“Yeah, you too.”Great, way to be eloquent.“May I?” he asked as he lowered his head for another taste. She tasted of chocolate and apple pie, two foods as sweet and wholesome as Clara was. He delved deeper as she opened to him, her hands stealing into his hair and pulling him closer. Toe to toe. Chest to chest. They explored each other. Her heart thundered against his.
After several long delicious moments that felt like seconds, he lifted his head. “You take my breath away,” he said with a groan. He smiled and pressed his forehead to hers. “You’re incredible. You make me feel things I shouldn’t feel.”
“Sorry.” She blushed again and looked at the floor.
“Don’t be. You’re a beautiful, passionate woman. I’m blessed that you let me in your home, let alone let me kiss you. You make me feel alive.”
He barely heard her low-voiced response. “Yeah. Me too.”
“I think,” he paused to consider his words. He didn’t want to hurt her. “I think maybe we should go to bed. Alone. Not that I don’t want you. Never doubt that. I do. But I don’t want to rush anything.”
“Um, okay?” Her brows knit together in a puzzled frown.
Did she want to continue their kiss to its natural conclusion? It was too soon for such intimacy. She wasn’t the type of woman a man took to bed without thinking. She deserved more than a quick trip to bed. She deserved flowers, dinners, and devotion.
“We need to get to know each other better before we follow this incredible attraction any further.” This was the hardest thing he’d ever done; he could barely force the words past the lump of emotion in his throat. He hoped he wouldn’t regret passing on the opportunity to make love to her. She’d be willing. But he knew she wasn’t ready and refused to let his own desires drag him headlong into disaster. Even if it was exactly what his body and his heart wanted.
Unable to resist, he kissed her again. Long and deep, pushing his heart into it. She met him halfway, grasping the back of his head and pulling him closer. Her body melded to his. Her soft curves made his body cry out for more. He was totally gone on Clara Everett, and he had no idea what he was going to do about it. He was a city boy, and she was a small-town girl. They had commitments that kept them there.
Dammit, he never should have given in and kissed her. He wasn’t planning on staying in Coyote Creek. But he couldn’t find a single iota of regret anywhere within himself. Kissing Clara was perfect. She was perfect.
