Free King’s Million-Dollar Secret by Maureen Child

and he held her closer, pulling her in firmly enough against him that she couldn’t miss feeling exactly what she was doing to him. “I want you, Katie. More than I’ve ever wanted anything.”
    A tiny sigh slipped from her mouth as she confessed, “I feel exactly the same way.”
    He gave her a grin and slowly lowered his mouth to hers. “Good to hear.”
    He kissed her and the instant their mouths met, Rafe felt a punch of desire so hot, so unbelievably strong that it nearly knocked him over. In response, his arms tightened around her, all thoughts of dancing disappearing from his mind. He wanted to move with her, but dancing had nothing to do with the plans quickly forming in his mind. He needed her, more than he would have thought possible. And he wanted her even more.
    His hands swept up and down her spine, definingevery curve, every valley she possessed. She moved against him, her body restless, her soft moans telling him everything he needed to know. He slipped one hand beneath the hem of her T-shirt and swept up, to caress the side of her breast. Even the lacy material of her bra couldn’t keep him from enjoying the heat of her. The perfectly shaped wonder of her. His hands itched to feel her skin.
    Hunger roared through him and he deepened their kiss, his tongue sweeping into her mouth, claiming everything she had and silently demanding more. She gave it to him, surrendering herself to the passion rising between them. Her tongue tangled with his, her breath sighing against his cheek as she met him stroke for stroke. Her hands clutched his shoulders, holding on tightly as she moaned in appreciation.
    That soft sound was enough to push Rafe dangerously close to the edge. He tore his mouth from hers, looked down at her through eyes glazed with heat and need and said grimly, “If we don’t stop right now, I’m going to throw you down onto this picnic table and give your neighbors a show.”
    A choked laugh shot from her throat. She didn’t release her hold on him though, as if she didn’t quite trust herself to be able to stand on her own two feet.
    â€œThe picnic table’s not nearly as comfortable as my bed,” she said, just a little breathlessly.
    â€œIs that an invitation?”
    â€œSounded like one to me.”
    â€œAll I need to know,” Rafe muttered and swept her up into his arms.
    â€œYou don’t have to carry me!”
    â€œFaster this way,” he told her, nearly sprinting across the yard toward the house.
    â€œThat works too,” she said, snuggling close to him, stroking the flat of her hand across his chest.
    He hissed in a breath, hit the patio door and stepped inside. “Where to?”
    â€œDown the hall, turn left at the end.”
    He was already moving. His body was hard and aching. He could hardly draw a breath without fanning the flames licking at his insides. His heart pounding, Rafe entered her room and strode straight to the bed. Absently, he noticed the window seat on the front wall, colorful rugs scattered across a gleaming wood floor and a squat bookcase stuffed with paperbacks.
    But his gaze was locked on the wide bed covered in an old-fashioned quilt. He stopped alongside the four-poster, tossed the covers back to reveal smooth white sheets and dropped Katie onto the mattress.
    She bounced, then smiled up at him. It was all the encouragement he needed. Tearing off his clothes, he watched her as she did the same. In seconds, they were both naked and he was leaning over her. Rafe had been thinking about this moment for days. Dreaming about it every damn night.
    She was haunting him, this woman who so hated the King family. She had somehow reached him in a way no other woman had and though that admission bothered him, it wasn’t enough to keep him from enjoying what she was offering.
    Reaching up to him, she plunged her fingers through his hair and drew his mouth down to hers. Their mouths melded and