Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)(25)

“Including finding the only one in town who has dozens of wedding dresses stored in her house?”

“Yup.”

She smiled. “Except I turned out to be not so bad.”

“That’s true.”

He raised his arms. She dropped hers to her sides.

“I know, I know,” she began. “We need to keep moving.”

“No, we don’t,” he told her right before he pulled her close and kissed her.

She was so not expecting to be pulled against him, nor was she anticipating the feel of his warm, firm mouth against hers. All the previous anticipation heightened her senses and made every point of contact, every bit of pressure, even more tingle-worthy.

He kissed her lightly at first, then with more intensity. His mouth lingered, as if he liked touching hers.

His hands rested on her hips. The light contact made her want to squirm closer. As it was, she was already nestled against his broad, hard chest. And thinking about that made her wonder if other things were hard and if he was interested in...

His tongue touched her lower lip. Electricity surged, blood heated and her br**sts swelled until they were uncomfortable. She parted her lips for him. At the same time she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave herself over to the kiss.

He tasted sweet and hot, and the slow, leisurely way he began to explore her mouth had her melting from the inside out. He circled her tongue and teased the tip with his before retreating just enough to make her want to whimper. Then he was back with deeper thrusts and intense attention.

Her chest was tight, as if breathing had become difficult. She wanted him with an intensity that reminded her the last time she’d made love had been several months before and it had been with the very man kissing her now. Before that...well, she couldn’t remember how long it had been.

She was about to tell him that the leaves were probably very comfortable when Sam drew back.

“I’m sorry,” he told her. “That was unprofessional.”

For a brief second, she thought he was talking about his performance, which to her mind had been completely spectacular. But then she realized he meant the fact that they worked together and still had the big party to prepare. Desire and arousal battled with her love of her career and common sense. Internally she stomped her foot and threw a hissy fit. On the outside, she nodded sagely.

“We’re equally to blame,” she said, her voice as normal as she could make it. “It was one of those things. No big deal.”

“It won’t happen again.”

Instead of asking “Why not?” she nodded again, turned and started walking more quickly. She ignored the humming sensation inside of her and the gnawing need that made her want to whimper. She was a strong, self-actualized woman. And if things got really ugly, she had a massage showerhead back home.

* * *

SAM STOOD OUTSIDE of Dellina’s small house. She’d left him a message, saying it was important. So here he was. Except she hadn’t asked him to come over. He’d made that decision on his own. He could have called, and that was why he was standing on her porch instead of ringing the bell.

He wanted to see her. The kiss had been a rookie mistake. He knew better, but there had been something about the way she’d been standing there, looking all sexy and pretty and charming. He’d reacted. He knew the dangers of getting involved and he’d kissed her, anyway. Because there was something about Dellina. Something that made him make bad choices.

He raised his arm and pushed the bell. He was going to tell her that, he decided. Admit he had a problem where she was concerned and say he was going to back off. Let her handle the party without him being involved at all. He trusted her to get it right. That would be better for both of them.

Her front door flew open and she stood in front of him. The second she saw him, she started grinning and dancing in place.

“I did it!” she told him. “I totally and completely did it.” She motioned for him to step inside, then closed the door behind him and twirled in place.

Her long wavy brown hair fanned out behind her. She was barefoot, in jeans and a T-shirt. She radiated happiness and excitement and it was contagious. Or maybe it was just being around her, because all he wanted to do was join in the dance and then kiss her until they both forgot why he was there.

She came to a stop in front of him and grinned. “I found the perfect person for the lecture. She’s a bestselling author and a teacher and both men and women are going to love her.”

She motioned for him to follow her, then led the way to her office. On the way, he noticed the spare room was now empty of all wedding gowns. Even the racks were gone. A futon had been pushed against one wall and there was a floor lamp. The dry-erase board was still in place. He saw Fayrene’s current suggestions for getting Ryan to propose included “Pretend to be pregnant” and “Learn to make pot roast.”

He stepped inside and wrote “no” by the former and “yes” by the latter. Dellina watched from the doorway.

“Offering commentary?” she asked with a grin.

“I don’t usually give advice but in this case I’m feeling confident.”

They went into her office. She reached into her large bag and pulled out a book.

“Sex,” she told him happily.

All the reasons not to disappeared as he started to say yes. So what if it would lead to disaster? This was Dellina and he’d wanted her from the first second he’d seen her. Having her once hadn’t been nearly—