Under the Midnight Stars by Shawna Gautier Read Free Book Online

his back to his waist.
    Lifting a gentle hand to her cheek, Colt brushed back the strand of hair. Then he encircled her waist with both arms again and pulled her closer to his body. Slowly, he lowered his head toward hers.
    Taken off guard, Brielle’s first instincts were to push him away — they hardly knew each other. But for some reason she hadn’t the power to stop him. Relishing his touch, her breathing quickened and her heart pounded with anticipation. She closed her eyes as his lips touched hers. They were warm and gentle, sending a fluttering through her chest.
    He pulled away briefly, before tenderly molding his lips to hers again.
    Chest heaving, Brielle relished his soft kisses and the tingling desire it sparked within her. She didn’t want this magical moment to end. As he pulled away again, hovering just shy of her mouth, she eagerly leaned forward for another kiss, pressing her lips to his.
    Colt tightened his grip around her waist, but pulled back far enough to see her face. As their heavy breaths mingled into one, he gazed into her eyes for a brief moment, almost as if he were studying her reaction, before he suddenly engulfed her lips with his again.
    Brielle welcomed his hungry kiss. It instantly sent her mind swirling with drunken pleasure. She relished the sweetness of his tongue as it pushed its way past her lips and entered her mouth, seeking hers. She gave him what he wanted, reaching her tongue out to meet his. The silkiness of them rolling together melted her senses away in bliss. Hungry for more, she let her hands slide up his back and she pressed her body against him, intensifying their passion.
    Gently, Colt placed his hands on either sides of her face and pulled away, breaking them free of their magnetic embrace.
    Brielle lifted her lids and stared into his smoldering eyes. She bit her lower lip, trying to steady her breathing.
    Colt squeezed his eyes shut briefly, before opening them again. With a heavy sigh he lowered his arms and took a step back. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I know we hardly know each other, but I just had to kiss you, Brielle.”
    She didn’t know why he was apologizing. She enjoyed his kiss. He moved her in a way that no other man had. Her mind was still swimming with drunkenness and her entire body ached for more of his touch … for another kiss. Her mother’s voice haunted her thoughts: “You’ll know you’ve met the one when his kiss makes your mind, body, and heart react senselessly.”
    She looked deeply into Colt’s eyes. “Don’t be sorry. I’m glad you kissed me.”
    He let out a relieved sigh and ended it with a slight smile. “I know I’m sort of doing things backwards here … but will you go to dinner with me tonight?”
    Her heart skipped a beat at the unexpected question. She wanted to say yes, but then there was the matter of her date tonight with Billy Collins. She wasn’t raised to go back on her word, and she wouldn’t start now. Besides, this was the only way she could think of to end Billy’s pesky pursuance of her once and for all.
    Filled with regret, she grimaced. “I’m sorry. I already have plans.”
    “Right.” He lowered his head.
    “But I’m free tomorrow night,” she suggested hopefully.
    After a brief pause, the corners of his mouth curled upward. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
    Brielle was happy about their date, but tomorrow night seemed so far off. She didn’t want to wait that long to see him again — to possibly kiss him again. An idea came to mind. “You know, I’m off tomorrow. I could come over and help you get the place cleaned up.”
    Colt’s eyes lit up. “Thanks, Brielle. I could really use the help.” He reached down and grabbed her hand, interlocking their fingers together. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

FOUR
    Brielle studied her outfit in the silver-framed mirror next to the front door, hoping it would repel Billy Collins. She usually put some effort into her