Free Torn by Eleanor Green Page A

But I do love these
pjs, and I can wear them in the sunroom tomorrow when we watch the
sun rise with a cup of coffee.”
    “ Ugh. I was looking
forward to sleeping in tomorrow. Let’s wait until Sunday morning to
do that. It’ll be a great way to end our stay here.”
    “ We’ll see. Show me those
dimples one more time and I might be talked into it,” Katie said,
plopping down next to him. He was wearing a pair of plaid pajama
bottoms and a black T-shirt that made his eyes change from sapphire
blue to a darker navy.
    “ If that’s what turns you
on, I can smile all night.” He grinned, answering her
request.
    His smile made her stomach flip-flop.
As he leaned in to kiss her, she felt her breath hitch. She had
felt his lips on hers hundreds of times over the last few months,
but the hunger in his aggressive kiss had her pulse racing and
butterflies slamming against her chest. She could feel and hear her
heart beating loudly in her ears and wondered if he could hear it
too.
    “ It’s so
quiet.”
    With the click of a button, the stereo
came on, filling the room with the haunting, seductive music of
Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You.” He pulled Katie into his lap with
ease and gazed into her eyes.
    “ Hmm, your green eyes
against these red pajamas remind me of Christmas.” His lips found
hers before they traveled down her neck. He found the spot behind
her ear that caused her to moan and lingered there, letting his hot
breath wash over her. She tilted her head back, giving him more
access, and closed her eyes. “I’m not waiting until Christmas to
unwrap you,” he whispered.
    Katie felt herself spinning out of
control. Between the music and rapture of Branson’s touch, she was
quickly slipping into a state of euphoria. “Are you sure no one
will come down here?”
    “ I’m sure.” His voice was
filled with desire.
    Katie unbuttoned the top button of her
flannel pajama top. Before she could reach the next one, Branson’s
fingers covered hers. “Let me,” he said. She watched his face as he
finished the buttons and slowly slid the fabric over her shoulders.
He had her nerve endings tingling as he grazed her shoulder with
his lips while removing her top. He kissed her deeply as he
unfastened the single hook on the front of her bra, and pulled away
to look at her. She inhaled sharply as his hand found one breast
and then the other. Katie raised his shirt over his head and let it
fall behind him. Her hands outlined his chest and shoulders, before
moving on to the ripples in his strong arms.
    “ You’re so beautiful,
Katie.” Branson scooped her up into his arms and carried her back
to his bedroom. When he set her down on her unsteady feet, he
tugged at the silk ribbon waistband, releasing the knot and letting
her pajama bottoms fall to the floor. Katie stepped out of them and
reached for Branson’s bare skin. She traced two fingers slowly down
his sculpted abs until she reached the waistband of his pants. His
body tensed and a wave of heat coursed through her.
    Branson struggled to control his
adrenaline as Katie’s fingertips swept across his skin. The feel of
her soft touch sent shockwaves through his body. He’d never been so
turned on, and had to resist the urge to speed things up. He lifted
Katie in his arms and gently laid her on the bed, guiding her head
down onto a pillow before trailing soft kisses down her neck. His
mouth lingered on her breasts, taking his time with each one, while
Katie arched her back and whimpered with pleasure. He slowly made
his way down her stomach, ravishing her smooth skin with his hands
and lips.
    Katie wanted to let go and enjoy the
moment, but in the back of her mind she could hear her subconscious
scolding her. She had been taught to save something so intimate for
marriage. She had only known Branson for a few months, and although
she was certain he loved her, marriage wasn’t something either of
them was ready for at this point in their relationship. But with
the