Free Deadly Shades (Shades Series) by H. D. Thomson Page B

own. Kennedy clamped her teeth together. And if she had any self-control it never would happen again.
    But the moment she drew closer and returned his gaze, she realized she really had no self-control when it came to Luke. That’s why she needed to keep the hell away from him.
    “What do you want of me, Luke?”
    “A chance. That’s all I’m asking. I know you’re not indifferent. In fact, I think you’re terrified of what I do to you. The idea of commitment, never mind marriage, sends you into a mental and emotional tailspin.”
    Kennedy clamped down on her jaw. She hated how astute he was, but at the same time his empathy, sensitivity, and need to understand the motivations of others were the characteristics that had attracted him to her from the beginning.
    “Whenever the ‘relationship’ word comes up in a conversation, there’s a look of absolute horror on your face.” Shaking his head, he pushed off the wall with a hip and moved toward her until nearly a foot separated them. “I won’t bring up the subject again.”
    “Liar.”
    “You’re probably right.” He inched even closer and glided a thumb across her lower lip. “At least not for a while. But I have to admit, one day I do want to know why the idea scares the hell out of you. There are things you haven’t talked to me about. Things in your past. But I’m willing to wait.”
    His scent drifted to her. Masculine, woodsy, with a hint of spice. She caught herself from tilting toward him and drinking in his scent.
    “For how long?” she whispered, fearful of the answer, but unable to keep the question from slipping from her lips.
    He dipped his head and replied in an equally hushed voice by her ear, “For as long as it takes.”
    His minty breath ruffled the strands of her hair, and washed over her senses. He eased back until she met the resolve in his face. She shivered. His reassurance that he’d wait to let her work out her demons, along with the determined glint in his cerulean eyes that backed up those words, melted her insides and resolve.
    “I can’t ask you to do that.”
    “I wouldn’t want you to ask.” He edged yet closer until his chest grazed the tips of her breasts.
    Her heart rate kicked up its pace.
    “You’re too special not to fight for,” he whispered.
    He kissed the corner of her mouth, just a feather touch, a hint of what could come, while his thumb caressed the sensitive slope of her neck right below her lobe. Another shiver raced across her flesh. She closed her eyes. Luke knew just what to say and what to do. She didn’t back away. She didn’t have the strength. This time she let herself lean into him. God, her will-power was non-existent.
    His lips grazed her own while he cupped her cheek and skated a thumb across the line of her jaw. She sank against his chest, unable to do a thing but surrender as she trailed her fingers up over the soft cotton of his shirt to the wide breadth of his shoulders and kissed him back. Soft, tentative caresses, then bolder as hunger swept through her body and pooled in her belly.
    Her heart beat did a crazy gallop. She found it difficult to draw in enough oxygen.
    “Your keys to get inside,” he urged, nipping at her earlobe, skimming his mouth over the curve of her neck. His fingers linked with hers. Then he cupped his hand and she surrendered them into his palm.
    He drew back briefly to unlock the door. The hinges sighed, the warmth of the interior of her apartment beckoned and he urged her inside.
    Kennedy didn’t need any urging though. Her body screamed with mounting hunger. The door snapped closed behind her and metal against metal sighed as Luke locked the door.
    Anticipation sent her heart rate to a new crescendo as Luke’s kisses grew urgent, demanding.
    Her chest tightened. Desire caught at her from all sides. She slid her hands beneath his shirt and ran both palms over the smooth, hard contours of his chest and stomach. His muscles quivered from her touch, and his