Free Challenge Accepted - A Contemporary Romance by Carol Rose

through the coarse texture of the hair at his nape. She squirmed against him, needing him closer. He seemed to understand, coming back to her mouth for a deep, erotic kiss.
    Energy crackled between them, a mindless submerging of touch. Hayley felt alight with need, drawn to the honesty of his passion, the hunger in him that went deeper than desire.
    He cupped her breast, his touch potent through the thin silk of her bra. His lips brushed hers as his thumb brushed the tight kernel of her nipple. Hayley moaned and arched into his hand.
    Aflame with his touch, her fingers laced through his thick hair, holding him for the fierceness of her kiss. She met him with longing of her own, a passionate fury. This was no maidenly embrace, submissive and receptive. She tantalized him with her lips, nipping, drawing him in.
    Colt groaned, his hand tightening around her breast. With one powerful move, he scooted her up onto the balustrade, his free hand steadying her at the small of her back. The thin knit of her shirt conducted the heat of his touch, but she longed for bare skin, the sweep of his hand over her naked body.
    Around them, night sounds echoed faintly, the rustle of wind through the shrubbery. The scent of orange blossoms trailed the breeze, sweet, intense and heady.
    He wedged himself between her open legs, the hardness of his erection firm against the apex of her thighs. Hayley moaned, wiggling closer, her breath coming in short pants as her head fell back. Colt lifted her shirt, bend ing with a rough growl to smooth the tender upper slope of her breast.
    Her clothes felt confining, abrasive against her inflamed skin. Her whole body was alight with desire, pulsating and aching. She arched as he bent to suckle her breast through the lace of her bra. Her fingers tugged his shirt free, sliding beneath to coast over his warm, taut skin.
    Colt trailed more kisses along her neck as he unhooked her bra, freeing her to his touch. Leaning down, he drew her nipple into his mouth, the hot wetness of his tongue making her cry out, sending her spiraling into a vortex of need. Hayley writhed, imprisoned between his hand at her back and the sweet heaven of his mouth on her breast.
    His mouth was ravenous, teasing her tender ness with an instinct that inflamed the ache in her body.
    She tugged at his belt, mindlessly seeking the relief of h is possession, longing to encompass him.
    Out of the darkness, something small and furry shot pa st them, bounding off the balustrade like an acrobat. Startled, Hayley pulled back. A second furry body followed the first as ear-splitting yowls filled the air.
    Colt's arm came around to steady her as they both swiveled to look at the hissing, spit ting felines. In the darkness, the cats circled, attacked, and tumbled on the veranda. Then in a streak of gray, one bolted past, chased by the other.
    Dazed at being jerked out of the depths of passion, Hayley slid off the porch rail and reached a hand to steady herself against a nearby post. She tugged her shirt down.
    Seeming to sense her withdrawal, Colt made no effort to touch her. He leaned against the rail, his gaze on the section of garden the cats had disappeared into.
    "Should I apologize for getting carried away?" His voice sounded deep and rough.
    Hayley turned her head to stare at him.
    Apologize? He was sorry for getting "carried away?” It sounded so polite, not at all like the Colt she knew.
    She cleared her throat, struggling still with the fire raging inside of her. It was best, she knew, that they’d been interrupted.
    It would be far better for everyone concerned if they both ignored the hunger that roared between them.
    “Are you okay?”
    Hayley hesitated before answering. Why did men always ask that? Did he think she was so lost in lust for him that she’d shrivel up and die without his touch?
    I’m fine.” She moved away, scuffing a toe against the porch floor.
    “Well, it’s really late,” he mentioned awkwardly. “Guess I’d