Page 13 of Ace of Spades

It wasn’t a gentle kiss. He possessed her, owned her, devoured her. His mouth was hot and hungry, and his tongue was relentless, tasting and licking as if she were his favorite candy. In her wildest imagination—and God knew she’d spent hours and hours imagining this moment—she’d been sorely lacking in envisioning how thrilling it would be to kiss Nate Gentry.

His mouth tasted minty, like the Tic Tacs he was always sucking on, and his masculine scent surrounded her, something spicy that was uniquely him. Just kissing him wasn’t enough. She wanted all of him. “Nate,” she whispered against his lips, following her plea with a moan.

He stilled, then pulled away.

“Don’t stop.” She brushed her thumb over his bottom lip, damp from their kiss. “Please don’t stop.”

“We can’t do this,” he said, picking her up with the ease he would a ten-pound sack of potatoes, and setting her on her feet. “I won’t do this.”

“At least tell me why.” God, now she was begging. She never begged anyone for anything.

He stood, collecting his keys from the coffee table. “You want a reason? Here it is. You’re my best friend, Taylor. If I give in to this thing between us, I’ll end up hurting you, and then I’ll lose you completely.”

Well, as reasons went, it was a good one. She’d worried about the same thing, but they were both professionals. If they had a relationship and it ended, why couldn’t they still be friends? But if she tried to argue with him now, he’d just dig in.

“Rosie’s been asking why you haven’t been to see her. Why don’t you pick me up at seven, and we’ll stop by on our way to the office? That way I can see the girls before they leave for school.”

She could tell he was about to refuse, so she shook her head. “I’ve been ordered not to show up again without you. I think Rosie loves youbetter than me. See you in the morning.” She gave him a smirk, then headed for her bedroom, leaving him standing at the door.

As soon as she heard the door close behind him, she returned to the living room. She bent down, brought herself eye level with Henry, and trailed her finger across the glass. The fish ignored her.

“What is it about him that fascinates both of us, Henry, my little man?” Henry had no answer. “Fine, ignore me like you always do.” She slid the deadbolt closed, then turned off the lights. After a shower, she grabbed her cell phone, taking it to bed with her. If she didn’t warn Rosie her favorite man was coming over in the morning so she could be pretty for him, Taylor would get a tongue-lashing.