Codename: Romeo by Kat Attalla Read Free Book Online Page B

along her jaw line. Despite the intimate gesture, he kept a distinct distance between them. Like earlier, he dropped a friendly kiss on her forehead and then opened the door. A gust of frigid air rushed in.
    Just when she thought he would leave without saying good-bye, he slid his arm around her shoulder and urged her onto the porch with him. One minute he looked for a fast getaway and the next he pulled her along for the ride. Men.
    Face it, Victoria, you don’t know the first thing about men beyond the anatomy and physiology. Nothing in her experience or her studies prepared her for someone like him.
    Intense and self-contained, he was an enigma shrouded in a mystery.
    She gazed at the starry sky. “Feels like snow.”
    Erik leaned against the rail and tugged on her arm. The unexpected action sent her stumbling into him. Her hands gripped his shoulders, sinking into the buttery soft leather of his jacket. “I didn’t bring you out here to discuss the weather.”
    “Then why did you bring me outside? It’s cold.”
    “It was getting too hot inside. This way it will remind me to behave like a gentleman.”
    “I don’t recall asking you to.”
    “I know.” He cuddled her in his jacket. “But you should have.”
    “Why?”
    “Why?” he repeated in an incredulous tone. “What kind of question is that? You barely know me.”
    “I know that you’ve been in my house several times and you didn’t hurt me in any way. You eat my cooking and pretend that you like it.”
    “I do like it. That doesn’t necessarily make me trustworthy.”
    Was he trying to let her down gently or was he naturally argumentative? “Look, I’m a big girl, Erik. If you’re not interested just say so.”
    He cupped his hands over her backside and settled her between his legs. His erection pressed firmly against her belly, sending a thousand-megawatt charge straight through her. As far as points went, he’d scored a major one. Actions did speak louder than words, after all.
    “Does that feel like I’m not interested?” His voice reverberated with raw emotion.
    “No,” she whispered.
    She’d thought she’d died and gone straight to heaven. Why did the man insist on bringing her back to Earth?
    “Then, unless you’re going somewhere in a big hurry, we have time.”
    She twisted against him, giving back her own brand of the erotic torment. “I suppose I could break one of my pipes so you’d have to come back and fix it.”
    “You don’t have to go to that extreme.” He lowered his head, nuzzling against the side of her face. His warm breath along her neck sent a delightful shiver dancing along her spine.
    She buried her fingers into his silky hair. Her eyes fluttered closed as any conscious thoughts drifted from her mind. Sensations, pure and simple, took over. He nipped playfully at the small gold hoop in her ear, sprinkled feather light kisses across her cheek, and finally paused just above her mouth.
    When she thought he might withdraw, she pulled his head to her. She needed more, and for once in her life, she wasn’t going to back down. Take control and don’t let go, the key to success in any endeavor. She rose up on her toes and arched in closer. Erik’s muffled groan vibrated in her ear. If he was fighting a battle with himself, he’d just surrendered. His mouth came down on hers, forcing her lips apart.
    The feelings running through her changed from merely delightful to painfully erotic. She expected pleasure and received so much more. He explored with his tongue, tasting, teasing, arousing. Nothing had ever felt this good before. Nothing ever left her wanting so much more. She lost control, and she didn’t care.
    As she reached for his belt buckle, his fingers grasped her wrist. “Now you’re playing with fire, Tori.”
    She smiled. “I always did have a knack with combustible elements.”
    He pulled her into his arms. “I’d say you’re damn near an expert.”
    “Not yet. I’m still in the experimental