Hell. He’d never had a problem controlling his lust. In the normal course of things, he had more discipline than he’d shown thus far. What he felt for Kelly extended beyond the need for sex. The kiss they shared proved that. Every desire, every protective instinct made their presence known.
He’d met her nine days ago. He could not have feelings for her already. They hadn’t even had sex. By the aching need of his body, that would happen very soon. But not tonight. He’d almost broken his vow to himself. But he would endure. Kelly was worth the wait. He wanted to prove to her that he was worth her taking a risk with him.
He climbed into his truck and immediately felt the confining space enclose on him. A trace of her perfume hung in the air, sending another rush of heat through his blood. He gripped the wheel while running his tongue over his lip, savoring her taste. What the hell could he say after a kiss like that one?
He swallowed and cranked the engine.
“I hope you enjoyed the lake.” Lame, dumbass.
“You were right,” Kelly replied. “It is beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here.”
He pulled onto the main road and thought, what the hell. Tackle the elephant in the car. “I should be thanking you. I’m still reeling over that kiss.” He didn’t realize he was holding his breath until she answered.
“It was pretty powerful. I did wonder if maybe you were as affected as I was.”
He choked out something like a harsh, quiet laugh. “How could you not know?” He faced her, meeting her gaze with intensity. Her eyes glowed with possibilities. He didn’t dare guess at her thoughts. If they mirrored his own, they’d never make it back to town.
He wanted Kelly. And he planned to have her. From the signals he’d been receiving, she wanted him too. But the moment had to be perfect. And he wanted all night. He knew when he got his hands on her, he wouldn’t want to let go.
Kelly’s throaty laughter hit him square in the gut. “Yeah, I was a participant, so I have a pretty good idea.”
“I was all in, baby. You had to feel what I felt.” She’d probably felt his erection, too. He damn sure hadn’t been able to control that. More importantly, he meant the overwhelming passion surging between them. “I loved your response. Made me a little crazy. I, uh, had trouble letting go.”
“I noticed that, too.”
When he caught her gaze again, the smile on her face eased the apprehension in his chest. “Don’t look at me that way.”
“What way?”
He had warned her once before, while they danced. She asked the same question and he’d answered, “Like you want me to devour those gorgeous lips.” By her teasing grin, she remembered it, too.
“You know exactly.” He focused on the road. “And I would devour more than your lips.”
She placed her hand on his thigh.
“Whoa,” he sputtered as his muscles instantly tightened. “That could be dangerous.”
“Damn bucket seats.” She laughed out loud, and once again the enticing sound went straight to his cock. He laughed right along with her, but felt the loss when she removed her hand. He concentrated on the glow up ahead from the city lights.
A song Kelly liked came on the radio and she turned up the volume. He listened to the tune and her pleasing voice as she sang along. When it was over, he complimented her.
“You have a nice voice.”
“Thank you. I’m no star, but I like to sing.”
“You could be.”
“Not the pipes,” she said and tossed a curl over her shoulder. “How about you? You sing?”
“Only in the shower.”
Another ten minutes and he turned into the parking lot of the apartment complex, hating the idea of bringing Kelly to Dennis’s apartment, when he’d rather be taking her to his nice big bed. Tomorrow was another day, and he had plans for the weekend. Plans that included one beautiful woman and lots of naked skin.
He opened his door and sucked in a lung full of much needed air, pressing the craving to the back of his mind. When he opened the passenger door, Kelly’s exquisiteness punched the air right back out. For a startling moment, he had the idea of throwing her in his truck, locking the door, and spinning gravel as he abducted her. Taking her to a remote hideaway, making love to her for as long as he wanted. Which would most likely be forever. He couldn’t imagine getting his fill of her.
“Are you all right?”
Kelly’s voice jerked him back to sanity. He took a deep breath. “You are so lovely.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles, then placed her hand in the bend of his arm. The well-lit parking lot prodded him to behave.
Every click of her heels reminded him of their destination, warned him they neared the end of the evening. As she reached for the doorknob, he covered her hand. He’d rather kiss her here than take a chance Dennis might be home and interrupt their embrace. If he weren’t home, then Craig would be more tempted to haul Kelly into her bedroom.
Her eyes flashed a sensual invitation. His heart pounded, and his mind nearly had him saying to hell with it.
“Kelly. I enjoyed being with you tonight. I hate for it to end.”
“Then why did you bring me here?” Her fingers walked up his chest.
Each touch burned like a branding iron. He gripped her shoulders and drew her forward, his gaze locked on hers.
The apartment door flew open.
“Hi guys. What are you doing out here?”
Craig glared at Dennis. “Go away.”
“Oh. Sure thing, man.” With a shit-eating grin, Dennis stepped back and closed the door.
Kelly laughed. Craig dropped his forehead to hers.
“Nothing like an obnoxious friend to kill the mood.”
“Ignore him.”
