Simon & Rose by V.A. Dold Read Free Book Online Page B

man holding her. His chocolate brown gaze met hers. His expression was intense, full of heat and longing. She looked forward to loosing herself in his eyes for the next thirteen hundred years. This man was definitely worth the endless string of losers she endured searching for him. “You’re very good for my ego. I just might keep you around.”
    “You can keep me for as long as you want,” he whispered into her ear.
    She had to kiss him. They had worked their way to the edge of the dance floor near a wall. With a little maneuvering, she turned them so his back was to the room. Perfect, his height created a barrier to prying eyes. “Kiss me, Mark.”
    Heat flared in his eyes, and he grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
    She closed her eyes, lips slightly parted. Thankfully, he had a tight hold on her. The instant his lips touched hers, electricity tingled over her skin and she swooned into him.
    They lost themselves in each other.
    Lord have mercy, her lips were soft. He could kiss this woman forever. He needed more. Tightening his hold on her waist with his left hand, he cupped the back of her head with his right. When her tongue caressed his, his entire body quivered like a live wire.
    The silk of her gown under his fingertips added a sensual, tactile aspect to the entire experience. He wondered what her skin would feel like when he skimmed his hands over every inch of her naked curves. Her body heat and scent enveloping him was making him slightly dizzy. Or was it the lack of oxygen to his brain? Hell, who cared? He had her right where he wanted her and he wasn’t about to let her go.
    When he had adjusted his hold, he felt her soft, full breasts with their taut peaks press closer to his chest. If they weren’t in a room full of people, he would cup them in his hands and show her just how beautiful she was. He’d convince her, he was the only man for her. Behaving like the gentleman he was raised to be was utter torture.
    Mindful of her styled hair, his fingers brushed gentle circles on the nape of her neck. It was killing him to leave his left hand at the small of her back. He was dying to slide it lower and cup the rounded curve of her backside.
    Plastered to each other the way they were, there was no way she didn’t feel the extent of his arousal. His body ached to rub against her heat, but he would never do such a crass thing to her in public. If they were alone, he couldn’t say he’d be so well behaved.
    He had no choice but to end the kiss and take a breath. Nuzzling her neck, he murmured, “I could dance with you all night.”
    “All night works for me.”
    He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. “I want to thank you again for bidding on me.”
    She held his gaze and gave him a come hither look. “You’re very welcome, but, Mark, I don’t want your gratitude. Make no mistake, that’s not even close to what I want from you.”
    They stood still on the dance floor, ignoring the couples dancing near them, spellbound by each other’s eyes.
    Mark swallowed hard. He wanted Sharon more than he’d ever wanted a woman before. His mind whirled as he tried to work out making love to her with, or hell, without his prosthesis. How the heck was that going to work? Screw it. If he could get past her seeing his leg for the first time, he would figure it out.
    Decision made, he pulled his big boy pants on. “Tell me what you want, Sharon.”
    “You, Mark. I want you. Take me home?”
    “With pleasure,” he growled, and took her by the hand. Without another word, they walked to their table for Rizzo and her purse and then started for the exit.
    He was about to march straight to his car when his brain engaged. “Did you bring a wrap or coat?”
    “Yes, my wrap is in the coat check.” She fished the claim ticket from her small clutch.
    “I’ll get that for you.”
    She stood quietly at his side while he collected her wrap. “Allow me,” he said with a grin as he draped it around her shoulders. He took