Love On The Vine by Sally Clements Read Free Book Online Page A

around them, stepping in time, but he only had eyes for Bella.
    Her eyes sparkled and shone, and her cheeks were pink. Her body moved in perfect harmony with the relentless beat.
    Ice chilled his top lip as Etienne took a long swallow of his drink and smiled back. With any luck, she wouldn’t see how much her dancing affected him.
    With a flip of her hand, she pointed at her feet, mouthing watch. A mock frown creased her brow.
    Of course, he’d watch her, he couldn’t drag away his gaze as her feet repeated the steps. The pattern didn’t look too hard. And he’d always had a good sense of rhythm.
    The music faded. Bella returned quickly to the table and picked up her glass. “Okay, so those are the basics.” She drank deeply. “Are you ready to try it?”
    “I’d prefer to just watch you.” He trailed a finger down her cheek, feeling the sharp tug of attraction as her eyes darkened to jade. “You look beautiful.”
    “So do you.” She tilted up her chin.
    Etienne stood and snaked a hand around her waist to hold her close.
    At the action, her lips parted and her eyelashes fluttered closed.
    She looked like a woman who wanted to be kissed. Instead, he moved his lips to her ear, speaking words intended for her alone. “Would you like me to kiss you?” He felt her shiver. “If you do, you have to tell me, remember?”
    Her long, dark eyelashes fluttered and her eyes opened, staring straight into his.
    The arousal in their depths stunned Etienne to his core.
    “I want you to kiss me,” she murmured. “I want you to kiss me now.”
    Nothing could stop him from granting her wish. Slowly, gently, his lips teased hers in a soft caress.
    Instantly, her lips parted under his, allowing him access to her warm mouth.
    He tasted the sweet taste of Long Island iced tea, cool and citrusy. His hand delved into her hair, then under it, stroking her soft warm neck and holding her in place.
    The music started again. Bella began to move.
    He’d never again hear Latin-Jazz without remembering the feel of her body close to his. The perfect melding of their mouths. They should be alone. Etienne pulled away—suddenly aware they were in a room full of people. “Let’s dance.” He moved forward.
    She stepped back, her torso pressed against his. Her body led the way and his followed in perfect sync.
    Bella threw back her head and laughed. “Are you sure you haven’t done this before?”
    “First time, Chérie .” Etienne’s hand tightened. “But it won’t be the last. I love having you in my arms.”
    “And I love being here.”
    Her smile sent a beam of sunlight right to his heart. Around them couples twisted and twirled. Moving away from each other and then returning like planets submitting to the other’s gravitational pull.
    “Will I teach you more moves?” Bella whispered into his ear.
    “I’d like that.” Etienne breathed in her warm spicy scent, and surrendered to the urge to trail his lips over the soft skin of her shoulder. “Maybe somewhere else?”
    ****
    W armth tingled from his hand to hers in the walk to her door. Bella’s body spiked with adrenalin. A few days ago, she never would have imagined leading the tall Frenchman up the stairs to her apartment. Never would have dared to turn in his arms and press her body against his. But tonight she did. And the experience was more wonderful than she could have ever imagined.
    A shiver skittered over her skin and she stilled in the doorway. “I should turn on a light.” She hadn’t tidied up after getting ready earlier, and it would be just her luck to stumble over something in the darkness. “There’s a lamp here.” She slipped out of his arms to flick on the lamp on the low table next to the sofa.
    His dark eyes gleamed in the soft light. Totally focused on her. But he made no move to pull her back into his arms.
    When he’d kissed her in the club, her heart had almost stopped beating. She’d never wanted a man more. And now they were alone, the