Free Dream Shadow by Mary Wine

you want more than a kiss.”
    “I don’t want you to touch me.”
    “But you still enjoyed being kissed.” She jerked in response and tried to toss him off her again. She pushed him up but all they did was roll. For a moment, she sat on top of him, her ankles trapped beneath him. His face set into a frown.
    “It’s not against the law, Grace. In fact, it’s rather normal.”
    Letting her sit on top of him unleashed a new set of sensations. She realized how easy it might be to lean down and kiss him.
    “I’m not normal.” And she didn’t want to be. Heat was erupting along every millimeter of her body. His hand was heavy as it gently cupped her breast. He continued to move his thumb in a lazy circle around the sensitive tip. Her opposite breast ached for the same treatment.
    “Yes, you are.”
    Brice traced one hand over the side of her face. “Your cheeks are hot with a blush again. Attraction between a man and a woman is as normal as it gets. All the training in the Army can’t dismiss it.”
    He traced her lower lip with his thumb.
    Her body jerked away from his, breaking the fragile contact.
    He chuckled and tapped his own lips. “Kiss me Grace. You’ve been watching me all day.”
    She had been. “I watch everybody.”
    “Not the way you study me.”
    A curl of excitement went through her belly, proving that part of her was happy to be found out.
    He placed his hands on her thighs, rubbing them from her knee to her hips. It was such a simple touch, yet deeply sensual.
    “Here’s your chance to touch what you’ve been watching.”
    There it was again, that offer of choice. It was intoxicating and her logic didn’t hold up against its influence. She lifted her hands, hesitating for a long moment because she wasn’t sure how to touch him.
    “Just follow your instincts.”
    His voice was husky and like a melody she just couldn’t ignore. She reached for his chest and let her fingertips slide gently along the hard ridges. Time felt like it slowed down, allowing her to savor every moment. He made a low sound of enjoyment and stroked her thighs once more.
    “Now kiss me.”
    She stroked his lips instead. “Done asking now?” She almost didn’t recognize her own voice. It was far too sultry and feminine.
    He pressed a kiss against her fingertips before rolling her back onto the forest floor.
    “Yes,” he growled softly as he settled on top of her.
    Sliding a firm hand over the smooth column of her throat, Brice tilted her head up so he might press a kiss against her lips.
    Sliding along the contours of her mouth, he pressed further, seeking to taste her. Sensation crawled across her body, pricking her with its intensity. Each square inch of contact burned hotter as he continued his conquest of her mouth.
    It was madness but she craved it.
    Desires long suppressed defied her attempts to contain them. They burned their path across her mind, refusing to be held by the bonds of logic or will.
    She kissed him back. Grace lifted her hands and spread them over his chest. She didn’t know how a man could feel so very good. Brice did. It was solid strength that made her body pulse. He trailed his hand down her neck toward her breast as Grace offered it to his touch. His gentle grip made her moan with the sensation.
    “Do you like that?” Brice moved his hand over her breast as she arched her back. “Tell me you like my touch.”
    Arrogance was written across his face. Grace struggled with her body’s demands as her pride insisted she resist his order. But she did like it. Her body seemed to need his touch. His hand became completely still, making her breast ache.
    “Yes.”
    His hand left her breast, making her shift in frustration. Brice pulled her shirt out of her pants, raising it to bare her chest. He settled his palm over her breast again with just her thin bra as a barrier. She arched, seeking a firmer touch. She seemed powerless to control the urge to get closer to his body. He gently stroked