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“Why’d you stop?” she finally asked, gazing up through heavy lids and thick, dark lashes.

“Do you like it when I kiss you?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

“I wanna kiss you again,” he told her as he studied her mouth. “But I don’t know if I can stop myself.”

“That’s okay. We can kiss.”

“Oh, I know we can kiss. But right now, the way I feel, I might not be able to stop myself from taking more than I should.” As Matthew spoke, his words came out measured and slow, but his stare was smoldering. “Katie, you tempt me even when you’re not trying to.”

“Do you need me to stop?”

“Maybe.” A smile lifted the corners of his lips. “Maybe not.”

Searching his beautiful blue eyes, Katherine could see how the intensity of every encounter had built up just as much anticipation for him as it had for her, and she wondered howmuch further she could take it. How much more could he endure.

“And if I don’t?”

Intrigued by her boldness, his eyes seemed to brighten.

“Maybe it’s how good you look or maybe it’s how good you smell but I can’t seem to get enough of you.” Katherine sighed heavily, leaning forward and breathing in his scent. When a tiny whimper of longing escaped her lips, Matthew looked as if he was about to lose control. Swallowing, hard he took a moment to respond.

“You’re very playful tonight, Miss Bennett.”

“You have no idea, Mr. Brandon,” she whispered, nipping softly at the side of his neck. “Do you like it when we play?”

“Very much.” He inhaled sharply, digging the tips of his fingers into her thighs. “But you know this isn’t exactly fair.”

“Then tell me to stop, and I’ll stop.”

When Matthew laughed, the sound was deep and sexy, and it triggered something inside of Katherine that made her want to be even bolder than before.

“You do it for me,” she said before peppering his skin with hot kisses. “It’s only fair I do the same for you.”

As Matthew inhaled a ragged breath, he seemed to be fighting to maintain what little control he had left, and she could tell that he wanted her more than ever before.

“You have no idea what you’ve started,” he said, his voice wavering from the pressure. “But youshould probably stop.”

“Okay!” Katherine chirped, pushing Matthew to the side and sliding off the table. “Moo shu pork?”

Despite the intense pressure he was feeling, Matthew had to laugh. He couldn’t believe his sweet little Katie was beating him at his own game. And although he hated to admit it, even to himself, he was impressed.

“Sure, I like moo shu pork,” he managed, walking awkwardly around the table to sit across from her. Then suddenly, he was up again and out of his chair.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I need some air,” he said, hurrying toward the back door and stepping outside. As she watched him leave, Katherine worried that she’d gone too far.

“Matthew!” she called out, dropping the box of Mandarin pancakes on the table to run after him. But when she got near the door, she skid to a stop as he came back inside, closing the door behind him.

“Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” he said, but his voice seemed strained as he walked back to the table and sat down.

“Are you mad?”

“Not at all.”