Free Here Comes the Bride by Laura Drewry Page B

lips responding with the same deep hunger he felt himself.
    Gathering her into the circle of his arms, he pulled her against him, her heart pounding against his own as if they were one, beating the same rhythm. She went willingly, her soft curves molding perfectly to the contours of his hard, lean body.
    He had to stop—this was crazy. He shouldn’t be kissing her, shouldn’t be holding her so close. He shouldn’t be reacting this way—what the hell was going on, anyway? He’d kissed plenty of women before Tess Kinley, but none of them had ever wreaked such havoc with his thoughts. Or his heart.
    Cussing softly, he released her, his lips reaching for one final caress.
    “Oh, Gabriel,” she breathed, her lids lowered still as though she were lost in a dream. “I . . .”
    “I’m sorry,” he rasped. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
    “I . . .” Tess’s brain swirled and tumbled as quickly as her heart, until her mouth was unable to form a sentence. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she would ever be kissed like that—with such tenderness or such fierceness. Or such love.
    “We best be going.” Gabe took her hands and eased her to her feet, allowing her a moment to steady her trembling knees. Her beautiful face absolutely glowed, radiant with the evidence of his kisses, her mouth swollen and smiling. He returned her to her spot in the wagon and climbed up beside her.
    Lord Almighty, he was in trouble. One kiss would never be enough. No matter how long he lived, or how many other women he might kiss, he would never be the same. No one would ever touch him the way she had just done. And it tore at his heart he’d let her.
    Oh, he wanted her, body and soul, as much as—or perhaps more than—she wanted him; but he could not, would not, give himself to her the way she wanted. He had to send her away, no matter how much it made his insides ache, no matter how much arguing and trouble she might kick up. Letting her stay would only bring more pain.
    Despite his misgivings, Gabe was unable to prevent his hardened heart from weakening a little. The light in her eyes was merely a reflection of his soul, and try as he might, he could not wipe the smile off his face. She looked so happy. Did he do that to her?
    “I’m wondering something, Gabriel,” she said, a gentle smile curving her full lips.
    Gabe chuckled. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”
    “However will you explain me to the good citizens of Porter Creek?”
    Gabe’s smile didn’t waver. “Easy. I’ll tell them you’re my crazy cousin from San Francisco who escaped from the asylum and you’re hiding out here until you’re found.”
    “Gabriel!” she gasped. “You wouldn’t!”
    He laughed. “Yes, I would. Look at you—you’re all rumpled and wrinkled. You’ve got a tangle of flowers in your hair and you look . . .” Downright good enough to eat!
    Tess smoothed her hair, pulling out mashed flowers as she went. Finished, she turned to face him. He felt his face pale under her gaze, while she glowed more and more every time he looked at her.
    “Tess,” he said.
    “No.” She stiffened, clasping her hands in her lap. “Don’t say it, Gabriel, because I won’t listen.”
    He sighed softly, his right hand reaching to cover hers.
    “You can’t stay here.”
    “Yes, I can!” Tears scorched the back of her eyes, fighting to flow. How could such a perfect moment be ruined so quickly?
    “Tess.” His voice was gentle, too gentle.
    “You can’t send me away, Gabriel. We belong together.”
    “No, we don’t. You belong with someone who can take proper care of you, who can offer you whatever your heart desires, someone who can love you the way you deserve to be loved.”
    Tess choked back a sob but her voice wavered. “You can take proper care of me, you are what my heart desires, and you love me the way I deserve to be loved.”
    “No.” Gabe had to say it twice. The first time wasn’t nearly as convincing as it should have