“What?”
“You can’t change my entire belief system with one compliment.”
“I’m not trying to.” He raised her chin with his fingertip. “What I meant to say was, any kid would be lucky to have you for a mother. It would be a big loss if that didn’t happen someday. Emphasis on someday.”
He said that as much for his own benefit as hers.
Gazing into her eyes, he felt a sense of completeness, as if a missing gap had suddenly been filled. But of all the women in the world, how could it be this one? One who was so different from—
She blinked. “I wish I could believe…”
“You can.” He caressed her cheek, gently tracing a line down to her chin with his fingertip. “Believe, Kelsey. Believe.”
She parted her lips, but he didn’t give her the chance to speak. He covered her mouth with his own.
So sweet. Melt-in-your-mouth sweet, like cotton candy.
He wasn’t sure why he kissed her, but it was the smartest move he’d made all week, right after getting out of the favor-making. But if she kept kissing him this way, he might give the old glue gun another try. And the ribbons.
Her hands splayed across his back, pulling him closer. He went willingly, without a nanosecond of hesitation. He tasted snow and Kelsey and something else, something exotic, a forbidden fruit or magic potion or enchanted elixir. The tastes mingled, blended. Temptation, desire, and romance. He couldn’t forget the romance. That was the most important part. He only needed to make Kelsey see it, feel it, believe it.
As she leaned into him, into the kiss, he wound his left hand in her hair. The soft strands sifted through his fingers like silk. Now, this was heaven, and he didn’t want it to end.
The snow flurries picked up and circled them. He felt as if they’d stepped into a winter wonderland snow globe. His only wish was that as soon as the imaginary music stopped, someone would wind the key so they could start again. And again. And again.
Will didn’t care that everything he’d thought, everything he’d believed, was flying out the door faster than candy on Halloween. He’d care later. He’d bet Starr Properties’ newest resort in the Bahamas that he’d care a lot, but not now. Not in this perfect moment.
This wasn’t a mere kiss. Kelsey wasn’t a mere woman.
He kissed her again and again. She kissed him back again and again. Then she sighed, a quiet-as-a-whisper sigh that spoke volumes. His blood roared through his veins. He was king of the jungle, king of the world. Her lips pressed against his once again. Searching, seeking, finding…
He wanted her. He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted—
Will tore away from her.
Eyes wide and her breathing ragged, she stared at him. A faint blush reddened her cheeks. It wasn’t from the cold. Not this time. “I—”
“No, I—”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry.” But the last thing he felt was sorry. “I started it.”
She stared into his eyes. “I didn’t stop you.”
I should have stopped myself.But he couldn’t say the words out loud. Because, heaven help him, he hadn’t wanted to stop. Not then, not even now. He’d wanted more. All she had to give him.
And it scared Will, downright terrified him. He couldn’t remember feeling so out of control with Sara. Maybe he’d forgotten. He’d been carrying memories of her with him for so long. But that didn’t make the way he was feeling right.
“Don’t beat yourself up over this,” Kelsey said. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Will couldn’t look her in the eyes. It was as if she could read his mind. How could someone he’d known for such a short time know him so well? It was all so very…strange. Yet, it felt so very right. Almost too right.
She combed her gloved fingers through her tousled and tangled hair. “Chalk it up to the heat of the moment.”
“It’s freezing out here.” Of course, he was sweating. And he wasn’t wearing a hat or gloves.
“So it was the chill of the moment. Same difference.” She grinned. “I see the beginnings of a smile.”
