She moaned softly, losing herself in their kiss, running one hand over his muscled shoulder, holding him with her other arm.
She realized how intense this had become and finally leaned away a fraction. Her breathing was ragged. His light brown eyes had darkened with his passion. Desire was blatant in their depths, a hungry look that fanned the fires of her own longing.
“You did well today. You’re taking back another check to help people,” he said, his gaze drifting over her face. “When we get back we’ll go to dinner and celebrate.”
“I’m glad you went with me.”
He moved away and she watched as he sent a text. He lowered his phone. “I want to wait a minute in case they answer right away.”
His phone beeped and he scanned the message. “You’re set for Wednesday,” he said, putting away his phone. “We’ll go home now.”
She had a tingling excitement. Part of it was relief that the talk was over and she had been able to raise some money for Royal. Part of it was wanting Aaron and knowing they would be together longer.
* * *
They met again for dinner in the dining room at the inn. Both had changed to sweaters and slacks. Throughout dinner Stella still felt bubbly excitement and when Aaron finally escorted her back to her suite, she paused at her door to put her arms around him and kiss him.
For one startled moment he stood still, but then his arm circled her waist and he kissed her in return. Without breaking the kiss, he took her key card from her, unlocked her door and stepped inside. He picked her up and let the door swing shut while she reached out to hit the light switch.
Relishing being in his arms, she let go of all the problems for a few minutes while they kissed. Their kisses were becoming more passionate, demanding. He set her on her feet and then his hands were in her hair. The long locks tumbled down as the pins dropped away. As he kissed her, his hand slipped beneath her sweater to cup her breast and then lightly caress her.
She moaned, clinging to him, on fire with wanting him. He stepped back, pulling her blue sweater over her head and tossing it aside. He unfastened her bra and cupped her full breasts lightly in his hands. “You’re soft,” he whispered, leaning down to kiss her and stroke her with his tongue.
She gasped with pleasure, clinging to him, wanting him with her whole being but finally stopping him and picking up her sweater to slip it over her head again.
“Aaron, I need to sort things out before we get more deeply involved, and if we make love, I’ll be more involved emotionally.”
“I think we’re in about as deep as it gets without marriage or a permanent commitment,” he said solemnly. His voice was hoarse with passion. “You can ‘sort’ things out. I want you, Stella. I want you in my arms, in my bed. I want to make love all night.”
Every word he said made her want to walk back into his arms, but she stood still, trying to take her time the way she should have when she first met him, before she made a physical commitment. Could they fall in love if she just let go and agreed to marry him? Or would she be the only one to fall in love while Aaron still stayed coolly removed from emotional involvement or commitment?
“Aaron, we really don’t know a lot about each other,” she said, and that shuttered look came over his expression. A muscle worked in his jaw as he stared at her in silence.
“What would you like to know?” he asked stiffly.