Free Love on the Rocks by Elle James Page A

pulse beat a wicked tattoo against her eardrums, pushing red-hot blood through her veins, pooling low in her belly. A delicious ache built at the juncture of her thighs.
    “What was I saying?” Her heart beat so fast, it made her a little dizzy. Or was it the ultra-male scent of Decker and his aftershave? Roxi swayed toward him, her hands reaching out to settle against his rock-hard chest.
    “Something about a kiss.” He swayed closer.
    “Oh.” The heat in her cheeks deepened. “Yes…uh…did I say thank you for saving me from that jerk tonight?”
    Decker raised his hands to rest on her arms. He didn’t hold her tight, giving her every opportunity to shrug free. “Not actually.” Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, he chuckled. “I gathered you were a little disappointed you didn’t get to use your ninja talents on the guy.”
    Her back stiffened. She preferred to fight her own battles, if for no other reason than to prove she could. “Well, I could have taken him out. But it worked out for the best. No blood to clean up is always a good thing.” Roxi stared at his chest, afraid that if she looked into his eyes, she’d forget her name, much less what she wanted to say before she chickened out.
    “And your point about the kiss?” he prompted, touching a finger to her chin, lifting it, forcing her to look him square in the eyes.
    She fell into his green-eyed gaze, her own unflinching, though her cheeks burned and her core flamed. “Why did you kiss me?”
    He blinked and answered without hesitation, “I wanted to so badly, I had to.”
    Her brows V’d toward the bridge of her nose and a sick feeling filled her belly. “Do I remind you of your wife?”
    Decker shook his head, brushing a hand along her cheek. “No. Not in the least. She had short, dark hair, brown eyes and pale skin.”
    Almost opposite of Roxi’s light blond hair and blue eyes. Her skin had the soft, healthy golden tan of one who enjoyed the outdoors as much as possible.
    Decker’s brows rose. “Why did you kiss me ?” He stepped closer, his fingers resting on her arms.
    Holy hell, she wanted him to pull her against him. Her gaze slid to his lips and her tongue snaked out to moisten her suddenly dry lips. “I kissed you because…because…” she sighed, “because I couldn’t not kiss you.” She touched her fingers to his chest and whispered, “And I want to do it all again.” Her confession left her open, exposed and vulnerable.
    Decker’s fingers tightened on her arms but he didn’t haul her against his body. “Are you sure? The last time we kissed you ran off like a scalded cat.”
    She curled her fingers into his shirt tugging his closer. “I promise not to run this time.”
    “Why did you run? Did I do something to scare you?” He stroked his hands down her arms, sending tingles across her nerve endings.
    Roxi, the tough bar owner shook her head, her eyes rounded, a tremor shaking her beneath his hands. Obviously, she wasn’t as tough as she thought she was. Hell, she was shaking, afraid he’d turn away and leave her standing there after confessing she wanted to kiss him again.
    What was his question? She blinked and thought before answering, “No, of course you don’t scare me.” She snorted softly. “I scare myself.” Her gaze dropped to where her hands twisted in the fabric of his shirt. “You see, I’ve never felt that…that…intensity of desire as I did when I kissed you.”
    “And it scared you?” He traced his finger up her arm, across her shoulder and cupped her cheek. “Do you want to kiss me again, and see if you’re still scared.”
    She gave him a tremulous smile. “Could I?”
    “Darlin’ you don’t even have to ask.” He bent until his mouth hovered over hers, allowing her to close the distance.
    When she did, her control slipped and she wrapped her arms around his neck, dragging him closer.
    His hands curled around her hips and pulled her against him. If she’d had doubt about