The attraction between us snaps tighter, drawing us into a cocoon of need that cuts us off from the rest of the crowd. The music seems to fade. The people around us disappear. It’s just me and this dangerous stranger, and the electricity holding us in thrall.
He rakes his gaze across my face and seems fascinated by my mouth. My core trembles. My stomach tightens. Butterflies erupt in my blood stream. Oh my god. This intense awareness of him is like nothing I've ever experienced.
He must feel the pull, for a flush streaks across his cheekbones. His gaze narrows. He begins to lower his head, and as if in a dream, I go up on tiptoes. His face is inches from mine, close enough for me to make out the lines radiating from his eyes. His irises are vivid, an intense, almost unnatural, glacial blue. They should seem cold, but right now, they burn as if lit from within by an electrical storm.
My breath catches. My heartbeat spikes. I part my lips, anticipating the kiss when?—
"James." Phe steps around me. "What are you doing here?"
2
James
Ijump back as if I’ve been burned. So does she.
I take in her big green eyes, that blonde hair gathered in a saucy ponytail which bounces as she moves. As for her hourglass figure, I’ve been itching to run my fingers over her curves since I saw her on the dance floor.
Watching her grind those luscious hips and throw her head back, laughing and moving to the music… It made me want to stomp over and plant my body in front of her so no one else can see that gorgeous body.
The possessiveness takes me by surprise. I don’t normally want to both protect a woman and haul her into my bed at the same time. It’s a strange combination of tenderness and lust, which sets alarm bells ringing in my head.
Not to mention, my response is all wrong. She’s my sister’s friend. That’s not a relationship I want to mess up. And that’s exactly what will happen if I act on this impulse to throw thiswoman over my shoulder and carry her out of here to have my way with her.
I’d enjoy her and then, I’d be done with her. And that would make things very uncomfortable between them. She’s too innocent for the likes of me. I’ve seen war, killed men, and buried friends. The nightmares I've seen and the darkness I carry inside of me as a result would only taint her. It’s best I leave her alone.
I’m very aware of my sister waiting for my response. But despite my best efforts, it takes me a few more seconds to rip my gaze from her friend’s beautiful face and to my sister. "Question is, what areyoudoing here?’
I have to raise my voice to be heard above the music, but Phe hears it. So does her friend.What is she doing here, surrounded by men who’ve been eyeing her since she stepped onto the dance floor?
One of them bumps into her.
I glare at the numbskull. He pales, stumbles back. Aiming a last 'keep off' scowl at him, I turn to Phe. "It’s time for you to get home."
Her friend stiffens.
Phe rolls her eyes. "Seriously? We just started dancing."
I bark out a laugh. "Nice try, Squirt. You’ve been on the dance floor for close to an hour."
"But I want to dance all night long," she whines.
"The music is too good to leave now," her friend protests.
I allow myself to look at her, once more taking in those sparkling green eyes and the thick blonde hair held up in a ponytail which draws attention to her features. Instantly, that attraction I feel toward her snaps tight.
It doesn’t matter that we’re surrounded by gyrating people or that my sister is watching the two of us with curiosity. She’sprobably picking up on the chemistry between us, which makes me uncomfortable. It’s bad taste to hit on my little sister’s friend.
Yet I’m helpless in the face of the attraction between us.
My pulse races, my muscles are so tense they seem to have turned into granite. My skin prickles with the need to have contact with hers.
Every instinct within me pushes me to haul her off the dance floor and away from the peering eyes of those around her.
I curl my fingers into fists to prevent myself from reaching out to touch her. I’m ashamed that I’m unable to resist this draw to her.
Me, the Marine who’s proud of my iron self-control, yet I’m helpless in the face of my attraction toward this woman.
I shake my head to clear it. I must be more deprived than I realized. Being on back-to-back tours of duty can do that to a man.
