Under My Umbrella (Fated 1)

He looked adorable.

“How exciting.” He was a true hero. A man who ran into burning buildings to save lives. She found his profession arousing.

Oh, who was she kidding? Everything about the man was arousing. She had a serious thing for him, and she’d only known him fifteen minutes, tops.

This was so unlike her and she found it dumbfounding. Shocking. Had she ever behaved like this? Ever?

The answer would have to be no.

“It has its moments. Sometimes it can be boring. Trust me.” He handed her the towel, which she hung on a hook. “Thanks.”

They stood close together since her bathroom was more on the cramped side, and she glanced up at him, caught the heat that flared in his eyes as he studied her. He filled the bathroom, overwhelming her with his closeness, the intensity of his gaze. Their breathing became deeper, heavier, filling the small room with warmth, and she realized they were starting to fog the mirror.

“Maybe you want something to drink?” She nibbled on her lower lip, unable to snag her gaze away from his.

He shook his head and took a step closer. Her eyes drifted down, studied the snowy whiteness of his shirt, and the urge to reach out and touch was so strong she clenched her hands into fists to control herself.

It just barely worked.

“Something to eat, maybe? I’m not a big cook but I’m sure I could dig something up.” She had chips and salsa, a box of most likely stale crackers in her cupboard. She really needed to go grocery shopping.

“I’m not hungry,” he murmured, his deep voice husky, sexy. The sound of it sent a little shiver down her spine, and she backed up until her butt hit the edge of the counter.

“Well, um, then uh…” She didn’t know what to say, it really didn’t matter what she said because he cupped her cheeks with his big, masculine hands and lifted her face. His rough fingertips skimmed across her skin, stealing her breath and when her lips parted in silent surprise, he took his chance.

And he kissed her.

Oh, and what a kiss. His plump lips were gentle, seeking, lingering and she sighed into his mouth, unable to help herself. No tongue, no aggressive he-man mouth assault, just sweet, chaste kisses holding the promise of more.

So much more.

“I couldn’t resist,” he whispered after he broke the kiss. His warm, faintly minty breath wafted across her face, tickled her lips and she licked them, savoring his taste. He gave a little groan that made her smile.

“Well, keep doing it then,” she invited, her own voice gone husky.

This time his kiss was rougher, more wicked. He traced a hot path with his tongue across her lower lip before swooping inside, tasting her, tangling with her own tongue. She returned as much as he gave, her hands clutching at his sides, tugging on his T-shirt and she wished she were bold enough to pull the hem of his shirt from his pants so she could dive beneath and touch firm, hot skin.

What’s stopping you?

Absolutely nothing. So she did just as she thought, impatiently yanking his shirt from his belted pants and allowing her hands to slide up the smooth, wide expanse of his back.

Oh, it was worth it. Embarrassment was gone at the sensation of his skin beneath her fingertips. She discovered goose bumps where she’d touched, and she wanted to laugh. This was getting so out of control considering she didn’t even know him.

Yet here they were making out in her bathroom, and she was already halfway trying to undress him.

“This might sound like a line, but I never do this.” His breathing was ragged as he pressed his forehead to hers, their gazes meeting. “Meet a woman and throw myself at her within minutes of getting into her apartment.”

“I never do it either,” she admitted, her voice small, her hands splayed upon his wide back. She couldn’t stop touching him.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered as his hands skimmed down, across her shoulders, down her arms to settle at her waist. She wished they were a little higher up, but this would do. “I don’t want to come on too strong.”

“Come on as strong as you want.” Oh yes, she would beg him if she had to. If he felt this good with just a few kisses then imagine what could happen if she got him naked and in her bed?

Yeah, spontaneous combustion all right. More like the world might explode.

He moved away from her though he didn’t release his hold on her waist. Dark eyebrows rose in disbelief as he studied her. “You mean it?”

She nodded slowly, a daring glow in her pretty eyes. “I think rain makes me horny,” she admitted in the barest whisper.