The Complete Red-Hot Collection. Kelly Hunter

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СКАЧАТЬ his shirt buttons, slipped through their holes as Scott breathed out a long, slow prayer of a breath. Then she eased his cufflinks out.

      They looked expensive, so she glanced towards her dressing table, thinking to put them somewhere safe—but Scott stopped her before she could step away.

      ‘Don’t leave,’ he said.

      ‘But I only—’

      He took the cufflinks from her and tossed them over his shoulder as though they were no more valuable than her hairpins. He didn’t even blink as they hit the wall.

      Kate slid the shirt from his body, stopped to kiss him again, her breasts against his chest, almost moaning at how wonderful that felt.

      Next, she undid his pants. Eased them down. Knelt at his feet, unbuckled his shoes. She paused, rose on her knees. Perfect position for taking him in her mouth. She wanted to do that so badly.

      But Scott, reading her mind, drew her up. ‘Not tonight,’ he said.

      A minute later his shoes were off, his pants and underwear kicked away, and she was back in his arms, being held against him, while his hands smoothed down her back, over and over, as he breathed her in, his mouth against her hair. ‘Kate…’ he said. ‘Kate.’

      But Kate didn’t think he even knew he was saying her name. He seemed to be in a kind of trance.

      So she let him lead her to the bed, let him pull the covers back, draw her gently down beside him. He kissed her again, so softly. And then he eased slowly back, taking Kate with him. Wrapped her in his arms. Kissed her eyelids, her mouth, her neck, nuzzled into her hair.

      She simply held him, opening to him in any way he wanted. Even the simple act of sliding a condom onto him, his hands lightly covering hers while she did it, seemed like a sensual discovery.

      And when at last he positioned her beneath him and slid inside her welcoming heat, it was as though his body sighed and relaxed and just…was. For the longest moment he stayed still, taking her face between his hands, laying his mouth on hers, kissing her with an intensity that pierced through to her burning heart.

      Tears started to Kate’s eyes and she didn’t even know why. She closed her eyes, knowing it would change things if he saw her cry. And she wouldn’t have changed this slow, sweet loving for anything.

      She knew what was happening, and she wanted it. She was giving herself to him: I’m here, yours.

      His. For tonight she was his. And Scott was hers. Hers alone. For tonight.

      And when he spilled himself inside her, with a gasping, luscious groan into the mouth he was kissing so deeply, Kate held him tight, so tightly against her, and wrapped her legs around him, let herself join him in her own flowering release.

      ‘Thank you,’ he whispered into her ear.

      For what? she wanted to ask, but she dared not break the spell by seeking answers he wouldn’t give.

      And in any case Scott was holding her close, kissing the top of her head, stroking her back. And it really was enough.

      So beautiful… Soothing… Lovely…

       Ahhhh…

      When Kate woke early the next morning she turned, smiling, to face Scott—only to find his side of the bed empty.

      A quick walk through the apartment showed that all he’d left behind was a note, on the kitchen bench.

       Saturday night?

       S

      Two words. One question mark. One initial.

      Which brought home to Kate that last night had been just…well, just last night.

      He hadn’t stayed until morning, the way she’d thought he might. She wouldn’t see him tonight, the way she’d hoped. And their relationship hadn’t metamorphosed into anything other than what it was: contractual sex.

      Which brought her to Saturday night. Yes or no?

      She sighed as she looked at the calendar on her fridge. Today was Friday the thirteenth—hopefully that wasn’t an omen!—and Saturday, tomorrow, was…

      Oh.

       Ohhhhh.

      Saturday. The fourteenth of February.

      Not that the momentousness of that date would have entered Scott’s head. He wasn’t a Valentine’s Day kind of guy.

      And in this instance it was a moot point. Because her sister Shay, and Shay’s partner Rick—who were Valentine’s Day kind of people—were leaving their two gorgeous daughters with Kate while they went out for a romantic dinner.

      So she should just get straight on the phone and tell Scott she was busy on Saturday. No need to embarrass herself by mentioning Valentine’s Day. She didn’t want him to think she was angling for something other than sex. Something like… Well, something Valentine-ish.

      Even if she had a lump in her throat about the whole stupid day.

      A lump so big it was physically impossible to get a word out of her clogged-up throat. Which made a phone call impossible.

      Okay, she would email.

      Got your note, Scott.

      I’m babysitting my nieces, Maeve and Molly, on Saturday night. I’m free Sunday if that suits?

      Kate

      There. Cool, businesslike. Contract-worthy.

      Three hours later, back came a two-word response: No problem.

      And Kate released a big, sighing breath.

      Right.

      Good.

      Good…right?

      Because Valentine’s Day actually sucked. If Kate had a dollar for every now-divorced couple who’d managed either their proposal or their actual wedding on February the fourteenth, she’d be retired already! Valentine’s Day was all about spending too much on wilted roses and eating overpriced restaurant dinners.

      Stupid.

      The worst possible day for scheduling a date with a sex-only partner.

      Valentine’s Day? As if!

      Kate went to her kitchen, looked again at the calendar stuck on her fridge.

      Yep, there it was. February the fourteenth. With a nice big red heart on it, courtesy of whoever printed stupid refrigerator calendars. A big red heart. A love heart.

      And, to her absolute horror, Kate’s eyes filled with tears.

      Kate had a hectic day of meetings, followed by a catch-up with the girls for drinks after СКАЧАТЬ