Singed by Desiree Holt, Allie Standifer Read Free Book Online Page A

spots danced in front of my eyes.” He reached across the white linen tablecloth and clasped her hand in his. “You had me even before hello, Kendra. I love everything about you without even knowing what it all is. You smile at me and I feel like the most important man on earth. A single touch from you has me going from zero to sixty in half a second.”
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    Singed
    She opened her mouth to speak, but River plodded ahead, his words riding over her. “I know you’re a glass artist, Kasey told me. She also showed me the website and I think your work is amazing and a little scary. But it doesn’t matter because I admire it. I respect you and your art. You are the one person I want to come home to. The one I want to bitch, laugh and moan over my day or my cases or even my family. With you in my life I can face anything. With you in my arms I can conquer everything.”
    Kendra hadn’t bolted from the table and River took that as a good sign. He slowly let the air out of his lungs and laid all the rest of his cards on the table.
    “I fell in love with you before I even knew your name, Kendra. Please let me into your life. Lean on me when things get crazy, I’ll hold you close and keep you safe. I see my future in your eyes so please don’t turn away from me.”
    He finally stopped for a breath, poured wine for both of them and took a healthy gulp of his. Her face gave nothing away. He had absolutely no idea what she was thinking or what would happen next. But he couldn’t have opened his heart any more than he did. Now it was up to her.
    The tension eased slightly when a slow smile curved her lips.
    “Do they let you take the rest of the wine bottle with you?”
    His heart finally started beating again and he knew he was grinning like an idiot.
    He raised one hand to signal for the check. “They will this time.”
    * * * * *
    Kendra had taken two wineglasses from the cupboard, hands trembling, legs shaky, but she smiled when she held them out to River. He poured from the bottle into each of them, then touched the rim of his to hers.
    “To us, Kendra. To our being together forever.”
    “To us.” She gave him a tremulous smile. She still had a hard time believing all the things he’d said to her, but when she looked in his eyes she knew he was being honest with her.
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    Desiree Holt & Allie Standifer
    They locked their gazes while they sipped the wine. Then River took both glasses, placed them on the counter and pulled her into his arms. “I don’t want to trample all over you, but is it too soon for us to take off our clothes?”
    Kendra burst out laughing. “Are you in a big hurry?”
    “Only to get you in the bedroom.” He kissed her lightly, a ghost of a touch, and traced the edge of her mouth with his tongue. “After that I plan to take my time.”
    She wound her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him, feeling the hard wall of his chest against her throbbing nipples. River lifted her in his arms and carried her into the bedroom, standing her beside the bed and sweeping back the covers. She felt the trembling in his fingers as he untied the bow of the halter top dress and peeled the fabric down. His eyes darkened when her breasts sprang free, unhindered by a bra.
    “Naked,” he whispered. “I love to see every part of you naked.”
    He bent his head and almost reverently closed his mouth over one nipple and pulled it into his mouth. Fingers of pleasure streaked straight to her pussy, setting up tiny flutters in her inner walls. His very educated mouth sucked and pulled until her nipple was so hard she was sure it would burst. Then he turned his attention to the other one. Kendra forked her fingers through his hair, holding his head in place as she arched into his touch.
    When he finally lifted his head she unbuttoned his shirt, pulled it from the waistband of his slacks and pushed it away so she could run her fingers through the lightly curled soft pelt on his chest. Her fingers found his