To Love and Protect by Susan Mallery Read Free Book Online Page B

morning.”
    The kitchen was also large, done in green-and-cream tile with dark wood and glass cabinets. The appliances were relatively new, the countertops aging, the view to die for.
    She took the glass of white wine David offered and sipped.
    “Better?” he asked.
    “I think it may take a couple of glasses for me to get perky.” She sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m not being very good company.”
    “Would you rather take a rain check?”
    She looked at him, taking in his strong features—his wide, dark eyes, his firm mouth. He had a stubborn jaw and the posture of a man used to getting his way.
    “I’d rather stay,” she told him honestly. “Can you stand it?”
    “You’re not a hardship.”
    Suddenly tension crackled. She welcomed it not only because it was a distraction but because it was such a part of her relationship with David.
    “What am I, then?” she asked.
    His expression tightened. “Don’t go there.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because we both know what will happen.”
    She did know. She’d known from the first time she’d met him. Circumstances had prevented them from acting on what they’d both wanted, but that didn’t change what should have been.
    “What am I?” she asked again.
    “A fantasy.”
    “I’m not sure I can live up to that.”
    “Want to try?”
    She smiled. “Oh, yeah.”

Four
    L iz had enough time to think that she hadn’t been with a man in forever and to worry that she’d forgotten what she was supposed to do before David moved close and took the wineglass from her hand. He set it on the counter, then cupped her face in his hands and pressed his mouth to hers.
    At the first brush of his lips, she knew it didn’t matter what she remembered and what she forgot. With David she would be working on instinct. Heat flared between them, passion exploded and all she could feel was a desperate need to be as naked as possible right now.
    As he moved his mouth against hers, she rubbed her hands up and down his chest. His hard muscles made her want to whimper. This was a man who kept himself in terrific shape, and she had a feeling that would translate to the bedroom.
    He continued to kiss her lightly, to hold her face, as if prolonging the moment. Then he slid one hand into her hair and licked her lower lip. She felt the tingles all the way down to her thighs and places in between. She parted for him, catching her breath in anticipation of his tongue stroking hers, of the way he would taste and tease and—
    He plunged inside of her and fantasy became reality. She might not have seriously kissed the man in five years, but she remembered everything about their being together. Their bodies still seemed made for each other, with hers fitting perfectly against his. She moved her hands from his chest to his back so she could step right against him.
    Need pulsed through her, blood rushed in her veins and her body wept with delight. She was both on fire and desperate for more of his warmth.
    He released her jaw and dropped his hand to her hip, then around to her rear. When he traced the curve, she arched forward, bringing her belly in contact with his erection. Her insides clenched when she felt his arousal.
    “Liz,” he breathed, and began to kiss along her jaw then her neck.
    Her head dropped back to give him more room. Shivers rippled through her as he nibbled on the soft skin by her ear, then licked where he’d nibbled. Her breasts ached, her nipples were impossibly hard. She was on fire and hungry.
    When he put his hands on her rib cage, she caught her breath. He began to move higher, toward her breasts, and it was all she could do not to beg.
    He closed over her curves. Air rushed from her lungs and her knees threatened to buckle. Things only got better when he began to lightly stroke her nipples. He returned his mouth to hers and she opened for him instantly.
    They kissed deeply, the movements of their tongues matching the gentle, erotic stroking of his fingers. It was too much.