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[ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ] of his mouth. "I want you," he whispered, his voice shaking. She drew back a little, trying to catch her breath and regain her sanity. It was impossible, but she couldn't even speak. They were simply torturing each other with this kind of thing. But how could she explain it to him? He rested his forehead on hers and his eyes closed on ragged breaths. Against her hips, his body was making an embarrassing statement about his feelings, and she withdrew just enough to satisfy her modesty. "Still playing games, Kati? You don't have to put on any acts for me. That virginal withdrawal—" "Egan, you have to listen to me," she managed, looking up. "I've got an apartment two streets over," he said on a harsh breath. "One even Ada doesn't know about We could be there in fifteen minutes, and she'd never have to know." Her breath caught in her throat. His eyes were blazing with it, and she knew her own legs were trembling. For one wild second she looked up at him and knew how it would be between them. She could almost feel the length of him without clothes: the silken slide of skin on skin, the aching pleasure of being touched by those lean, expert hands... "Come with me, Kati," he said unsteadily. "We're just torturing each other. I've got to have you." "I can't," she ground out. She lowered her chin so that her tormented eyes were on a level with his chest, and her trembling fingers pressed against his warm shirt. His fingers tautened on her waist, moved to her hips and jerked them into his. "I ache," he whispered. "You know what I'm feeling." Her eyes closed. She wasn't stupid; she could imagine that it was ten times worse for him than it was for her. But she couldn't undo all the years of conditioning. Flings weren't for her. She had too much conscience. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry, Egan, but I can't." He drew in an angry breath, and she stiffened because she knew he was going to go right through the ceiling. She couldn't even blame him; she should never have let him touch her. But oddly enough, he didn't say a word. He loosened his grip on her hips, allowing her to move away, and drew her gently into his arms. He held her, his head bending over her, his heartbeat shaking both of them, until his breathing was normal again. Her hands felt the warm strength of his back even through his shirt, and she loved the protected feeling she got from being close like this. Her eyes closed and, just for a moment, she allowed herself the luxury of giving in completely, of pretending that he loved her. "I could make you," he whispered at her ear. "I could take the choice away." "Yes, I know," she agreed softly. Her cheek nuzzled against his chest. "This kind of passion is a gift," he said quietly. "I could give you pleasure in ways you've never had it with another man. Not because I'm any damned prize in bed, but because we react to each other like dynamite going up." "I can't," she replied softly. "I want to, but I can't." His hand smoothed her long hair gently. "Because of him?" She drew in a steadying breath. She was going to have to tell him, and it wasn't going to be easy. The door opened, thank God, and Ada walked in, stopping dead when she saw the two of them wrapped in each other's arms. "Wrestling match?" she guessed. "Who's winning?" "Mistletoe," Egan murmured, nodding upward. "Damned potent stuff. She's got me on my knees." "That'll be the day," Ada grinned. Kati pulled away, and he let her go with obvious reluctance. "And I didn't poison you, either," she murmured, trying to keep it light. "Didn't you?" he returned, but there was a difference in him now, a strangeness. "No fighting," Ada said. "It's Christmas day." "So it is," Egan said. "Where's my present?" "Not until morning," Ada returned. "Damn." He looked down at Kati. "I like presents. What did you get me?" "Not until morning," she echoed Ada. He lifted an eyebrow. "I hate waiting," he murmured, and only Kati knew what he meant. "All good things come to him who waits, though," Ada interrupted; and then wondered why Kati blushed and Egan laughed. The girls went in to bed, but Kati didn't sleep. She wanted Egan. And there was more to it than that. She was beginning to feel something she'd never expected. She thought ahead to the next day, when he'd leave for Wyoming, and the world went black. She couldn't imagine a day going by without the sight of him. Just the sight of him. She sat straight up in bed and stared at the wall. She hadn't known that it could happen so quickly. Of course, it could be just physical attraction. She did want him very much, and it was the first time she'd wanted any man. She knew nothing about him really, except bits and pieces. So how, she asked herself, could she be in love with him? "Love," she whispered out loud. She licked her dry lips and put it into words. "I...love...Egan." The sound of it made tingles all the way to her toes, and when she closed her eyes she could feel his mouth on hers; she could taste the minty warmth of his lips. Shivers went all over her like silvery caresses, and she caught her breath. You have to forget all that, she told herself. Because what Egan wanted was the limited use of her body, to sate his own hunger. And once he'd had it, he'd be off to new conquests. Like Jennie. Her eyes clouded with bridled fury. Jennie! She'd like to rip the girl's hair out. She lay back down and closed her eyes. Well, that was his kind of woman, anyway. All she had to do was grit her teeth and bear it until he left. Then she could pull her stupid self together and forget him. Her eyes opened. It was over an hour before she could close them in sleep. Chapter 7 The thought of the condominium bothered Kati. She couldn't help remembering that Egan had said Ada didn't know about it, which meant he kept it for only one reason. If he was willing to take Kati there, he must have taken other women too. In the cold light of morning, she was glad she'd had the sense to resist him. Egan only wanted her. Someday, with a little luck, there would be a man who'd love her. But if she was inclined to be cool and collected, Egan wasn't. He watched her covetously when she joined them for breakfast. His silver eyes roamed over the pretty red vest and skirt she was wearing with a long-sleeved white blouse, and he smiled appreciatively. "Very Christmasy," he murmured. She smiled as coolly as possible. "Thank you." She allowed him to seat her, expecting Ada to plop down beside her as usual. But instead, Egan slid into Ada's usual place, so close that his thigh touched hers when he moved. "I can help," Kati volunteered quickly. "No," Ada said as she dished up everything and carried it to the table. "Just sit. We'll both have enough to do later." So she sat, nervously, hating the close contact because she could feel Egan as well as smell the warm, [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ] |