Free After Sundown by Anna J. McIntyre

pants , seductively massaging the lower part of her leg . “I just like what they are attached to.”
    "Are you trying to seduce me again ? " Kit asked. The massage felt so good, Kit was reluctant to pull away. Instead , she leaned back and closed her eyes.
    "Is it working?" Cole asked with a grin, his fingers continued to weave a provocative path along her calves.
    "You know," Kit murmured , "I could have you arrested for sexual harassment."
    "You don't look harassed , " Cole chuckled. Kit responded by wiggling her toes and accidentally rubbing Cole's crotch.
    "Cut that out!" Cole snapped. " Damni t, Kit, when are you going to put us out of our misery?"
    " Col e, I was just getting used to our friendship." Kit pulled her f oo t from Cole's lap and placed both feet on the carpet. "Y ou aren't going to give up, are you?"
    "It's inevitabl e, Kit."
    "I think it will make things uncomfortable , " Kit returned.
    "I'm damned uncomfortable now!" Cole grumbled.
    "Oh come o n, Cole Taylor, surely you have other female acquaintances that you can badger into your bed?"
    "I've never had to badger any woman into my bed!"
    At that declaration , Kit lifted a brow and smirked.
    "Until you , " h e conceded with a half smile.
    The next evening , Cole left work earlier than usual, arriving at Kit’s house as she was about to serve dinner. Kit invited him to join her and the girls for a home cooked meal . He gratefully accepted. After dinner, the girls pleaded with Cole to stay a bit longer, so they could watch their favorite television show together. More than willing to spend extra time with Kit, Cole agreed without asking her. She didn’t seem to mind and even offered him a glass of wine. The two adults retreated to the living room, while the girls watched television in the den. Earlier that evening, Kit had started a fire in the living room fireplace, and the flames were beginning to crackle and snap, as they danced in the stone hearth. Kit still di d not have a couch in the room, and so the two leaned again st several large throw pillows, facing the fireplace.
    When walking in the living room, Cole turned off the overhead light, so they could better enjoy the fireplace. Kit said nothing about the lack of lighting when she took a place beside Cole on the floor. They sat there for a few minutes without talking, each sipping their wine. Sounds from the television show drifted in the room, reminding them that the girls were in the den nearby.
    “This is nice,” Cole said, breaking the silence.
    “Yes it is,” Kit agreed, her voice soft. They both stared into the flames.
    “Dinner was great, by the way,” Cole told her.
    “Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.”
    “You better watch out. I am liable to show up early every night to beg a homemade dinner from you, ” Cole teased. Kit laughed and then set her wine glass on a small nearby table.
    Cole turned around to face her. She was still looking into the fire. He leaned over and set his glass next to hers, never taking his eyes off Kit’s fa ce. He didn’t think he had ever known a woman with as flawless skin as Kit ’s . She co uld sense he was staring at her. Kit glanced over to meet his penetrating gaze.
    “What?” She asked, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.
    “You have,” Cole whispered, as he lifted his right hand and brushed his fingertips down the side of her face, “the most beautiful skin I’ve ever seen.” Kit’s eyes widened at the compliment, and instead of pulling away, she sat frozen, looking into his dark eyes. When he leaned forward to steal a kiss, she did not move away, but leaned into it , allowing herself to enjoy the intimate physical contact with a man she found incredibly attractive. With the girls in the next room, she felt safe allowing herself this one indulgence .
    Kit leaned into the kiss, parting her soft lips and fully participating , ignoring her better judgment. Cole immediately pulled her closer. Kit’s head began to spin and her heart raced. She