All Summer Long (Fool's Gold #9)

“You have a lot of rules.”


“I like rules.”

“I like breaking them.” He stood and walked around the table, then held out his hand. “Come here.”

Wariness darkened her eyes, but she put her hand in his and let him draw her to her feet. He walked to the sink and leaned against the cabinet, the small of his back braced against the counter. Then he pulled her in. She came to a stop about a foot away.

“Closer,” he said quietly.

She took a single step.

He chuckled and put his hands on her waist. “All the way, little girl. We’re going to have actual bodily contact. When we’re done, you can have another Danish.”

She pressed her lips together. “Can’t you stand up so we’re not touching there?” Her index finger pointed down to his crotch.

“Touching there is the point.”

He felt her stiffen. He waited, hoping she wouldn’t back up. Finally she inched forward another half step. He kept his hands on her waist, guiding her the rest of the way. Finally her hips settled against his.

He reminded himself this was a lesson and that reacting physically would be a bad idea. Still, she was warm and, despite her attempts to hide it, very much a woman.

They were at eye level with each other. He liked that. He liked how she was strong and very much his equal. The combination of attitude and terror touched him in a way he hadn’t expected.

“Hands here,” he said, raising his arms and lightly tapping his shoulders.

She did as he requested.

“Breathe,” he added.

“I’m breathing.”

Barely, he noted. Shallow breaths would add to her anxiety, but his plan was to distract her. If it worked, she would forget to be afraid. If it didn’t, she would probably give him a quick knee to the groin.

“Here’s what’s going to happen,” he said softly. “I’m going to wrap my arms around you, but I won’t pull you against me. You can break away anytime you want.”

She listened intently, her eyes wide. He could hear the battle raging inside. Part of her wanted to get over her fear, but the rest of her wanted to bolt. This wasn’t comfortable and Charlie didn’t like being vulnerable.

He put his hands on her back, just below her bra. He splayed his fingers and pressed just firmly enough that she could feel him, but not so hard that she felt him urging her forward. If all went well, she would lean into him on her own.

“I’m going to kiss you,” he continued. “You don’t have to respond.” He grinned. “It would be nice if you didn’t slap me.”

“I won’t.” She trembled slightly. “Okay. I’m ready.”

He’d been hoping for a smile, but there was too much tension. His chest tightened with rage at the bastard who had done this and compassion for the woman he held. Then he closed his eyes and leaned in.

Her mouth was stiff as he brushed it with his, her body rigid. He moved slowly, gently, letting her get used to him kissing her. As he went back and forth, he felt something sticky. Icing, he thought and licked the spot.

Her breath caught and he felt her tense up even more. Fingers dug into his shoulders but not in a “take me, take me hard” kind of way. He drew back slightly, then pressed his mouth to her cheek.

From there, he kissed lightly, tenderly, moving to her jaw, then down her neck. He moved toward her ear and kissed the spot right behind it, lingering for a second. The fingers on his shoulders relaxed, as did her back. Her breathing deepened. He moved to her earlobe, brushing his mouth against it.

The return journey was just as slow. When he reached her cheek again he paused before touching his mouth to hers. He let the pressure linger and was pleased when she stayed relaxed.

He repeated the process on her other cheek, working his way down to her jaw, then along her neck. He was careful to stay high enough that she wasn’t threatened. When he reached her earlobe, he lightly nibbled on the curve. He was rewarded with a soft gasp and her body eased a millimeter closer.

Slowly he moved his hands from her back to her face. He cupped her cheeks in his palms and stared into her eyes. Hers were wide with apprehension but less than they had been before. He also spied the first subtle signs of arousal. Flushed cheeks, parted lips, slightly dilated pupils.

“Charlie,” he whispered, then touched his lips to hers.

For a second there was nothing. Then her mouth moved against his. Her arms eased around his neck and she leaned into him.

He held back, not wanting to startle her. He brushed his mouth back and forth, going slow. They stayed like that for several seconds, then she tilted her head a little and parted her mouth the tiniest bit.