Page 44 of One Hot Deal

"You laughed, and saliva went spraying everywhere.Must've been a doozy, whatever she said to you."

I suppose I might as well tell him."She asked if we were kissing."

His lips curve up gradually until they form a sly smile."That's a provocative question, eh?"

"Pippa has odd ideas about what you and I do together."

He compresses his lips, and his whole body starts to quiver as if he's struggling not to laugh at me."Odd ideas, huh?Good thing she's too young and innocent to guess what we really get up to."

"She will never know."

"Until she starts dating."

That might be the most horrifying idea I've heard.I suppose every mother wants her child to stay innocent forever, but they always grow up and learn the joys of kissing—and sex.I pray Pippa won't rush into the physical side of romance.

"Where are your parents?"Derek asks."You haven't mentioned them."

"They moved to Canada shortly after I married Lyle."

"So, if they're still around, why did your brother make you Pippa's guardian?"

"My parents were older than average when they had children.They were in their seventies when Roger passed away, and he hadn't wanted Mum and Dad to endure the stress of living with a precocious young girl."

Derek's expression grows tight, as if he once again can't decide whether to ask a question.But he blows out a breath and asks."Why did your parents move so far away?I would've thought they'd want to stick around and get to see Pippa grow up."

"They were devastated after Roger's death.I think they simply couldn't deal with the loss, not at the time.Pippa and I have visited them a few times.I was never particularly close with my parents."

"That's too bad."Derek sits up straighter and slaps his hands on his thighs."Okay, enough serious talk.It's time to make out."

"What?"The word comes out as half question, half laughter."I did not suggest we should do that."

"No, but I'm suggesting it."He slings an arm around my waist and pulls me close."Let's make out, Diana.We have time before we go to dinner."

"The sun is setting."

"Perfect.A romantic atmosphere for our second kiss."

I should remind him this is not a romance, but I don't want to do that.Something has changed between us, and I realize that I do want Derek to kiss me.Deeply.Sensually.Until I dissolve into him.Only Derek Hahn has ever turned me into a warm puddle of desire.

"Yes," I murmur."Kiss me, please."

He slides a hand into my hair, cradling my head, and presses his mouth to mine.His tongue flicks out to tease my lips, and I do dissolve into him, feeling so warm and liquid that I know I would fall to the ground if he pulled his arm away from me.The woodsy scent of his cologne tantalizes my senses while he teases me with brief, slow kisses until I grow slick and achy between my thighs.When he wraps both arms around me and thrusts his tongue between my lips, my rigid nipples scrape against the fabric of my shirt and I moan.

Derek deepens the kiss little by little, letting the slowness of it intensify every sensation.I grip his shirt and lash one leg around his hip, but it's not enough.I need more contact.So I throw my arms around his neck and push my fingers into his hair while I try to climb onto his lap.The firm bulge in his trousers grows bigger and harder.

I want him inside me.I need it so badly that I feel as if I might go mad without his cock filling me up.

Derek stands up with me in his arms and sets me down on my feet."Better stop now.I'll need at least ten minutes to cool down before we head for the house."

"No, we can't stop."

He grins."Damn, you're cute when you want to jump my bones.But seriously, I need a cool-down period.And besides, you're, uh, having that time of the month.Right?"

Bloody hell, I forgot about that.I begged him to kiss me, and I flung my leg around him and rubbed my groin on his erection, so it's my responsibility to help him recover from a thwarted shag.

I drop to my knees in front of him.

A sweet dimple of confusion forms between his eyebrows."Uh, what are you doing, Diana?"

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