Page 48 of Switching Places

“I wasn’t dressed to receive company.”

“If I were the company I wouldn’t care. Did you sleep in your T-shirt?”

Slowly she shook her head, her mouth scant inches from his. He could cover the distance in a nanosecond, but he suddenly wanted her to come to him. If the banter was driving her as crazy as it drove him, she’d have to give in soon.

“I was too tired last night. I took off my top and skirt and fell into bed.”

Her gaze dropped to his lips. When she promptly licked hers, he almost groaned aloud.

“In a lacy bra and skimpy panties?”

Emma slowly smiled. If he knew she wore white cotton briefs and a serviceable bra, he’d probably burst out laughing. If he wanted to believe in the fantasy of sexy underwear, she would do nothing to disabuse him of the notion.

Her lips almost trembled in craving. His breath mingled with hers, his eyes so close she could see into their depths, deep green pools of mystery and adventure. Intrigued with the thought of kissing him, she leaned a bit closer.

She could almost feel his lips against hers, could imagine the heat that would shimmer through her from him. Mesmerized by the challenge in his gaze, she moved a fraction closer still.

She felt as if this man had cast a spell. Something propelled her along. She wanted desperately to feel those lips againsthers. Wanted desperately to discover what his morning beard felt like against her cheeks. Wanted a taste of the most blatantly masculine, sexy adult male she’d ever met.

Forgetting the masquerade, forgetting twenty-four years of strict upbringing, almost forgetting her own name, she closed the distance, daring the fire that almost consumed her.

Emma scarcely felt the touch of his lips before she wanted more. Taking a step closer brought her up against his hard body. Heat flared when she felt the response from his mouth.

She mimicked him, moving her lips, teasing with her tongue. Her heart pounded as desire kept her in place. Desire and curiosity. She wanted to see where this kiss would lead. It was not a soft brush of lips, but a full blown, no-holds-barred, mouth-open kiss. Like the one on the patio had been. Like the ones in her dreams had been. On and on it went until she clutched his shoulders for support. Legs grown suddenly weak threatened to give way on her.

“Cupcake?” he questioned softly.

“You wanted a thank-you, right?” Emma said, annoyed by the interruption.

Was that husky tone hers? Where had this boldness come from? No time to analyze things. Emma, stood on tiptoes to better reach his mouth, brushing against his chest as she strained to get closer. The moment her lips touched his again, he closed his eyes, and pulled her into his embrace, banding her with his strong arms, molding her softer body against his rock-hard frame.

Caught in the unexpected pleasure, her arms held as tightly as his. Stretched out against his body, she was surprised to find how right it felt, how much she wanted to stay just where she was forever.

She grew hot as the blood rushed through her veins. He tasted of coffee, sugar and tantalizing male heat.

She grew greedy as his kiss went beyond anything she’d experienced before. Emma had no time to be shocked at her own unexpected wanton behavior, she was too busy exploring the sensations that exploded inside her. Feeling gloriously alive, her heart pounded in her chest, her breathing grew labored.

She yearned for more of the tingling feelings that shot through her in waves. She had never experienced such spine-shivering, wanton desire. She wanted more. For the first time she began to see what others found so alluring, so compelling. She never knew a single kiss could open her mind to the wild possibilities of a physical relationship between a man and a woman.

She’d never even come close with David.

The crash of breaking china, the splash of warm coffee against her leg had her springing back instantly.

“Lily, are you hurt? You’re not burned, are you?” Logan said, reaching out to her.

“No, I’m fine.”

Logan looked at the broken cup.

“I forgot I was holding it. Watch where you step, don’t cut your foot.”

He lifted her out of the way of the shards of china and the spreading brown liquid.

Emma stood where he placed her and watched him clean up the mess, gleefully recalling what he’d said. Becoming caught up in her kiss so much he’d forgotten he held the coffee? She must have been doing something right. So what if she didn’t have the experience of her sister, she had mastered one aspect at least.

“Not a favorite cup, I hope,” he said, stooping down to reach the coffee. Using a handful of paper towels, he mopped up the liquid and wiped up the china.

“No.”

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