Free Dream Man by Judy Griffith Gill Page B

breasts brushed the front of his shirt, her nipples peaking instantly, pushing out the fabric of her sweatshirt. She saw a flicker in his eyes, knew he felt their hardness against his chest, and knew he was pleased by it.
    â€œMax …” Her voice cracked. Her mouth was dry. She licked her lips. “Max, I …”
    â€œYes, you do,” he murmured, and she knew now that he could read her mind. “You want this as much as I do, Jeanie.” One of his hands slid up over her shoulder, then lifted to cup her chin, his thumb brushing over her full lower lip. “But I won’t do it until you say I can.”
    She lifted a hand to place it against his arm, meaning to shove him away, but her fingers discovered the solidity of his biceps, curled around, and slid higher. Dimly, she heard the faint tinkle of golden bangles and her own voice saying, “Yes…” on a soft, helpless sigh.
    â€œYes … you’ll marry me?”
    Startled, she drew back and saw his blue eyes dancing with light. A laugh escaped her, surprising her. “No! Of course not. But you could kiss me.”
    â€œAhh … yes,” he murmured, drawing her into a full embrace. “That will do for now.”
    It was a magic kiss, slow and sweet and undemanding, letting trust build along with need, so that when his tongue slipped through the narrow opening between her lips, she was ready to welcome it and greet it with her own. A heavy fluttering began deep in Jeanie’s body, warming her until she felt as if she glowed all over. One of Max’s hands splayed across the small of her back, moving slightly up and down, his fingers curved to massage her flesh. The other hand tugged at her hair tie, slid it free, and then plowed through the thick mass of curls that hung down her back, spreading them over her shoulders, around her face. He took great care, she realized, not to tug on the side where her scalp was cut.
    Reluctantly Max withdrew his mouth from hers as he buried his face in her thick hair, breathing in its scent, murmuring his appreciation. His lips caressed her cheeks, her closed eyes, her earlobe. His teeth nibbled gently beside her earring. “Jeanie …” As reluctantly as he’d stopped kissing her, he let her go, steadying her for a moment before stepping back.
    â€œAhh … Jeanie, you are so sweet. So wonderful to hold, so perfect to kiss. I have to leave now. I have to say good night while I still can,” he said, cupping her flushed face between his hands. Dropping a kiss on her nose, he added, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    â€œNo.” She moved away from him, shaking her head, her arms wrapped tightly around her own waist.
    He picked up his jacket, shrugged into it, then draped his raincoat over his arm. “No? Why not?” He had no intention of taking no for an answer.
    â€œBecause I don’t think we should see each other again.”
    He smiled. “How can we get to know each other properly if we don’t?”
    He heard a note of desperation in her voice. “We aren’t going to get to know each other properly.” Then, as if his expression had given him away, she added quickly, “Or improperly, for that matter.”
    â€œNothing is improper between two consenting adults,” he said, grinning at her.
    â€œWhat you’re thinking is,” she retorted.
    He put on a hang-dog face. “Really?”
    To his gratification, she spluttered with laughter. “Dammit, why do you have to try to charm me? I feel sorry for your brother. Maybe I should take you out of circulation for a month or two to give poor Rolph a chance and—”
    â€œIt’ll be a whole hell of a lot longer than a couple of months, Jeanie.” He bent toward her again, kissed her hard and deep, then swung around and headed out the door.
    While he still could.

Chapter Five
    J EANIE STOOD STARING at the door for several minutes, then