“Reporters,” she whispered.
Will turned. Before he could say anything, she wrapped her arms around him. The nearness of him overwhelmed her. Too bad she had to get this over with so she could focus her attention on Faith’s wedding.
“Kiss me.” Kelsey forced the words from her dry throat and hoped she didn’t sound as desperate as she felt. As she raised her lips to meet his, she told herself what to feel—nothing.One kiss and then…
Will’s lips touched hers. His kiss was as light as a snowflake. Nothing like the mythic-proportion memory that had been making her think too much about his kiss. It was…sweet. Okay, she could deal with this. Nice and pleasant, too. Nothing to write home about. Relief washed over her, and she smiled. Now she could get on with the wedding planning and put all this behind her. Kelsey parted her lips.
Will deepened the kiss, pressing his lips against hers with a hunger that both surprised and flattered her. Kiss after kiss after kiss.
The snowflakes turned into a blizzard. A total whiteout. Kelsey couldn’t see; she didn’t care. She only wanted to feel Will’s warmth, his strength, and soak up the taste of him—champagne and chocolate and something uniquely his own.
Kelsey was caught in an avalanche of sensation, but she wanted to do more than go along for the ride. She leaned into him and met his kiss with a hunger all her own. As he explored her mouth, she did the same with an eagerness so unfamiliar to her. Pleasure pulsated within her, and she quivered.
Will pulled her toward him.
She met him halfway, and his arms tightened around her. So strong, so warm, so right.
Her entire life, she’d longed for permanence and stability and family. She found the promise of all three in Will’s arms. Each touch of his hands and his lips shattered everything she’d come to believe over the years.
Happily ever after.
With him.
Maybe it was possible.
He ran his hands down her back, along the curve of her waist, and cupped her bottom. Will pulled her closer, as close as their jackets and clothing allowed. She pressed against him, her body melting against his. She moaned, relishing the feel and texture of him.
Will dragged the kiss to an end but kept his arms around her and his face next to hers. His own breath, ragged and hot, fanned her temple.
“Are they gone?” he whispered.
She tried to steady her uneven breaths. Her heart hammered in her ears. Her lips ached for more kisses. “Who?”
“The reporters.”
Her pulse went from supersonic speed to a dead stop. Like a snowball hitting her square in the face and breaking her nose, the reality of what she’d done made her stagger backward. She was in trouble—big trouble.
Focus.
That was what she had to do right now.
She glanced around. “I don’t see them.”
“That means they didn’t see us.” He smiled.
Not trusting her voice, she nodded.
“Quick thinking.” He slipped his hand around hers, and she nearly gasped. “We’d better keep up the appearance, just in case.”
“O-okay.” She forced the word out. She’d gotten more than she bargained for with the second kiss—make that kisses. This kiss was nothing like the first. At least she’d been right about that. Too bad this kiss was better, monumentally better. And now they were walking into the inn hand in hand as if they were a couple. The worst part was, it felt totally natural. Kelsey suppressed a groan.
Somebody just shoot me now. It would be the easiest way out.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
February 7
The next morning, Will didn’t hear Kelsey, so she must still be asleep. He opened a can of food for Midas. As the cat ran as fast as his three legs would carry him, Will dished the food onto a plate and mashed it with a fork.
