Her eyes widened. Up this close he could see the color was brown…a very lovely brown. Almost a rust color, in fact.
Mumbling her apologies, she tried to stand, but all she could manage was to fall on his lap again. The embarrassment was evident on her bright face. He felt sorry for her, and he should try to make her relax so the awkward moment would pass quickly.
“It’s all right, Brittany.” He stroked her bare arms that were so very soft. “I’m not going to hurt you. Take a deep breath and try to calm yourself.”
She closed her eyes and must have given up the idea that he was a scorching stove setting her on fire, because within seconds, her body relaxed and she sat sideways on his lap. He continued to rub up and down her arms until her ragged breathing sounded mostly normal. Her body still quivered slightly, but she seemed more in control, now.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked.
She opened her eyes and met his stare. “Yes, Austin.”
Her voice was so soft, he could hardly hear. It almost sounded as if she sighed his name. When realization finally hit him, his heart leapt. Shehadsighed his name, and it sounded so sweet the way it rolled off her tongue.
Had this innocence of hers been an act? Because now her eyes told him a different story, and fear was not a chapter in this tale at all. Her gaze moved slowly over his face, coming to rest on his mouth. Was she going to kiss him? He’d only accept it as long as she didn’t think he was forcing her.
“Brittany, if you don’t want to kiss me, you don’t have to.”
“I don’t?”
“No.” He trailed his fingers from her shoulder, up her neck to her face in gentle caresses. “I don’t know what Derek told you about me, but I’m not forceful.”
“That’s good to know.”
He waited for her to scoot off his lap, but she didn’t. He also realized one of her hands still rested inside his robe on his bare chest…well, at least her fingers were, and they were slowly sliding back and forth. He’d been so tired only moments ago, but her caress had brought him wide awake.
“You know, you have a very soft touch,” he said.
“So do you.”
Her breathing had changed again, and became just as ragged as his. One thing was certain—if she didn’t make the first move and kiss him, he was going to do it.
He brushed his fingers across her bottom lip and her mouth opened. It was now or never.
Hesitantly, he leaned forward, waiting for her to stop him. But when she met his descending mouth, excitement filled him. As he touched her lips with his, fireworks shot off in his head, and he cupped her face. Another sigh breezed from her throat, but this time he didn’t stop to figure out what she had said.
Austin moved his lips back and forth with hers. She clutched his robe, and thankfully, didn’t pull away. He moved his hands around to her back, bringing her in closer. A low moan rattled in her throat, and he turned the kiss wilder.
No longer did he need sleep. He neededthis.Perhaps he shouldn’t, because he didn’t want to give her the wrong idea about what kind of man he was, but breaking the kiss at this point was not plausible.
He moved his hands to her neck, and they knocked against the awkward tilt of the bun in her hair. Without asking permission, he slipped his fingers in her hair and pulled out the pins holding the style together, and dropped the objects to the floor. Her hair cascaded down her back, feeling just as silky as he’d imagined. It was also longer than he’d imagined as it reached her lower back.
Following his example, she threaded her fingers through his hair, still keeping up with his urgent kisses.
“You’re absolutely beautiful,” he murmured against her mouth. “I could kiss you all night long.”
Another low moan came from her, but suddenly, her body stiffened and she pulled away. Passion was evident on her expression, but so was fear.
“I…I shouldn’t have done this,” she whispered as she tried to stand.
“No, Brittany. Don’t stop—”
“I have to.”
Her voice was sharp this time, and she jumped to her feet, quickly moving away from him as fast as she could go.
“Brittany—” He stood and tried to catch her, but the woman was already sprinting out of the door. “Brittany, stop. I can’t have you leave me like this.”
She threw him a glare for a few seconds before she entered the elevator. The doors closed before he could reach her.
