Free Borrowed Dreams (Debbie Macomber Classics) by Debbie Macomber Page B

fact that what I feel for you goes far beyond being pals.”
    “But you agreed …” Carly was having difficulty finding her tongue. “We aren’t even dating.”
    The coffee was perking furiously behind her, and Brand brought down two mugs and filled them before carrying both to the table. “We aren’t going to argue about it. If you want to ignore the plain and simple truth, that’s up to you.”
    The arrogance of the man was too much. “You think I’m going to fall in love with you?” she asked incredulously.
    Brand blew into the side of the ceramic cup before taking a tentative sip. “If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll admit you’re halfway there already.”
    Carly slapped one thigh and snickered softly. “I don’t think you’re fully awake. You’re living in a dream world, fellow.”
    Brand shrugged. “If you say so.”
    “I know so.” Carly sat across from him and cupped the mug with both hands, letting the warmth chase the chill from her blood. “In fact, if that’s your attitude, maybe it’d be better if we didn’t see each other again. Not at all.”
    Brand shrugged, giving the impression that either way was fine with him. “Maybe.”
    Carly laid the palms of both hands on top of the table and half raised herself out of her chair. “Would you please stop it?”
    Brand tossed her a look of innocence. “I told you I wasn’t going to argue with you, Carly. That’s exactly what you want, and I refuse to play that game. Anytime you feel someone getting too close, you do whatever it takes to push them away. It took me a while to realize it, but now that I do, I’m not going to let you do it with me.”
    “You’re so wrong,” she insisted.
    “Am I?” he challenged.
    “Okay, whatever. I don’t want to fight.” She could see it would be a losing battle, and she was a poor loser.
    “But fighting is what you do best, isn’t it?” he asked. Closing her eyes, Carly clenched her teeth and groaned. “You know, I’m beginning to think that the rocks in my head would fill the holes in yours.”
    Brand laughed and reached across the table to take her hand and raise it to his lips, but Carly pulled it free.
    Undeterred, Brand continued, “Why don’t you come over here and put your arms around my neck and kiss me the way you’ve wanted to do from the moment you walked in the door?”
    Stunned, Carly nearly dropped her mug. It thumped against the table, and hot coffee sloshed over the sides. She jumped up to get a rag to catch the liquid before it flowed onto the floor. The color drained from her face as she sopped up the mess. She
had
wanted to kiss him. In the back of her mind, she had formed a picture of her apology being followed by Brand kissing her senseless. Carly closed her eyes and exhaled sharply.
    The sound of Brand pushing back his chair filled her with dread. She nearly panicked with the need to escape.
    “Oh, no, you don’t.” He spoke softly as his hand caught her shoulder and turned her into his arms.
    “Brand, I don’t think this is a good idea,” she pleaded, and then swallowed to control the husky tremor in her voice. “I have to go … there’s something—”
    She wasn’t allowed to finish as his mouth swooped down on hers. Her lips parted, whether to protest or welcome him she couldn’t tell. Her response had an immediate effect onhim. All gentleness left him and his hold tightened as he hungrily devoured her mouth. His hand at the back of her neck increased its pressure, lifting Carly onto the tips of her toes.
    If she’d been confused before, it was nothing compared to the deluge of sensations that rocked her now. Her knees went weak. Nothing made sense as she surrendered to her swirling desire. Her tongue outlined Brand’s mouth and he groaned. He broke off the kiss long enough to move with her to the chair and pull her into a sitting position on his lap.
    Their eyes locked, and words became unnecessary as he wrapped his hands in her dark hair,