He froze and stared at her. Shock and bitter pain warred in his eyes. He blinked and his eyes cleared. But his fingers trembled just slightly against her cheek.
“Does it matter?” he demanded roughly.
“To me, it does,” she whispered then covered his fingers with her hand.
His touch warmed her, tempted her. She stared steadily into his eyes, seeking truth or lie in whatever he said next. A ragged breath shuddered from him, drifting over her face like the sun’s rays in summer. His expression softened.
“I’m not married,” he murmured though pain still lurked in his eyes.
Against all logic she believed him. Oh, he might have lied just to get her in his bed but Laurie didn’t think so. Too much pain and loss lingered in his eyes. And she would not pry into ALWAYS A WARRIOR Patricia Bruening
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such a deep wound. It served no purpose other than to cause unnecessary pain. Quite simply, for whatever reason, he did not want to be alone. And he wanted her.
The storm still raged around the cabin but all her senses, her whole being, concentrated on the man before her. Only dimly aware of thunder, lightening, and the pounding rain, she lay her trembling hand on his shadowed jaw. Flames flickered in his eyes. Don’t hurt me, she pleaded silently. Don’t make me regret this.
As though understanding her fears, he kissed her. His lips moved softly, gently over hers.
Her lips tingled. Pleasant warmth spread over her. Cupping her face in both hands, he delicately traced the outline of her lips with the tip of his tongue. Delicious tremors rippled through her and her heart quivered. Tears gathered in her eyes. She would not have thought this hardened soldier capable of such tenderness after the violence of his life. Tears spilled over her lashes, rolled down her cheeks, and mingled with the unique taste of him.
Frowning slightly, he drew back and anxiously caught her gaze. His eyes went dark with concern.
“What?” he murmured, wiping the tears with the caress of his thumbs.
She shook her head, unable to speak past the emotional lump in her throat. This was so different from the wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am that was her one and only experience with a man. She realized, now, that her heart had not been involved. Damien stole her heart and melted the very last shreds of resistance.
“Don’t stop,” she finally whispered huskily.
His hands slid down her arms. Then his arms went around her and drew her against him.
“Are you frightened?” he asked quietly.
“Only of tomorrow,” she replied honestly, tilting her head to look up at him. Heat surrounded her, pulsing like the flames casting a romantic glow around them. His heat or hers, she didn’t know which but she never wanted to be cold again.
He lowered his lips to hers but kept his kisses butterfly light. Her heart skipped a beat. On a flood of delicious anticipation, she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into his solid strength. Her nipples tingled, tightened, and shot sparks clear to her womb. His mouth moved over hers, deep and slow. His tongue slid between her lips, pulling her even deeper into his kisses.
Blood rushed and roared in her veins. Her pulse thundered in her ears. Every breath was a short choppy gasp against his lips. A low deep groan left her as she clung to him. He dragged his mouth from hers on a harsh breath. His eyes glittered when she looked into them. Fisting her hands in his hair, Laurie yanked him back and fused her mouth to his. He staggered, pressed her to the wall, then pulled back sharply and flattened his hands on the wall by her shoulders.
“Slow down,” he rasped. But the fire in his eyes and the tension of his body gave away his urgency.
“Slow?” she squeaked over the pounding of her pulse in her ears as she clutched at his arms.
He leaned closer and brushed his lips lightly over hers. “Yes, there’s a bed over there—
and we have all night.”
The room spun as he swung her into his arms.
“Oh!” The half strangled cry escaped her as she clung to his neck. He covered the distance to the bed in just a few long strides. Blood surged hot and heavy in her veins as he lowered her to the mattress. His mouth lingered on hers, soft, gentle kisses that put a flutter in her heart. Then he pulled slowly out of her arms to sit beside her, his hips snuggled up to hers.
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Gripping her wrists loosely, he urged her to sit up facing him. The hungry gleam in his eyes sent dark thrills spiraling through her.
The flickering glow from the candles and the lamp covered them in a golden glow and threw shadows around the room. Electric sensuality crackled around them. Damien plowed his fingers into her hair and tugged her the last scant distance. His mouth captured hers, his lips rubbing frantically over hers. Her breath caught in her throat and she drowned in him. Her lips parted to the conquering thrusts of his tongue and their mouths melded in kisses of devastating carnality.