Page 19 of Nigel

“That’snot the entire reason.” She finished the wine and rose. “Nowif there is nothing else?”

“There is.”

“I am not doingthe dishes.”

He laughed softly andemptied his own glass before getting to his feet.

She stiffened as hewalked around the counter to stand in front of her. “I wouldlike to call you.”

“No. This endshere. I will not be coming back.”

“Certainly notas a maid.” His fingers skimmed her chin and sent tremorsrolling through her body. “As a guest.” He cupped hercheek. “As my dinner date. I like you, Ava. Very much.”

“Look- “

“Your skin islike silk.” His eyes glittered and he could feel the heat goingstraight to the core of him. He should be exercising some sort ofcontrol, some finesse.

Usually he wassmoother than this, but there was something about her. Somethingirresistible and highly appealing. Something that was driving him totouch and taste. “And your lips are certainly made for kissing.It is not a line.”

She pushed at him,but he would not budge and she realized that she had done the wrongthing by touching him. She could feel the thud of his heart againsther fingers as well as the heat of his skin. “Stop.” Shehated that her voice was thin and wispy.

“Let me taste.”Bending, he brushed his lips against hers. That was all. A breath, awhisper, the light touch of flesh against flesh and that was enoughto make her weak. Her hand curled into his shirt as her lips parted.She had always prided herself on her self-confidence. She had alwaysbeen capable of taking care of herself.

Having three olderbrothers had seen to that. She could have tried pushing him away, bemore forceful, assert herself and reinforce her denial and lack ofresponse. But his breath was mingling with hers – his mouth onhers was making her dizzy and her thoughts were tumbling into eachother.

She wanted to feelhis mouth on hers, his tongue against hers. She should run, tell himin no uncertain terms that this was unacceptable. But she could notformulate the words, could not push away from him.

He sensed herhesitation and used it. His body was flushed with heat and it was notfrom the fever that had been tumbling through him earlier. This was adifferent kind of heat, one that was making him restless and edgy. Heintroduced his tongue tentatively, still giving her time to backaway.

Her hand was stillpressed up against his chest, her fingers curled into the thinfabric. He edged in deeper, almost faint from want at the sweetnessof her wine filled breath. And she was kissing him back! Thatmotivated him even more and he found himself moving closer, nearenough to feel her breasts against his chest.

Her nipples brandedhim, scorched him and had him deepening the kiss. Christ! She tastedlike honey, dark and sweet and completely addictive. His hands sliddown her neck, pressed against the pulse beating madly there.

He drifted down untilhe was pressing at her waist and then her buttocks, squeezing, easingher subtly, until she was brought into contact with his rigidarousal.

He swallowed hergasp, his own blood firing. He wanted her in his bed. They could havethe entire afternoon- before he could finish formulating the thought,she gave a strong push and stumbled back.

They stood therestaring at each other for a spell of ten seconds, before she foundthe strength to turn away.

He started to reachfor her but decided against it as she hurried towards the door.Resisting the urge to go after her, he sat back down and took severalbreaths, fighting to get control of his rioting emotions.

Ditching the wine, hewent to the cabinet and picked out a bottle of bourbon instead.

*****

She was so tempted tojust go straight home and wallow. But she had responsibilities, shehad tons of paperwork piled high on her desk and she had to check inwith Jane and the others to make certain of how long they would beout. Hopefully, Jane would be back to go to the loft on Saturday. Shecould not risk going back there.

Her fingers tightenedon the wheel, her expression bleak. She should not have allowed himto touch her. To kiss her and that was not the worst of it. She hadenjoyed it. She had wanted it to go further – wanted him totake off her clothes and slide into her- “Damn!” shewhispered huskily, feeling herself melting from the heat inside her.

To distract herselfshe pressed her brother’s number.

“Hey.”

“Am Idisturbing you?”

“Not at all. Iam between patients now and having a sandwich. What’s up?”

“I had to domaid duties today.”

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