Resisting Pressure (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 5) by Rhonda Lee Carver Page B

his hat low on his head, he nodded and brushed past her. He headed into the house, down the hall toward the bathroom. What he needed was a cold shower but a splash of water would have to do for now.
    He stepped into the small guest bathroom and started to close the door but it was caught by something. A dainty flat shoe. He followed the delicate ankle, along tanned calf, knee, to where the hem of the yellow dress touched round thigh. He brought his gaze up and met the eyes of a pissed off female.  “Bathroom’s occupied, sweetheart.” Instead of walking away, Violet brushed past him and pushed the door shut with her foot. “If you need to use the head that bad just say so.” He placed his hand on the doorknob, but she blocked his path.
    “Why are you doing this?” She crossed her arms.
    “Going to the restroom?”
    “Playing with my emotions?”
    He narrowed his gaze and stepped back. “What? I’m not playing with anything, darlin’. I’m not a game player.”
    “Really? You seem to get a lot of pleasure seeing me squirm and then you walk away.”
    He leaned against the sink and hooked his ankles, wrapping his brain around her words. “Have I made you do anything you haven’t wanted to do? Let’s put things into perspective, shall we? You and I both wanted each other at the apartment and I didn’t run, against better judgement. You were so hot, I too thought we’d burn the place down, just as you told your sister, but you made it real clear what you wanted when you high tailed it out of dodge before I came back with the truck. So where in all of this do you get that I’m walking away?” Two seconds ticked by. He’d seen molasses spread faster. “Well? I’m waiting?”
    “I should just go. That’s the answer.” She backed up, grabbed the knob, but he was on her, pressing her against the door, inhaling her sweet, intoxicating scent. “There you are again. Putting your hands where they don’t belong.”
    “I guess I’m slow at learning a lesson.”
    “Just let me go,” she mumbled.
    “Is that what you really want to do? Leave?”
    She pressed against the door, lifting her chin, their lips within inches. “Is there any other way?” Her breath swept against his cheek, triggering something deep in his gut. He wanted to touch her—ached to touch her—but he held back. Shoved his hands deep in his pockets, safe from acting on impulse.
    “My God, you’re going to be the death of me.”
    “That wouldn’t be a solution.”
    “Are you biting your bottom lip deliberately?”
    She looked up at him, her breasts raising and lowering, freeing her lip. “Why would I?” she murmured so softly he could have imagined her voice.
    He laughed, couldn’t help himself. “Don’t go. Stay.”
    “If I do…”
    “What?” He sucked in a breath, forcing his lungs to work.
    “My heart is pounding fast.”
    “Mine is too, baby.”
    “Oh hell.” She shifted and pressed her mouth against his, rolling her tongue along his lips.
    He jerked back. “Is this another test?” he said against her lips.
    “No.” A groan lifted in her chest, ripping through him.
    He tore his hands out of his pockets and wrapped them around her waist, dragging her close, so close he could feel every curve and feminine dip. He separated her lips with his tongue, tasting her, exploring her. Needing her more than his next breath.  An electrical current zapped between them, charging him like a lightning rod. Her eyes turned dark and smoky. Her breaths turned shallow and her breasts pressed against his chest.
    He threaded his fingers into her hair, loving the feel of the satin strands against his palm. He gently tugged her head back, giving him better access to dart his tongue deeper into her mouth. Her tongue met his, and he rolled the tip around hers.
    “Is this what you want?” he growled.
    “More than calorie-less chocolate and a body with no cellulite.” Her voice was melodic, coaxing him into her trance.
    “I’ll take