So she’d take it—be unmoved. And walk away.
Primly she waited, tilted her chin back as he neared. She wasn’t going to make it difficult for him. Or easy.
That hard-edged hungry look sharpened his features… desire glinted in his eyes. Part of her wanted to run far and fast. Another part wanted to press closer to him—and not just her lips. She wasn’t sure which urge was most dominant.
Now he’d got to within kissing distance.
She held her breath. Couldn’t move. Anticipation slithered through her like mercury dancing up a thermometer on a burning hot day.
Only now he hesitated. She saw his expression alter as he looked down to her mouth, then back up to her eyes. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he seemed to be thinking something through.
All she could do was look up at him, waiting, willing.
For a moment she thought he was going to walk away without doing anything. But then, very gently, he lowered his head, keeping his tense body a clear five inches from hers. He merely brushed his lips on her cheekbone. A little too close to her ear, and for a little too long to be totally brotherly, but it wasn’t the hot, dominant, French kiss that she’d expected.
That she’d wanted.
As he pulled back to study her face, disappointment swamped her. That was it?
‘Wow…’ she said dryly. But she stepped back to lean against the car because, despite the total chasteness of that ‘kiss’, her legs felt wobbly. And, given the sudden flare of heat in his eyes, he’d seen her real reaction—her disappointment. She tried to cover up with sarcasm. ‘You just blew my mind.’
‘I know.’ He laughed softly, but then fell silent.
She stared back up at him, feeling almost baleful. All that anticipation… All that teasing… He hadn’t meant it.
‘I’ll kiss you properly if you really want me to.’
A steely whisper in the hot, sultry night. A taut wire of promise. He was watching her closely.
What had made him think she didn’t want him to?
He stood stock still as he waited for her answer. His gaze sharpened.
‘Stephanie?’ He angled his head, as if he was listening for something almost inaudible. ‘You want me to kiss you properly?’
CHAPTER FIVE
HOW COULD HE not already know the answer? Stephanie frowned up at him, trying to figure out why he was hesitating when desire blistered the air between them.
He wanted to kiss her. He’d made that stupid bet especially. And he’d won it. But when it had come to claiming his prize he’d held back. Why?
Because he only wanted to kiss her that way if he had her full permission? Her full participation?
Well, for that the guy was going to have to be rewarded.
She couldn’t help a small smile as she basked in his hot glare—in this overwhelming attraction. For real, right now, and—for her—so rare.
How could she not make the most of it? Just this once…
‘Do I want you to kiss me properly?’ she echoed, flawlessly Steffi Leigh.
He tensed even more—impossible though that seemed.
Stretching up onto her tiptoes, she focused on his mouth. She revelled in that moment of anticipation before she gave him the answer they both already knew.
‘Duh,’ she jeered.
She heard his little laugh, saw his movement—but she moved faster. In a heartbeat she’d pressed her lips to his.
And that was the only heartbeat in which she held the control.
His arms clamped around her and he hauled her closer. Then closer still—as if he couldn’t get near enough to her. As if he’d been aching for total touch the way she had. Breast to chest, stomach to abs, hips to hardness, and lips to lips. His mouth moved over hers in a caress that segued quickly into a claiming. Absolutely the way she’d wanted to be kissed. Bold and sensual and consuming.
She’d closed her eyes, but the brilliant light from the evening sky burned on her retinas. It was such a beautiful place. She’d eaten such divine food. She was being seduced by more than the man himself, right? It was the whole deal. And she’d indulge in it—take this one moment to escape.
Because she was under no illusions. It wasn’t that Jack had fallen for her or anything. Not after one afternoon. This was an escape for him too. Only she didn’t know from what.
All she knew was that he wanted her the way she wanted him.
Utterly. Now.
Her bones melted, her muscles warmed, inhibition fled as his passion spun its magic. She felt so wanted. So needed. She drowned in the sensations, her head falling back as she let him take her weight, wholly drawn into his embrace.
Thoughts, worries, words dissolved along with any last hesitation as she swooned, seeking the heat and strength of him. His hands pulled her closer still. One stroked from her waist up her spine, pressing her stomach to his hard abs, the other shaped the curve of her butt.