Free Long, Tall Texans: Calhoun by Diana Palmer Page A

her lips, tangling with her own, and he groaned and gave her his full weight, pressing her against the wall.
    Abby was frightened. She hadn't expected anything quite so adult, and she'd never been kissed by anyone who had any expertise. Calhoun was experienced, and he was kissing her as if she knew all the answers, too. But she didn't. The feel of his body in such unfamiliar intimacy was embarrassing, and his mouth was doing shocking things to her own. She pushed at his chest, afraid of his lack of control.
    "No!" she whimpered.
    He barely heard her. His mind was spinning, his body in torment. He managed to lift his head, breathing roughly, and look down at her. But the passion and delight he had expected to see in her pale eyes was missing. They were wide, but not with desire. With... fear!
    He scowled. Her hands were on his chest, but they were pushing, not caressing, and she was crying.
    "Abby," he whispered gently. "Honey..."
    "Let me...go," she sobbed brokenly. "Oh, let me go!" She pushed again, harder.
    This time he flexed his hands against the wall and pushed away from her, leaving her cold, empty. She moved past him, putting half the length of the room between them. So that — that! —was what passion felt like. She shivered a little at the memory. Her mouth hurt where his had ground against it, and her breasts were sore from the hard pressure of his chest. He hadn't even tried to be gentle. She stared at him accusingly, her eyes bright with tears as she drew her jacket closer and shivered.
    Calhoun felt as if he'd been hit in the head with a hammer. Her reaction hadn't been anything like what he'd expected.
    He'd almost kissed her once before, and she'd been yielding then, willing. But now she looked as if she hated him.
    "You hurt me," she whispered shakily.
    He was lost for words. Concerned, he stared at her, his dark eyes quiet on her wan face. She looked as if she had never experienced a man's passion. Was that possible? Could any woman be that unawakened in this day and age?
    "Haven't you ever been kissed?" he asked softly.
    "Of course I have," she replied stiffly. "But not...not like that!"
    His eyebrows went up. At last he was catching one, "My God," he said huskily. "Abby, adults kiss that way!"
    "Then I don't want to be an adult," she returned, coloring. "Not if I have to be mauled like that!"
    He watched her turn and leave the room, and he was powerless to stop her. Her reaction had floored him completely.

    He'd expected her to know a little about lovemaking, at least, but she seemed totally innocent. She'd never known a deep kiss or the intimacy of a man's body.
    It should have pleased him, but he found it irritating that she thought he'd mauled her. By God, he should have let her go out with Myers. Then she'd know what it was to be mauled!
    He left the room and closed the door, his expression thunderous as he heard her footsteps going down the staircase and then her muffled goodbye to Justin.
    Calhoun went back to his own room. He was breathing roughly, and his heart wouldn't beat properly. He felt hot all over. Frustrated. Furious. Damn Abby and her soft body. It was driving him out of his mind!
    He went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Well, it was a good thing she didn't like his kisses, because hell would freeze over before she ever got another one.
    Abby was blissfully unaware of Calhoun's thoughts. She climbed into her car and started it with hands that were still trembling. How could Calhoun have hurt her like that if he'd cared anything about her? He'd just proved how little she meant to him. He'd only been interested in his own pleasure, not hers. Well, he could go back to his blondes for all she cared. She was sure she hated him now.
    Misty was already dressed and waiting when Abby got to the colonial mansion the older girl shared with her parents.
    Misty took them to town in her little sports car, and for once Abby didn't mind the wind. It might blow away her misery. Just thinking