Final Hours by Cate Dean Read Free Book Online

hand and stepped back.
    “Kane—”
    “I have to go.” He moved past her, tried to ignore the beautiful,
dark blue eyes that followed him. “Mac will see that you get home safely.”
    “Be careful.”
    Those quiet words stopped him. He let out his breath, turned
around. Elizabeth stood at the end of the console, blonde hair caressing her
bare arms, those blue eyes watching him.
    With a string of curses running through his head, Kane
stopped fighting the attraction.
    “Bloody hell—”
    In front of God and all his colleagues, he strode over to
Elizabeth, hauled her up against his chest, and kissed her.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    Elizabeth knew, when she saw his eyes change,
just what he had planned as he stalked back across the lab.
    She couldn’t move, could hardly breathe.
    When he swept her up and his lips possessed hers, she
expected a hot, fierce, angry kiss. Instead, his lips gentled, exploring hers.
The effect was devastating.
    He broke through every barrier she’d spent years building, and
she felt her heart open to him, trembling, vulnerable.
    Both arms reached up to wrap around his neck, and her
fingers slid into his thick, unruly hair. He tasted like mint. She let out a
low moan when he eased her mouth open, deepening the kiss. She forgot their
audience, forgot her fear of becoming attached to a man who would leave her
alone, forgot everything but the feel of his lips, the strength of his arms,
the heat of his body.
    His hand slipped up her back, tangled in her hair as he
angled her head, pulled her in deeper. Heat spiraled through her, and the need
to get closer had her arching in to him.
    She could feel his rapid heartbeat, hear his ragged breath
as he started to lose control. Or was that her breath, so fast and hard it made
her lightheaded?
    Kane broke off the kiss, staring down at her.
    “God help me,” he whispered, just before he dove in again.
    This time it was fierce and hungry, and she rode the wild
emotions, abandoning any attempt to hold back. His demanding mouth, the hands that
curved over her hips and pressed her tightly against him refused to let her
retreat.
    She lost herself in the heat, in the need for another person
she had never felt before. A need she protected herself from, in a life that
had no guarantees, and more disappointment than she thought she could ever take
and stay whole—
    This time she broke off the kiss, fighting to catch her
breath, terrified that it was too late. Kane rested his forehead against hers,
his own breathing just as labored. “I simply meant to say goodbye.”
    “That was some goodbye,” she whispered.
    “Too much?” Humor edged his deep voice.
    “Unforgettable.”
    With a quiet sigh, he pressed his lips to her temple. “Ready
for this?”
    “No.”
    His laughter soothed her nerves. “I need you to ease your
death grip on my neck, love.”
    The endearment had her tensing again. Oh, yes—it was too
late. She liked him before they landed in his time. Now she wanted him. How the
hell was she supposed to forget the way his lips felt on hers, the raw,
uncontrollable emotion he stirred in her?
    She lowered her arms, and Kane eased her to the floor. Heat
rushed across her face as everyone in the lab applauded.
    To her surprise, Kane bowed, flashing a smile. “Thank you,
for your good wishes.” He took her hand, nodded to Mac, and led her to the
steps next to the platform. Sparks danced around the perimeter of the circle.
“Now I will give you a proper goodbye.” Her heart jumped as he leaned in, but
his lips touched her cheek, warm and brief. “Take care, Elizabeth Barritt. Be
proud of who you are, live your life for you.”
    How could saying goodbye to someone she barely knew hurt so
much? Tears stung her eyes at his quiet words. He made it worse by brushing
hair off her forehead, his touch gentle, almost more intimate than kissing her.
    “Please be careful,” she whispered. Her voice threatened to
lodge in her throat, along with her tears. She laid her