“I want to do this again. Will you spend tomorrow with me?”
“I’d love to.”
He cupped his hands around her face and slowly lowered his head. He grasped the back of her head and slid his other hand down her back. He lured her in and sank into her giving mouth. She slid her arms around his waist and melted into him just the way he liked. He pulled her closer, pressing into her back, loving the feel of Kelly in his arms.
God, he could lose himself in her.
Finally, he leaned back. Her chest rose and fell, her breathing heavy with desire.
If he didn’t leave now, he just might take her on his friend’s doorstep. Yet he couldn’t keep from touching her. He dropped his hands down to her waist, unwilling to release her until the last second.
“Good night,” he whispered. “Until tomorrow.”
Kelly lingered, then finally slipped inside. He turned to walk away.
I’ve fallen head over heels into Kelly.
~ ~ ~
Kelly wanted to scream from frustration. She laughed instead. Craig had just given her a kiss to melt her bones, then casually walked away. She pressed her hands to her face, flushed in response to his powerful kiss.
Would sex with him be like that?
Her nipples tightened at the thought of his lips and tongue on her body.
“Hey, kid. I’m surprised to see you.”
She jumped in surprise. Craig’s kiss had her in a fog.
Barefooted, shirt tucked half in and half out of his pants, Dennis leaned against the wall leading to the kitchen.
“Waiting up for me, Dad?”
“Oooh. The voice of frustration. Didn’t get any?”
“Go to hell,” she said as she marched past him and tossed her purse on the coffee table.
Dennis shoved away from the wall and followed her. “How does it feel when the shoe is on the other foot?”
“I guess I deserved that.” She plopped on the couch and hugged a pillow.
“You certainly did.”
“Okay, so I pestered you when we were young.”
“You still do.” He took a seat beside her.
“It’s different.”
“Sure it is,” he agreed sarcastically.
“No. I mean it’s different this time. With Craig.”
Dennis propped his feet on the table and gave her a look of indecision. She knew him well. He wanted to say something.
“You’ve never held back before. Go ahead. Say what’s on your mind.”
“I’m thinking. What do you mean by different?”
“He’s unlike any man I’ve ever known. He excites me. From the first, I’ve been attracted to him, but this . . .” Dennis hadn’t made a sound. She glanced over and found him waiting. “This is creepy.”
“What’s creepy?” His tone gentled, reminding her of other talks they’d had.
“This déjà vu. Reversal of roles. You asking me to spill my guts after a date, the way I used to ask you.”
“I’m here to listen,” Dennis said softly.
Not many saw this side of Dennis. Known for his charm and exuberance, he rarely showed his serious side. She knew him better than anyone and loved his caring nature. That’s why he was her best friend.
“Craig is great. The total package. Everything a woman could want in a man and more. He’s hot, gorgeous, eyes that hypnotize, and tonight . . . Yes, I’m frustrated.” She finished in a huff.
Dennis draped an arm around her shoulder without saying a word.
“What?” she asked. “No mocking words of scorn?”
“What I want to know, Kel, is why?”
“Why, what? Why is he hot? Why—”
“Why is he different?”
He just is.
“I’ve never had this feeling before.”
“What feeling? It’s too soon to have any real feeling.”
That’s what she’d been telling herself.
“Why are you frustrated? Craig seems to be a healthy male with all the right equipment.”
“I thought so, too.”
“What do you mean you thought so?” He sat up on the couch, dropping his feet to the floor. “Are you trying to tell me something about Craig I don’t know? Don’t tell me you were willing and he wasn’t? I won’t believe that.”
“Even if it’s true?” The look of horror that crossed his face sent her into spasms. She laughed hard and loud.
“Good Lord, Dennis. Where has your mind gone? Don’t you know your friend?”
“I thought I did,” he mumbled in confusion and relaxed back on the couch. “Quit beating around the bush. My heart can’t take such a shock.”
“That’s not it.” She smacked him on the chest. “He is into women. He was into me, but he stopped. He held back. I think maybe he wanted to behave like a gentleman.”
“Craig? With you in that blue, I’m dressed for sex number? Gentleman or not, no man in his right mind would resist.”
“Well, he did.”
“Hmmm.”
“Hmmm, what?” she asked, studying his face.
“He knows we’re tight. We sorted out my opinion at the boxing rink. Hell, I gave him my blessing. Did you tell him about Robert?”
“What does he have to do with anything?”
“If Craig knows about Robert, he might be giving you time, thinking you’re on the rebound or something.”
“Rebound? No, Dennis. Once Craig found out you and I were not an item, he let down his guard. I thought tonight . . .”
“I don’t need to hear the particulars. Face it, Kelly, you are not promiscuous. A guy has to pick up on that.”
“Maybe I should have thrown myself at him.”
“That’s not you. And he wouldn’t go for that type of girl. He’s a good guy, Kel. Maybe you two got your signals crossed.”
