Free Son of a Preacher Man by Arianna Hart Page B

her ear. When he bit the tender skin of her neck, she let out a moan that just about did him in. Her hands gripped his biceps, nails digging into him, but he didn’t even feel the pain. The scent of her teased his senses, drugging him with her innate sensuality.
    Slowly, giving her plenty of time to stop him in his tracks, he circled his hand closer and closer until he reached the plump fullness of her breast. The cotton of the dress couldn’t stop him from feeling her nipple tighten under his palm. He wanted to draw that tight bud into his mouth and suck on it until she begged for mercy.
    When she grasped his thigh, her thumbs nearly brushing his erection, he knew he had to stop now before he lost complete control. With one last, regretful stroke of her breast, he pulled away. It took a second for her eyes to open, and when she looked at him with a passion-drugged expression, it was all he could to not to drag her off to the nearest secluded spot.
    “How do you do this to me every time?” he asked.
    “Me? Believe it or not, I don’t even kiss on the first date.”
    “What the fuck is wrong with those New Yorkers? I can’t believe they aren’t killing themselves to get you naked. I know it’s killing me to leave that dress on you.”
    “That comment should really piss me off, like I have no control over whether I keep my clothes on. Unfortunately, I don’t think I do. Once again, you’ve shown you have a lot more control than I do. Damn it.” She got off the swing and stood by the porch steps.
    “Hold on a second. You’re mad at me because I’m not ripping your clothes off?” What the fuck? It was taking every last ounce of his physical control to hold back, and she was upset about it?
    “I’m not mad at you. More at myself. I thought after all this time I’d stop throwing myself at you. For years, I had visions of running into you and smiling politely at you before walking away. Instead, I’m ready to screw you on Mary Ellen’s front porch, and once again, you’re the one who is able to put the brakes on, not me.”
    “You never threw yourself at me. Believe me, I’d have remembered that.”
    “What do you call that time by the creek? If I recall, you’re the one who said no that time.”
    “Because I didn’t have a condom and didn’t want to get you pregnant before I left for the Marines. I was trying to do the right thing.”
    “I know. And I appreciate that, I do.”
    “But?”
    Before Nadya could respond, Mary Ellen poked her head out the front door. “Anyone want coffee with dessert?”
    “Sure,” he replied. It wasn’t like he was going to get any sleep tonight anyway.

Chapter Seven
    “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Mary Ellen asked as Nadya collected her purse and car keys. “I can get my sitter to come early and watch the boys.”
    “No, but thanks. I think this is something I have to do on my own.”
    “Okay, but if you need me just call. I’ll be there in no time.”
    “It’ll be fine. What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
    “I don’t know. I’m just nervous for you. Heck, I think I’m more nervous than you.”
    “I feel better now that I’ve made the decision to find out what my father had to say. It won’t change anything, but it’ll be a relief to put it behind me.” She hoped.
    “Well, you look like a million bucks. That’s got to count for something.”
    “I’ll let you in on a secret. I buy everything on consignment. Even the car was used.”
    “Get out of town. You must make good money as a lawyer.”
    Nadya adjusted a stray curl and stuck it back in the French twist. Damn Georgia humidity. “When I first started interviewing, I didn’t have two nickels to rub together. Mama and I were living in a tiny apartment, and she was working two jobs so I could concentrate on law school and passing the bar. One of the girls I went to school with brought me to this second-hand shop, and I got designer clothes for dirt cheap.