Free Safe in His Arms by Vicki Lewis Thompson Page A

dinner going. I can smell spaghetti sauce. But I need—”
    “Me, too.” She stepped into his arms with a moan of happiness. “Oh, me, too.”
    His hungry mouth on hers swept away her misgivings. He was desperate for her, and she was equally desperate for him. He crushed her to him, sending her racing pulse into overdrive. Yes, oh,
yes.
    Lifting his mouth from hers, he gripped her tight, as if afraid that ending the kiss would make her vanish. “Can dinner wait?”
    She had no idea, but the ache building deep in her body answered for her. “Yes.”
    “Good, because I can’t.”
    “Come with me.” Wiggling out of his arms, she caught his hand and led him back to her bedroom. The sun hadn’t set, and light filtered through her gauzy curtains, bathing the room in a golden glow. There would be no hiding in the dark this first time.
    She didn’t care. His obvious need for her made her bold.
And puts you in control,
whispered a little voice. She ignored it. Turning back to him, she pulled her dress over her head and tossed it aside.
    He sucked in a breath. “Hold it. Don’t move.”
    She paused, but she couldn’t be completely still. She quivered in anticipation of what would come next, and what would happen after that, and how it would be when they finally . . .
    “I don’t want to forget how you look. You’re outlined in gold, Valerie. You shimmer.”
    “Because I’m shaking.”
    “So am I. I want you so much that it scares me.”
    “I’m a little scared, too.” She stepped toward him. “But the closer you are, the less I’m afraid.” She rested her palms on his chest and felt the rapid beat of his heart.
    His voice was husky as he wrapped his arms around her. “Then I’d better stay real close.”
    “Yes, please,” she murmured. Holding his gaze, she began unfastening the snaps down the front of his shirt. “Otherwise, how can I undress you?”
    Excitement flashed in his eyes. “You want to do that?”
    “Very much.” She finished with the snaps and pulled the shirttails out. “Remember on hot mornings when we’d both get sweaty?” She stroked upward from his waistband, massaging his sculpted abs and muscled chest.
    He trembled beneath her fingertips. “I remember.” His gaze locked with hers. “I’d watch a trickle of sweat slide into your cleavage and wonder how I’d ever manage to keep my hands to myself.”
    “And I longed for you to take off your shirt so I could see these manly pecs.” She moved her hands in circles, loving the springy texture of his chest hair.
    “You could’ve asked. I would have been happy to oblige.”
    “You could have touched me. I would have been thrilled.”
    “Maybe, but I couldn’t make that move.”
    “You did today.” She traced the strong line of his collarbone.
    “I couldn’t think of any other way to keep you from being scared.”
    “It worked. And now see what you’ve done.” Reaching down, she unfastened his belt buckle. “I’m determined to have my way with you.”
    His throat moved in a slow swallow. “You know you’re driving me crazy with this slow undressing routine. How about if I just take off my own clothes? Then you can have your way with me that much faster.”
    “It’ll be more fun if I do it.” Grasping the waistband of his jeans, she gave him a nudge in the direction of her bed. “In fact, I like the idea of you flat on your back, helpless to stop me from seducing you.”
    “I’m already pretty damned helpless to stop you, no matter what position I’m in.”
    “Humor me, Adam. Lie on my bed and let me play seductress.”
    He smiled. “A guy would have to be stupid to pass up an invitation like that.”
    “I’ll take that as a yes.” She walked him backward. When he reached the edge of the mattress, he let her push him down. “Excellent.” She climbed onto the bed and leaned over him until her mouth was nearly touching his. “Prepare to be seduced.”
    “Valerie, sweetheart, I’m all yours.”
    * *