, Nick stared at her, but answered, “Yeah, what’s up?” to his brother before stepping outside of the stall.
    Boots clunked closer. “Have you seen Darcy? The runt is worried because she hasn’t made her way over to the pigs yet.”
    “Chris is supposed to take care of the hogs today.”
    “I know, but she usually shows up anyway.”
    Darcy’s heart thudded in her chest as Trent’s watchful eyes traveled past his brother’s shoulder into the stall, a