Melt

She found him fixing some shelving in one of the storerooms.

“You’re still working?” He’d been up through the night and all day? He had to be shattered.

He stretched and then dropped his arms and stared at her, his blue eyes looking more intense than ever. “Just finished.”

With a sudden movement, he pulled off his paint-splattered tee, revealing that muscled torso, the lightly tanned skin, and dusting of hair.

Speechless, Emma just stared. He was even more impressive half naked than she remembered him from that day they’d been kitted out. More impressive than any flesh-and-blood man ought to be.

“Not a lot more I can do until this glue is dry,” he said.

She nodded.

“You got any ideas of what I should do?” He took a step closer.

She shook her head.

“We could act out one of those scenes in those books you’re so fond of reading.”

That brought her voice back. “I knew you’d read it,” she accused, heat rushing to her cheeks.

He didn’t look remotely abashed. “It was irresistible.”

“Lots of things are irresistible for you, aren’t they?”

“The thrilling things, absolutely.” He took yet another step closer. “And I think one of those scenes with you could be very thrilling.”

Emma smiled. “Well we could, but it might be a bit too much of a challenge.”

Hunter looked affronted. “I’m up for any kind of challenge.”

“Yeah?” Emma took the last step forward to meet him, letting her hips sway in an exaggerated motion. “How good are you at shifting into panther form after you’ve done the deed?”

He blinked.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how you’re going to manage that,” she teased.

“Neither of us will be shifting anything,” he drawled back. “We’ll be too exhausted.”

“Oh, really?”

He nodded slowly. “You won’t even be able to lift a paintbrush.”

“Better not do it, then.” She lifted her shoulders. “Given the reason I’m here is to wield that paintbrush.”

“You’re such a chicken,” he taunted.

“Don’t start with the once-in-a-lifetime thing. The whole ‘it’ll be just for fun’ argument. I’m not going to sleep with you.” But she might manage a little something.

He didn’t miss a beat. “I didn’t say anything about sleeping.” He held up his hands, immediately surrendering, laughing at the instant-death look she gave him. “Yeah, that was lame.”

“It was.” But how could she resist—he looked so damn delicious when he laughed like that.

His amusement softened as he watched her as closely as she was him—as relentless…seeking out the signals, sending them. “Okay, so we’re not having sex.” His words whispered over her skin. “But what about another kiss?”

She couldn’t break the spell, couldn’t resist the temptation in his eyes.

“No harm in just a kiss, is there?” he murmured.

There’d been harm from that first already—there’d been sleepless nights and a merciless ache. “You’re such a guy,” she said, falling on her weakest argument. “Can’t think about anything else.”

“Yes, I am a guy and right now… Nope, can’t think of another thing. I’d prefer it if I could, but that’s why I’m trying to deal with it.”

“This is dealing with it?”

“No, this is preliminary negotiations.”

“I’m not negotiating.”

“I think I can get you to the table.”

Emma swallowed. “No to the table.” Despite the swallow, it still came out hoarse.

He chuckled. “You’re such a liar.”

“Am not.”

“You’re kidding yourself that you don’t feel this.”

“Of course I feel it. That doesn’t mean I’m going to act on it.”

“Not all the way, but why not another kiss? It might be really bad this time—we might bump noses or knock teeth. We might not feel anything.”

As if. She was feeling it already and this time the guy was half naked.

“If I kiss you, will you shut up and go away?” The fire was burning through her veins now. She wasn’t completely crazy—she had one night left. This might be her last chance to kiss him.

“There we are,” he whispered. “At the table already.”

“Will you shut up and go away?” she persisted.

“You shut up,” he breathed.

His hands were on her hips, drawing her closer. The laughter in his eyes made it impossible to resist. Oh, he was wicked.

“And you’re the one going away.” He threw the sucker punch.

“Tomorrow.” She tilted her head back so she could keep looking into his beautiful eyes.

“Which leaves one night.” He brought his mouth within a whisper of hers.

“One kiss.”

She closed her eyes as his lips softly skimmed hers. She opened to meet him—one, two soft brushes of lip to lip. But this was no kiss. This was enchantment. This was him hurtling her down a path from which she’d never return. Never want to return.

Different from easy lust, from an easy thrill—this was naked, endless passion.

Already, she couldn’t think. There was only the feel of him. She ran her hands from his shoulders down his arms. Strong arms, used to physical work. And then the hot, gloriously bare skin of his chest. Her fingertips sizzled as she explored the hard, fine strength of him.

She leaned forward, and he took her invitation. Tightening his arms, pulling her closer. He took a step, pinning her against the wall. The weight of him pressing into her was glorious.

Between kisses, she murmured, “This is you liberating me?”

“Hell yes.” He nipped down the side of her neck until she shivered. “Now be quiet.”

Being quiet wasn’t going to be easy. She wanted to moan. She wanted to call to him. But she was too breathless.

She got his attention back to her hungry mouth by pulling on his hair. Tugging hard.

His expression went wolfish. “Be careful what you ask for,” he growled.

“Just the kiss.”

He slid his hand to her breast, teasing her nipple with firm fingers. A low sound of amusement at the quiver in her voice. “Sure, just the kiss.”

She leaned forward and smothered his laughter with her lips. His clung and dominated in a second. Yes, he liked to lead a kiss.

But she was hungry. She sucked on his tongue as he explored her mouth. Primal need rippled powerfully within her. The drive to reach for release with him inside her became her only goal. She wanted his ultimate possession. She writhed against him, her instincts working to unleash his. To make it as necessary for him as it already was to her that they finish what had been started.

Any notion of stopping after just one kiss had long since left her.

She arched, pushing her hips toward his. In response, he pressed his whole length against her—moving with hard, forceful thrusts. She knew then that she’d get what she wanted, and she pulled back from the kiss and smiled at him.