states has Mark chosen?”
Was she ignoring the reaction he’d felt. Her breathing had quickened. Her cheeks reddened. He wasn’t about to give up. “So far Florida. Those pictures are done. He hasn’t given me a new assignment. I know he plans to do every state. Sure hope I haven’t messed his schedule.”
Steve turned on his side and cursed the cast when his left leg hit against the hard surface. He inched his fingers higher. Meg turned her head. His lips brushed her cheek. “Close the laptop,” he growled.
“Why?”
He slid his arm around her shoulders. “Because I want to do this.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “Let’s fool around.”
“Steve.”
He drew her hand to the bulge beneath his shorts. “Lord, that feels great. I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you blush.”
She drew a deep breath. “I’ll admit you bother me in the same way.”
“So why fight the attraction. Take a chance and learn how good life can be.”
“I have rules.”
He smiled. He brought her hands to his lips. His tongue brushed her palm. “Don’t you think it’s time we learned where this can lead?” He took the laptop and put the machine on the bedside table. He rolled to his back pulling her with him. His mouth covered hers. He teased her lips open and eased his tongue inside. A he explored her mouth he felt her resistance melt. Then like a flashbulb exploding in a flare of light she kissed him back.
* * *
Meg twined her tongue around Steve’s. She opened her mouth to cover his. The slide of his hand over her neck produced a deep yearning. The thrust of his tongue stirred an answering throb in her belly. She pressed against him. Any urge to fight the heat of the kiss vanished. One by one her rules shattered. For a year she’d had fantasies about this man. The reality was more heady than the dream.
His hands moved beneath her shirt. She tensed. Where were the warning voices? What about her rules? She’d crafted them to meet this kind of temptation. His perfect touched charred the rules. As her silk shirt slid over her shin the heat from his fingers became a stream of lava.
He groaned and released her mouth. “Take off your shirt. I want to see you.”
She pulled the tee over her head. Steve ran a finger around the edges of her blue lace bra. His thumbs circled the nipples. A burst of fire followed. She leaned toward him. He drew a nipple into his mouth, and then blew on the damp cloth. The sensations storming her body raised her need for what Steve offered. Slowly he inched the straps down trapping her arms against her side. Her breasts popped from the cups. He flicked his tongue over one and then the other.
“Perfect. You’re perfect.” His voice deepened. His eyes glowed with desire.
Meg moaned. Surely what she felt was more than sex.
With one hand Steve released the clasp of her bra. She removed the garment and tossed the bra on the floor. She tugged the hem of his tee shirt and pulled it over his head. His groan made her bend to kiss his injured arm. As she stroked his chest the hair brushed her palms and added another layer to the fire he’d kindled. She teased his nipples into peaks. The growling sounds he made enhanced her pleasure. She wanted to tell him she loved him but this wasn’t the time. She needed to explore his body before he heard the words she feared would send him away.
She rose and stood beside the bed. With a little wiggle she removed her shorts and bikini. “Let me undress you.”
“Not yet. Come here.” He pulled her against his chest and covered her mouth with his. “I want to taste you, to hear you, to smell you while I watch my touches drive you wild.”
“In time.” She raised her body and opened the snap and zipper of his shorts. Slowly she eased them over his hips. She stroked his belly and watched the muscles tighten. With a firm grip she held his erection and began a gentle assault.
“Meg.” His low gruff voice made her
Carol Wallace, Bill Wallance