Free The Engagement Deal by Kim Lawrence Page B

was probably illegal, too!
    His dark flushed face was very close to her own as she forced her eyes to open. The taut olive-toned skin was drawn tight across those impressive cheekbones. His eyes as he stared back at her were oddly unfocused.
    ‘Definitely,’ he agreed vaguely. The hands that slid underneath the short, semi-fitted silky shirt she’d hoped was suitable for meeting the aristocratic in-laws didn’t seem very convinced.
    He knew this was going to stop—he was going to stop. It wasn’t as if this could go anywhere. His fingertips accidentally brushed the peak of one small breast and her body reacted as though she’d just suffered an electric shock; the deep ripple that passed through her entire body vibrated against the pads of his fingertips. He graphically pictured other, deeper ripples gripping that slender body. On the other hand, there was no big hurry, was there?
    ‘Your skin is so incredibly soft!’ he groaned, sliding his fingers over the slope of her ribcage just beneath the lacy bra she wore. Aroused beyond bearing, the constriction of his position became agonising as he breathed in the sweet, sharp, intensely feminine scent that arose from her hot skin and pictured her body beneath his.
    The top buttons of her shirt had parted to reveal the shadowy promise of a very appealing cleavage. We are talking quality not quantity, here, he thought, recalling the pert outline of her small pointed breasts against that sexy dress she’d worn. With a groan, he pulled back; head pressed against the headrest, he dragged a slightly unsteady hand through his thick hair.
    ‘You’re right.’ He turned his head to look at her. ‘This isn’t the time or place to do what we want.’
    His assumption—understandable, possibly in the circumstances—made her eyes narrow. ‘You’re very free with the we all of a sudden.’
    It was hard to sound haughty when her messed-up hair was sticking to her sweaty face and her shirt was unbuttoned all the way to her waist, but Holly was pretty plucky, not to mention stubborn. Niall Wesley kissed a girl and just assumed she was his—and, considering how well he kissed, she wasn’t surprised he thought that way! But she wasn’t going to be any man’s casual lay! He was looking at his watch, that was how deeply involved he’d been!
    ‘I’m probably not a gentleman to mention it, but you didn’t act as if you were overcome with revulsion.’
    ‘There’s nothing wrong with your technique,’ she conceded sneeringly.
    ‘Why, thank you, ma’am.’ He inclined his head mockingly in gratitude.
    ‘That a little bit of spontaneity wouldn’t cure.’ Head on one side, she made a big show of giving the problem some consideration. ‘Some of your moves seem a little stale, if you know what I mean…’
    Irritatingly, he didn’t seem the slightest bit hurt and offended. Head back, he laughed hard and long. Holly found there was something awfully appealing about the uninhibited way he gave himself up to mirth. You’d find something appealing about a wart, if he had one, she told herself angrily.
    ‘I know exactly what you mean.’ Holly didn’t like the way he said that one bit. ‘Don’t worry, I’m never going to mistake you for anyone else, even with the lights off.’
    Holly didn’t quite know what to make of this ambiguous remark—it might be a compliment! Then again…
    ‘I’m never likely to turn the lights off while you’re around,’ she hissed.
    ‘Really?’ His eyes widened appreciatively. ‘How compatible we are, Holly. Though touch without the benefit of sight can be a very sensual experience, too. Yeah,’ he speculated, warming to his theme, ‘I rather like the idea of taking your hand and guiding you around my body.’ His husky, indecent drawl summoned an erotic haze from clear air—it was so tangible she could have reached out and burnt herself on it.
    ‘If you talk to me like that again, I’ll—’ she began explosively. Well, go on, what