Any Time, Any Place(41)

"I didn't plan on this. Wasn't going to push or make you uncomfortable in my territory. I respect what you're looking for, Raven. But you were able to discipline the dogs. You're passionate about your work and wicked smart. You're interested in the stars." He tipped her chin up, tangled his gaze with hers, and slowly lowered his head. "I don't want to think about the future, or why we're wrong for each other. I just want to claim this moment and kiss you in the moonlight, because you're so fucking beautiful my heart hurts." He paused. "But I promised not to push you while we're working together. Promised not to make a move you didn't want. So here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to kiss you. Right now. And if that's not okay with you, all you have to do is move back." He stopped an inch from her lips, allowing her one last opportunity to run.

She stayed.

His mouth closed over hers.

The kiss was pure and sweet. She swayed and needed to wrap her arms around his shoulders for balance. Soft, firm lips sipped, treasured, worshipped. A tiny moan escaped her throat and he swallowed it, his tongue pushing in for more and exploring every last inch of her mouth.

Her fingers slid into the thick strands of hair at his nape and held tight. She opened wider to his demands, and the sweetness sparked into something more, a wild craving that forced her to her tiptoes in an effort to slake her own hunger. She met his tongue thrust for thrust as heat surged in her blood and turned her limbs loose and weak.

Suddenly they were pressed tight together, his hands cupping her cheeks as the kiss deepened, and the spark that always hummed between them raged into an inferno. She clutched at him, trembling from the force of raw hunger demanding satisfaction, drowning in the taste of male need. He kissed her like she was the answer to his prayers, the queen to his king, and Raven was helpless to fight.

She gave him what he wanted.

His lips tore from hers. His eyes were wild, stinging blue and fierce. "Why is it like this between us?" he whispered. His hands were a gentle contradiction to the hardness in his voice. "Why do I crave you like my very breath?"

His scent surrounded her. Her chin tingled from his stubble. Her lips felt wet and swollen. Her body shook with a need for more. His head dipped again, and the reality of the situation slammed into her.

Oh, God, what was she doing?

Raven stumbled back, pressing her fist against her mouth. "Don't say things like that." She grasped at the tendrils of anger and pulled them tight. "This was a mistake."

His jaw tightened. "Don't pretend you didn't feel it, too. Are you really willing to walk away from exploring this connection? I've never had a kiss like that before, okay? Crazy, yes, but true. It may not be what we wanted, or expected, but it's real."

"Real? You're not ready for real, Dalton. You're a game player. I'm not denying the kiss was amazing, but I'm past jumping into bed to scratch an itch. We may have physical chemistry, nothing more. If you can't accept my decision, I don't think we should work together anymore. Now, I think it's time to go."




 

 

He didn't answer. Stubbornness shone in his eyes. Moonlight highlighted the glory of his thick, tawny hair. Her fingers still tingled from sliding through the soft strands. His scent wafted in the air, musky male, citrusy lemon, and the sweetness of chocolate. She waited for his temper, ready to walk away and cut her losses. It would be better not to see him again. It would be better to dump the entire plan, move on with her life, and forget that damn kiss.

"I'll finish the job you're paying me for," he ground out. "And I'll keep my hands to myself. But I'll tell you this. Physical chemistry is damn important in a relationship, especially long term. Passion is the foundation. Without it, the structure eventually sinks. Be sure you want to walk away from this for some fantasy husband who may not exist."

She shivered from his warning. Something shifted in her gut, a bone-deep knowledge that this man was offering a rare gift worth exploring, even with all the obstacles.

Raven ignored it. "I'm sure."

Dalton dragged in a breath and nodded. "Let's go."

This time, their fingers didn't brush. They walked back in silence. Desperate to get home to safety, she picked up the pace. The dogs shot out of the woods to accompany them, leading them back toward the light of the front porch.

"Raven? Is that you?"

Ah, shit.

The feminine voice carried in the air, and heels tapped over to her. Morgan and Cal appeared, trapping her halfway to escape. The blond Southern woman closed the distance, a welcoming smile on her face. Dressed in her usual chic white business suit even at this late hour, she was the image of sleek polish, from her silver bob to her smart heels. The surface didn't do her justice. Raven had learned over the past year that she had a big heart, a wicked sense of humor, and a steely exterior that refused to take crap from any of the Pierce brothers. How could you not like a woman like that? She knelt down and kissed Gandalf and Balin like they were babies, not seeming to care about the flying fur or lapping tongues. "Dalton, what are you doing dragging her into the woods? Didn't you offer her a proper drink first?"