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Opening the glass doors, he led her outside. Watching her survey the canal and smile with delight, he swallowed a groan. Unable to resist her proximity, he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, breathing in her flowery perfume. “Holding you is more soothing to me.”
She laughed, and he sighed, bending his head against her hair, inhaling their refreshing scent and pondering the wisdom of kissing her before she left. “Let’s go in.”
She spun around, all trace of amusement gone from her face.
He grabbed her shoulders, holding her at arm’s length, fighting his desire to crush her against his chest.
“What’s wrong, Rick?” she whispered, meeting his gaze.
Hoping to read her thoughts, he peered at her. “My mother said you were perfectmarriage material.”
Her lips curled to one side. “That explains it. You want to kiss me, but you’re afraid of getting trapped.”
Damn it, she was way too smart. “Afraid? Are you kidding me?”
“Let me reassure you. I’m not marriage material at all. Beingconfined in marriage, trapped by a husband and kids, isn’t for me. I love flying, anytime, anywhere.”
Jaw locked, teeth gritted, she averted her gaze, glancing at the canal with narrow eyes that betrayed her inner turmoil.
“I can feel you’ve experienced a bad situation.” He caressed her cheek.
“A lousy one. I was engaged and naïvely thought that love could solve all problems. A month before the big wedding, he asked me to quit my job. I refused. He insisted I choose. Marriage or my career as a flight attendant. I gave him back his ring.”
“I’m sorry. He didn’t deserve you.” His fingers continued their comforting moves on her jaw and throat.
She shrugged. “You see you can kiss me anytime without worrying. I won’t put a noose around your neck and drag you to City Hall or a church.”
He burst out laughing. “Madison, you’re one of a kind.”
“I suppose that makes me a good match for a playboy like you.” Her snort annoyed him.
“Is that how you see me?” A playboy, a womanizer, maybe worse ...
“I’m not sure. Usually a playboy is not such a loving son to his mother, or doting father to his children. I don’t know how to label you, Rick. Time will tell. Meanwhile, I have—”
He brought her against him and captured her mouth. Marriage material or not, he wanted her in his arms. Especially now, before her long trip.
Chapter Five
Rioting emotions raced through Madison’s body. Rick’s kiss vibrated throughout her entire being. Luscious lips kneaded hers. His tongue caressed, teased, and sent burning surges to her belly. Her breasts squeezed against his solid chest, and his thighs rubbed against her, every inch of her flesh attuned to his muscles, his strength, and the hardness poking against her belly. This man knew how to kiss, how to make every cell, every fiber in her body, respond to his sensual demand.
Her purse dropped from her hands. Fueled by a stab of desire, she responded with eagerness, reveling in the way his tongue explored her mouth. She wished they could cuddle on the swing or tangle on the manicured lawn. His hand slid to her breast, a feathered touch protected by the night, a sweet caress that turned her chest into an inferno.
Joy and angst warred inside her, her body and heart ready to surrender. She was lost. A whimper escaped her. His groan responded to her moan.
A wake-up call to reality and sanity.
She snatched her mouth away, pulled back, and inhaled the evening breeze in deep breaths to clear her mind. “I have to go.”
His arms dropped to his sides, and he gulped air, maybe struggling with his feelings just like her. “I understand.”
She collected her handbag from the floor and straightened. Without another word, he walked her around the side of the mansion to the front yard and her car.
He held the door open for her as she slid behind the wheel. “I’ll pick you up at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow and drive you to the airport.”
“No thanks. I’m flying from Miami. It’s too far for you to waste your time. I always drive myself to the airport and leavemy car in long-term parking.”
“I insist. I need to see you again before you leave. I may be away when you return.”
