Carenza was never impulsive.She plotted and planned every move, every gesture, every expression.What to wear.What to say.How to comport herself.Such was the life of the clan’s heiress.
But for the first time in her life she threw caution to the wind.Acted on instinct.And followed her heart.
Curling her fists in the front of his plaid, she pushed him back against the stone wall of the church, closed her eyes, and pressed her lips to his.
Chapter 17
It wasn’t the first time a woman had stolen a kiss from Hew.Every time in the past, however, he’d known what to do.
He would immediately take charge, grateful to find a mate whose passion equaled his.He’d pull them into an intimate embrace.Sweep his hands into their hair.Slant his mouth across theirs.And feast on them with the hunger of a starving beast.
This time he felt utterly lost.
Carenza’s kiss was careful, tentative, innocent.He doubted she’d ever kissed a man before.
His heart bellowed at him to seize the day.Slake his thirst for her.Take advantage of this moment.
Yet he hesitated.
This was not every woman from his past.
This was Lady Carenza.
The lady of his dreams.
His One True Love.
The lass he was afraid to lose.
The woman with the power to break his heart beyond repair.
For the first time in his life, he felt fear.
Fear that he would frighten her.
Fear that he would go too far, too fast.
So he withheld a measure of his passion from her.Instead of pouring all his desire into the kiss, he answered her with gentle caution.
He closed his eyes and moved his lips tenderly against hers.He took his time, relishing the sweet softness of her skin.The subtle perfume of her cheek.
He lifted his good hand and rested his fingertips on her jaw, as lightly as if she were made of delicate porcelain.Then he slid his hand tenuously into her hair, tracing the circle of her ear with a single finger.
She gasped and shivered.
Even that small response made his control slip.There was a tightening in his braies, and his veins pulsed with erotic current.
He groaned deep in his throat, fighting to hold back.
But it was too late.Something in his voice called to the primitive female part of her.With a small answering moan, she deepened the kiss.She began to consume him the way the fire had consumed his leine, eating away his will and leaving only carnal flame.
She clutched him closer, eagerly twisting her mouth to satisfy her hunger.Her breath came in fevered panting.With intuitive urgency, she leaned toward him, struggling to get closer.
Hew’s heart pounded.Every bone in his body yearned to answer her craving.Every inch of his flesh ached to solve her womanly dilemma.
Yet he resisted.And it almost worked.
But then she captured his face in her hands.She pulled his head close.Opened his mouth with her own.Dared to let her tongue explore and taste and tempt him.
