Night took it's sweet time falling. Bailey spent the rest of the afternoon avoiding her family. The last thing she wanted was to put on a happy face and pretend that the foundation of her life hadn't been shaken. She used every excuse possible to remain hidden in her bedroom. She hadn't joined the others for dinner. It was infinitely better for her to spend a while in quiet contemplation. No matter how many times she replayed the afternoon in her mind, she couldn't find a plausible explanation. Randy's kiss had been unexpected. It was more than the fact that he'd kissed her. As their lips had pressed together, she'd felt something she hadn't experienced in a very long time. Heat had licked up her spine and her body had almost turned liquid. Just the mere touch of Randy's lips had turned her on. Big time.

For the hundredth time Bailey told herself that it wasn't actually Randy she had responded to. She'd simply responded to the situation. Hell, truth be told, she couldn't remember the last time she'd even been kissed. With a frown she tried to do the math. Her last relationship had ended shortly after the death of her mother. So that was nearly four years ago. Shaking her head slowly, Bailey realized that her love life had been in a long term drought. It was little wonder why she had responded the way she had. Her body had fired up like a tractor that had been stored for the winter. All it took was a little attention and she was running on all cylinders again.

Embarrassment washed through her at the thought. Randy had probably sensed her desperation and taken full advantage of it. Not entirely. She silently amended. Even though shock had stopped her where she stood, she hadn't done anything to stop him. She hadn't demanded an apology. Oh no, far from it. Secretly she'd been thrilled by the intensity of their kiss. Randy was not the kind of man that did anything half way. He definitely belonged in the all or nothing category. So it shouldn't have been a surprise that the unexpected kiss had brought her senses to life.

Stepping out onto the porch, Bailey took in the quiet. The low rumble of frogs mixed with the soft song of katydids. The silence was a balm to her frazzled nerves. Slowly she crossed to the porch railing and leaned against it. The night was incredibly dark. From where she stood no moon was visible. Sighing softly she traced the smooth edge of the railing. Once again she wished there was a way to keep her thoughts at bay. She'd spent entirely too much time trying to figure out the specifics only to find herself frustrated and aggravated. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't hear the soft creak of the screen door as it opened.

As the screen door closed, Randy paused. He hadn't expected to find Bailey standing outside in nothing but a thin nightgown. The garment was old fashioned. It was made of white eyelet lace and fell to just below her knees. The item certainly hadn't been purchased from Victoria Secret. It was rather demure and about as sexy a nun's habit. Yet to Randy, she was as desirable as a woman could get. A slow smile spread across his features as he looked at her.

"So this is where you've been hiding?" Randy asked as he came to stand beside her.

"What are you doing out here?" Bailey asked. It was obvious by the tone of her voice that she was surprised by his unexpected appearance.

"I could ask you the same." Randy retorted softly. He propped a hip against the railing and folded his thick arms over his chest. If he didn't find a way to occupy his hands, he had no doubt that he'd be reaching for her.

Bailey shook her head slightly as she looked up at him. A poignant silence filled the space between them. She couldn't stop staring at him. He was wearing black cotton shorts and a white T-shirt. A smile touched her lips as her gaze reached his bare feet. God, even his feet were nice. Mentally kicking herself, she forced herself to turn away from him.

"Why are you avoiding me?" Randy asked softly.

Her soft gasp was almost lost in the silence. She swallowed hard once and then a second time before answering. "I'm not."

Randy chuckled lightly. "Yeah. You are."

Bailey bit back a sarcastic retort. It wouldn't do her a bit of good to provoke him. "I'm not avoiding you. I'm just …. thinking." she finished quietly.

"About what?" Randy asked as he leaned closer. He inhaled deeply, bringing the scent of her deep into his lungs. She smelled so damn good; a combination of sunshine and sweet woman.

Her shoulders lifted in a shrug. "Nothing in particular."

Randy uncrossed his arms and reached across the short distance. He brushed a tendril of hair behind her ear. Lightly he trailed his fingers down the slender column of her throat. Her skin was heavenly soft under his calloused fingers. He stroked her until he brushed over the wildly fluttering pulse at the base of her throat. He applied a gentle pressure against her pulse. The fluttering increased.

"I'm not going to apologize, Bailey." Randy's voice was low and soft. The sound made Bailey think of a lion's purr.

At last Bailey turned to face him. "What do you have to apologize for?"

As if she had to ask. She knew well enough what he meant. "Playing dumb doesn't suit you."

She sucked in an indigent gasp and her eyes narrowed slightly. How dare he say that? She was damn tempted to tell him what he could do with his opinions. The only thing that stopped her was the look in his eyes. He wasn't deliberately provoking her. He was dead serious.

"I don't regret kissing you." he said in a quiet tone. "In fact, I enjoyed the hell out of it."

Bailey was incredibly glad it was too dark for Randy to see her blush. She felt heat suffusing her face until her cheeks burned. "Why do you say such things?"

Randy smiled at her, "Because it's the truth."

His quiet admission made Bailey pause. What could she possible say to that? If she said she hadn't enjoyed it as well, she'd be lying. But admitting just how much she wanted him to do it again was impossible. She could hardly admit it to herself. Admitting it to Randy wasn't an option.

