“There is nothing wrong with Erin’s hair.” A warm palm cupped her face. “She’s beautiful just the way she is.” His voice was smooth, low, and sent shivers skittering down her spine.
Oh God, he was going to kiss her. Right there in front of her mother and all her snooty guests, with their eagle eyes trained on the action. And she was going to let him. With no attempt at discretion, he brought his mouth to hers. Desire rocketed her over the goalpost as his lips crashed down on hers for a soul-searching kiss full of taunting promises.
In a bold move she wrapped her arms around Kale and kissed him in return, all the while ignoring her mother’s small gasp of surprise. A moment later, Kale inched back. His smile was slow and inviting. He pitched his voice low and put his mouth near her ear. “I’ll be back shortly. Remember where we were.” His words wreaked havoc on her senses as his warm breath fanned her face, making her body quiver in the most delicious places.
After he moved away with her mother, Erin made a beeline to the liquor cabinet and poured herself a stiff drink, hoping to quell the fever rising in her. She stood there, trying to remember how to breathe as she sucked back gin like it was soda pop. She cringed as it slid down her throat. The stuff was horrid.
Her sister Terry came up beside her. She rubbed her hands together like she were concocting some evil plan. All that was missing was the maniacal laughter. “Ooh, he’s so hot. I just love him, Erin.”
Oh God!
She was in trouble.
Because she loved him too.
Warmth sang through Erin’s veins as she watched Kale mingle. Everything about him was so easy, so casual, and so comfortable. Every few minutes he’d glance her way and give her an intimate smile meant for her and her alone.
“He’s so yummy, Erin.”
Erin slanted her head to get a better look at her sister. Was that drool pooling in the corners of her mouth? Lord, the woman was married with kids. She shouldn’t be salivating over Kale like Pavlov’s dog. That was Erin’s job.
“Where have you been hiding this fine specimen?” Terry asked.
Erin was far too preoccupied admiring Kale to answer her sister. His mere presence drew the attention of everyone at the party. All eyes were turned on him as he mingled with the guests. Erin watched him, her own body so in tune with his every gesture, his every movement.
Even though he was across the room, she felt so close to him. There was no denying she’d experienced an intimacy with him unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. And tonight, during their lovemaking, she knew she’d connected with him on a deeper level. Everything in her craved him. She needed to be with him. To touch him again and again, and to have him touch her in return.
Without answering her sister’s question, she said, “I have to go, Terry.”
As she moved across the floor toward him, her entire body began to quake. The minute she entered his personal space, the need to feel skin on skin, to connect with him on an even deeper level overwhelmed her. She didn’t even fight the compulsion to wrap her arms around his waist, to find comfort in his embrace.
He pulled her in tight, glanced down at her, and smiled. Erin’s insides turned to mush. “Are you okay?” he asked.
She wasn’t okay. Not even a little bit. “Take me home, Kale.”
His brow furrowed. “Home? To your place?”
It was late and she should go home, but she needed to be with him, to love him, and to make love to him while she could, while he was still in Iowa.
She shook her head. “No. Yours.”
Chapter 11
Kale escorted Erin up the driveway to the front entrance. He opened the door, stepped inside, and hauled her in along with him. He felt her shiver as the cold seeped under her skin and penetrated her bones.
Kale rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “Are you cold?”
“A little.”
He gave her a sexy grin. “I know the perfect way to heat you up.”
“Yeah?”
“We never did get to try out that hot tub.”
She chuckled. “Yes, I believe I was about to show you a fantasy or two of mine.”
“Let’s make it two,” he teased.
They grabbed a couple of towels, stripped down to what the good Lord gave them, and made their way to the patio doors. Erin’s towel fell as she reached out and released the lock. She didn’t bother covering herself back up. He loved that she was so uninhibited around him and so comfortable in her own skin.
“On the count of three we run,” Erin said.
A cold gust of air rushed in. They both shivered.
“Forget that.” Kale scooped her up, ran across the wooden deck, and deposited her in the water. He turned up the jets and jumped in beside her.
“Ahhhh, so nice,” he said, moving closer.
They both rested their heads back and gazed at the stars twinkling in the dark night sky. Erin gave a contented sigh. “It’s so beautiful out here.”
Kale slanted his head sideways and stared at Erin. “Yes, so very beautiful.”
She turned to him. Kale suspected she knew full well he was talking about her. He saw turmoil in her eyes and hoped he was getting to her. Hoped she was beginning to realize that what was between them went far beyond casual. Hoped she was learning to trust him and understand that he wasn’t like other men in her life who’d destroyed her belief in happily-ever-after.
He wanted her so much it hurt. And wanted her to want him the same way. He knew instinctively, since the minute he’d set eyes on her, they were meant to be together. Forever.
He
