Free The Day He Kissed Her by Juliana Stone Page A

look on you.”
    “You look hot and sweaty.”
    “I am,” he said casually, taking a step up. “Hot.” He took another step until his head was level with her chest. A chest that he stared at wickedly. A chest that was once again saluting him.
    “And sweaty,” he added, a touch of rasp in his voice.
    She swallowed slowly, and her heart picked up again as his eyes moved to her throat.
    “If you were a nice lady, you’d invite me in for a drink.”
    “I’m not,” she managed to say cheekily. “A nice lady. Besides, I just watched you drain an entire water bottle.” The words popped out before she could stop them, and Lily’s cheeks heated as a slow grin touched his mouth.
    “You’re a watcher.” He cocked his head and winked. “Good to know.”
    One more step, and his head was level with hers.
    “Did you miss me?” he asked, his direct gaze never wavering.
    “I’ve been busy.”
    “I can see that.” He reached for her, and Lily froze, muscles pulled so tight that they ached.
    She held her breath, afraid to breathe when his fingers brushed across her forehead. The touch was light—like a feather—yet it rocked into her, touching parts of her that it had no right to touch.
    He glanced down at his fingers, and she followed his gaze, licking her lips at the sight of a dark, black smudge. It was from her heavy sketching pencil and she knew that she must look a mess.
    “What is this?” he asked.
    “Lead.” Simple. To the point.
    “Are you an artist, Lily? Do you like to draw?”
    She nodded.
    “That’s nice.”
    Mac took that last step, and she inched back.
    “I’d like to see your work.”
    “I don’t show my stuff to just anyone,” she retorted, finding a bit of that fire she so desperately needed.
    Mac grinned down at her. “Well now,” he said like it was a secret. “I’m not just anyone, Boston.”
    “No?” she replied, hiding the smile she felt inside. “Who exactly are you, Mackenzie Draper?”
    He winked. “I’m the guy you’re going to invite inside.”
    A shot of heat sat low in Lily’s gut. “Really?”
    “And you’re going to feed me because I’m starved.”
    “Huh.”
    “And maybe find me something cold to drink.” He paused. “I’ll even let you watch…if you want to.”
    Lily shook her head, but she couldn’t quite hide the smile tugging at her lips. “What if I’m done watching, and what if I’m not in the mood for company?”
    Mac bent forward, and Lily’s eyes fell to his gorgeous mouth. A mouth that was made for kissing and licking, and suckling.
    The ache in her gut intensified, spreading lower and settling between her legs.
    He was so close that only a whisper separated them.
    “Trust me, darlin’. I’ll make it worth your while.”
    He was unbelievable. And arrogant. And confident. And hot.
    And so damn sexy that if she didn’t move, Lily was afraid she’d melt into a puddle right there in front of him.
    Jesus! Get it together.
    “One drink,” she said as she turned and opened the door.
    Mackenzie followed her into the house, and she waited for him to doff his running shoes, which left him barefoot as well. She wasn’t petite by any means, standing just over five feet six inches, but he had to be at least six three or four, and his frame towered over hers.
    She proceeded down the hall and took a left into the kitchen, not realizing he hadn’t followed her until she turned around. Stepping through the dining area, she leaned against the door frame that faced the large family room she’d made into a studio and watched him as he stopped in front of her easel. She had several sketches strewn around the room, but he’d homed in on her current piece.
    It was a stark, simplistic winter landscape of Crystal Lake, with bare trees, angry skies, and footprints in the snow that led nowhere.
    Palms damp once more, her heart skipped when he looked up and caught her watching.
    Her work was so personal. And truthfully, the only person she’d shared this