The Family Plan (The McClouds of Mississippi 1)

“Nathan?”

Still looking deeply distracted, he turned his head to look at her. “Hmm?”

“I’m getting ready to leave for the day. Are you staying awhile?”

“No.” He pushed his chair away from the desk and stood. “I’m leaving.”

She had seen him just b

efore lunch, and he’d been grinning and cutting up then. His mood seemed to have taken a full hundred-eighty-degree turn. She took a few steps closer to him, trying to read his expression. “Rough afternoon?”

He shrugged. “Not really. Settled the Compton case.”

“Was Mr. Compton satisfied?”

“I think so. I finally convinced him he couldn’t count on getting any more money if we went to court.”

“You should be pleased. I know you were concerned about taking that case to court.”

“Yeah, I’m glad it’s over.”

It was obvious to her that his settled case was the last thing on his mind. “Everything else going okay?”

He pushed his mouth into a smile. “Sure. How about you? I thought you’d be tied up a while longer on the conference call.”

“We were able to wrap it up pretty quickly. I’ll go over my notes with you sometime tomorrow.”

“I’ll make time in the morning, if you’re free then. I have to leave for a couple hours tomorrow afternoon. There’s a Halloween program at Isabelle’s school. I think they’re singing or something. She wants me there to watch.”

“Need me to cover for you here?”

“Thanks, but I’ve cleared my calendar for a couple of hours. I had a week’s notice about the program.”

“I’m sure Isabelle will be thrilled to have you there.”

“My first appearance as a parental unit. How do you think I’ll do?”

Was he worried about that? “I think you’ll do just fine.”

His smile became a bit more genuine. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“You’re welcome.” She returned the smile, then started to turn toward the door.

He caught her forearm, swinging her back around to face him. “I’m afraid I just can’t resist…” he murmured right before his mouth came down on hers.

There was something about his kisses—something that emptied her mind, robbed her willpower, weakened her knees and accelerated her pulse rate. Something more addictive than any drug could possibly be.

She wrapped her arms around his neck. She hadn’t actually planned to do so, but she didn’t try very hard to resist the impulse. The move brought them closer, their bodies pressed together from chest to knee.

The rather primly tailored navy suit Caitlin had worn like a coat of armor that day seemed to become suddenly thinner as Nathan’s hands swept over her back and hips. She could have almost sworn she felt the warmth of his palms directly on her skin, though she knew that was impossible. Wishful thinking, perhaps.

His hair was soft and thick when she plunged her hands into it. His mouth was warm and hungry when her tongue tangled with his. His body was lean and hard beneath his conservative business clothing. Growing harder by the moment, she couldn’t help noticing as his hands slid down her hips and held her more snugly against him.

He had already made it clear that he wanted her. This merely reinforced his words. She had already known she wanted him. It was becoming harder all the time for her to deny it—to herself or to him.

He tugged at her jacket, pulling it off her shoulders and down her arms, revealing the thin, sleeveless ice-blue shell she wore beneath. Another tug, and the shell came free from the waistband of her straight navy skirt. A moment later she knew exactly how it felt to have Nathan’s hands on the bare skin of her back.

It felt fabulous.