She swallowed around the sudden dryness of her throat. “And you knew that, didn’t you?”
One corner of his mouth lifted in a sensual smile. “I might not have. Only having brothers and all that.”
Ginger recollected what she knew about the state’s most famously successful lady wildcatter. “But your mom...”
“Was a debutante in Dallas before she met and married my dad.”
“And still goes to a party or two?” Ginger prompted.
Rand nodded proudly. “She does. Although she prefers jeans and boots and an oil rig to any black tie affair.”
Ginger wiggled her toes, which were still aching from the hours spent in beautiful, impractical high heels. “I can second that.”
Rand remained where he was. “So. What’s your problem?” He had all the predatory watchfulness of a man in hot pursuit.
“I can’t seem to get out of this dress,” Ginger admitted reluctantly.
He appeared to mull that over. “You could sleep in it.”
True, but...the fitted bodice was so snug. Ginger wrinkled her nose. “It wouldn’t be very comfortable.”
His grin turned wicked. “Ready to get naked, then?”
Heavens, no! “I just want you to undo the back of my dress. Please.”
Kindness mixed with desire. He laid a hand across his heart. “Well of course I’ll do my husbandly duty.”
Not about to inquire what else that might entail, Ginger turned and reluctantly offered him her back.
Her pulse pounded as he shifted to the edge of the mattress and sat behind her. His bent knee just barely brushed the curve of her buttock. The sensation was exquisitely erotic and sensual. Shivering, Ginger shifted away from him.
He said nothing. Did nothing. She shot him an aggravated look over her shoulder. “Well?”
He lifted his broad shoulders in an affable shrug. “I was waiting on you to come back to me again.”
They were close enough—too close—as it was. They did not need to have actual physical contact to accomplish this. She sucked in a tremulous breath. “Is everything between us going to be this difficult?”
At her irritable demand, a laugh escaped him. “I don’t know. Is it?”
Groaning, she flounced back another inch. “Just undress me!”
His chuckle was warm and sexy, as if she had just given him the opening he needed. Not about to be seduced into thinking this was anything but a temporary business arrangement, Ginger clarified hotly, “You know what I mean.”
“I do.” His hands brushed the skin between her shoulder blades. He struggled with the triple row of close-set hooks at the top of her zipper. One by one, they eventually gave way.
Maddeningly, the zipper did not follow.
“Now what?” Ginger asked, finding the sudden stillness as excruciatingly erotic as his tender touch. Desire blossomed deep inside her.
Rand slid a hand between the fabric and her skin, his touch kindling her overwrought senses even more. “I just want to make sure...”
That she was spontaneously combusting from the inside out? Well, she was! “Rand, come on. Just do it!”
“Well, I sure hope no one can overhear us.” Rand’s voice took on his best needling aw-shucks tone. “Who knows what people might be thinking, us being in the bridal suite and all?”
Ginger groaned again at his clowning around and buried her face in her hands. Rand was doing what he always did when things got too intense between them. He used the combination of their mutual chemistry and his good humor to get her to relax. The trouble was, she didn’t want to relax. Didn’t want to let her guard down with him for one red-hot second.
Just like that, the zipper on her wedding gown came down, easy as you please. Cool air assaulted her spine.
Behind her, Rand sucked in his breath. And went very still.
Silk organza bodice pressed tightly against her breasts, Ginger pivoted to face him. “Now what’s the holdup—?” she started to say. Then stopped at the expression on his face. She knew that look. All too well.
“I was right,” he said. His blue eyes darkened as if he were imagining what the front view of her lace-and-satin bustier, garter belt and tiny panties would be. “Those are some mighty fancy underthings you’ve got on.”
And some very elemental feelings they were both having, Ginger noted. “I think we should stop here,” she said softly. Before they felt even more really and truly married than they did at this moment. Rand nodded, as if agreeing that things were getting way too complicated, way too fast.
“Probably should,” he stated gruffly. “But...how about just one kiss?” Pulling her to him, he dropped his head low. His lips hovered just above hers, tempting...seducing. “It is our wedding night, after all.”
Chapter Four
Knowing it was crazy to even pretend any of this could ever work out, Ginger started to pull back. Only to be brought slowly closer. “One kiss,” Rand repeated. “That’s all I’m asking.”
And all, Ginger thought, she was prepared to give. But when his lips fit over hers, all rational thought went right out of her head. She moaned at the soft, sweet heat. The touch of his tongue to hers sent her even further over the edge. Pulse pounding, body trembling with need, she wrapped her arms around his neck and shifted even closer. Emotions soaring, she nestled the softness of her breasts into the sinewy hardness of his chest.
One kiss melded into another. And another.
The next thing Ginger knew, he was pulling her to her feet. Pushing her unzipped gown down. A circle of ivory satin puddled at her feet.
He paused to take her in; his eyes roving the fullness of her breasts, the nip of her waist and the swell of her hips before sliding downward, along her thighs. Clasping her to him, he kissed her cheek, the line of her jaw, her throat. His lips toured the hollow of her collarbone. Then, straightening slowly, his gaze raked over her with startling possessiveness. Once again, he enveloped her with his warm strength, seeming at that moment to be fighting his own battle.
Tenderness emanated from him as first his fingertips and then his mouth caressed the uppermost curve of her breast. His other hand slid down her back to her hips, finding the delicate stretch of exposed skin between panty and garter belt. His breath was hot against her skin, the lazy ministrations of his mouth giving her a whole body shiver. She arched helplessly, wanting him, wanting this, so much. Feeling wild and wanton, she pressed her lips to his.
He held her face in his hands. “You are so beautiful.”
When he kissed her and touched her like that, she felt beautiful, inside and out. Thrilling at his touch, eager to explore his body, too, she undid the remaining buttons and spread the edges of his shirt. His smooth skin was delineated with hard ridges of muscle. Beneath her questing fingers, she could feel the slow, fierce beating of his heart. The tantalizing traces of his aftershave mingled with the clean fragrance of soap and the more masculine scent unique to him. Needing, wanting, she tangled her fingers in his hair, shimmied up against him, closer yet. “You’re breathtakingly gorgeous, too.”
He laughed softly, his demeanor wickedly sensual, his eyes dark with desire. “I’m glad you think so,” he murmured, “because at least for the time being, you’re stuck with me.”
That, she was, Ginger thought as he kissed her again, his lips warm and sure as his work-roughened palms slid over her, bypassing the barriers of satin and lace. Her nipples beaded against his palms. Lower