She placed her hand in his, then yanked it away, almost as if burned.
What the heck was that?
With shaky legs, she followed his lanky stride to the dance area. He reached back and took her hand once more, sending more heated sparks shooting up from their joined hands, landing like a small torch in her stomach.
Before she had a chance to catch her breath, he turned, took her into his arms, and her mouth dried up. The smell of man, leather, and his musky after shave drifted to her. His hands slid down to her waist, and rested comfortably there, leaving a trail of warmth. She moved her palms up his chest, then grasped his rock hard biceps. This more intimate touch fanned the embers in her stomach, spreading heat waves all the way to her fingers and toes.
He was taller than Cody. When she and her husband had danced, her forehead came to his lips. With Damian, the top of her head would fit right underneath his chin. He kept a decent space between them, which reassured her. In fact, she was amused to realize she felt the need to move closer. And she couldn’t stop staring into his eyes.
This is crazy. I just met the guy. I know nothing about him. He could have a wife and seven kids tucked away somewhere.
What the hell am I doing?
Chapter Two
Damian drew Kerry closer and his lungs seized. Yep, her curves were all he thought they would be and more, and they fit him perfectly. The heady perfume of her hair and whatever shower gel she used, mixed with her own unique scent, had desire pounding through his veins.
He re-played her words. “Sounds lonely.” How did she figure that out so fast?
After a few years of the same old, same old, he’d almost given up finding the right girl to settle down with. Only recently he’d come to the conclusion that he would never find her here. His ma always told him if you hang out in bars, the only people you meet are drunks. Or sluts, he could’ve added.
He glanced at Kerry as she broke eye contact with him and looked around the room, her impression of the place evident on her face. Suddenly, he wished he hadn’t brought her here.
Finished with her perusal, her gaze landed on him again. Everything and everyone in the room disappeared as he lost himself in her eyes. He’d spent most of his adult life waiting for the right girl, and as crazy as it sounded, he had a troubling notion he’d just found her. And she was only passing through.
Despite the erotic images his mind conjured up of this sexy woman, something else about Kerry drew him. He wanted to talk to her. Get to know her. Find out what she thought about things. Where she’d come from, and why a job in Albuquerque? Why did her finger show remnants of a ring? Was a new man waiting for her?
That thought rankled.
“Why Albuquerque?” The question popped out before he knew it.
Kerry shrugged. “Why not?”
“A man waiting for you there?” He could have bitten off his loose tongue.
“No.” She shook her head. “I decided to make a change. New job, new place to live.”
So she’s free. Not that it mattered. She’d soon be on her way. This little bit of time spent together might be all he would ever have—a depressing thought.
His arm tightened as he maneuvered her around another couple. As casually as he could, he asked, “Sort of like running away?”
She stiffened in his arms. “No. Not running away.”
The scattering of freckles on her pert nose right above full, lush lips wreaked havoc with his senses. The combination of curvy, sexy woman and childlike innocence drew him like no woman ever before.
“I hear Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo is looking for nurses.”
Why did I say that? She probably thinks I’m hitting on her. Well…I am hitting on her.
Kerry frowned. “I already have a job lined up in Albuquerque.” She chewed on her lip. “What about you? Married?”
He shook his head. “Nope. No wife. In fact, never even came close.”
The dance came to an end, and Damian grabbed her hand as they returned to the table, reluctant to break the connection.
“I’d like to go now.” Kerry eased her hand from his, then retrieved her purse from alongside her chair. “Just let me run to the ladies room first.”
She slung her purse over her shoulder and headed toward the restrooms. Damian eyed her curvy bottom as she sashayed across the room. Her tanned legs drew more than one pair of eyes, and it disturbed him to feel a twinge of jealousy.