This first kiss began gently, indulging the need to explore, but quickly flared out of control, thanks to the hunger of too many pent-up years. A driving need to make up for lost time consumed him. Hot and ravenous, he ran his tongue over the seam of her lips, demanding entry, and she gave it to him. She was moist and damp inside, sweet and pure, and she tasted too damn right.
A throaty moan escaped her lips. He wasn’t sure who moved first, but she backed up and he followed, his mouth never leaving hers. They hit the wall behind them. Once they were in the small, enclosed dressing room, the swinging doors closed shut, sealing them inside. His hands traveled from her neck to grip her waist, pulling them into intimate contact. His groin nestled into the vee of her legs and his erection grew, swelling with need as he found a warm and welcoming home.
Her damp feminine heat cushioned him through the rough denim of his jeans. “Sweet Jesus,” he muttered, his body full to bursting. The barrier of clothing was restricting and a sweet yet painful ache begged for fulfillment. He shifted from side to side, seeking deeper access than was possible.
As if she’d read his mind, her legs slipped open wider, and he sucked in a ragged breath. They were cheek to cheek, her hands gripping his shoulders, her fingertips digging into the skin beneath his shirt, and her breath came in shallow, uneven gasps.
She surrounded him. Physically, her body cradled his, and when he inhaled he was enveloped in her essence. Her scent fulfilled him in a way that surpassed mere sexual need, and that was the notion that Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
brought reality surging back. “What the hell are we doing?” he managed to ask.
She let out a shaky laugh, her breath hot on his skin. “I don’t know what you’d call it, but I’m getting you out of my system.”
As if such a thing were possible, he thought. Ten years later, and this was still the only woman who jumbled his emotions along with his hormones. She had the ability to make him throw his resolutions to hell and back.
Her head resting against the wall, she studied him through glazed eyes. “You have to admit, the idea’s got merit.”
He stepped back and ran an unsteady hand through his hair. The idea had merit—if he had the time to play around until he tired of her. Assuming he ever tired of her. Roman had his doubts.
He also had his plan. A destiny he hadn’t intended but had to fulfill, thanks to the flip of a coin and strong family obligation. Right now he hadn’t a clue how he was going to accomplish his objective, but this woman was hazardous. She didn’t want a long-term commitment with a man who didn’t plan to stay in Yorkshire Falls. That alone put her off limits.
But Roman also feared she had the ability to pull him back to her, to this town, and make him forget the dreams and life goals he’d always had.
The more he indulged, the deeper she drew him in. “Getting you out of my system’s a damn good idea. I haven’t a clue how to go about it, but this . . .” He gestured between her nearly naked body and his thoroughly aroused one. “Isn’t the smart way of doing it.”
Before he could change his mind, he turned and stormed through the swinging doors, the hinges creaking in his wake. He didn’t let himself look back.
Only after he was safely back on the street did he realize he’d forgotten Rick’s list of possible suspects.
And no way was he walking back into the fire now.
CHAPTER FIVE
The streets of Yorkshire Falls were empty as most of the town gathered inside town hall. After getting a breath of fresh air, Charlotte walked inside to her volunteer workstation, where she acted as punch bowl lookout. On a typical day, no smart adult would touch the punch bowl filled with green liquid, but at the Annual St. Patrick’s Day dance, everyone indulged in the colored Kool-Aid.
She told herself she was better off concentrating on making sure no one spiked the punch bowl than on Roman. Just remembering their sensual run-in earlier that day caused goose bumps to prickle along her skin.
She’d gathered every ounce of courage she possessed to turn back toward him and reenact her fantasy.
To reach out for him first. To accept and give in to his kiss despite knowing he could hurt her badly. And he had. The man had given her ego a huge bruising she wouldn’t soon forget. Now she knew how he’d felt all those years ago. Payback sucked royally, she thought.
And yet she couldn’t deny his lingering appeal. She let her gaze wander across the packed room. He Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
was scrumptiously alluring in black jeans and a white pullover shirt. He stood out from the crowd, and not just by defying convention and not wearing green. Her eyes were drawn back to him again and again.
Apparently the problem wasn’t mutual, because he hadn’t once glanced her way.
Instead he drifted from single female to single female, plying his charm, easy grin, and sex appeal. It galled Charlotte to see that he had an extremely receptive audience. She was merely one of many. And it hurt.
She arrived back at her station to find she had company. Raina Chandler sat behind the long table serving as a makeshift bar. “Hi, Raina.”
The older woman graced her with a huge, welcoming smile.
“Let me look at you.” Charlotte stepped back and took in the older woman’s appearance. She was slender as always and a makeup-induced glow radiated in her cheeks. From looking at Raina, Charlotte couldn’t tell she’d been in the hospital. “You look wonderful!”
“Thank you. I’m trying not to let my health get me down.” Raina’s glance darted sideways, then back again.
“Well, haven’t seen you all week. I hope that means you’re taking good care of yourself. One hospital trip is one too many.”
Raina nodded. “I’m learning to be more cautious,” she acknowledged. “Now back to you. I’ve come to relieve you. Go mingle.”
“Oh, no.” Charlotte shook her head. “I’m not going to let you stand on your feet and handle punch bowl duty. You need rest.”
Raina waved a hand in the air, dismissing the possibility. “I’m not your replacement.”
Charlotte glanced around, but she didn’t see anyone with her. “Who is? Not my mother, I hope?”
“Last I saw, your mother was doing quite nicely. Socializing, even.”
“Dennis Sterling?” Charlotte asked, unable to hide the hope in her voice.
“Unfortunately, Dennis is going to be late.”
“Darn.” As the town’s only veterinarian, any animal emergency fell into Dennis’s lap.
Raina patted her hand. “Don’t worry. If the man’s interested, once he takes a look at your mom tonight, he’ll be persistent.”
“Isn’t she gorgeous? I picked her dress myself.”
“Your taste is impeccable, as always. You look beautiful too.”
“Thank you.” Knowing she’d picked out this outfit with Raina’s youngest son in mind, Charlotte felt the heat rise to her cheeks. Especially since she’d decided to go with something daring, an outfit she’d purchased during her New York City days.
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Maybe he’d been able to resist her enough to pull away, but not before she’d felt his body’s reaction to her. The man wasn’t immune. And tonight she needed the ego boost of having his appraising eyes focused on her. Unfortunately, that blue gaze wasn’t nearly as interested in her tonight as she’d hoped.
“I understand you and my youngest had a run-in,” Raina said, as if she could see into Charlotte’s innermost thoughts.
The flush turned into a full-fledged burn in her cheeks. Who could possibly have seen her with Roman?