Free McKnight in Shining Armor by Tami Hoag Page B

When they came to a parking lot near a strip of beach, Alec turned into it and killed the engine.
    “Don’t ask me how long it’s been since I’ve parked with a man,” Kelsie said with humor in her voice.
    Grinning, Alec slid across the seat and put his arm around her shoulder. “How long has it been since you’ve parked?”
    “I think Nixon was president.” They both laughed.
    “Then it’s been too long,” Alec declared, lowering his mouth to hers for a slow, sweet kiss.
    It didn’t matter that she’d nearly forgotten how to kiss a man; she let Alec lead, and it seemed he’dbeen born to do just that. His mouth moved on hers, gentle and coaxing, rewarding her with a low groan as she allowed his tongue access to the warmth beyond her lips.
    Alec shifted on the seat, trying to position them both so he could pull her against him, a move he had mastered in his teenage days that eluded him now. He settled for changing the angle of the kiss and running his fingertips into the baby-soft tendrils of hair that hadn’t made it into her ponytail. He kissed the corners of her mouth, her chin, the tip of her nose, the eyebrows he found so irresistibly sexy, then pulled back a bit to gauge her reaction.
    She was undecided. Not about Alec’s talent at kissing. She was undecided as to whether or not she should allow herself to fully enjoy it. It seemed like it could quickly become addictive. Then, too, her lack of experience haunted her. What was she supposed to allow him on this first date? What was he expecting, and what would he think if she gave more or less? She could still remember when kissing on the first date had been considered scandalous.
    “You’d better not try getting me in the backseat, buster,” she warned.
    Alec laughed and gave her a quick kiss. Her uncertainty and that hint of vulnerability in her eyes made her a refreshing change from the women he’d been dating since Vena. Everything about Kelsie was unique and fascinating to him.
    She glanced over her shoulder and out the window. “I keep expecting to see officers Baines and Johnson peering in at us.”
    “We’re out of their jurisdiction,” he said, running a forefinger down the short slope of her nose.
    “Yeah, but they just might be out looking for something weird to break up their shift.”
    Their shared laughter mingled with the latest tune from Bruce Hornsby singing through the speakers.
    Alec leaned back against the seat, smiled, and shook his head as he recalled the wild events of the night before. “I will never forget that experience as long as I live. It was kind of fun.”
    Kelsie groaned. “Speak for yourself. You didn’t get kayoed by Black Bart.”
    “Aw, poor sweetheart.” He leaned over and touched the lightest of kisses to her black eye. “Does it hurt?”
    “Only when I squint.”
    “I’ll make it up to you. Let’s go to my place for dessert.” He had to laugh at the look she gave him. “Dessert, honest, it’s not a line. I promise not to ravish you. I make a hot fudge sundae that’ll knock your socks off.”
    “Never say hot fudge to a chocoholic.” She moaned.
    “You’re a chocoholic?”
    “Confirmed and incurable.”
    “Mmm. You shouldn’t have let me know your weakness, Kelsie. I will take full and unfair advantage of that if need be.”
    She scowled at him. “You’re ruthless.”
    “You bet. How about that sundae?” He smiled, bobbing his eyebrows.
    Regret and guilt collided in Kelsie’s stomach. She wished she could say yes, felt guilty that she wished she could say yes, felt guilty about Jeffrey being home with a sitter, felt regret at knowingher evening with Alec was almost over, regret that it could be no more than an evening.
    For form’s sake, she checked her watch. Her sigh was genuine. “I can’t, Alec. I really should get home. I need to spend a little time with Jeffrey before he goes to bed tonight. He’s had a rough day.”
    Alec bit his lip to keep from saying something imprudent.