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When he lifted his mouth from hers for a quick breath, she scrambled onto his lap. Seth caught one glimpse of her face, cheeks flushed, eyes dreamy. Body surging, he repositioned her so that she straddled him. The tight clasp of her thighs drove him wild.
As the kiss became hungrier, he heard a low moan that had to have come from her throat. The sound ratcheted up his arousal. His evening beard must be scratching her skin, but if so she couldn’t mind too much.
She squirmed on him and his hips rocked involuntarily. He slid a hand beneath the hem of her shirt and stroked her back, finding the sharp edges of her shoulder blades, the delicate string of vertebrae. He squeezed her waist, wanting to get his hand between them but unwilling to give up the pleasure of feeling the soft pressure of her breasts against his chest.
Damn, he wished she wasn’t wearing pants. He kneaded her butt, nipped her lower lip. Desperation drove him to tear his mouth from hers.
“Robin, let me—”
Her stare held no comprehension.
“I want you.”
“Yes,” she whispered, and rocked forward and back until he was in acute pain.
A harsh groan escaped him. “No, we need to—”
What? Have sex right here on the sofa? With him distracted, they’d be vulnerable if someone shattered glass again and entered the house fast. He realized he’d quit paying attention to sounds from outside.
At least upstairs he’d have a warning.
“My bedroom,” he said.
Her lashes fluttered. Was that uncertainty he saw on her face? Having to ask that question forced him to recall his own reservations. He made himself lift her off his thighs and set her beside him on the couch.
“Robin,” he said again, gruffly. “I told myself I wouldn’t put you in this position.”
“This...position?”
Seth swore and lifted a shaky hand to scrub over his face. “You’re depending on me to keep you safe. If you have any mixed feelings...”
Her spine stiffened and her chin jutted. “You think I’d go to bed with you if I really had reservations?”
Her tone told him he’d insulted her without intending to.
“That’s not—”
“It is.” Anger and hurt blazed in her eyes. “I asked you to kiss me.”
He glared at her.
Robin jumped up.
Seth stood, too, and reached for one of her hands. “I just didn’t want you to feel compromised.”
There was surprise on her face, but hurt was still there, too.
“What I said is about me. Cops have to be extra careful. I thought you were under enough pressure. That...what I feel for you could wait.” He grimaced. “Except, once I kiss you, I forget about doing the right thing.”
Shoulders still stiff, she said, “I’m an adult, Seth. I don’t know what will happen with Richard. Tonight feels like we’re in the eye of the hurricane. Everything is still swirling around, but here, now, we’re safe. I’m attracted to you. This...feels new to me. I was afraid I’d lose my chance if I let the moment pass by.”
“I’m sorry.” He leaned forward to rest his forehead on hers.
“Let’s not look for excuses,” she said softly, nuzzling him. “Maybe this isn’t the right time.”
He jerked his head up. “Don’t say that. I was trying to be...scrupulous. But the truth is I’ve been aching for you, Robin.”
She took long enough to search his face that he was afraid she would back off. A nerve jerked in his cheek. Yeah, he wanted her desperately, but he didn’t know why he felt so much was riding on her decision now. There’d be a later.
But a tight, uncomfortable knot in his chest made him remember what happened to his father today. Half an inch to the right, and the shot that grazed Dad’s head would have killed him. The bullet hole above the staircase told him how easily Robin might have been wounded if not killed, too. He could have lost either or both today.
I was afraid I’d lose my chance if I let the moment pass by.
She was right. Tomorrow, anything could happen. He needed tonight.
* * *
THERE REALLY WASN’T any decision at all. Robin understood why Seth had worried that she might feel pressured. It was right for a man with his sense of integrity. She’d gotten mad, but really he’d been trying to protect her. Again.
