Page 14 of Bride By Committee

“Okay.” She moved downward, exploring each feature once again. “Your brow has frown lines.”

“Occupational hazard. Ihave to look intimidating, remember?”

“Right. I’ll keep that in mind. Eyebrows…”

He decided to be helpful. “Two.”

“At least it’s not one,” she retorted cheerfully. “Not quite Neanderthal, but they do have an aggressive quality to them.”

“They match the rest of me.”

“Oh, dear. As for the nose.” Her touch was so soft it bordered on torturous. “Straight. No notable lumps or bumps. Either you weren’t a fighter or you always won. Or more likely, no one could reach up far enough to sock you.”

“I’m tall, but not that tall.”

“Then which is it? Not a fighter or you always won?”

“I’ve always been a fighter,” he warned.

She didn’t take the hint. “Which means you won,” she announced with smug satisfaction. “That doesn’t surprise me. I’ll bet you were able to talk your way out of most unfortunate situations. It’s always best to use brain over brawn, especially when you’re the bookish type. Now where was I? Oh, yes. Great cheekbones. Ouch. Ahint of whisker.”

“Sorry. Idid shave.”

“No need to apologize. I’m guessing your whiskers are more aggressive than the rest of you. Next we have a firm no-nonsense chin and…” Her fingers spread across his mouth and stilled.

“And?” He nibbled at the tip of her index finger.

She whipped her hand clear. “And one mouth,” she finished briskly.

“You can do better than that.”

“One wide, hard—” her voice dropped to a husky whisper “—delicious, kissable mouth.”

Resistance was no longer possible. He caught the lapels of the suit jacket he’d wrapped around her and tugged, propelling her into his embrace. She tumbled against him with a laugh. Sliding her arms around his waist, she found his mouth with unerring accuracy. His suit coat was in the way and he yanked it off her shoulders and tossed it aside.

She wore a silk dress, the distinctive material unmistakable beneath his palm. But it wasn’t what he wanted to feel. He wanted her bare skin beneath his hands, to learn how she felt as thoroughly as he’d learned the contours of her face. To memorize each elegant dip and womanly curve. To test the weight of her breasts and the fullness of her backside. To uncover all the spots unique to her, the ones that would give her intense pleasure and leave her shuddering and eager in hisarms.

“I want you.”

His words impacted, provoking a slight hiccup in her breath, while the tiniest of shivers trembled through her. “I know.”

Her tone carried far too much reluctance. “Wrong time, wrong place?” he guessed.

“Yes.”

“And if it was the right time and place?”

“I’m not in the habit of making love to complete strangers on stuck elevators.”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“You don’t live in Seattle, do you? This couldn’t be anything more than a brief affair.” She eased back. “I don’t do brief affairs.”

“What if it turns into more than that?” He couldn’t help himself. He cupped her head and drew her close enough for another kiss. It was taking unfair advantage, but he didn’t care. He wanted her and he’d use whatever means necessary to have her. “Are you willing to explore the possibility?”

“Yes, I’m willing.”

Satisfied, he tucked her close. “Then we’ll wait until the right time and place.”

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