Take a Chance on Me(28)

“And remember, Princess,” he said, in a deep rumble of a voice that vibrated through her as though he were her own personal tuning fork. “Lying is a sin.”

She gasped, sucking in the last available bit of air left in the car. “That’s a low blow.”

He gave a seductive laugh, filled with heat and promise and the kind of raw passion she’d always dreamed about. “I’m not above playing dirty.” A sly smirk as he rubbed a lazy circle over skin she hadn’t known was sensitive. “In fact, I think you prefer it that way.”

“I do not!” Her heart beating far too fast, she clutched at the credit card hard enough to snap it in two.

“Liar.” He slipped under the collar of her T-shirt to wrap a possessive hand around the nape of her neck. “I’m waiting.”

She gritted her teeth to keep from moaning. How did one man feel so good? Hot and sinful. Irresistible. She whispered, “For what?”

“My answer,” he said, inching closer. Their mouths mere inches away.

She swallowed hard. The truth sat on the tip of her tongue, and for once in her life, she decided to speak it instead of stuffing it back down. “I’d regret it.”

“Exactly,” he said, the word a soft breath against her skin. The pad of his thumb brushed over her bottom lip, sliding over the dampness until it felt swollen. Needy. “I can’t live with myself unless I’ve tasted this mouth.”

This was one regret she wouldn’t have to live with. Her anticipation was a hot rush, and everything stilled inside her.

Another brush over her lip. The roughness of his fingers was an erotic slide over the smoothness. Sensual.

He leaned in.

She waited.

His tongue flicked over her moist, ready flesh. Her nails dug into the palm of her hand, and she let out a frustrated squeak. She’d never wanted to be kissed more.

A hard nip of his teeth.

“Oh!” Surprise and lust mixed together. It heated her blood, making her pulse beat wildly in her throat, jolting through her nerves and sending them into rapid fire.

She’d never experienced this before, this kind of desire.

She wanted more. So much more. Wanted to force the raw, uncontained passion she’d read about but never experienced, to force his mouth to hers and wrap her body around him to feel the hard press of muscle and bone.

But she was too afraid.

So she balled her hands into fists to keep from reaching for him. The plastic cutting her skin was a harsh reminder of where this interlude would end.

His lips brushed hers. Nothing but a tease.

Her breath stuttered in her lungs. Do it. Please do it.

His gaze met hers, a blaze of heat. “I might never get to have you, but I’m going to make damn sure you never forget this kiss.”

“Yes,” she said, the plea in her voice making her cringe.

And then his mouth covered hers. So possessively arrogant that her head spun.

It was every fantasy she’d ever had and then some.

A fierce claiming. Carnal passion. Mad, crazy lust. Her mind went blank. She forgot everything and everyone but this man and the sensations rioting through her.

His tongue swept past her lips to tangle with hers. She moaned deep in her throat, a low primal sound.

He pressed closer, slanting his lips, angling deeper. Pushing her harder. He twisted her ponytail, coiling the thick strands around his hand.

He tugged hard enough that she jerked against him. The sting mixed with desire in her veins, sending her blood racing.

She forgot about propriety. Forgot about right or wrong. Forgot everything but wanting—no, needing more.

Her fingers uncurled, and the credit card slid from her grasp, falling to her lap. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she reached to grab what she wanted. Him.

Shifting in her seat, she pressed against his solid chest. Greedy, she snaked a hand around his neck and pulled him close. Not caring that it wasn’t like her, she took.

Harsh breathing filled the car as he yanked her closer.

The kiss grew wetter. Hotter. More demanding.

A low growl vibrated against her lips. He twisted her hair tighter, pulling until a sharp tug at the base of her neck sent a shiver of pleasure down her spine. She ached. Needing to relieve the pressure, she rubbed her breasts against his chest like a cat in heat.

He slipped a hand between their bodies and cupped one full, swollen mound. His thumb swiped over her nipple. She cried out, the sound captured by his mouth.

God help her.

He rolled the bud.

Her hips jerked, longing for friction. Aching for it.

He pinched the stiff peak. The pressure was hard enough to send stars flashing on her eyelids and searing desire low in her belly. Oh, yes, again. Please again.

He wrenched away.

God, no. Not yet. Mindless, she chased his heat, wanting him back, needing his mouth on hers, but he held her away.

“No!” The urgent plea so instinctual she couldn’t have stopped it if her life depended on it.

He grasped her shoulders. “It’s enough, Maddie.”


The words were more effective than a bucket of ice water. She ceased her struggle, and reality and sanity returned in a cruel rush. The hot sting of humiliation replaced the burn of passion.

His harsh expression softened. “Come on now, Princess. Don’t look at me like that.”