Guardian Cougar (Finding Fatherhood Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

surge of warmth sweep over her. Knowing her son deserved to know about his father, she closed her eyes and tried to remember anything about her past. She started with her most recent memories, focusing on the ocean and trying to force even a small image from her brain as to how she’d gotten there.
    The harder she strained, the more her breath increased, and she felt slightly dizzy, but she kept trying. Finally, she had a flash of being in an inflatable raft, recognizing it as the kind sometimes used as a lifeboat on a private yacht. She had a sensation of floating, and her hands were icy, prompting her to look down in real life, where they gripped the remote and the chair arm in a white knuckle grasp. She had this vaguest memory of bailing water out of the raft with a water bottle, and then it was gone. That was all she got, and that effort left her shaking, sweating, and fearful.
    When she had regained composure enough to look at Jackson, she found him staring at her, lines on his face revealing his concern. She gave him a wan smile.
    “Are you all right?”
    “It’s my back,” she said again, clinging to the excuse because she couldn’t explain why she’d had such a strong reaction to just trying to jar a simple memory. It seemed safer to stick with the physical ailment.
    He put his laptop on the coffee table and stood up, coming closer to her chair. “Get up and lean over.  I’ll rub your back for you.”
    She trembled at the idea, uncertain if it was anxiety or anticipation. Whatever it was, it didn’t deter her from following his suggestion, though she felt a little shaky as she got to her feet. As suggested, she gripped the arms of the chair and bent forward, exposing her lower back for his easier access.
    The dress was thin and did little to muffle the heat of his hands against her back. He rubbed carefully and slowly, cautiously applying pressure to the most rigid spots on her back, but never escalating above a gentle massage. She relaxed as he continued rubbing, her breath escaping in a pleasurable sigh as she embraced the soothing touch of his fingers on her sore spots.
    They might have stood there for twenty minutes or ten years. She wasn’t certain, because she lost track of time and lost herself in the soothing sensation. She wanted to mutter a little protest when his hands pulled away, but from the corner of her eye, she saw him flexing his fingers and realized he was probably sore from rubbing her. With a regretful sigh, she stood up slowly, relieved to find her back didn’t hurt nearly as much as it had before. Planning to thank him, she turned to say that, but found herself closer to him than she had expected.
    Her breasts pressed against his chest, the firmness of her abdomen rested against his taut six-pack, and she stared up at him with her mouth open, surprised by the proximity and her reaction to the touch of his body against hers. It didn’t actually surprise her so much as arouse her, and she stared at him with uncertain eyes for a moment before stretching her head and going on tiptoe to brush her mouth against his. It was pure instinct, and she obeyed.
    With a moan of his own, his arms went around her, and he threaded his fingers through her hair, bringing her mouth closer to his. It was a soft kiss, but hinted at the hunger he felt. It mirrored her own, and she molded her lips to his as she ran her tongue across the seam of his mouth, gently pressing her way inside to stroke his tongue with hers.
    His arms tightened around her, and he pulled her body more firmly against his as the kiss deepened.
    For a moment, all she felt was overwhelming pleasure, but then panic started. She was trapped, and his arms, which had been a welcoming support, were now a restrictive prison. She turned her head away from him and thrashed, trying to escape. She pulled away, and panic took over. The next few minutes were a blur as she struggled and lashed out, desperate to escape.
    Finally, fatigue conquered