She grinned. "Make up your mind. Am I a horse or a cat?"
He grabbed her leg and with a quick jerk, dislodged her from the tree - right into his waiting arms. She squealed and he lowered her feet to the ground, gently pulling her close.
"I missed you," he whispered against her lips and then proceeded to show her how much. His lips were as warm as the hands that gripped her waist.
For a moment she returned his kiss passionately, her arms encircling his neck and drawing him closer.
"I missed you too," she whispered breathlessly. They shouldn't be alone out here in the woods, necking like this. She should do something. She drew back and met his hungry gaze. It was a mistake. In an instant he pulled her back into his arms and reclaimed her lips. She did nothing - nothing to stop him, anyway. It was as if they were one person, clinging to each other - neither wanting to be the first to end the embrace. But it had already gone too far and his fingers were sliding down her neck, into her blouse.
She pushed away from him, gasping for air.
"Alex, don't do that."
He reached for her again, his voice husky with emotion.
"I want you, Carmen."
His words were like a dash of cold water. He wanted her - like he wanted her in the barn that day. He wanted her and he was going to have her some day. He wasn't talking about marriage. He was talking about sex. How could she have been so . . . naive? And he expected her to come to him all sweet and willing. Tears blurred her vision as she slapped at his hand.
"That's all you ever wanted, wasn't it? A tumble in the hay with the farmers' daughter."
He stared at her. "Of all the . . . do you actually think I traveled six hundred miles just for a tumble in the hay with you? Do you think I'm that desperate or are you implying your reputation is that good?"
She blinked back a tear, but it escaped and slid down her cheek. That did sound a little vain.
"I don't have a reputation," she responded archly.
He grimaced. "Yes you do, and I might be the only man who could ruin it."
She frowned up at him. "Now who's being vain?"
His lips twisted into a lopsided smile.
"I'm being honest, and you know it."
Yes, she knew it, but this was one time she wasn't going to spill her guts. She rolled her eyes and stepped around him.