Page 17 of Dimitri
"Never." She didn't like the fact that her heart was beating unsteadily or that her senses were being swamped.
"But first, we'll start with a visit to your cottage."
"Let go."
He merely tightened his hold, wrapping her hair around his wrist until she was flushed against him. She was so small, he mused and was distracted enough to almost miss the knee to his crotch. It was pure reflex that had him shifting. So as to discourage her from trying again, he clamped his powerful thighs around hers, locking them together, making her unable to move.
Fury radiated from her, and he could swear he saw sparks flying. Risking her wrath, he lowered his head and caught her cheek when she turned away. But he was determined to have a taste.
Tightening his grip, he brought her head up and before she could move an inch, crushed his mouth to hers. Her taste was more than he expected, and he was drunk on it in no time. Her lipswere clamped shut, refusing him access. But he was patient and experienced enough to take his time, to change tactic.
Softening the kiss, he ran his tongue over her full bottom lip and felt her trembling. Using teeth and tongue, he finally got her to open her mouth. As soon as she did, his tongue darted inside.
She tasted like rich, dark honey and very soon he was drowning in her scent, the taste and texture and wanted more. His hand cupped the back of her head as he took them deeper.
Allison panicked. Her limbs were weak, her heart pounding inside her chest. Sensations swamped her, so much so that she sagged against him.
A moan escaped her.
And she found herself clinging to the front of his sweater. Need overwhelming and frightening, more intense than she had ever experienced had her moving into him and participating in the kiss.
Her surrender threw him, causing his body to respond alarmingly. Dragging her head upwards, he ravished her. His lips lifted from hers, but only to feast on her neck, her throat. Everything else faded away, including the snap of the windthrough the trees. He only felt her and the tight leash on his control slipping away.
His mouth raced over her flesh and then back to her cheek and the sides of her mouth. He crushed his lips to hers, drinking in the taste and maddened to feel even more.
Allison felt as if she was swirling through a desire so thick and potent, she felt her knees buckling. Not even with Michael. Reality slapped at her with a coldness that rivaled the wind whistling through the leaves.
Oh God! Finding the strength, she shoved at him hard enough to have him staggering back two steps and letting go of her. They stood there staring at each other as if caught in the middle of a tableau that neither of them could fathom.
He was the first to move and when he took a step towards her, she stepped back, hands lifting as if to ward him off.
"Stay away from me." Her voice was scratchy and hoarse, her bosom heaving. "Stay the hell away from me." With that, she spun on her heels and practically ran towards her vehicle.
He stayed where he was, just staring after her and could not move. What had started out as a game had become muchmore. It had amused him to try and get under her skin. Her aloofness and cold hauteur had challenged him to flesh out the fire he knew was buried deep. But he had not counted on being consumed by it.
His heart was still pounding and despite the cold air, he was sweating. And he was as hard as steel. Leaning against the wooden slats, he gulped in fresh breaths of air and tried to steady himself. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he realized he was going to have to stay awhile before going back inside.
*****
The few miles to her place was accomplished in twenty minutes instead of fifteen. And she had deliberately shied away from doing any sort of thinking at all. Blasting the radio and concentrating on the soothing sounds of Luther Vandross crooning about a house not being a home, she drove slowly and kept her mind blank.
But she was home now, and the silence of the place brought back what had happened. Okay, she was not one to hide behind her feelings. She was no coward and had never been one.
Plopping the kettle on, she took off her boots and rummaged inside her cupboard for chamomile. Sitting around the counter, she finally allowed herself to remember.
So, they had kissed. There were many reasons why that should not have happened, but it did. Her reaction to him was natural. He was a very handsome man, and she had not been with a guy in two years. She was human after all.
She could not blame herself for responding. It did not matter that she had just met him. It did not make her a slut. It was just a kiss. Yes, he was the very wealthy grandson of people she liked and respected.
The shrilling of the kettle had her jumping. Sliding off the stool, she went to turn off the flames and poured water over the pouch. Adding honey to the liquid, she took it with her to the counter.
It would not happen again. A one-time experience and she was not going to compare what had happened to her relationship with Michael. They had loved each other and if the passion had been sweet and easy, nothing was wrong with that.
Her first sip of the tea almost scalded her tongue and had her cursing. Damn him to hell! Damn him for making her yearn like she had never done before. She hated him for making her feel this way and if he ever approached her again, she would, she would ignore him.
Men like Dimitri Petrov were used to women falling all over themselves. Well, she was not one of them. Ignoring the pangand stiffness of her nipples, she took the tea with her and went to get ready for bed.
*****
