Free Temperature Rising by Alysia S. Knight Page B

at him anymore. Everything would be all right. He moved directly in front of her, so her head had to tip up to look at him. Her fingers locked around his as he took her hand.
    “Would you like to go get something to eat?” He raised his other hand to brush back the hair from her face. Her skin was incredibly soft. He longed to caress it, cup her face and draw her to him, and since the room was empty, he did just that.
    She sighed into the kiss, giving herself over to him. When the kiss ended, he pulled her to him, her head coming down to rest on his chest. “This is how it should be between us.” He brushed his lips across her forehead.
    “Yes.” She nuzzled tighter and sighed.
    “Hey,” he said after a minute. “Are you going to sleep on me?”
    He felt her sigh again. “Maybe… it feels so good to be in your arms, and I feel very tired.”
    “Late night?” He winced at his own question but couldn’t help asking it.
    “Awful night. First it was what happened with us. Then, I got to my apartment, and my neighbor caught me. She’s been trying to set me up with her nephew, and he was in town.” Laken shuddered and tightened her hold on him.
    “That bad?”
    “Yes.”
    He kissed the top of her head, and she relaxed again. He felt a small yawn slip from her. “I don’t think I’ll make it going out to dinner.” There was a definite sleepiness in her words.
    “Tell you what. I know a place that has great soup. How about we get a couple bowls to go? And then I’ll take you home and we’ll eat there.”
    She leaned back and looked up at him. “That sounds perfect. There’s a bakery on my street that makes wonderful breads. We can grab a loaf on the way up.”
    ****
    An hour later Laken sat curled up on the couch, her head resting against Mac’s shoulder. His arms wrapped around her. She felt warm, happy and totally content.
    “I think you’re falling asleep on me again.” The words rumbled under her ear.
    “Yes.” She tilted her head to place a kiss against his neck; the arm around her tightened. She smiled and pressed another kiss to his skin.
    “Oh, sweetheart.” He groaned, and she watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down. Without thought, her finger came up to trace it. He was so fascinating.
    His hand caught hers, bringing it up to his lips. She tilted her head up to find him looking down at her. “Sorry,” she whispered, feeling embarrassed by her forwardness.
    “You have nothing to be sorry for,” he replied, his voice husky. “I’m just trying to be noble here. You’ve had a lot of upheaval in your life lately. You’re tired and need rest. And well, I find you extremely desirable, and it’s been a long time since I’ve… been with a woman.”
    “Mac.”
    He cut her off with a finger to her lips. “Laken, I mean a serious long time. I’ve never been one to go into relationships lightly, and my lifestyle hasn’t been conducive to relationships.”
    Laken felt her heart jump at what he revealed. She’d sensed Mac wasn’t the sleep around type, but he was saying it was more. He would have to be in love with a woman to sleep with her, and there hadn’t been many.
    “Mac, I’ve never slept with a man. I plan on waiting until my wedding night.”
    A smile spread across his lips. It burned in his eyes and caught her breath. His hands came up to frame her face while his lips descended.
    “You don’t mind?” She gasped out when they came up for air.
    “Not in the least.”
    “A lot of guys think I’m a prude or just plain strange.”
    “I’m not most guys.”
    “No, you’re not.” The feeling behind the words swelled in her. “Mac, I know it’s only been a couple days, but I think I’m falling in love with you. Is that going to scare you away?”
    “I think I started falling in love with you the moment I saw you looking so lost at the police station. Even when I thought you were nuts, I was still drawn to you for some odd reason that wasn’t at all sexual. Well,