Her Dakota Summer by Dahlia DeWinters Read Free Book Online Page B

her would only send her running away from him.
    “But what, Celeste?” He knew exactly what she was thinking, but he was going to make her say it.
    “You know as well as I do. You work for me. We can’t have a relationship. No matter how much we’re attracted to each other.” She sighed. “I thought we had this straightened out.”
    “I’ll quit.”
    “And leave me in the lurch?” She chuckled. “You better not,” she said.
    “I was kidding.” He got up and moved toward her.
    When he placed his hands on her shoulders, he was pleased to see that she was shaking. “We can’t.”
    He was willing to compromise. “Not now, maybe after…”
    “Not ever. You’re too young for me.”
    He slid an arm around her waist to pull her closer. “Doesn’t matter,” he whispered.
    Celeste ran her fingers through his hair, sending tingles over his body. He wanted her warm and naked against him, whispering in his ear.
    “You have beautiful hair,” she remarked.
    “You have beautiful everything.” He wanted to kiss her again.
    “Dakota.” She sighed and leaned against him for a second. “You have to let me think.”
    He watched her scoop up her purse from the table, kick off her shoes and climb the stairs to her bedroom.
    “Good night.” She paused mid-way up then turned to give him a little wave.
    “Good night,” he said and watched her walk all the way up the stairs.
     
    * * * *
     
    Celeste turned over, flipped her pillow to the cool side and tossed the cover off her legs. The central air conditioner kept the house at an even seventy-two degrees but she still felt sweaty and uncomfortable.
    She rolled on her side and stared at the red digits shining from the bedside table. After midnight. Jackson and Malcolm had been asleep when she’d checked on them, She’d tucked Jackson’s bear pillow next to him and cleared off the building blocks Malcolm had played with after lights out.
    Celeste thought about everything that had happened that day, successfully avoiding the very event that kept her awake and kept a low flame of desire burning in her belly. She sighed and tried to find a comfortable position.
    Defiance crept up on her, tapped her on the shoulder. She’d kissed him because she wanted to, because they had been flirting with each other ever since that first day they’d met. But what the hell did it mean? Yes, she could have a little fling with the nanny but would it leave her better or worse off? And the boys. There hadn’t been a man around since she and Charles had divorced three years ago. Michael didn’t count. She’d never brought him around and they only knew of him in passing.
    But now there was Dakota. She buried her face in her pillow and groaned. How many times had she dreamed of kissing him, entertained the thought of running her hands through his hair, holding his body against hers…?
    Celeste sat up in bed and switched on the bedside lamp. Too much thinking never got anyone anywhere.
    So she was going to stop thinking.
    After checking on the boys one final time, she tip-toed down the stairs and into the alcove leading to the separate suite. A sliver of light from under the door beckoned to her and she hesitated only a moment before she knocked.

Chapter Nine
     
     
     
    Dakota opened the door, an expression of surprise brightening his face. “You changed your mind.” Without waiting for her to respond, he bent his head and kissed the soft curve between her shoulder and her neck. Her skin heated in response, tendrils of pleasure curling in her belly and surging throughout her body. He made her feel wanted, something to be cherished, handled delicately, something that she’d never felt with either her husband or Michael. “I’m glad.” The brush of his lips against her skin made her shiver and her nipples tightened against the thin cotton of her nightgown.
    “I’m glad too.” Celeste put her arms around his neck.
    He pressed his lips to hers and slid his tongue around her mouth