Page 29 of Nigel

“You arewrong.” Her heart was paining her, actually bumping against herchest at the horrible story. “You are wrong.”

“I am not.”Pushing back the chair, he came around to take her hands and drew herto her feet. “I am forty-five years old and I was not lookingfor a relationship, not in the true sense of the word. But you cameto my place and I felt it. I am still feeling it.”

He pressed her hands.“I promise that we will just talk and if that is what youdesire, I will do my best to keep that promise.”

“You cannotexpect me to believe that you are-“She shook her head and triedto tug her hands away. “I cannot be with someone like you.”

His face remainedexpressionless. “And why is that?”

She shrugged andavoided his eyes. “We are not compatible.”

“You are goingto have to elaborate.” He drew her over to the butter soft sofaand pressed her to sit.

“You have allthis money.” She knew it sounded foolish, but it had to besaid.

“And thatbothers you? I worked hard for everything I own. The company gives alot to charity and I am not flashy. I treat people fairly, if that issomething that is of interest to you.” He still had her handsin his. “I am old enough to know what I want and I want you. Iwant us.”

“You are stillin love with her. It’s as plain as day and even if I wasinterested, I have no plans on competing with a ghost. I am sorry toput it like that- “

“It’sfine.” She felt a jolt when he lifted her hand, to kiss herknuckles. “I love her. What we shared was something sweet andsacred. It was puppy love and probably would have blossomed intosomething stronger.

But you would not becompeting with a ghost. I have my memories and of course there is theregret and the guilt that I had not accompanied her.

And there is ofcourse the anger that her life was taken at such a young age. Butthis is not about her – it’s about you and me –about us. I cannot stop thinking about you Ava, wanting to feel youagainst me and instead of diminishing, the feeling is escalating.”

The jolt turned intosomething electric as he pressed his lips against her flesh. “Tellme to stop.” He urged harshly. “I will try- but do sonow.” He was kissing her wrist and moved upwards, scorching herskin. She felt jittery and hot, her nipples tightening in painfulresponse.

“Nigel- “

“Yes.”

“This iscrazy.”

“Isn’tit?” He scooted closer, his knees bumping against hers. She hadworn a plain black sweater to ward off the spring chill and he couldsee the impressions of her nipples through the thin material. “Ifyou tell me to stop. I will.” His hands were moving up and downher arms and causing a sizzle. “Do you want me to?”

“No. I don’tknow- Nigel- “

“I am here.”He scooted closer so that he could cup his hands around her neck.“You have such beautiful skin. Let me kiss you, Ava. I am dyingto feel your lips against mine.”

“I can’tthink.” Her heart was hammering inside her chest and making herdizzy. Her hands lifted to press against his chest where she couldfeel his heart thudding against her hand.

“And I cannotdo anything but feel.” He tilted her chin, his head lowering.“Let me taste you,” His breath fanned her face, makingher faint with need. “Let me feel you.” He pressed hislips against hers and felt it like a shock to his system.

He had been playingit over and over in his mind, wondering if he was imagining things.His gut told him that he was not, but this was proof. His tonguetouched her full bottom lip and heard the gasp. Her fingers tightenedon his shirt, fingers digging in as his tongue darted into her mouth.

Her lips partedimmediately, giving him sweet access to her. And he explored,thoroughly, his tongue darting inside her mouth. He felt his bodytightening, the passion blooming and exploding. His fingers grippedher neck and then smoothed into an achingly tender caress.

Nigel deepened thekiss, easing forward until he was between her thighs, but he wantedmore. He needed to feel her, to touch her skin, to massage hernipples to taste them. He ended the kiss, his breathing shallow, hishazel eyes dark.

“I need younaked.” His voice was thick, his skin feverish. “Let melove you.” He bit off an oath as he realized he was bunglingeverything.

“I should giveyou time. I need to-“He broke off, dropping his hands andclasping them in front of him. “Do you want to leave?” heasked her bleakly.

Ava was still feelingthe tremors. The man had a mouth on him! And she was yearning.

For the first time inher life, she was craving someone and could not leave untilthey-

“No.” Her hands were still clutching his shirt.“Dammit!” She yanked him towards her, taking himcompletely by surprise and off balance. Trying to break the fall, heended up pulling them down and onto the thick blue carpet.

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