Just a Little Bit Guilty by Deborah Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

easily but will work hard if given the chance."
    "And you want me to believe you're hard-hearted." He made a chiding sound in his throat. "You're just a little ol'
    Moon Pie."
    "I'm not old," she retorted playfully.
    "No, ma'am, you're prime."
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    Just a little Bit Guilty
    by Deborah Smith
    "A Moon Pie, huh? Damn. Hard on the outside, soft on the inside?"
    "Are you talkin' dirty to me?"
    She suddenly focused her attention on her coffee mug, aware that every part of her anatomy even vaguely related to male-female functions had just gone on alert; her nipples felt hard against the lace of her bra. She held up the heavy pottery mug, studying it and trying to think of a way to change the subject. She felt Jake's eyes on her.
    "I love anything that's made by hand," she ventured. He guffawed.
    "Look!" she exclaimed, squaring her shoulders and affecting a placid face as she continued to hold the mug aloft,
    "My Statue of Liberty impression." They both laughed, the tension broken.
    "Tough Stuff, I can't remember when I've had such a good time," he told her. He took the empty mug from her and set it down. His blue eyes captured the soft light of an old lamp perched on the kitchen counter nearby. Vivian thought of a vivid blue ocean, an ocean that drew her hypnotically, an ocean where drowning would be a sweet adventure. Jake raised one broad hand and touched her cheek gently.
    "You make me laugh at myself," he murmured. His fingers stroked her cheekbone with a feather-light touch, then moved down her jaw. She looked at him transfixed, and her hands trembled as she put them in her lap. "You make me fight back, Viv. You make me feel mad and confused and crazy and happy. You make me feel better than I have in a long, long time."
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    Just a little Bit Guilty
    by Deborah Smith
    "I can cook," she replied blankly. Vivian barely knew what she was saying. His forefinger grazed her mouth and she kissed it, then his thumb, then his palm, her lips damp and agile as she sampled his callused skin. Their eyes remained locked. He placed his finger tips against her neck, stroking her pulse. His thumb rested lightly on the corner of her mouth, drawing tiny circles.
    "Why, that's real nice to know," he quipped softly, seductively.
    "I make great cannelloni," she continued with languid tones. "I ... I have a collection of Tony Bennett albums. I work out with weights three times a week at the YMCA. I love the Ice Age movies. I sleep late on the weekends..." Her next words were lost, caught in a moan as he leaned forward, his chair creaking, and kissed her deeply. She tilted her head at one angle and then another, making exciting little discoveries about his taste and feel as their tongues curled in and out, playing a sensual game of tag.
    Vivian drew back and smiled at him warily, catching her breath. "I'm not much for casual hook ups."
    "Me, neither."
    "Jake..." Another kiss stopped her. When he finally let her draw a shaky breath, she continued. "You're trouble."
    "Yep." He pulled her out of her chair and onto his lap. With a gruff sound, he pressed his mouth against her neck. Vivian nearly burst with pleasure as he fervently kissed the tender skin under her jaw.
    She nuzzled the side of his head and hugged him. They were both trembling.
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    Just a little Bit Guilty
    by Deborah Smith
    He began to chuckle, and rested his forehead against her shoulder. He patted her back with one broad hand. She gripped his shoulder, and when he looked up she gave him a serious once-over that went beyond joking. Vivian urged quietly, "Tell the truth. How many women are regular visitors here at your corn crib?"
    Jake gave her a wicked grin. "If I told you I love the jealous glint in your eyes, would you hit me?"
    "Right in the teeth."
    He planted a loud, smacking kiss on the straight line of her lips.
    "The last time I even came close to have female company of the sort you mean was back in the fall," he related solemnly. "An old girlfriend drove down from Tennessee to