Page 34 of Love on the Line

When his mouth had almost reached hers, he paused. Her pulse throbbed in her neck, and time ground to a halt. His warm breath set her skin on fire, and anticipation squeezed her heart. Unable to wait any longer, she closed the gap and found his lips.

He kissed her, soft and slow. A spark ignited in her chest and blazed a trail to the spot between her legs. When she opened her mouth, he slid his tongue inside. He tasted of mint and promise.

She fisted the front of his coat in her hand, to hold on if nothing else, and moaned. He deepened the kiss, and she pulled herself closer. Flames licked the insides of her core. A low growl came from the base of his throat, and she clung tighter.

He thrust his tongue deeper, and she met it with hers, tasting and exploring. More, she craved more. Desire racked her body like never before. Holding nothing back, she kissed him with all the passion he’d stoked and awakened.

He tore his mouth away from hers, breathing heavy. “I need to stop while I can.”

Their chests rose and fell as they both sucked in air. God, the man knew how to kiss.

“Wow.” He took her hand and eased back. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Neither was I.” She shivered.

He rubbed his thumb under her palm and sighed. “I should get you inside. It’s really late.”

She had no idea what time it was and didn’t care. But he had a point. If she stayed in the car so close to him any longer, she might not be able to control herself. “Yeah, it is.”

“I just need a second here.” He blew out a breath, glanced at her, and shook his head.

A thrill winged its way through her still-amped body. That kiss had turned him on as much as her.

When he opened her door, the cold wind smacked her face, a harsh wake-up call. They climbed the stairs to her apartment, her teeth chattering.

He leaned down and quickly brushed his lips against hers. “Call you tomorrow?”

“Sure.” She stared into his eyes, debating whether to invite him in.

As if he read her mind, he gave a small shake of his head. “It’s late and you have to be tired. Go inside before you freeze.”

“You’re right. Thanks again for the night.” She unlocked the door and entered the apartment. Slumping back against the wall, she closed her eyes. The image of Wyatt on stage in the cowboy hat, rocking the place, had every nerve in her body alive again.

She slid to the floor and rested her head on her knees. Wyatt had apologized for not spending more time with her, but he had no idea that bailing out his buddies counted for a lot in her book. He was a true friend, and they were hard to come by.

What she hadn’t been prepared for were all the “girl” friends. Women threw themselves at him. Right in front of her, even. And they weren’t slouches. Really attractive women, like the redhead who he’d obviously gone out with before. Tough to compete with that crowd. Although he’d certainly reacted to her in the car moments ago.

All logic said she shouldn’t see him anymore. He probably would be on the West Coast by summer, and he was in no rush to start a family. She’d built up a good reputation in the school system and had a decent shot at the vice principal job she’d been chasing. If they stayed in a relationship and she eventually moved to California, she’d have to start over as an unknown and get licensed for that state before she could even teach.

She pushed off the floor and paced. Despite all of that, with just a touch he cranked her from zero to sixty. Never mind the way her stomach flipped when he gave her one of his killer smiles. Sometimes emotion trumped logic.

Still, she had a checklist of the qualities she was looking for in a man. A celebrity with no intention of sticking around didn’t match up too well. And maybe what scared her most was that she was beginning to question her plan.

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