Storm felt her heart catch and she quickly stood. “It’s best we turn in.”
“If you say so,” Burke said and stood.
“Good night,” Storm said and turned to leave.
Burke took hold of her arm and pulled her to him. “Not so fast, pretty lady.”
He leaned down and claimed her lips in a gentle kiss.
His tenderness did her in, or perhaps tenderness was what forced her response. Whatever it was, she soon found herself lost in a kiss that stirred her long-dormant passion. It had been so long since he had kissed her, and she allowed herself the pleasure of enjoying the taste of him.
He knew how to kiss, how to titillate with his lips and his tongue.
She pulled away suddenly and ran off without a word, her husband’s face vivid in her mind and her heart in pain at betraying his memory.
Morning found Storm busy with Tanin and purposely ignoring Burke. She didn’t wish to address her sudden departure last night, and least of all did she want to discuss their kiss. It had been a mistake and one she would not make again.
She finished with Tanin and intended to make herself scarce until Burke and Malcolm left, but then she turned to find Burke standing in front of her.
“Was my kiss that bad or that good?” he asked.
“Neither. It was a mistake.” She tried to push past him.
He held her in place. “I don’t think so.”
“It doesn’t matter what you think. Now let go of me,” she ordered him quietly and calmly, not wanting to attract attention.
“Not until I have an answer.”
“I gave you one.”
“Not good enough,” he insisted.
“You need to be going. Malcolm is waiting.” She gave a nod to where the young man stood near the edge of the woods.
“He can wait. I told him I needed to speak with you first.”
“This mission is too important to be held up by a kiss,” she scolded.
“My sentiments exactly, so give me an answer and be done with it.”
“I can order—”
His eyes narrowed. “An answer, Storm, here and now.”
She knew he’d go nowhere until she responded and she thought to lie to him, but she had a feeling he’d see through it.
“Like or don’t like,” he reminded. “It’s that simple.”
He was right. It was that simple, and she was being foolish. It would be her choice whether he kissed her again. Her answer would make no difference.
“Like,” she said, getting it over with quickly.
Burke grinned. “I liked it too.”
Her cheeks burned red as he walked away, and she turned so that no one would see her blush. She did not have a problem baring her naked breasts to this man, and yet knowing that he liked the kiss made her blush like a young lass enamored of a lad.
But then removing her shirt had been her choice and had also been meant to put him in his place. The kiss was entirely different.
