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At the end of the evening, her heart sank when Mark invited Caroline to join them all at his house for coffee before Greg took her home. She’d been hoping to be able to escape.
Mark was quiet and thoughtful on the short drive home and once in the house Holly busied herself in the kitchen, making coffee for everyone.
Taking the tray through to the lounge, she heard laughter upstairs and realised that they must be giving Caroline a tour so she unlocked the French doors and stepped out onto the deck for a breath of air.
‘Is something wrong?’
The sound of Mark’s deep voice made her stiffen. She hadn’t realised that he’d left the others.
‘No. Just thinking.’ She stared into the darkness, avoiding his gaze, but he turned her to face him, his long fingers biting into her shoulders.
‘What about? Tell me, Holl.’
His voice sounded urgent, almost desperate, and for a wild moment she was tempted to tell him the truth, but common sense intervened. He didn’t want the truth. He’d be horrified if he found out how she really felt about him.
‘You must be very pleased about Caroline,’ she said, her voice sounding falsely bright even to her ears. ‘Your plan worked.’
His jaw tightened. ‘It seems that way.’
Holly frowned at him, bemused. He certainly didn’t look too happy about it.
‘So...’ She made a huge effort and managed a smile. ‘I suppose we’d better start planning our “break-up” soon.’
For a moment he didn’t respond and then with a muttered oath he reached for her and jerked her against his body, his strong arms locking her against him and his mouth capturing hers in a head-spinning kiss.
Once again his kiss swamped her senses, quenching common sense and stifling rational thought. Although it was only a matter of days since they’d last kissed, his mouth ravaged hers as if they’d been denied contact for months. And this kiss was different. Different from all the others. This time he touched her with more than j
ust his mouth.
His hands slid to her hips and he pulled her hard against his maleness, leaving her in no doubt about the effect she had on him. His hands blatantly traced the contours of her body and before she could anticipate his movements her blouse was undone and the cool night air lapped at her bare skin.
‘Mark!’ She gasped against his mouth and he took instant advantage, his tongue probing deeply, mimicking a more intimate act that he had undoubtedly performed many times but which she had never experienced. Because it had never felt right. Until now. Now the mere hint of what was possible between them made her knees weaken.
Without releasing her mouth, one hand slid higher and she gave a start of shock as she felt the rough scrape of his fingers against her breast, touching her intimately for the first time.
A sharp stab of desire tore through her and she wound her arms round his strong neck, urging him closer, urging him to take more. And still more—
‘Mark? Holly?’
Greg’s voice came from inside the house and with an exclamation that would have appalled his mother Mark lifted his head, quickly adjusting Holly’s clothing so that she was decent.
His breathing uneven, he steadied her with strong hands, his eyes locked with hers for endless seconds before he reluctantly released her.
Barely able to stand, Holly leaned against the balcony, her face shocked as she considered the implications of what had happened. Why had he done that? Why?
That hadn’t just been a kiss—that had been...
Cheeks flaming, she took some deep breaths and watched as Mark turned and strode back into the sitting room, obviously intent on distracting their guests and giving her some time to compose herself after their encounter.
She certainly needed it. Waiting for her cheeks to cool and her body to stop tingling, she stayed on the balcony, protected by the darkness. Her mind ached with confusion.
Caroline was clearly only interested in Greg now.
So why was Mark still kissing her?
CHAPTER EIGHT
‘IT HURTS when I go to the toilet.’
