She felt the heat of a blush crawling up her neck. It bewildered her that he knew how to make her nervous with the simplicity of words. “Curious?"
He arched a brow, and there was that perfect grin again. “Tell me something about yourself that no one knows."
No way would she even go there first. “I will if you will."
He smiled and drank half of his drink before answering. “I was arrested when I was sixteen for stealing a car. I did some time in a juvenile detention center."
"Why steal it?"
He shrugged. “Same old cliche of hanging with the wrong crowd, but it didn't take me too long to wise up. Committing crimes and spending my life in jail was the last thing I wanted. Now it's your turn."
What to tell him? She reached for her glass and swallowed the rest of her drink. She set the empty glass on the stand as the first time she felt truly empowered came to mind. “My sister Isabel and I are just a year apart. We've always been close. She was seventeen, dating a senior high school basketball star. Michael arrived at our home one evening when I was alone. That night Michael put the moves on me. I responded by kneeing him in the balls so hard he curled up on the floor like a baby whimpering. Isabel walked in then. Without question, she took one look at Michael and broke it off, right then and there. I truly enjoyed the sight of Michael limping home, but I was more worried about Isabel. I remember her telling me she believed me completely, and no explanation was needed."
He arched a brow, a smile playing on his lips. “Even back then you were brave."
His comment touched her, even though she shook her head. “Believe me, my life is filled with plenty of regrets, but none filled with braveness. But protecting Isabel was a no-brainer. I wanted to rip his head off for daring to touch me. But I was even more pissed that Isabel was head over heels on her way to falling in love with the bastard."
He reached over and grabbed her hand, placing it over his knee, brushing the back with his thumb. “Your sister wouldn't have taken your side if she didn't love you enough to believe with just one glance that you were innocent."
Practically a stranger to her, and John believed in her. But she was momentarily speechless as his touch had her belly tightening with need.
He smiled. “Don't ever downplay your value. You are a unique woman, which leads me to believe you were a very exceptional young girl."
His compliment got to her, his voice deep with sincerity. “Is this how you flatter all the ladies?"
A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. She noticed immediately when he moved closer, until their lips were inches apart from one another. “No, only you,” he whispered.
And she didn't know whether she believed him or not.
He closed the remaining distance between them before settling his mouth over hers. She gasped as his tongue swept between her lips, his taste exploding within her, his spicy male flavor tinged with brandy filling her senses. He dominated the kiss, his hand leaving hers as he turned farther sideways and grabbed the back of her head, his fingers tightening around the strands of her hair as he deepened the kiss. Hot lusty heat zinged through her, zapping her strength, liquefying and melting her. Her breasts swelled at the same time a lightning bolt of desire shot to her clit.
His tongue slipped between her lips, and he seemed to swallow the soft little breath that left her. Her fingers curled into his chest, and she felt his strength, his muscles flexing beneath her hand. Her clit began to throb, and her nipples stiffened against the silk of her bra. He made her forget everything until the very two of them just existed, heightening the desire between them. She moaned and whimpered as she felt his thumb brush her nipple.
Sizzling electricity shot up her spine, and she felt the hot, slick wetness on her pussy, dampening her thong. She had never been prone to public displays of intimacy, but at this moment she wanted him to part her legs so his hand could feel her heat.
She was in sync with him, riding the same wave of electricity, because a second later she felt him push her legs open, and then he made his way, inch by inch, to her heated core. He probably thought she was easy, but she didn't care. She was on fire, and she delved her hands into his hair, holding on for dear life. Finally, his hand reached her clit, and she moaned heatedly when he brushed it. And to her shock she realized a few more strokes and she'd go off like a rocket. If he ripped her panties and took her here, she wouldn't protest one bit. She couldn't remember a time she'd ever been this forward with a man, but at this moment she couldn't care less that they were in public. She dropped her hand and grasped his pant-covered cock. She felt his hotness through the material, his dick long, thick, and hard.