Free Undeniable Demands by Andrea Laurence Page B

appropriate for a stranger caught in this awkward ritual. But the moment his skin touched hers, it was just like before. The handshake in the gift shop had nearly thrown him for a loop. Touching her so innocently had sent his blood boiling, and he hadn’t been able to make himself pull away.
    Just like now.
    Tori’s mouth was soft and more welcoming than he’d expected. There was no tight-lipped resignation. Instead, she leaned in to him just slightly, tasting like the honey she’d put in his tea a few days earlier. The gesture was enough to coax him into closing his eyes and deepening the kiss. His right hand slipped up to caress her cheek.
    The surge of desire that ran through his body urged him forward, keeping him from pulling back the way his brain knew he needed to. In the back of his mind he registered that Tori wasn’t pulling away, either. There was something stronger than both of them holding them in place. A tingle of electricity danced across the palm of his hand where he touched her. He wanted to wrap his arms around her. He wanted to forget about their circumstances and press his body against hers.
    A loud wolf whistle from one of his brothers startled both of them out of it. As if receiving an unexpected slap, Wade jerked back. Tori did the same. He looked at her, a little startled by his reaction to her. The intensity had completely caught him off guard. Judging by the wide-eyed expression on Tori’s face, she was equally confused by what had just happened.
    Glancing behind her, he saw that his whole family stood with mixed expressions on their faces. A few were surprised, Brody was irritated, Heath was amused. Only his mother was grinning, a smug satisfaction in her eyes. Wade could tell she was picking out the perfect color of pastel yarn at that very moment.
    “Well,” Ken said, breaking the awkward silence. “I think it’s time to carve this bird. Everyone finish up and make your drinks.”
    The family scattered again, Molly reluctantly returning to her duties and leaving Wade and Tori alone. He looked back to her, and his chest suddenly felt tight and uncomfortable. The white collared shirt under his sweater was choking him. He was unpleasantly warm, despite being on the opposite side of the room from the fireplace.
    Maybe it had nothing to do with his clothes. It was her. She looked more beautiful than she ever had. Her pale skin was flushed a rosy pink. Her lips were moist and slightly parted. The light blue of her eyes seemed darker around the edges than before. Maybe it was the dark blue of her scoop-neck sweater that drew out the color. It highlighted the long column of her neck and the delicate line of her collarbones. Between them, a small cameo hung on a gold chain. It was the ivory silhouette of a woman set against a blue background that reminded him of his mother’s Wedgwood.
    Wade wanted to sweep the necklace aside and plant kisses in the hollow of her throat. He wanted to know how her skin would taste and smell. He sucked in a deep breath to draw in her scent. It was a smoky mix of sweet flowers, like honeysuckle, and the herbal undertone of burning incense. It was surprisingly seductive.
    “What was that?” Tori’s voice was small and without the biting tone she normally hurled at him.
    “Just a kiss,” he answered, dismissing the powerful feeling that had set fire running through his veins when they touched. He wasn’t ready to let her know how it had affected him. How she affected him. That would put him at a distinct disadvantage in their negotiations.
    Her blue eyes searched his face for a moment before she sighed and looked away. There was a touch of disappointment in her expression as though she’d expected him to acknowledge it was more than that. She nodded softly and took a step away from him. “I’m going to wash my hands before dinner.”
    Wade pointed out the small half bath beneath the stairs and watched her walk away. The sweater was enticing, but more so were