Only Pleasure (Bound Hearts 10)

She could feel the stroke of his gaze on her, and felt heated, warmed, even as the cold air swirled around them.

"Are you alone?" she whispered. He moved, his arm coming around her back, pulling her against the heat of his body.

"Just us. " He lowered his head, his lips almost touching hers. "Come out with me. We'll see the lights. "

Kia felt hope, warmth, life. She stared back at him and let a smile curl her lips as her fingers clenched on his biceps.

"I would love to see the lights with you, Chase. "

He stole a kiss. She was certain he meant for it to be only a quick one, but he lingered, stroked her lips with his and she felt her heart race as he pulled back reluctantly.

"Come on. " He led her to the passenger side door, opened it, and helped her into his sporty BMW.

She watched as he moved around the car and got in beside her before moving into the traffic and the snow that was coming down heavier.

Aerosmith was playing from the CD, but it wasn't loud. The blend of music, the swish of the wipers, and the warmth of Chase beside her lulled her into a vortex of spiraling desire and comforting warmth.

"Are you too warm?" he asked her as she unclasped her cloak and pushed it back on her shoulders.

It was warm, but she didn't think it was the heat spilling from the vents that created the heat.

"I'm fine. " She shook her head. "Why are you here tonight?"

His fingers tapped against the steering wheel as he negotiated the traffic.

"I've missed you," he finally stated.

Kia stared at him suspiciously. "I see. "

"Do you?" His tone was classic male mockery. "I'm glad one of us sees what the hell is going on here. "

"What is going on?"

"I'm dying for you," he said. "It doesn't just go away, Kia. It never has. "

She looked down at her hands, smoothing her thumb over the nail of her index finger rather than letting him see the hope rising inside her.

"No, it doesn't go away," she finally murmured. "You know, I was completely fascinated with you before I married Drew. "

He lifted his head to stare back at her in shock.

"It was one of the reasons I was so furious to learn that even though he was bastard enough to try to sneak another into our bed, I was hurt when I learned you had turned him down. "

He grimaced. "Being your third wouldn't have been enough," he finally growled. "I knew it then. I've always known it. "

"But it's enough now?" she asked him.

"I'm not the third in this, Kia, and Khalid knows it. I was your main lover. He took his cues from me, not the other way around. "

"Ah, so there are rules even to that?" she asked, almost shaking her head at the thought.

"Rules make things simpler," he said, his voice a bit distant now. "It keeps emotions from running the show. "

Kia nodded at that. "Yes, things do get rather messy when emotions get involved. "

She could testify to that one.

Silently as they moved through town, the lights decorating the buildings and homes twinkled and flashed in merry chaos.