Page 259 of Duty and Desire

He stiffened and took the hits until she bent at the waist, crying so hard it hurt to breathe. The world was too much, and everything hurt inside her.

“Ah, baby.” He lifted her so suddenly she’d had no clue it was coming. Holding her to his chest, he strode though the rain, back to the parking area.

Warmth and safety and strength surrounded her, and she cried harder, knowing she couldn’t relax against him. Her body completely ignored her mind and surrendered, snuggling into the impossibly hard planes of his chest, her tears not impacting his already wet T-shirt.

They reached his truck, and he set her inside the driver’s seat, her legs still outside.

She wanted to cling to him, but she sat back, releasing his shirt. Her head hurt, her eyes ached, and her body felt like she was a thousand years old. She was spent. Done. Over. She looked down, focusing on his stomach. Were those solid abs through his cotton? Incredible.

One firm knuckle lifted her chin, and she fought him, but finally faced his dark eyes. God, she was exhausted. She’d fight again tomorrow. Tonight, she needed sleep.

His gaze searched her face. “The keys are in the ignition. Take the truck and go wherever you want. You can borrow it until I get your tires fixed.” He started to take a step back.

Going against all reason, she grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled him toward her. “I-I can’t take your truck.” What the heck was he talking about?

He sighed, his body rolling with the movement. “Listen. You’re cold and scared, and you need to get warm. You’re frightened of me, so I’m letting you take my truck to get to safety. Now go, and I’ll handle your tires.”

The words barely computed. She swallowed, looking up at his strong jawline. With the darkness behind him, he appeared even larger than usual, as if that were possible. He’d carried her through the storm, and now he was letting her go. He’d asked for nothing. So she levered up and kissed him.

Shock ripped through her system from one touch.

He jerked and another low growl rumbled up from his chest.

She leaned back, her mouth opened in an ‘o’, her body flashing hot in a way she’d never felt before. Wild and free and alive. Dangerously on the edge of something...new.

His jaw ticked. Tension rolled off him, steaming up the windows, even though the door remained open.

She gingerly reached up and touched her still sparking bottom lip, her gaze seeking his. Had he felt that? If so, what the heck was it? “Who are you?” she asked.

He barked out a laugh and slid one firm hand along her face. The entire side of her face. “I’m the guy you just kissed. Kind of. Care to explain why?”

“Kind of?” She barely kept herself from turning into that heated palm. “What do you mean? Kind of?”

His chin lifted just enough. “That wasn’t a kiss, baby. Not even close.”

Don’t say it. Don’t say it. For the love of all that is holy and sane, don’t say it.“What is a kiss?” she asked. Yep. She’d said it.

“You want me to show you?” he rumbled, his eyes somehow looking even darker than usual.

No. Definitely no. Not in a million years. “Yes,” she whispered.

He didn’t ask twice. Leaning down, he drew her partially up, and his lips took hers. Firm and warm, he kissed her, the touch gentle velvet over hard steel. His lips molded to hers, softly probing, sliding warmth down her jawline to touch every inch of her body.

She sighed, leaning up, opening her mouth in acceptance. Her eyelashes fluttered shut, and she let herself just feel. Something good and strong and hot. Then she tentatively kissed him back.

His hand slid around her face and tangled in her hair, tilting her head back farther.

She sighed and kissed him, warming right up. Her eyelids opened to see his intense gaze on her. She jerked, her body stilling.

Holding her gaze, he lifted lightly, his lips barely a whisper from hers. “You okay?”

She nodded, even though his hand in her hair contained her movement. “Yes. You?”

“Yes. You want more?” He held himself still, like one of those racehorses in a stall right before the gate opened.

Her nipples peaked. Fast and hard. More? There was more? She should think. Take a step back. “Yes,” she said. “More.”

He moved faster than humanly possible, ducking his head and claiming her lips. This time, there was no gentleness or coaxing. It was all fire and electricity and demand. Hard andfast, he took her mouth, kissing her in a way that took her completely out of the moment.