The eagerness in his tone excited her. He leaned in and planted a warm, gentle kiss on her cheek. His earthy, familiar male scent curled around her, making her feel so warm and comfortable.
He inched back and looked deep into her eyes as he brushed the pad of his thumb over her lips. “I’m so glad you came.” The sincerity in his voice made her feel the way no other man had ever made her feel, cherished and important.
Something inside her shifted. She swallowed the lump clogging her throat. The tenderness in his voice sent a wave of possessiveness rushing through her. Emotions pulled her under like quicksand.
Oh boy!
She tamped down the tug of emotions, vowing to keep her feelings in check and this relationship impersonal.
“I came.” Her voice sounded so breathless.
His grin turned wicked, his eyes full of teasing warmth. “Yes, you have. And you will again, and again.”
Shivers of excitement raced through her as she caught the gist of his innuendo. As though leaving his mark on her, his hot thumb brushed roughly over her bottom lip. Her tongue followed behind his finger, tasting his warm, salty essence.
She opened her mouth to speak, but before she had a chance, he snaked his hands around her waist and anchored her to him once again.
His lips hovered inches from hers as he pushed her coat off her shoulders. His hungry gaze seemed to bore through her clothes and touch every inch of her naked body. As his glance moved over her, liquid heat poured through her body. A tingle skipped down her spine.
His eyes were full of emotion. “You look gorgeous.” His voice was deep, intimate. He ran his finger over her cheek, her throat, and then lower to sculpt the pattern of her curves. His murmur of appreciation made her wet. Had she been wearing any panties, they’d have been soaked.
She drew a breath as she felt her resolve to keep this relationship impersonal weaken around the edges. She feared if she spent too much time in his arms, or his bed, she’d lose her heart to him forever. Then and there she knew it for certain, she’d never be able to be with him more than once.
“Kale, this can only be one night.” Because heartbreak wasn’t an option.
She heard a sound low in his throat. “Then you shouldn’t have worn that dress.” He guided her inside, shut the door, and draped her coat over the sofa.
“Then maybe I should take it off.” She toyed with the thin spaghetti straps.
He gave a slow side-to-side shake of his head and removed her hands. “I don’t think so.” He brushed his thumb over her shoulders, using the same sensuous, stimulating circular strokes he’d used earlier on her clitoris.
She furrowed a brow as her body throbbed. “No?”
Holding her gaze, he slid his hand between her opened legs. “Uh-uh. I’ll be doing that for you.” When his fingers connected with her damp, silky curls, his eyes opened wide. His breath stalled. His nostrils flared. “Shit, Erin, you’re not wearing any panties.”
She shrugged innocently. “Laundry day, and I gave you my last clean pair.” Liar. More like she wanted him to show her how he punished naughty girls. Of course, she wasn’t about to admit that to him. At least not yet. Maybe later, though. She bit back a breathy moan as her body shook with anticipation.
The cords on his throat tightened as he swallowed. “How the fuck am I supposed to make it through dinner knowing you’re naked under that dress?”
Her eyes opened wide, puzzled. “Dinner?”
He shifted his stance, obviously uncomfortable. He looked like he was in total agony. It really shouldn’t have pleased her as much as it did. She just loved the way she affected him.
“Yeah, dinner. I cooked for you.” His voice sounded strangled.
Her face softened. “You did?”
He drove his hands deep in his pockets. He looked so boyish, so adorable. An invisible band tightened around her heart.
“Yeah.” His expression softened when his gaze fell over her.
She looked past him and noticed the dining room table. It was beautifully set for two. The sweet gesture tugged on her insides. Christmas candles burned in the center of the dinner table and perfumed the air. The flames flickered in the dimly lit room, casting mesmerizing, alluring shadows on the terra-cotta–colored walls.
“But I thought we were just going to have sex. Casual sex,” she stressed, worry tugging at her insides.
Amusement pulled at the corners of his eyes. “Oh we are, Erin,” he assured her. “I just thought you might need fuel first. Now that I have you here, I don’t plan on letting you go for a very long time.” The deep timbre of his voice made her tremble. “I plan on beating that five-minute record of yours by at least two hours, maybe more.”
“Oh,” she said, her eyes opening wide.
He reached for her and guided her to the table. His large palm practically covered her entire hand. Keeping pace, she followed him into the dining room. She glanced around and couldn’t believe that he’d gone to so much trouble to set the mood for seduction. Cloaked in semidarkness, the ambience was cozy, romantic, designed for lovers.
Lovers!
Her heart raced.
Suddenly that word made what they were about to do seem so personal, so intimate.
“Are you hungry?” He pulled her chair out and she graciously accepted.
She fought to recover her voice. “Yes.” She neglected to tell him she’d grabbed a bite at the mall. He’d obviously gone to a lot of effort, and things were so perfect, she didn’t want to spoil the moment.
The flames on the candles wavered as he took a seat beside her. His piercing blue eyes caught the light and shimmered. Everything about the room, about him, created an instant intimacy. The band around her heart tightened as she watched him settle next to her. She felt so warm, so close to him. She leaned into him and smiled. Something inside her compelled
