Out of Character. Diana Miller

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">      Mark brushed a strand of silky hair from her face. “And miss hearing about my juvenile delinquent dog?”

      Her eyes widened. “You had a dog?”

      He’d hit the mark. But then, manipulating people was one of his specialties. “When I was a kid, and you may be happy you didn’t when you hear about Charlie.”

      Jillian’s ice blue eyes stared into his for a couple seconds. Then her gaze fell to the scarred wood floor. “I’ve got to be honest. I don’t do one-night stands, not even on vacation. I’m sorry.”

      “That’s not what I’m asking,” he said. “I’d like to talk to you some more, but someplace quieter.” He’d never forced himself on an unwilling woman in his life, although if he got her back to his place, he’d bet he could make her willing. If not—well, they’d talk some more.

      She met his eyes again as she chewed her bottom lip.

      “Call Kristen and tell her where you’ll be.” He stroked her cheek with his fingertips. “You can trust me, Jillian.”

      She hesitated then nodded. “But just for a little while.”

      * * * *

      As Jillian followed Mark’s car, snowflakes sparkled in her headlights, the streetlights, and the full moon, turning the world into a glittering snow globe. It was a beautiful night, too beautiful to be doing something so stupid.

      Why was she driving to a townhouse in the hills outside Keystone at night with a man she’d known for less than ten hours? So what if their conversations made her feel as if she’d known him for months. So what if he was the most attractive, interesting, intelligent, and considerate man she’d met since Andy. So what if she somehow sensed she could trust him, and he’d made her call Kristen, further evidence he wasn’t planning anything criminal.

      She didn’t do things like this. Once again, she’d let Mark convince her to act out of character. This was it, though. She’d have one drink and leave. If Mark tried anything, she’d use some of those self-defense moves that worked so well on ER drunks or maybe the mace she kept in the front pocket of her purse.

      Jillian drove up the driveway of a modern wood and stone townhouse and pulled into the attached double garage beside Mark’s car. He’d suggested she park inside so she wouldn’t have to clean the snow off her car when she left, and she’d agreed since that would help her make a quick get-away, if necessary. She grabbed her purse, mace and cell phone in the front pocket, and got out of the car. After Mark showed her the button to open the garage door, and she’d tested it, she followed him into the house.

      His warm, firm lips met hers. He’d promised they’d just talk. His mint espresso kiss felt so good Jillian ordered her brain to shut up, rested her hands on his shoulders, and kissed him back.

      Mark pulled her against him. His tongue probed her lips, eased them open, and explored her mouth. Heat swirled through her.

      He released her and flipped on the light. “I’ve wanted to do that all night.” He stroked her throbbing lips. “I think those could be addicting.”

      Heart pounding and breathing as unsteady as her knees, Jillian leaned against the wall.

      “Can I hang up your coat?” he asked.

      Jillian removed her ski jacket, grateful for something to occupy her while she tried to regain her composure. “Thanks, but I’ll keep it. I’m not staying long.” She hugged the jacket to her like a combination security blanket and chastity belt as she followed Mark to the living room, a large room with plank walls, cinnamon-colored carpet, and perfectly coordinated furniture.

      “Sit down and I’ll light the fire.” Mark dropped his sport coat onto an oatmeal tweed chair opposite the matching sofa and strode to the stone and mortar fireplace. Squatting, he touched a match to the logs in the grate. The wood smoked then caught. “I’ll get the wine.”

      Jillian crowded against one arm of the sofa, her ski jacket and purse beside her. Flames crackled in the otherwise dark room as Mark uncorked and poured in the background. She needed to relax. Then she needed to drink her wine and get out of here.

      Mark returned with two wineglasses and handed her one. He shoved her purse and jacket out of the way and sat beside her, his arm draped along the back of the sofa above her shoulders.

      Jillian resisted the urge to move to the chair, where she should have sat in the first place. She took a deep breath of wood smoke tinged air, followed by a sip of a chardonnay way out of her normal price range. “This is excellent.”

      “It’s one of my favorites.”

      As they sat silently enjoying the wine and fire, Mark fingered her loose hair. Liquid heat pooled in her pelvis. The room seemed much too warm, but that had to be the fire. Or maybe because it had been too long since she’d been this close to a man.

      All the more reason she should leave. Now. She drained her wineglass and set it on the coffee table. “I should go.”

      Mark kissed her. Jillian tensed, but couldn’t resist the allure of his wonderful lips as they caressed hers. Only a few minutes longer and she’d leave.

      Then Mark changed the rules—and the kiss. He pressed her back into the cushions, his mouth devouring hers. He fondled her breast through her sweater dress and thin lace bra. Jillian’s nipples tightened, her breath caught, her skin tingled. Pleasure shut down her brain—until his fingers touched her bare stomach under her dress.

      She grabbed his hand, stilling it. “I can’t. I just met you.”

      “Do you want me to stop? Tell me to stop any time and I will. I promise.”

      She needed to say no. But his hand felt so good against her skin. “Don’t stop.”

      He kissed her again, his lips fanning a fire hotter than the one crackling in the fireplace. Her skin burned wherever he touched it. She helped him raise her sweater dress over her head and pull it off, her clothing too hot and confining.

      He unhooked and removed her bra then looked at her. “You’re so damn beautiful.” His lips closed over a nipple and sucked it deep into his mouth. Electricity shot from her breast down between her legs, and her sex throbbed. She arched into him.

      It still wasn’t enough. She needed to feel his skin against hers, needed his hands touching her everywhere, needed her hands on him. She started unbuttoning his shirt.

      He removed her hands and yanked the shirt, still buttoned, over his head, then sat up and moved her to straddle his lap.

      As he kissed her, she rubbed her bare breasts against his torso, his pronounced muscles and crisp chest hair impossibly erotic against her nipples. She rocked against him. Even through his jeans and her tights his erection felt like hot iron.

      “I want you so much.” He groaned the words, echoing how she felt.

      She was drowning in waves of heat and desire. Being with him like this felt so good, so right. Except it wasn’t. “I never do this so soon. Never.”

      “I know.” Mark raised his head, his features and voice tight. “Do you want to stop?”

      Certain СКАЧАТЬ