Page 41 of Edge of Desire

“Avery, there are probably a lot of things you can’t do as well as me.”

Was that a challenge because I loved a good challenge? “Is that right? Like what?”

“I make the very best chateaubriand you’ve ever put in your mouth.”

“Is that a fact?”

“It is indeed.”

“Well then, you’re going to have to prove that to me,” I challenged.

“Oh, I intend to.”

“Do you now?”

“Yes, Avery, I most certainly do.”

“What else can you do?”

“Let's see." He tilted his head, gave me a half grin and announced, "Well, I am an expert marksman.”

“Is that so? Would you care to demonstrate?”

“Most definitely. I also plan to teach you how to shoot.”

“I see. Will you be using your extra-large gun?” I winked.

He raised his brows and then gave me a cheeky grin. "Only if you ask very nicely."

I bit my lip and tried not to laugh. “Preston, do you have any other exceptional talents you wish to share with me?”

“Yes, but I don’t care to tell you what they are right now.”

“Why not?”

“Because, Avery, they involve a very personal and intimate nature, and one simply does not boast about those things.”

Did he just say what I thought he said? Preston Mitchell was getting downright playful.

I closely scrutinized him and saw his lips twitch ever so slightly. Then my face got warm. No, scratch that. It reached the boiling point. I wanted to appear nonchalant, like it wasn’t bothering me, but when I gazed at him, our eyes locked. Suddenly, an electrical charge struck. Maybe it hit the entire room, because the twitching in his lips stopped and the gold in his eyes intensified. He slanted his head, and his lips grazed mine, soft at first, but later, not so much. His tongue tangled with mine, sending shock waves down to my toes. We were still sitting at the island but somehow my legs ended up over his as he continued to tease my mouth with his lips and tongue.

“You’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever known,” he whispered against my lips. He rested his forehead against mine and I could’ve stayed that way forever. What I really wanted to do was feel his warm naked skin under the palms of my hands, but I was done pushing it with him. This may take a while and I was willing to wait until the time was right.

“Are you okay?” he wanted to know.

“I’m great,” I said as I let out a tiny laugh. "But you left out one very exceptional talent."

"I did?"

“Mm-hm.”

"Which one is that?"

"Kissing."

His lips caught mine again and he proved my point, as he left me lightheaded and breathless. I stroked his face and brushed my fingers lightly across his cheeks.

“Preston, can I touch you?”

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