Dead Sexy. Kimberly Raye

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СКАЧАТЬ slow burn traveled inch by tantalizing inch, until her nipples throbbed and wetness flooded between her thighs, and all because he’d kissed her.

      Because she’d kissed him.

      Because they were still kissing.

      Beyond the buzz of desire and the chaos of the carnival, she heard the shocked “Why, I never.”

      Mumbled agreement echoed among the old women gathered nearby, followed by a “Disgraceful,” and a “Hmph, looks like the apple don’t fall too far from the tree.”

      The words registered and she stiffened. Tearing her lips away, she stumbled backward.

      Breathe, she told herself. Just breathe. “I…We…” She shook her head and tried to make some sense out of everything. “What just happened?”

      He eyed her, his gaze hot and bright as he stared down at her. “I kissed you.”

      “I know that. But why? I mean, I thought you wanted a taste of my candy.”

      “I never said that.”

      “You implied it.”

      His gaze darkened as it touched her mouth, and again she felt the overwhelming chemistry that pulsed between them. So hot and powerful that it was almost palpable. “I wanted a taste of you.” He licked his own lips. “I still do.”

       So do I.

      She fought down the shameless thought and focused on her outrage rather than the desire fogging her senses. Her spine went ramrod straight. “I don’t know who you are or what you’re trying to pull, but what you just did was way out of line, buddy.”

      “Is that so?” His eyebrow arched as if he knew she didn’t buy the outburst any more than he did.

      “You’re lucky I don’t call security and have them haul your butt away for accosting me.”

      “Accosting, huh? Sounds interesting.” He grinned and her heart kicked up a notch.

      “You can’t just walk around kissing strange women.”

      “I didn’t kiss a strange woman. I kissed a woman who kissed me back.”

      “I didn’t mean to…That is, you caught me off guard. I wasn’t thinking.”

      “No, you were following your instincts.” He winked. “It’s the basic law of attraction.”

      “I’m not attracted to you.”

      “Why not?”

      Good question. “Because…I’m just not. I don’t even know your name. And you don’t know mine. We—” she waved her hand back and forth between the two of them “—don’t even know each other.”

      “We could get to know each other.”

      “Are you asking me out?”

      “I’m asking you in, sugar. To my hotel room. I’m just passing through and I don’t have much time.” His grin faded. “I want you and you want me. We should do something about that.”

      “Well, I…I…” I never was right there on the tip of her tongue. But the last thing she wanted was to admit the sad truth out loud. She’d never had anyone make such a proposition.

      She’d never wanted one.

      Until now.

      She shook away the thought. “You’re arrogant. And presumptuous.”

      “And right.” He leaned in close, his lips grazing her ear. “You do want me.”

      “Says you.”

      “Says this.” He moved so quickly that she didn’t have time to blink, much less anticipate his touch. His fingertips grazed the side of her breast, and her nipple instantly pebbled. Her lips trembled and she swayed ever so slightly. “So let’s do something about it.”

      “Sex,” she blurted. “I…This is crazy.” She wasn’t doing it. She couldn’t. “I’m sorry if you got the wrong idea, but I don’t…I can’t…I mean, I won’t. I don’t do one-night stands.”

      He didn’t say a word. He just leaned back and stared down at her. Her nipples tingled in response. The pressure started deep, spreading, consuming, until it was all she could do not to lean forward and press herself shamelessly against him.

      Talk about a mixed message.

      He looked at her for several long seconds, as if he couldn’t quite believe she was turning him down. Oddly enough, there was nothing arrogant about his expression. Rather, he seemed genuinely surprised.

      Finally he shook his head and reached into his pocket. His warm fingers played at hers as he reached for her hand.

      “I’m at the Skull Creek Inn.” He pressed a cold piece of plastic into her palm. “If you change your mind.”

      But she wouldn’t, because Nikki Braxton didn’t jump into bed with a stranger, no matter how good-looking. She’d spent her entire life playing the good girl, holding back, convinced that by doing so she could guarantee a solid, lasting relationship.

       And how’s that working for you?

      The question haunted her for the next few hours as she gorged herself on funnel cakes, homemade fudge and a huge hunk of Miss Emma’s award-winning chocolate cake, and tried to forget the most incredible kiss of her life.

      But she couldn’t forget, she finally admitted as she climbed behind the wheel of her Ford Explorer. Any more than she could avoid the truth: despite her best efforts, she was no closer to her own happily ever after than her mother had been. Even more, she was sexually frustrated to the point that she’d melted at the booted feet of a virtual stranger. And she’d totally embarrassed herself in front of the ladies’ bingo squad.

      Her flawless reputation had died in a matter of seconds, and just like that she’d gone from good girl to a chip off the old block.

      Forget frustrated. She was desperate.

      And there was only one way to ease the anxiety eating up her common sense.

      She stared at the key card he’d pressed into her hand, and the implication rushed through her brain.

      Pleasure, pure and simple. Nothing less but nothing more.

      Her fingers closed around the plastic, and she had the sudden urge to chuck it into the nearest trash can.

      No man’s going to buy the cow if he can get the milk for free.

      But this wasn’t about making a purchase.

      This was strictly a barter. Sex for sex. Temporary.

      For the first time in Nikki’s life that didn’t seem like such a bad thing.

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