The kiss they shared? They were reading the same signals. He more or less promised her tomorrow.
“What are you doing home anyway? Didn’t you have a hot date?”
“Don’t blame me for your frustration. Things looked pretty normal when I opened the door.” Dennis wiggled his tawny brows.
“You’re wicked.” She punched his arm.
“Didn’t intend to scare him off. Besides, Craig doesn’t scare easy.”
“It just doesn’t make any sense.”
“What? That you guys didn’t . . .”
“No. This attraction. This instant, overwhelming, sensation.”
Dennis rose, grabbed two beers from the fridge, and handed her one. “Go on.”
“When I’m with Craig, I don’t’ think about anything else. I don’t care about anything else. My entire focus is on him. I want to be with him. I want to touch him, like all the time. Brush a curl from his brow, caress the lobe of his ear. I stare at his mouth and think about kissing him. When I look into his eyes, the blue and the intensity dazzles me.”
“Good God, Kelly. You sound like a lovesick teen reading a romance novel.”
“You asked,” she said in anger.
“Calm down. Don’t get your feathers all ruffled. It’s just that this isn’t you. You don’t get all moon eyed and talk love shit.”
Love. It couldn’t be love, could it? It was too soon. She’d known him what, a week? “I’ve never experienced such dynamic feelings for a man before. I’ve never wanted a man so badly.”
“There you go. Good old-fashioned lust.”
“That goes without saying. But it’s more.” She took a sip of her beer. Not as good as the champagne she’d had earlier, but it was cold.
“Did you tell him?”
“No. I just met him. This is new to me.”
“You didn’t have any of these feelings for Robert?”
“God, no!” She glared at him.
He glared right back. “Weren’t you willing to marry the guy?”
“I didn’t know what I was doing?” She grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest.
“Thank God he didn’t ask.”
“Yeah. I escaped that one by the skin of my teeth.”
“Just think what you would have missed. All this frustration.” Dennis laughed. “Don’t worry, Kel. You’ll have your chance with Craig. He’s not going anywhere.”
She recalled the kiss at the lake. How contented she’d been in his arms, how wild her blood had surged.
“I’ve never seen such control. Fire, passion, it was all there. He wanted me, too. But he didn’t act on it.”
Dennis let out a low whistle. “By what you’re telling me, there will be an explosion the size of the H-Bomb when you two do come together.”
This time her punched landed in his stomach.
“Ooof.” He threw his arm around her and hugged her to his side. “At least I know you and I are still friends, or you wouldn’t be talking to me.”
“You’ve always been there for me. I guess you think I’ve lost my mind. I just got out of a bad relationship and here I am crying about a new one.”
“You didn’t know the guy was married. That’s not your fault. Everyone needs someone. The timing may not always be perfect, but I’d wager that in this case, the timing is just right.
Chapter 12
As soon as Gail found out about Kelly’s date, she insisted they go shopping for a dress to knock Craig’s eyes out. And of course, to hear the deets on their first official date. The minute Gail picked Kelly up, she started probing.
“I must say, all the signs were there. Craig had the hots for you that night at the bar.”
“You were seeing things.”
“Nope. Craig was holding back because he and Dennis are friends.”
“Holding back?”
“There was enough electricity sparking between you two it’s a wonder the power didn’t go out.”
“Exaggerate much?”
“What does Dennis think about you and Craig?”
“Like you said. They’re friends. Dennis vouched for him.”
“Vouch—” Gail choked on the latte she’d just taken a sip of. “Dammit. Hand me a napkin.” She placed the container in the car holder and blotted her mouth with the paper napkin. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Why would I kid?” Kelly helped to clean up the coffee that had spilled on Gail’s lap.
“You and Dennis. You really are just friends?”
“You too?” She crumpled the napkin in her hand. “What is it with you guys? Dennis and I have been friends for years. You know that.”
“Yeah, but . . .”
“What?” Her temper was mounting. Couldn’t a girl have a guy friend without sleeping with him?
“Everyone kind of wondered if maybe there was, you know, more.”
“I see him maybe five times a year. I live in Virginia, in case you’ve forgotten. Long distance relationships don’t work.”
“If you think that, why are you dating Craig?” Gail switched gears faster than Kelly could keep up. She was tired of having to explain her actions.
“Can’t a girl date a hot guy? It’s not like we’re getting married.”
“Speaking of which, I don’t even know where to start. Last I heard, you were getting married to Richard.”
“Rich—Oh, you mean Robert. Who told you that?”
“Dennis may have mentioned it.” Since when had Dennis and Gail gotten so chummy?
“And you still thought we were an item?” Kelly glared at Gail. She took her focus off the road long enough to glance back. “Let me set you straight. Robert is history. Dennis and I are only friends. He’s my best friend. I came here because I found out Robert was already married.”
“Married!” The car swerved as Gail jerked the wheel.
Instant Enticement Page 16
