Free Natural-Born Protector / Saved by the Monarch by Carla Cassidy Page B

lasting,” he said. “I’d say for right now, for this moment, we’re perfect for each other.”
    It was she who leaned forward for the kiss, a kiss that answered any doubts he might have entertained. As he pulled her closer to him she wrapped her arms around his neck. His tongue danced with hers and his desire grew more intense.
    He located the source of that dizzying scent just behind her ear and along the slender column of her throat. He ran his mouth across her skin, nipping with his teeth as she gasped with delight.
    She finally pulled away from him. He immediately dropped his hands to his sides, unsure if she wanted to continue and unwilling to pressure her in any way.
    “I have to know that this won’t change anything between us,” she said. “You’re my only friend here in town, and I need a friend.”
    “You’ve got one,” Hank replied and he meant it. Hell, at the moment he’d agree to almost anything to get her into the bedroom.
    She stood suddenly and held out her hand to him. Hank’s heart jumped into his throat as he also rose and took her hand in his.
    Without saying a word she led him down the hall to a bedroom with a double bed. The only light in the room was from a dim lamp on the nightstand and the play of light and shadow created an intimate aura.
    Someplace in the back of his mind he knew what was happening, that somehow fate had brought together two people in need. Melody was reeling from the death of her sister and he had been alone long enough to feel an aching loneliness that begged for the comfort of a warm, willing body next to his.
    He reached for her and she came back into his arms. He thought he felt a hint of desperation as she molded herself against him, as if she were seeking to warm a place in herself that had been cold for a very long time.
    He kissed her again, this time softly, tenderly, wishing to find that place inside her and heat it. At the same time his fingers moved to the zipper of her sundress. He moved the zipper down only an inch or so, then paused and waited to see if she’d call a halt to things.
    When she didn’t, he unzipped the dress all the way down. His hands found the warm skin of her back and he splayed his fingers against it, loving the way it felt.
    She moved her hands up beneath his T-shirt, her fingers cool as they explored the width of his back. Still their kiss continued, growing less tender and more urgent.
    Her dress slipped from her shoulders and she allowed it to fall to the floor. At the same time Hank stepped back from her and pulled his T-shirt over his head.
    For a long moment they stared at each other. She looked hot in her white bikini pants and lacy bra. Her nipples were taut against the lace and her lips were swollen from his kisses.
    “Are you sure you want to go on?” he asked, his voice thick with desire. As difficult as it would be, if shewanted to call a halt to things, he’d get dressed again and leave without thinking any less of her.
    In answer to his question she got into the bed and opened her arms to him. A sizzling electricity shot through him as pulled a condom from his pocket then shucked off his jeans and joined her beneath the sheets, the foil package on the nightstand.
    Once again they were in each other’s arms, kissing with a hunger that chased every other thought out of his head. He told himself that in his present state of mind it wouldn’t have mattered who he held in his arms, that all he needed was the release of having sex with any woman.
    But deep inside he knew that wasn’t true. It wasn’t just her feminine scent and her physical attractiveness that made him want her. Rather it was a combination of that and her unwavering loyalty to the memory of her sister, the gentle way she’d brushed Maddie’s hair and her laughter as they’d strung cheese down their chins while eating pizza.
    Her body was hot against his and he relished the heat and the smoothness of her skin as they clung together. Within