Kisses at Sunset

‘Dr Nicholson has got to go now, darling, so finish the game quickly.’

Sean watched her, one eyebrow lifting, and she felt thoroughly flustered. What was he thinking?

Suddenly he gave a soft smile. ‘I’m not in a hurry.’

Damn the man! His dark eyes teased her gently and she swallowed hard. He knew she wanted him to go but he wasn’t going to take the hint.

‘Can’t he stay to supper?’ Charlie bounced onto the sofa next to her mother and crossed her legs. ‘I could dress up again and scare you.’

‘No, thanks, you might give me nightmares.’ A wicked glint appeared in his eyes as they met Ally’s. ‘And I’m having enough trouble sleeping as it is.’

Ally coloured and got up quickly to hide her embarrassment. No way was this man staying to supper. She’d choke!

‘How was Kelly?’ He rose in one fluid movement and suddenly he was standing right next to her, tall, well muscled and very, very male.

‘Fine. Much better.’ Why wouldn’t he stop looking at her? It made her feel peculiar…

‘Can’t Sean stay to supper, Mum?’ Charlie wheedled, and Ally gave Sean a threatening look.

‘You’re much too busy this evening, aren’t you, Sean?’

‘Me?’ He raised his eyebrows and smiled innocently. ‘Not unless my bleeper goes off. I’d love to stay to supper.’

‘Yippee!’ Charlie leapt off the sofa and charged into her bedroom, leaving Ally grinding her teeth in frustration.

Sean gave a low laugh and dropped onto the sofa. ‘It was kind of you to invite me.’

Damn the man! Ally took a deep breath and struggled with her temper. ‘I did not invite you! I don’t want you to stay to supper and you know it!’

‘Why?’ The sharp question and the look in his eyes made her heart stumble.

‘Because I’ve already told you I don’t want you getting close to Charlie.’

He raised an eyebrow and stretched out those long legs. ‘Close to Charlie or close to you?’

‘Neither.’ She stared at him fiercely, her chest rising and falling as she breathed. ‘Please, Sean…’

He rose suddenly, catching her arm in a firm grip when she would have backed away.

‘Oh, no, you don’t. Not until we’ve talked about this.’ His fingers bit into her forearm as he pulled her back towards him. ‘Are you still trying to say there’s no chemistry between us?’

There was a long silence as they stared at each other and then she sagged slightly.

‘No.’ She stood still, her breathing irregular. ‘No, I’m not saying that.’

His expression softened slightly and he brushed her cheek with gentle fingers. ‘Then why won’t you just let things take their course?’

‘Because it isn’t worth the pain you’ll cause Charlie and me,’ she said bleakly, trying without success to pull away from him. ‘It just isn’t worth it.’

He stared down at her for a long moment, a muscle working in his jaw, and then his head came down and his mouth captured hers, his kiss hot and demanding.

She gave a gasp of shock and tried to pull away, but long, strong fingers clamped the back of her head, preventing her escape, while his other arm slid down her back and pulled her firmly against him.

It was a kiss like no other she’d ever received—fiery, erotic, gentle and demanding all at the same time—and soon she forgot that she’d ever wanted to escape. All she wanted was more. His touch was totally addictive and, instead of pulling away, she leaned against him, feeling the hard muscle of his thighs pressing against her, wanting to feel every male inch of him against her.

The hand behind her head tightened and he made love to her mouth with a skill and expertise that left every feminine nerve ending in her body crying out for more.

Tentatively her hand travelled up to his neck touching the surprisingly soft hair at the back of his head, her heart pounding as his tongue danced with hers, dominating but at the same time gentle, encouraging her more timid response.