Free Stormbound with a Tycoon by Shawna Delacorte Page B

chair, took the poker and jabbed at the last burning log.
    â€œThat’s…uh…a good idea.” She ran her hand across her nape, but it did nothing to still the tremors that materialized the moment he touched her. She skimmed her fingertips across her lips. She could still feel the heat of his touch. When he brushed his mouth against hers it had literally taken her breath away.
    â€œWhile you’re doing that I’ll get out the oil lamps.” She spotted the lamps she had already taken from the cupboard. “I mean…” Her gaze darted nervously around the room. Apprehension churned in the pit ofher stomach. She felt totally lost as if she were trying to find her way through unfamiliar territory. “I’d better find the bottle of lamp oil, some more matches and check on batteries for the flashlight and the radio.”
    She had never had anyone rattle her composure the way he did. She tried to tell herself it was nothing more than an understandable reaction to a very sexy man, not any different from being aware of the latest heart throb movie star. It was nothing personal and certainly not with a man so blatantly wrong for her in every way possible or for that matter wrong for any woman who wanted a commitment to a true relationship. At least that was what she kept trying to tell herself.
    And each time she tried, she knew it was a lie.
    She watched him as he carried in an armload of wood and put it on the hearth next to the fireplace. He added a couple of logs to the fire, then stared at it for a few seconds. Everything about him excited her. No man had ever left her nerve endings tingling or her lungs gasping for air the way he did.
    â€œThere.” He turned to face her, extending a casual smile. “That should last us for a while.” He checked his watch. “At least until bedtime…” His smile faded as their gazes locked.
    The electricity crackled between them, filling the air with a sensual heat that neither of them could ignore or deny. He took a couple of steps toward her and held out his hand. It was as if he no longer had control of his actions. He grasped her hand in his, then laced their fingers together. No man in his right mind could ignore this beautiful and desirable woman.
    â€œDid you find the lamp oil and batteries?” He knew it was a stupid question, but he felt pressured to saysomething in an attempt to ease the pounding in his chest.
    â€œUh…yes, they’re on the kitchen counter.”
    He led her back to the chairs in front of the fireplace. “Make yourself comfortable.” He glanced toward the window where the last remnants of daylight showed the rain hitting against the panes of glass. Light and shadow flickered around the walls, the fireplace providing the only illumination in the room. “I brought some bottles of wine with me. A glass of wine should fit right in with a rainy night and a nice fire, don’t you think? It will give us a chance to talk…to get to know each other a little better.” He smiled encouragingly, not at all sure where he was going with any of this.
    She tried to speak, but no words came out. Her throat closed off when she attempted to swallow. A shortness of breath caught in her lungs. She nodded her head in agreement, unable to manage anything else. He had charmed his way into her life, and she didn’t know how to stop it…or if she even wanted it stopped.
    Dylan disappeared into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later carrying two glasses of wine. He handed one of them to her, then seated himself in the other chair. He held out his glass toward her. “Let’s drink to discovering new friends.”
    He cocked his head and looked at her questioningly. He dropped his voice to a seductive whisper as he delved into the depth of her eyes. The uncertainty and the tenuous nature of the situation quickly swept over him. The tightness pulled across his chest again, a