sleek, elegant body mold itself against him. He was a bit shocked by his behavior, but passion was stronger than caution.
Heat and desire shot through his veins. He took the kiss deeper, his tongue thrusting and sliding across hers and feasted off her incredible soft, sweet mouth as one hand swept down her elegant back. Finally he lifted his head and swept his mouth across hers, intending to kiss her again.
“That’s some hello,” she said, but her voice trembled as much as she did in his arms.
He couldn’t recall a woman being that shaken by a kiss, but staring down into Fallon’s deep brown eyes, he had the feeling again that she was different—and therefore more dangerous to his peace of mind.
Still, his thumb traced over the dampness of her lower lip. Before now he would have thought himself a cautious man—life had made him that way. Yet—“I regretted I didn’t kiss you last night.”
“So did I,” she admitted.
His head dipped. She pushed out of his arms. He let her go—for now.
“I’m leaving Sunday on the seven-thirty morning flight to Austin,” she said, her voice steady, her gaze direct. “I don’t do affairs.”
He believed her. His bad luck with women was holding. After three years of going through the motions, he’d finally met a woman he’d like to get to know better out of bed and she wasn’t available. “I wish you weren’t a woman of principle.”
She tilted her head to one side. “Which means you’ve been around the wrong type of women.”
Since she was right, he didn’t comment, just went to stand behind his desk. He needed to put some distance between them. “You’re late.”
“Naomi’s coworkers gave her a surprise bridal shower after school. I went to pick up Kayla.” Fallon grinned, quick and easy. “The principal was concerned that some of the gifts might be of the adult variety, and she was right. I’m here now.”
“So you are.” He took a seat and picked up his pen. “They’re still doing inventory, but feel free to roam and take pictures.”
Her eyes widened, her hand went to her chest.
He came out of his seat and crossed to her. “What is it?”
Her gaze went to him, then skittered away.
He’d seen that evasive look from women too many times in his life. He’d hoped never to see it again. He started for his desk. “I won’t keep you.”
“I was hurrying and forgot my camera,” she said softly, but he heard and swung back around.
“At your apartment?”
Folding her arms, she looked out the window over his shoulder. “The car.”
He stared at her. She’d been that anxious to see him?
“Don’t get the big head,” she told him, lowering her arms. “The house has a lot of appeal as well.”
“Yes, it does.” Not only could he get a big head, but he also could lose it over the woman with a half smile on alluring lips whom he was beginning to crave.
“I better get to it.” She went to the door.
“Do you have any plans for dinner?” he asked, hoping to sound casual.
She wrinkled her pretty nose. “Two-day-old spaghetti.”
“I think I can do better than that,” he said.
“You cooking?” Folding her arms, she leaned against the door.
“Not one of my talents,” he told her. “Fortunately, Carmen is an excellent cook, although I’m not sure what’s on the menu tonight.”
“I’m easy.”
His brow lifted.
She flushed. “I meant—”
“Believe me, I know full well what you meant.” The laugh just slipped out. It was rare to see a woman blush, even rarer to laugh in the company of one.
Eyes narrowed, she came away from the door. “You’re laughing at me.”
“It would seem.” He pulled a folder closer to him. “Carmen prepares dinner for me before she leaves at six. Usually it’s something I can reheat since I have a tendency to get buried in my work, so any time after six we can eat.”
She returned to the door. “I can get involved as well. One or the other of us will come find the other if the
Tracie Peterson, Judith Pella