Worth the Risk(32)

“Hannah.”

Just her name, and it was terrifying and magical, and before she had time to process the enormity of it, he kissed her. His lips were soft and firm and every cell in her body tuned in to that single spot where their lips met. She didn’t know what to do next, but it didn’t matter.

He took full control, sliding his tongue along the seam and pressing until she let him in. Their tongues touched, tentatively at first, and she tasted him, sweet and hot. Filled with a wonderful floaty feeling, her hands came up to his chest. Her fingers clutched at his shirt and his tightened in her hair as he angled her face, kissed her deeper, until she was dizzy with it.

She had no idea how much time passed before his lips left hers, only that they did and she wanted them back. Applause erupted and for a second she assumed it was universal excitement over her first kiss and she wanted to join in. But as she slowly came back to herself, she realized the band was saying good night, the audience showing their appreciation.

Her eyes finally fluttered open and Stephen was there, a big smile on his gorgeous face like he’d been waiting.

He hooked a strand of hair behind her ear. “So damn sweet.”

She stared, heart still racing. “It’s the chocolate.”

“No. It’s you.” He dipped his head again. “It’s definitely you.”





Chapter 13


Dear God, watching her eat that ice cream had nearly killed him. Not kissing her hadn’t been an option. Stephen took her hand as they moved through the parking lot, ending their night. He couldn’t imagine anything sweeter than Hannah’s mouth, but her small fingers curled into his shirt, the tiny sound of surprise when his mouth covered hers…pretty damn close.

She’d kissed him like she’d never been kissed before, uncertain and innocent, but so hot he could have gone on all night. Still could, he thought, as they reached her car.

Her 4Runner was parked close to the entrance and under a light. Good for her. He wanted her thinking, safe and smart. Though he didn’t like the apprehension he felt growing in her the farther they got from the crowd.

Hannah pulled the keys from a small bag, glanced around the half-empty lot, then up at him. “Thanks for coming. And for the movie, and dinner, and…”

“And what?”

Her gaze settled on his mouth and she bit her lip. “And the ice cream.”

“Ice cream?” He smiled and circled her waist with his hands. “And I thought you were going to thank me for the kiss.”

Embarrassment stained her cheeks as he’d known it would.

He slipped his fingers into her hair and kissed her again, slowly at first, giving her time to get used to him. He could teach her so much about the ways of kissing, of pleasure. He moved one hand down to her lower back and pulled her closer. Her lips parted and he deepened the kiss, loving the feel of her slender arms wound around his neck. With the weight of her head in his hand, her body pressed against his, every other kiss with every other woman evaporated.

He raised his head and wrapped her in his arms because it was cool out and because he didn’t want to let her go just yet. She gazed up at him, her chin resting against his chest. Her long hair blew around them both and he let the strands brush across his face before smoothing it back from her eyes. God help him, she was breathtaking, and looking down into her upturned face pulled at something deep inside him.

“This is the third time I’ve said goodbye to you at a car. When am I going to graduate to the front door? Hmm?” She tensed against him. “Are you always this nervous or is it just me?” He’d asked it lightly, partly a joke, but…he’d sensed something too. A heightened sense of awareness. Just her personality?

Then he thought of all the reasons she should be afraid of him. That dark streak he’d discovered years ago. During the trial, and even worse after.

She lowered her arms. “I don’t know.”

“Is it your watchdog brothers? What do they think? I’m going to kidnap you, tie you up in my basement?”

He heard and felt the breath she sucked in before she spun away from him. “Shit. Hannah, I’m sorry. That was a stupid thing to say.” Damn it. After all the times she’d been tentative, hesitant.

He laid a hand on her shoulder and she hunched away from him as much as the space would allow.

She fumbled with her key fob, dropped it, bent to grab it, and dropped it again before straightening. “I need to go.”

“Hey.” He closed his fingers around her wrist and felt her entire body go stiff. Shit. He needed to touch her, but he dropped his hand.

Her car gave a beep and the locks opened.