Free October Ghosts (A Southern Romance Monthly) by CJ Hockenberry Page B

that moment she felt the same way about him. "Matthew Hunt. I shouldn't like you. Everything about you says trouble. Even the constant warning of danger. But I'm not thinking you're the cause of the danger like I did yesterday. I'm beginning to suspect you're its victim. And if you think my being there with you in the house would protect you, I'm willing to give this a go."  
    "Really? Even though Sarah's proven to be a little nuts?"  
    "I don't think the people around you want you hurt, and they sure don't want anything to happen to me because I haven't signed any papers not holding them responsible. So for now, I think you're safe. And besides…" she moved in closer to him went up on her tiptoes again. "No one knows where I live."  
    And with that, she pressed those soft, supple lips to his.

CHAPTER TWELVE

    It didn't matter about the crazy around him.  
    She wanted him. She was drawn to him. The entire time he'd told her his story she felt the resonance of truth the way he saw it, the way he knew it. He was being honest with her, and the feeling of danger she still felt when she touched him shifted and changed and found its place. He was in danger. He needed protection, but she could also feel the desire to protect her radiating from him.  
    He'd risked her saying no again to be truthful. To lay things out as they were.  
    And for that, she respected him. Did she trust him?  
    She wanted to.  
    It'd been so long since she'd felt a man's touch against her body. And the kiss…
    Oh sweet Lady and Lord that kiss! Her body still tingled when she thought of it, and it tingled even more knowing he was here, in her house, alone, and she sensed if she wanted more, he wouldn't say no.  
    But then again, Kevin had always told her no man alive, gay, straight or bi was going to say no to sex. Just wasn't in the DNA.  
    Which was why when she kissed him and he kissed back, she was surprised when Matt put his hands on her shoulders and stepped back. He looked serious and it was a look that made him even sexier. "Chloe…we don't have to do this."  
    "You don't want to?"  
    His serious face broke into one of pure joy. "Oh I want to. I've wanted to kiss and make love to you since the moment I saw you in your store. I've never seen any woman fill out a dress the way you do. But it wasn't just that…" he pushed a strand of her hair back from her face and then softly moved the back of his hand against her cheek. "It's just that…you know the rumors about me? About me being gay? Those stories started because after Sarah…I've been less eager to get involved with women. Trust them. Sarah was my first real love and it didn't turn out so great."  
    She watched his face, studied his reaction. She continued to smile up at him, hoping the expression gave him the courage to go on. Though what she really wanted to do was remove is shirt and run her hand around that chest of his.  
    "I don't take things from people they're not willing to give. I've never struck a woman, and I would never force myself on her. I know I've got this bad-boy reputation but honestly—the only thing I'm bad at is choosing women that won't break my heart."  
    "Do you think that's what I'd do to you?"  
    "I honestly don't know. You're so damn beautiful and smart and sexy and…well…I just love being near you."  
    She moved her hand to capture his in hers and moved it over her heart. "Matt, are you willing to take a chance? I haven't exactly had much success in the romance places in my life either. I'll admit my own loves haven't been to that extreme, but I made mistakes. And it's been a very long time for me too. Kevin's seen more action than I have."  
    Matt laughed softly. "I need to know that afterward…you won't feel guilty or bad?"
    "Why are you that bad in bed?"  
    His stunned expression made her laugh so she kissed him again, quick but soft. "Matt," she ran her tongue over his lower lips and she felt her own heart quicken when he shivered.