She didn’t know what made her do it. But sitting next to him, knowing how much she’d hurt him, was too much. Before she could think better of it, she leaned over and kissed him.
Cowboy went flying and the popcorn spilled as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
His body tensed, but it was only a minute until his arms encircled her and pulled her closer against his body. She was hungry for him. She’d missed him so much. He tasted salty and buttery and all things good.
Like priming a pump, the more she kissed him, the hotter the kisses got. Deeper, more tongue, more mouth, more Chance. The man she’d loved. The man she’d married. The man she’d never forgotten, no matter how hard she’d tried.
And the man who would never forgive her.
So she kissed him with everything she had, all the pent-up feelings she’d been carrying around, all the love she’d bottled up inside of her, all the need she felt clear to her very soul.
And he met her passion as his hands palmed her breast, his thumbs grazing her nipples. Where this would end, she didn’t know and no longer cared.
And suddenly he pulled back, away from her, and swiped the back of his hand across his mouth. Her heart clenched even as she stared at him, frozen in place, her mind trying to hold on to the fantasy of what had just happened before reality set in.
She shouldn’t have kissed him. Not only given their past, but given the future.
But then a wide smile spread across his face, confusing her. It was a grin, really. A satisfied grin.
“You taste good, Libby. Real good.”
She blushed as she moved her legs to untangle from him. His large hand reached out and held her waist, steadied her.
“What’s your hurry?” His voice, deep, guttural, and incredibly sexy, purred through her.
“I thought…”
The low light from the nearby lamp danced in his eyes. “That I didn’t want it?” He looked down at the prominent bulge that had risen to tighten his pants and then back at her. “What made you think I didn’t like it?”
The light brush of his fingers down her arm brought goose bumps along with a whole pool of bubbling hot desire.
“You stopped,” she managed to choke out. Those fingers were now massaging her breasts, slow and tender. A thumb flicked her covered nipple, causing a tingle low in her belly.
“So we could catch our breath. And do this right.” He patted his ribs.
“Omigod, I hurt your ribs.”
“Honey, there’s ache and then there’s true pain. A little soreness isn’t going to bother me.” He shot her a wink.
“I shouldn’t have kissed you.” She held her hands to her warm cheeks. Would she ever do the right thing?
He frowned, but there was still a fire burning in his dark-gray eyes. “You did, Libby. And it wasn’t a friendship kiss, either. Neither was the one this afternoon.” His thumb rubbed against her hardened nipple, causing an explosion of desire.
“No, it wasn’t friendship.”
Those fingers of his were causing erotic thoughts. “We’re two adults who are attracted to each other. It’s just a matter of time. The longer you stay here, the surer the bet.” He smiled. “We’d keep it casual. No strings. No regrets.”
No strings? No regrets? She wasn’t confident she wouldn’t feel some of both. But tell that to her thrumming body and her aching heart.
Her mind was muddled by the roughened pads of his thumbs swirling over her nipple and those talented fingers of his gently kneading her breasts, shooting spiky tingles thru her body.
“What are you afraid of, Libby?” he said as he cocked his head, looking way too sexy.
She was afraid. But not of him. Of getting hurt.
“While you’re here, why not enjoy each other? This time we’d enter into things with our eyes wide open. Recognize our attraction for what it is.”
“What it is?” For her it had once been love—only she hadn’t been mature enough to handle it.
“Lust, passion, desire.” His lips hitched in a half smile. “So let’s get it out of our system.”
Chapter 11
Libby’s cell phone jangled and vibrated in the pocket of her shorts.
Chance’s hands stilled.
“Don’t answer it.”
“I have to.”
Before he could grab her, she scurried off the bed. “I’ll…” She stopped short. What could she say? She’d be back to continue things? This was a reprieve of sorts. She needed time to think, to understand exactly what he was proposing and what it would mean to her.
He’d just told her they had no future together.
Believing that sex and passion could lead him to trust her, to a change of heart, was likely believing in a fairy tale.
“Maybe we should call it a night, before…”
The cell phone jangled again, insisting on being answered.
Chance’s eyes, having been lighted with fire a moment ago, were now dark and cold. “Fine. Answer the phone. Might be Daddy. Or the suit.” He rolled over and faced the French doors. “Close the door on your way out.”
*