Destiny's Daughter by Ruth Ryan Langan Read Free Book Online Page B

breathe. "You’re disgusting. Stop this."
    His lips brushed the hair at her temple, then dropped lower to graze her cheek. Her skin was the softest he had ever touched.
    She stiffened in his arms. Dear God. He was going to kiss her. His mouth hovered just above hers. The fine mustache tickled her skin, teasing, taunting her. Her heart lodged in her throat, threatening to choke her. She felt afraid, yet strangely exhilarated. She was standing on a precipice. One step, one tiny movement, and she would find herself hurtling through space.
    Chase brought his hands to her shoulders and drew her closer. Staring down into her tawny eyes, he was surprised to read the fear and innocence there. And something more. Guarded invitation. He could sense an almost simmering sensuality.
    He could walk away now, and leave her as he found her. With her last ounce of defiance, she lifted her head to meet his eyes. His gaze fastened on her mouth. It would take only the slightest movement to taste her lips. He hesitated, thought briefly about fighting the desire, then swearing under his breath, bent to her. That haughty lift of her chin, those pouting lips were too great a temptation.
    His mouth covered hers, sending tiny shock waves tumbling through her. One moment she was cold, so cold from the night air that streamed through the open window. In the next instant she was on fire.
    Chase was a master at seduction. It was a game he enjoyed almost as much as poker. But it had been too many years since he had kissed someone as inexperienced as this. She kept her lips tightly closed. Her hands were two balled fists which she held firmly against her chest. Still, as his mouth found hers, she felt the jolt as fire and ice collided.
    Surprised, he held her a little away, staring down into her eyes. She had them squeezed tightly shut.
    His voice was gruff. "Annalisa."
    She blinked, then closed her eyes again.
    "Open your eyes."
    Her lashes fluttered. She stared up into those midnight eyes that seemed even darker than the night sky.
    "You act like you’ve never kissed a man before."
    She swallowed, too ashamed to speak.
    With his thumb and finger he caught her trembling chin and tilted her face for his inspection. Her eyes were troubled. A tiny frown marred her forehead.
    His tone deepened. "I want to see your eyes. And I want you to see yourself in mine while I kiss you."
    He bent forward. His warm breath feathered her face. She stared, mesmerized, as his lips lowered.
    When his mouth found hers, Annalisa savored the strange sensations. She had always wondered what it would be like to kiss a man. Would his lips be open or closed? Would their teeth bump? Would she forget to breathe? Could a man and woman suffocate while they were locked in a kiss?
    His lips now were gentle, brushing hers with feather-light kisses. She relaxed slightly and sighed, though she wasn’t even aware she’d made a sound. As he took the kiss deeper, all thought vanished. She no longer had to wonder what it would be like. His mustache was a soft whisper on her skin. His lips were warm, firm. She was amazed at the heat that seemed to spread from his hands at her shoulders, from his mouth on hers, to her blood, which coursed like liquid fire through her.
    Annalisa breathed in the strange, musky scent of him, the warmth of his breath as it mingled with hers. He changed the angle of the kiss. Their heads were turned slightly, just enough so that their noses didn’t touch. She was surprised, and pleased, at the way the angles and planes of his body accentuated the softness of hers. Tentatively she brought her arms around his waist beneath his jacket, allowing her hands to play along the corded muscles of his back and shoulders.
    His hands on her shoulders tightened, pulling her firmly against him. She gave a little gasp of surprise and felt his tongue trace the outline of her lips. Her hands clutched at his back, feeling the heat of his skin through the fine fabric.
    Lifting his