Page 4 of Fiercely Protective

He stretched his hand out toward the sofa.

“I didn’t mean for my examination of your character to offend you. Please, have a seat and relax.”

I looked back toward the open door before taking a seat, once again questioning the wisdom of being alone with this man.What could it possibly hurt? It’snot as if you are going home with the guy.I was still having a conversation in my head when he walked over and sat beside me.

I nervously looked up, finding myself entranced by his warm brown eyes. “So, is your supermodel girlfriend out of town this weekend?”

Amusement flickered in his eyes as a chuckle came from deep within his chest. “Now who is making assumptions? But in answer to your question, there is no girlfriend, supermodel or otherwise. What about you? Is there a guy out there somewhere wishing he was with you right now?”

He moved closer, the warmth of his body touching mine. “No, it’s just me.”

“Tell me about yourself.”

I had never been one to share my personal life with too many people, and while this guy was sexy and unbelievably intense, he seemed to be nice enough, but I was still cautious. “There isn’t much to tell.”

He reached over and lightly traced his finger along the curve of my cheek sending shockwaves through my body.

“Oh, let me see if I can guess. You tell me if I am close.”

He took my hand and raised it to his lips as he pressed a kiss to the inside of my palm, virtually paralyzing me. I should have pulled away; any rational woman would have sensed the danger. Red flags were waving everywhere, but his eyes seemed to hold me captive.

The huskiness of his voice seemed to move over me like velvet. “I think you are always careful, to the point that you never take chances. You color in the lines, never drive over the speed limit, never cross the street until the crosswalk gives you the go ahead, always follow the rules, and never disappear anywhere with strange men you just met.” He traced circles softly over my skin from my wrist to my elbow. The warmth of his touch made my skin tingle.

He leaned closer, and I could feel his warm breath as his lips neared my ear.

“Even now you are more worried about being caught in a room where you are not supposed to be than you are with the fact that I am about to kiss you.”

Kiss me? Did he just say what I thought he said?He was going to kiss me.The words didn’t pierce through the fog in mybrain in time for me to resist and when his lips pressed against mine, my body decided my brain needed to take a vacation…a long vacation. I leaned in as he deepened the kiss. His hand moved up to cup my cheek as his thumb gently pressed against my chin, so my mouth would open, and when it did, he took full advantage. His tongue swiftly swept inside and tangled with mine. I was shocked at my body’s eager response to his kiss.

I heard a soft moan pass from my lips and the sound seemed to excite him. He pressed my body back, and I felt his hands glide up my arms to the straps of my dress. My body shivered as he slid the strap down my arm, exposing my shoulder, and I felt the heady sensation as his lips moved against my neck where he feathered kisses down to the curve of my shoulder and along my collarbone. My eyes drifted closed, and I shivered as an unfamiliar sensation began to move through me. I had been kissed before, but nothing like this.

I tightly squeezed my legs together as I felt the warm moisture building there. His hands moved to the other strap, sliding it down farther till the tops of my breasts were exposed.I should stop this now before it goes any further. I really should. Shouldn’t I? Ok, just a few more minutes. As soon as he has finished kissing me, I definitely will stop him.

He shifted me, so I was lying completely on the sofa as he hovered above me, his eyes were compelling, magnetic, as they stared into mine. He pulled my dress down farther exposing my breasts to his hungry view. He took a moment to allow his gaze to focus on me, and I felt my cheeks burning crimson as he continued to rake his eyes over my bare skin. I raised my arms to cover myself, but he shook his head, a silent command in his expression, and just like that, I obediently moved them back to my sides.

“Beautiful. Absolutely perfect.” There was a sensual drawl to his voice that was both seductive and carnal.

The warmth of his palm, as he cupped my breasts before dipping his head lower, caused an involuntary tremor of arousal to pulse through me. His tongue flicked over my nipple; my back arched urging him to continue. The achy yearning I felt as his tongue continued to lave over my tender flesh surprised me. I cried out as his teeth nipped the skin on the side of my breast before sucking hard, no doubt leaving a bruise, a memento to remember this one night of recklessness.

The heat continued to build between my thighs, and I felt as if I might explode. I placed my hands against his chest, intending to push him away, but instead, I found myself wanting to feel him, to explore the firmness beneath his shirt.

He sat up and unbuttoned a few more buttons before whipping the shirt over his head.Holy crap, the guy was ripped.I chewed my bottom lip as my hands glided over his rippled abs and firm chest, my pulse quickening.

“Go ahead, love. I’m all yours.” His voice was deep and sensual, sending a ripple of awareness through me.

I wanted more than to touch him; I wanted to taste. I leaned forward, hesitantly pressing my open lips to his warm skin. I had never done anything like this before and wasn’t sure what to do, but when I let my tongue lick him, taste him, he emitted a growl that reverberated through my body and like a cold glass of water tossed in my face, I came back to reality. I pushed against him, and he moved away from me. I quickly pulled my dress back into place and sat up, my hands shaking slightly as I brushed my hair aside.

“I…I’m sorry. I really should be going.”

“Why? You liked dipping your toes into the darkness, didn’t you, sweetheart?”

He let his fingers, once again, trace the curve of my cheek and I began questioning my reasons. “Inside the perfect, rule-following angel, there is a little part of you that likes being wicked. You crave it.”

I blinked a few times, trying to keep from falling under his trance again. “You don’t know me, and this was a mistake.”A very pleasant…no…a very hot mistake.“This isn’t me. I…I need to go. The interview tomorrow.”

He smiled as he stood from the sofa, grabbing his shirt and putting it back on. “Oh yes, the interview. I’ll have a car take you home.”

I pushed back the disappointment I felt when he didn’t try to coerce me to stay.

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