Free In Too Deep by Sherryl Woods

seared her, branding her his. A riot of intense, shattering sensations soared inside her. This was it, the wild passion she’d craved, the unthinking roar of excitement through her blood. Now that she knew it existed, she could never settle for less.
    But it was wrong. Rod was wrong. He was not the man she’d dreamed of, not the one who’d cherish her and keep her safe. Just look at the mess they were in now because of his life-style. He’d be exactly like Scottie, always roaming, always saying goodbye, and she wouldn’t be able to bear it. Even now, with her head spinning from the scent of him, the feel of him, she felt the pain of goodbye.
    â€œNo!” It was a quiet, desperate plea as she struggled to free herself from the embrace and the emotions.
    â€œYes.” He looked into her eyes, his fingers gentle as they touched her swollen, sensitive lips. “Oh, yes.”
    Unable to resist, she melted into his kiss, told herself she deserved to experience the exquisite touch just this once. Her arms crept around his shoulders. Her fingers tangled in silken hair as she opened her mouth to the sweet invasion of his tongue. The kiss left her breathless and, God help her, wanting more.
    This time, though, it was Rod who ended the embrace, literally lifting her and setting her down a few inches away. Still the heat and hunger leaped between them. He kept his hands at her waist, and his eyes never wavered from hers.
    â€œI want you,” he said with unexpected candor. Three words with the power to set off fireworks. A declaration that could change her life forever. His eyes filled with regret.
    â€œBut not here and not now.”
    Cara drew in a ragged breath and fought for composure. Years of practice playing the cool, unflappable businesswoman helped her now. “Not ever,” she said without even a hint of a tremor in her voice.
    â€œNot even you are stubborn enough to keep us apart,” he said with a touch of arrogance that set her pulse to racing. “Our time will come.”
    â€œIt can’t. Be sensible.”
    He gave her a rueful smile. “Oh, my dear, I am being incredibly sensible. It’s the only thing keeping me from taking you into that tent and making love to you until we’re both too tired to even think, though that’s exactly what I want to do.”
    The bold, heartfelt words set her aflame, but they didn’t consume the doubts. “But we’re all wrong for each other.”
    â€œProbably.”
    His easy acknowledgement of that brought a lump to her throat. A denial, even a halfhearted one, would have been nice. It would have given her hope.
    False hope, she reminded herself sternly. “Nothing will ever happen between us,” she said with every ounce of conviction she could manage. Her heart actually ached as she said it.
    Looking him directly in the eye, she added, “I won’t be one of your quick and easy conquests.”
    The remark struck home. His expression turned hard with a swiftness that startled her. Even so, she almost welcomed this new burst of anger. It was safer by far than the fierce longing that had darkened his eyes only moments ago.
    â€œDon’t start judging me.”
    â€œIf we’d stuck to business, your morals wouldn’t be an issue.”
    â€œI’m not the only one to blame for the kiss, princess. You enjoyed it every bit as much as I did. That’s why I felt I had to warn you before this went any further. I made a decision about my way of life a long time ago. No encumbrances. No responsibilities. You won’t change that.”
    The words were like blows, bringing her back to reality with a crash, but all she said was, “Sounds lonely.”
    He met her gaze levelly. “If I want company, I can find it easily enough.”
    He was baiting her with the cruel remark. She knew it, but she rose to it anyway. “And that’s the kind of company you want? No strings