Randy sensed the emotional turmoil in Bailey. Instinct told him that she was confused by what had passed between them. She wasn't the kind of girl that got caught up in the heat of the moment. She wasn't the type to throw herself at him. In fact, Bailey was nothing like the women he typically shared himself with. She didn't give a damn about his fame or considerable fortune. She wasn't a groupie just looking to add him to her score card. No, Bailey was an entirely different kind of creature. She was honest to a fault and wanted nothing more than what was rightfully hers. She didn't have a malicious bone in her delectable little body. She was salt of the earth; a country girl through and through. She was the kind of woman he usually didn't give a second thought to. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get her out of his head. Whatever the reason, Bailey had become his new obsession.

A rush of heat moved through him as he thought about the kiss. It had been totally unexpected. He hadn't meant to kiss her. It happened before he knew what was going on. The instant his lips touched hers, he knew he was in a shit load of trouble. Her lips were soft and sinfully sweet. She was pliable under his gentle ministrations. That single caress had done more for him than making love to a hundred women would have. As time passed the urge to kiss her again had started eating at him until it was the only thing he could think about.

His hand moved into the thick fall of her hair. He cupped her head in her palm, holding her still as he moved closer. He didn't stop until he felt the warmth of his skin against his. Looking down into her wide set eyes, he knew what was happening. Electricity sparked between them, making the humid air heavy with desire. There was no way he was walking away with having another taste of her.

"I'm going to kiss you, Bailey." he whispered as his free arm wrapped around her waist.

She knew she should stop him right then and there. She should protest; tell him that she didn't want to be kissed. She didn't want him holding her, whispering sweetly as he molded his body to hers. She should tell him to go back inside and leave her to her misery. But as his head lowered toward hers she couldn't do anything. She watched his lips as they descended to hers. He brushed across hers with the merest of caress. A whimper left her as he licked along the seam of her lips, silently asking for more. She was helpless to resist. Her lips parted, allowing the gentle sweep of his tongue inside.

Randy groaned low in the back of his throat as he explored Bailey. She was so sweet as he traced the edges of her teeth before delving deeper. His tongue stroked against hers. Hesitantly, she yielded to his silent demands. Her tongue moved against his, joining him in a dance as old as time. He kissed her until the pounding in his veins turned to a roar. Desire licked along his spine. He wanted more. He wanted as much as she was willing to give. Pulling her tightly against his body, his hand moved from her waist to the curve of her heart shaped bottom. His fingers sank into her soft flesh as he anchored her against him.

He swallowed her surprised gasp. She stiffened in his embrace. He broke the kiss long enough to encourage her. "You feel so good."

Bailey shivered at his whispered words. It was as if he could read her mind. The emotions rocketing through her were delicious. She shivered as his wide palm explored the plump curve of her bottom. His long fingers were drawing slow circles over her flesh. Her skin tingled in his wake. A helpless whimper came from her as she looked up at him.

"Do you want me to stop?" Randy asked as he gathered a fistful of her nightgown. All it would take was a quick movement and there would be nothing separating her skin from his touch.

Bailey hesitated. Irregardless of what answer she gave, she knew she'd hate herself in the morning. If she told him not to stop, she'd hate herself for being too forward. If she made him stop, she'd hate herself for being a prude. Torn between her desires and her good sense, her head dropped forward against Randy's shoulder.

"I don't know what I want." she whispered.

A soft sound came from Randy. It might have been a sigh or a growl of frustration. Bailey wasn't entirely sure. Forcing himself to release the grip on her nightgown, he smoothed the material back into place. This time his groan was unmistakeable.

"It's okay, Bailey. Whatever you want is good with me." Randy reassured her as he pressed her cheek against the curve of his shoulder.

Randy couldn't stop his smile as Bailey's muffled words reached his ears, "No, it's not!"

Arching away from her, he placed his thumb under her chin. He tilted her head back until her eyes met his. "Yes, it is. I'm not going to do anything you don't want me to, okay?"

He knew by the disbelief shining in her eyes that she didn't expect Randy to be a man of his word. Little did she know that he had never been more serious in his life. Every cell in his body was screaming for more. He wanted her with an intensity that scared him. But he wasn't going to demand more than what she was willing to give. When it was necessary, he could be a very patient man.

Bailey's lips parted as she started to speak. Randy pressed his index finger against her lips. Cocking his head to the side, he looked at her.

"You don't have to say anything." Randy murmured as he changed tactics and traced the bow shape of her mouth. "Just understand that when you do want more, all you have to do is ask."

Before Bailey could say a word Randy captured her lips with his. It was sweetly possessive; an exclamation point on the vow he just gave her. She may not believe him but he was never more serious. He'd wait as long as she needed him to. Whatever it took, he'd find a way to keep the gnawing hunger at bay. And when the time was right, he'd show her exactly what he was capable of.

"All you have to do is ask." he reminded her as he forced himself to step away. He turned sharply on his heel and stalked back into the house. The screen door closed with a soft slam as he disappeared into the quiet house.

Bailey's knees buckled. Holy hell! What the had just happened? One minute she'd been caught up in a passionate haze. The next she was watching him walk away? It just didn't add up. How could he create so much desire so effortlessly only to walk away? The only thing she knew for sure was that she was in deep trouble. Randy Orton was the worst kind of temptation. He was the kind she wasn't sure she could resist.