Page 23 of Richard

“Thank you, I am really flattered, but I am going to have to say no.”

“Why?”

She shuddered out a breath at the emerald fire of his gaze. “I– I am not in the market for a relationship, and even if that was the case, I wouldn’t– it wouldn’t– I am sure you can find hundreds of women to be with you.”

His amusement was profound. “That might be a slight exaggeration, and yes, I could have my choice, but I want you.”

“Why?” she demanded.

“Hell, if I know. That’s not true. You are a very attractive woman,and there is just something about you that makes me want to know more. Certainly, I would like to explore and find out what it is that makes you wear that vulnerable expression on your face. We are two consenting adults, and I am old enough to know what I want.

“And what you want is for us to become lovers.”

“Yes," he nodded. “I believe we could be good for each other. I happen to be a very generous lover, the only thing I demand is utter discretion and that you not see anyone else while we are together.”

Her eyes glittered. “Let me get this straight, you want to be in a physical relationship, during which time you would provide for me, and all I have to do is keep it a secret?”

“I can see that upsets you.”

“What gave it away?” She dragged her hand away from his and surged to her feet, wheeling toward the doors. She had not takentwo steps before she felt his hand on her arms, and he turned her to face him.

“I might have jumped the gun a little bit or a lot.” He shook his head ruefully. “I am not usually this clumsy or awkward. Chalk it down to nerves.” He drew her against his hard length slowly.

“I need to restate my cause.” His hands drifted slowly to her waist, effectively banding her against his muscled frame. “I am incredibly attracted to you, Collette.

In fact, I have not felt this much attraction since–”he sought to find a comparison, and to his shocked surprise, he couldn’t find any. “Suffice it to say that I want you in my bed. I apologize for my haste in trying to make this happen, but it just shows you how impatient I am to have you.”

“I can’t.” She whispered.

“Why not? Is it the secrecy part of it? You have to understand why that has to be.

Unless you want our names bandied about in the press, then–”

“No!” She closed her eyes briefly and willed the incredible sensations of being close to him away, but it did not work. She had been without a man for so many years, and maybe that’s what was contributing to her feeling of weakness and utter need.

But she had to be sensible. This was not merely someone simple. Richard McBride was very powerful and very wealthy. She could not just simply enter a relationship with a man like him.

“I am not cut out for casual flings.”

His emerald eyes took on a glow that had her heart quickening.

“I would scarcely call it casual.” His hands were roaming up and down her back, his face an inch away from her, so near in fact that she could feel his wine and brandy breath on her skin. Lifting one hand, he tilted her chin up, his desire to kiss her written all over his face. His eyes dropped to her parted lips, made red by the wine she had been drinking.

She panted breathily, her nipples reacting to his stare and the feel of his body against hers.

She should stop him, she thought, panicking. She should stop this madness and run like hell. Before she could act on it, his lips were rubbing against hers, and the sensation was so incredibly electrifying that she found herself sagging against him.

Richard felt her slight resistance, and instinct told him to take it easy, to go slow, as impossible as that was going to be. His body was already hard, his blood roaring inside his ears. His hand drifted to her tight and shapely derriere as he brought her flush against him so that she could feel the evidence of his arousal.

Swallowing the gasp, his tongue darted into a mouth so sweet and redolent of the wine and coffee she had imbibed that it sent him reeling. His fingers tightened on her flesh as his tongue explored the sweet crevice of her mouth. His tongue plunged and then retreated, each movement sending them further into an ecstasy that was hard to deny.

Her hands crept up his chest, feeling the hardness of the muscles there as they flexed in response to her touch. Sliding her hands around his neck, she sagged against him and helplessly gave intothe wildness of kiss that was threatening to explode between them.

Her breasts were soft, pressed up against his chest—nipples sensitive and pebble hard. Clothing became an irritant. He wanted to feel her flesh against his.

His hand bunched up the sweater around her waist as he tried to get to her skin, and he felt as if his entire body had been set on fire.

Dragging his lips from hers, he took several harsh breaths as he fought for control.

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