Free Star of His Heart by Brenda Jackson Page A

that?”
    She cleared her throat. “That curiosity thing about kissing.”
    He nodded slowly. “So are you admitting to being curious?”
    â€œUmm, just a little,” she said.
    He went silent, deciding to let her think about what she’d said and, more importantly, what she planned to do about it.
    Â 
    Standing there facing Ethan, not all in his face but probably less than two feet away, Rachel concluded she had never felt anything close to the stomach-churning heat that had taken over the lower part of her body. It didn’t help matters that he was shirtless with his jeans riding low on his hips. His muscular physique dominated her kitchen and reminded her that she was very much alone with a very sexy man.
    And apparently he was a man who didn’t forget anything, especially her evasiveness from earlier when she’d refused to elaborate on these vibes she was sensing. She was smart enough to know Ethan had no intention of letting her off the hook and was making her work for anything she got. That was fine with her, since she’d always considered herself a working girl.
    He was a man who knew women. So he had to know she wanted him to kiss her. She hadn’t been ready earlier tonight and hadn’t been accepting. Now she was both ready and accepting. Nothing would change between them with one kiss. She was convinced of that now. Why would it? She wasn’t his type and he definitely wasn’t hers. Sharing a kiss wouldn’t produce a marriage license or any document that said they would have to take things further than that. Monday, on the set, they would go back to being just friends. Nothing more. Nothing less.
    â€œYou think too damn hard.”
    She blinked upon hearing Ethan’s blunt words and had to agree that she did think too hard. But then she’d always been the type of person to weigh the pros and cons before she acted. This was one of those times she had to really consider whether the pros outweighed the cons.
    She quickly concluded that they did.
    A smile touched her mouth when she took a couple steps closer to him, fascinated by the blue-gray eyes watching her. Now she was all in his face and decided it was time to do something about it. Granted, she wasn’t the typical kind of woman he became involved with; however, she intended to show him that good things could come in small packages. With a pounding heart, she stood on tiptoe, reached out and placed her arms around his neck.
    â€œNow, are we in accord?” Ethan asked, placing his hands at her waist, drawing her closer and loweringhis mouth toward hers, hovering mere inches from her lips.
    She drew in a deep, unsteady breath, barely able to contain the heated passion taking over her body, filling her with all kinds of sensations. She had never responded to a man this way. Had never been this affected and bold. “Yes, we’re in accord.”
    Fueled by a degree of desire she’d never felt before, she leaned farther up on tiptoes and whispered against his lips, “So, let’s go for broke.”

Chapter 9
    N othing could have prepared Ethan for the need that took over his body at that moment. Unable to hold back, he captured her mouth with a possession that fueled his fire in a way it had never been with another woman. He wanted to devour Rachel alive.
    A part of him couldn’t believe that she was in his arms and that he was taking her mouth like it was the only feminine one left on earth. For now, for him, it was.
    For some reason, he couldn’t control the rush of physical hunger consuming him. His tongue tangled with hers with a voracity that sent pleasure spiking throughout his body. He was kissing her hungrily, asif he was seeking out some forbidden treat and was determined to find it.
    Moments later, only because they needed to breathe, he released her mouth and stared into her stunned gaze. Refusing to allow her time to think again, he lowered his mouth once