One Night With The Texan. Lauren Canan

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СКАЧАТЬ want to open her eyes for fear it might break the spell.

Two

      The world around them disappeared. Tallie knew only the warmth and taste of this stranger’s lips and tongue and the incredible way he made her feel. His scent was pure male. His actions screamed experience. Lots of it. And she never wanted this to end. There was something in his voice, in his body language, that drew her to him. Maybe it was a rush of pheromones? Whatever the cause, it was definitely past time to take some risks in her admittedly sheltered life. This man looked like he’d seen both the worst life had to offer and the best. What tremendous hardships had he weathered? No home. Old clothes that didn’t fit. Every time she’d seen him over the course of the evening he’d been alone. She didn’t want him to be alone.

      Slowly their lips parted and his strong arms surrounded her, holding her close.

      “The music stopped,” he said, his voice deep and raspy. “I could use some fresh air. How about you?”

      When she nodded her agreement he took her by the hand and headed for the door. Outside he continued to lead her down the worn sidewalk, where they were surrounded by revelers who didn’t seem to have a care in the world.

      Tallie hated for the evening to end. This was one night she would never forget. “Thanks for dancing with me. I love to dance and don’t get to do it very often.”

      “It was my pleasure. Let me walk you back to your hotel.”

      “Thank you. It’s this way.” She pointed then frowned. “Oh. No, it’s that way.” She looked back at him and detected humor in his eyes. “I can’t remember how I got here. But I’ll figure it out. You don’t have to stay out here because of me.”

      “What’s the name of your hotel?”

      Surely she could remember. But she finally had to admit she didn’t have a clue. “It’s something in French.” She absently chewed her bottom lip, shook her head and once again looked around where they stood.

      “How about coming to my place? We can have a bite to eat, make some tea and I’m sure your memory will come back.”

      The delicious drinks were clouding her mind. Even outside in the evening air, her head was still spinning.

      “You know you really are a very nice man.”

      “Don’t think I’m too nice,” he said, taking her hand and leading her down the darkened street. “Not when I have a beautiful woman in my arms.”

      Since she had never been considered beautiful in her life, his words struck her as funny. Tallie couldn’t stop the giggle from leaving her throat.

      She felt light on her feet, as though she was floating on air. Then she realized that he’d picked her up and was carrying her in his arms. After that, everything was a blur. A bell dinged and doors opened in front of them. She rested her head on his shoulder thinking what an incredible night it had been.

      She caught a glimpse of his face through the darkening shadows. So very male. The deep indentions on both sides of his mouth seemed to make him that much more delicious. But it was those golden eyes that consumed her.

      She had a vague realization that they were in a private apartment, although there was no light in the room. He set her on her feet.

      “I’ll put that tea on,” he said and stepped back from her.

      Tallie stepped forward, her hands running down the front of his shirt. Standing on her tiptoes, she placed her lips on his. The passion between them surged.

      He pulled back. “Be very careful of what you ask for, darlin’. You’re playing with fire and you’re likely to get burned. I don’t do relationships.”

      “What do you do?” Tallie was acting out of character, but it felt good. For the first time in her life she was actually flirting with a man.

      “I think I’d better make the tea.”

      “Do you really want tea?”

      He stared at her in silence. She had her answer and suddenly she felt foolish. She could feel the blush crawl up her neck and cover her face. “I’m not looking for a relationship, either,” she said, turning away and picking up her purse. “And I know when I’m not wanted. Thanks again for the dance. Good night.”

      Tallie walked toward the door.

      Before she could open it he was in front of her, ensuring the door remained closed.

      “Where are you going?”

      “Back to my hotel. I’m just having a little trouble remembering where it is.” The humiliation burned inside like acid, acting as anti-venom for the passion she’d felt only moments ago. It stopped her from doing anything else stupid but couldn’t reverse the damage already done. She should never have accepted his offer to dance. “I’ll get a taxi.”

      “And tell them to go where?”

      He took her purse from her hand and tossed it behind them on the sofa. Then he picked her up again and carried her to a bedroom, setting her down gently next to the bed. His lips found hers again in a smoldering kiss. She was dimly aware he was unbuttoning her blouse. She sensed coolness against her back and a freedom from any restrictions and hazily realized he had removed her blouse and her bra. She ran her arms across the cool, silken sheets. The scent of incense hung heavy in the air around them. With one fluid movement his jacket and T-shirt hit the floor and she heard the zipper on his jeans.

      His body was magnificent and Tallie knew they were about to cross a line, one that seemed to be growing blurrier by the second. If she didn’t say no immediately, he was going to make love to her.

      As if sensing her apprehension, he raised his head, watching her through the dim glow of the subdued lighting, his eyes almost black with desire.

      Her gaze moved over his face, finally coming to rest on his mouth.

      “Are...are you married?” she whispered, running one finger across his bottom lip.

      “No.” He lightly bit the tip of her finger before sucking it gently into his mouth and then releasing it. A shot of pure heat speared through her. “I’m going to make love to you. But I need to know you’re okay with this.”

      “Yes,” she said. More than he might ever know. Any other time her timidity would step in and she wouldn’t think of admitting such a thing. She wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol she’d consumed or the man.

      “I was hoping you would say that.”

      Bracing his weight on both his arms and one knee, he hovered over her, kissing her cheek and trailing his teeth across her jawline, causing a surge of heat to flood her lower regions.

      Oh, yes. She was very sure she wanted this. To hell with caution and rational thinking. She reached out to touch his face and felt the coarse five-o’clock shadow. In his arms she ached, overwhelmed with the feeling she was incomplete, needing him to make her whole. He kissed the palm of her hand then proceeded to suckle her fingers one finger at a time. His heavy body settled over hers. She felt his erection, hard and unyielding against СКАЧАТЬ