Forbidden Heat

As the line of people began to move, J. M. waited for her to move in front of him, then followed her toward the front of the aircraft.

Maybe she should look at this as a golden opportunity. She could have a one-night stand—something she’d never done before—with a sensational guy. And she didn’t have to worry about the repercussions, like the awkwardness the following morning when they promised to call each other knowing full well they never would, or the potential embarrassment of running into each other again after breaking that promise.

Of course, he was a great guy and maybe she would want to see him again . . . but that point was moot since the likelihood they lived anywhere near each other was remote. Just because they flew out of the same airport didn’t mean anything. She lived nearly fifty miles from the airport and he might live fifty miles in the opposite direction.

“Good night.” The airline hostess nodded as Kara stepped past her. “I hope you enjoyed the flight,” she said as J. M. passed her.

The more Kara thought about it, the more she realized she did not want to let this chance slip away.

They walked through the long tunnel leading from the plane to the gate, then stepped into the bustle of the terminal. The flow of people headed toward an airline representative who was waving them toward a counter along the side. A long line was forming.

J. M. slowed, then rested his hand on her arm and guided her out of the flow of traffic.

“Hold on a second,” he said.

She nodded as she watched him pull out his cell phone, flip it open, and flick the keypad. A moment later, he turned away while he talked to someone, then he flipped the phone closed.

“I don’t really want to get caught up in that,” he said, nodding his head toward the horde of people heading to the airline desk to retrieve their hotel voucher, “so I just reserved a room at Angel’s Inn, a s

mall hotel just a few miles from the airport.”

Kara knew that with so many people arriving all at once at the hotels where the airlines would be placing people, it would probably be hours before they got a room. There would be lines to get the vouchers, then for the shuttles to the hotels, then to register for their rooms, etc.

Oh, damn. Was this goodbye?

She remembered the warmth of J. M.’s hand on her back, and the calm that had resonated from his touch. She had no doubt the heat of his touch could elicit far more than a calming response. An electric zing spiked through her at the thought of his arms encircling her, drawing her close to his body, of those full lips capturing hers in a smoldering kiss.

She was sure he was as interested as she was, but . . . she hadn’t given him any hints. With her luck, he’d walk out of her life any second, if she didn’t do something. Now.

She stepped toward him and, before she could change her mind, settled her hands on his shoulders, pushed herself upon her toes, and pressed her lips to that sensuous mouth of his. An electric tingle shimmered through her and her hormones danced in delight. Their mouths parted and she stared at him, allowing the heat she felt to shine in her eyes.

At the sight of his brown eyes, dark with desire, her breath caught. Oh, God, she wanted to feel this man’s arms around her. To feel his lips plundering hers. To touch that magnificent body of his.

His arms slid around her and he pulled her against him, his mouth finding hers again. His lips moved on hers and she glided her arms around his shoulders. She’d been right about the muscles under his shirt. She felt the solid contours of his arms embracing her and her breasts pressed against a hard, sculpted chest. His tongue brushed against her lips and she parted them. As he swept his tongue inside her mouth and stroked, she melted against him.

He released her lips and brushed the hair over her temple. She could feel his warm breath against her ear. “I was going to invite you to share my room. Does this mean yes?”

Butterflies danced inside her stomach. She could still back out. A kiss wasn’t a commitment to all-out sex.

Ah, damn, Kara, don’t second-guess everything.

Why shouldn’t she allow herself to experience what could only be a magnificent adventure? Sure, she’d never had a one-night stand before, but hadn’t she been the one saying that people could enjoy sex without guilt? So why couldn’t she enjoy a sexual adventure with a man she’d just met? They’d talked, gotten to know one another. This mutual attraction between them was downright sizzling.

He kissed her again, his lips moving on hers in a sinfully sexy caress.

“What do you say, Kara?”

She simply nodded, unable to find her voice.

He smiled, then took her elbow and led her into the cold, snowy night. Somehow, he flagged down a cab within minutes and they were on their way to the Angel’s Inn.

Kara stepped into the room as J. M. held the door for her. Her eyes widened at the large, luxurious suite.

“Pretty fancy,” she said.

He followed her into the room and closed the door. She kicked off her boots, then slid her coat from her shoulders. He took it and hung it in the closet.

“I thought you might prefer to have a little space.” He hung his own coat beside hers.