Hot Docs On Call: His Christmas Wish. Susan Carlisle

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СКАЧАТЬ crossed her arms. “Fine. Go home.”

      “See if you care?”

      Her brows made a V. “What?”

      “I was finishing your rant for you.”

      “Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. “Go home, Lance. Have your shower. Cold. Hot. Lukewarm. Whatever.”

      Despite his earlier thoughts, he couldn’t hold in his laughter at her indignation. “I intend to, but not before I kiss you good-night.”

      “Okay.”

      Okay? He smiled at her response, at the fact that she closed her eyes and waited for his mouth to cover hers, though her arms were still defensively crossed.

      She was amazingly beautiful with her hat pulled down over her ears and her scarf around her neck. The temperature was only in the upper fifties, so it wasn’t that cold. Just cold enough to need an outside layer.

      And to cause a shiver to run down Lance’s spine.

      It had probably been the cold and not the anticipation of kissing McKenzie that had caused his body to quiver.

      Maybe.

      “Well?” She peeped at him through one eye. “Sun’s going to be coming up if you don’t get a move on. Time’s a-wasting.”

      She closed her eye again and waited.

      Smiling, he leaned down, saw her chin tilt toward him in anticipation, but rather than cover her lips he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

      Her eyes popped open and met his, but she didn’t say anything.

      Her lips parted in invitation, but he still didn’t take them. He kissed the corner of each eye, her cheekbones, the exposed section of her neck just above her scarf. He kissed the corners of her mouth.

      She moaned, placed her gloved hands on his cheeks and stared up at him. She didn’t speak, though, just stood on tiptoe while pulling him toward her, taking what she wanted.

      Him.

      She covered his mouth with hers and the porch shifted beneath Lance’s feet. They threatened to kick up and take off on a happy flight.

      Unlike their previous kisses, where he’d initiated the contact, this time it was her mouth taking the lead. Her lips demanding more. Her hands pulling him closer and closer. Her body pressing up against his.

      Her wanting more, expressing that want through her body and actions.

      Lance moaned. Or growled. Or made some type of strange noise deep in his throat.

      Whatever the sound was, McKenzie pulled back and giggled. “What was that?”

      “A mating call?”

      “That was supposed to make me want to rip off your clothes and mate?”

      His lips twitched. “You’re telling me it didn’t?”

      Smiling, she shook her head. “Better go home and practice that one, big boy.”

      “Guess I’d better.” He rubbed his thumb across her cheek. “Thank you for tonight, McKenzie.”

      “You paid for dinner and dessert. Everything was delicious. I’m the one who should be thanking you, again.”

      “You were delicious.”

      She laughed. “Must have been leftover frozen yogurt.”

      He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

      She met his gaze and her smile faded a little. “Tell me this isn’t a bad idea.”

      “‘This’?”

      She gnawed on her lower lip. “I don’t do long-term relationships, Lance. You know that. We’ve talked about that. This isn’t going to end with lots of feel-good moments.”

      “I do know that and am fine with it. I’m not looking for marriage either, McKenzie. Far from it.”

      “Then we both understand that this isn’t going anywhere between us. Not anywhere permanent or long lasting.”

      “We’re clear.” Lance wasn’t such a fool that he didn’t recognize that he’d only kissed her and yet he wanted McKenzie more than he recalled wanting any woman, ever.

      Even Shelby.

      Then again, he’d been a kid when he and Shelby had been together, barely a man. Old enough to enter into adulthood with her only to lose her before either of them had experienced the real world. Typically, when he dated, Shelby didn’t play on his mind so much. Typically, when he dated, he didn’t feel as involved as he already felt with McKenzie.

      “I’ll see you in the morning?” she asked, staring up at him curiously.

      “Without a doubt.”

      Her smile returned. “I’m glad.”

      With that, she planted one last, quick kiss on his mouth then went into her house, leaving him on her front porch staring at her closed front door and wondering what the hell he was getting himself into and if he should run while he still could.

      McKenzie ran as fast as she could, but her feet weren’t cooperating. Each time she tried to lift her running shoe–clad foot, it was as if it weighed a ton and she didn’t have the strength to do more than lean in the direction she wanted to go. She stared off into the distance. Nothing. There was nothing there. Just gray-black nothingness.

      Yet, desperately, she attempted to move her feet in that direction.

      Fear pumped her blood through her body.

      She had to run.

      Had to.

      Yet, try as she might, nothing was happening.

      Run, McKenzie, run before…

      Before what?

      She wasn’t sure. There was nothing to run to. Was she running from something?

      She turned, was shocked to see Lance standing behind her.

      Again, she tried to move her feet, but nothing happened. Desperation pumped through her. She had to get away from him. Fast.

      She glanced down at her running shoes and frowned. Gone were her running shoes and in their place were concrete blocks where her shoes and feet should be.

      What was going on?

      She glanced over her shoulder and saw that Lance was casually strolling toward her. He was taking his time, not in any rush, not even breaking a sweat, but he was steadily closing СКАЧАТЬ