“That’s enough.” The sizzle of exultation eradicated his pique. He told himself to stay silent, but the words tumbled out. “I could say the same thing about you, Winnie. You exude a radiant sexuality that I’m fairly certain you don’t even realize.”
She ignored his comment, but he heard her breath catch. “It would be foolish for us to start something,” she whispered. “Especially since we’ll soon be surrounded by your entire family.”
Her voice shook, sending a frisson of guilt along his nerve endings. He really was a selfish bastard. And his high-and-mighty personal code was no more than empty words. He was a man like any other man, driven by his need for a woman. Blind to reason, crazed by her delicate scent, he pushed for what he wanted, ignoring the yawning chasm at his feet that could lead to his doom. “Maybe we’re not starting anything. Perhaps we’re two loners enjoying the moment.”
“And you don’t see anything wrong with that?” He heard more curiosity than anger in her voice.
“Not at all. I think you’re the most fascinating woman I’ve met in a long time. I want you badly, even though I know it’s a dangerous idea. I’m admitting my inconsistencies and trying to tell myself I can take advantage of a serendipitous situation as well as the next guy.” He closed the distance she had created in two quick steps. “But if you’re unsure, let’s experiment. Maybe last night was a fluke.”
She struggled briefly as he dragged her close, but moments later, she sighed deeply and leaned into him, raising her lips for his kiss. The quiet vulnerability of her pose gave him pause. Did he have the right to dally with Winnie knowing it wouldn’t last? He knew he was rationalizing…telling himself he wasn’t really straying from his personal code if this was nothing permanent. Even aroused to the point of pain, he saw the flaws in his reasoning.
But, hell…his brain was no longer in control….
He touched her lips with his…softly…reverently. The night sounds faded, leaving an expectant hush in their wake. Winnie’s moan lodged in his gut. It took everything he had to keep the kiss gentle. He felt anything but gentle, and the ferocity of his need startled him. Winnowing his fingers into her hair, he palmed the back of her head and drew her closer, his mouth taking hers forcefully.
Her tongue played with his as one of her hands roved over his back. When they broke for air, she put her hand on his cheek. “It wasn’t a fluke.”
Just as he brushed the hair from her face, a bright flash of light startled them. It took only a split second to realize what was happening. Larkin bounded over the gate in hot pursuit of the photographer who’d had the gall to record a very private moment.
But the man had a head start, and he had an accomplice just down the road. As Larkin pulled up short, he heard the roar of an engine and saw the speeding vehicle disappear into the night.
Winnie was waiting for him on the road when he walked back. “Did you get a license number?”
He shook his head. “Too dark. Damn, I’m sorry. He must have been careful not to touch the fence, or the alarms would have gone off. And standing where he was, he wasn’t breaking any laws.”
“Don’t feel bad. This has been going on for weeks. Now you know why I want to get away. It’s only a matter of time until someone figures out that I’m hiding two dozen refugees. I thought you had guards everywhere. Why didn’t your people come running when I opened the gate to follow you?”
“I have a remote in my pocket. I hit the all clear to protect your privacy. I didn’t think you would want anyone to know we were out here together.”