Edie unzipped the dress and let it fall to the floor. She kicked it at Carolyn. “You hang it up. You’re nothing but the hired help around here.”

Heat blazed in her cheeks as she shook out the dress and hung it up.

The don’t let her get to you self-advice didn’t work.

Tammy the bridesmaid was equally nasty.

As Carolyn packed up her notions bag, she overheard them in the room next door, talking about her as if she couldn’t hear every blasted word.

What is she thinking, screwing around with Carson McKay? Does she think she’s got a chance with him? Please. The only person that man will ever commit to is himself.

I know she’s not from around here, but is she stupid? He’ll use her and move on.

I wonder if she’s seen the notches in his bedpost? A friend of mine swore me to secrecy that she’s actually seen them.

I bet after he dumps her she’ll slink away in embarrassment.

I heard their families have some kind of feud going on and Carson only took her out on a dare from his brothers to make her family mad.

But had Carolyn stood up to them? No. If she spoke her mind she’d come off as a screech owl. Better just to smile and move on.

She’d knocked on the bedroom door and all conversation ended like someone had sucked the oxygen out of the room. “I’ll be back in two weeks for the final fittings. God bless and have a peaceful evening.”

Then she’d driven to Maxine’s shop and ditched the dresses. At loose ends, she backtracked here.

Even as her tears fell she knew they were stupid and pointless. Crying never solved anything. Did she really want Carson to find her sobbing on his steps? Then he’d have another one of those “you’re too young for me” moments—which were becoming rarer by the day. But still.

Carolyn wiped her eyes and stood. Before she made it to her car, Carson’s truck barreled up the gravel road, a dirt rooster tail trailing behind him.

He slammed on the brakes and bailed out of his truck almost before it stopped. “Well, ain’t you a pretty sight to come home to.”

She threw herself into his arms.

“Hey, now. Much as I love havin’ you wrapped around me, I just got done workin’ and I reek to high heaven.”

“I don’t care. I just need…”

He covered her mouth with his. He tasted like coffee and man. She held onto the back of his neck, keeping those full, soft lips on hers when she sensed he wanted to pull away. The sweet and slow kiss kept the passion between them on simmer rather than starting out as a raging inferno. It was exactly what she needed.

All of a sudden Carson bent forward, hooking her knees in his arms and lifting her up. Still teasing her lips with nibbles and soft smooches, he carried her into the trailer straight to his bedroom and lowered her onto his bed.

“Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?”

“To take a shower.” He grinned and let his hungry gaze wander over her. “A quick shower.”

Carolyn stretched out. Sex aside, she wondered what it’d be like to spend the whole night in Carson’s bed and not just a few hours. Did he sleep naked? Would they fall asleep in each other’s arms? Would he want to have sex with her first thing in the morning? Beverly told her morning sex was the best. Then she’d gone into a little too much detail about how Mike had woken her up.

That would be a great way to wake up; Carson’s tongue licking and teasing, his lips sucking on her tender flesh. He kissed her down there with as much skill and enthusiasm as he kissed her mouth. He liked making her squirm until she begged.

Which she always did. Without shame. Then he launched her into that pulse-pounding rush of heaven and gently brought her back down.

Just thinking about all the wonderful sensations her body was capable of under his tutelage sent a tingle down her spine and dampened her panties with want.

When the bedroom door shut, she pushed up on her elbows.

Carson stood by his dresser, small towel wrapped around his hips, rummaging through the top drawer.

His naked back was a sight to behold. His muscles flexed even with the smallest movement, sending the water droplets still clinging to his skin rolling down his sinewy muscles.

Then he faced her. “Caro? You okay?”

She automatically answered, “Uh-huh,” but she was more focused on the impressive tent at the juncture of his thighs. Right then she wanted to feel that hardness in her mouth. Kissing him the same way he kissed and tasted her. Scooting to the edge of the bed, she gazed up at him.

He eliminated the space between them and curled his hand around her face. “Interestin’ look on your face, sugar. Whatcha thinkin’ about?”

Carolyn didn’t break eye contact. “I want to put my mouth on you, but I don’t know what to do. Will you teach me what you like?”

His blue eyes went molten. “What prompted you into wantin’ to give me a blowjob?”

“Seeing you naked pretty much did it,” she admitted. “I love it when you put your mouth down there and I want to know what it feels like to do the same thing to you.” There. That hadn’t been so hard.

“I want that too. But before we get to the next stage, I wanna hear you say the words.”

“What words?”

Carson yanked away the towel. He circled his free hand around the base and stroked up. “This is my cock. Say it.”

Her cheeks burned. “That’s your cock.”