Free Off The Clock: First Responders, Book 1 by Donna Alward Page B

my, he tasted good, felt good as his body hovered above her, warm and strong. Tentatively Carly lifted her hand and curled it around his neck, holding him there so he couldn’t slip away before she’d had her fill.
    At her accepting touch his lips opened wider. She tightened her fingers in the soft hair of his neck and leaned towards him. He had initiated this. He had. There wasn’t anything wrong with enjoying it, was there?
    He slid a finger over the curve of her jaw, down her neck, and lightly grazed the cleft between her breasts that the bra didn’t manage to cover. Carly’s breath caught in her throat at the touch that sent something taut and exciting to her core. All he had to do was kiss her and touch her once and she thought she might burst into flames beneath his hands.
    Gabe lifted one hand off the arm of the chair and looped it around her waist, pulling her up until she was on her feet and in his arms.
    Everything changed. Both times he’d kissed her he’d leaned in, but his hands had been holding him up, keeping her out of his embrace. Not now. Now his hands were utterly free and holding her close, pulling her body flush to his. She could feel the strength in his muscles and the hard planes of his chest and abs. One of his hands cupped the back of her head while the other slid past the waistband of her jeans, pulling her tightly against his body. For the first time in months Carly felt a rush of something exciting…something hot and carnal. It made her tremble, and she felt the difference in Gabe’s arms as she inhaled a shaky breath. He loosened his hold and broke off the kiss.
    “God, Carly, I’m sorry.”
    She could let his apology take away everything she was feeling or she could stand and make a challenge. She was so tired of trying to put off her feelings. Of pretending they didn’t exist. She couldn’t go on this way, always afraid of taking a risk, always tiptoeing around whatever feelings they had for each other. She lifted her chin and forced herself to meet his gaze head on.
    “Why?” she asked. “Because I’m not sorry at all.”
    He gave a quick glance at the bed. “He won’t roll off, will he?”
    “He’s too little.” Carly’s legs trembled as she took the few steps to the bed. “If I put pillows here, he’ll be fine,” she said, taking two of the shams and putting them in place. She turned back to look at Gabe. “What are we doing, Gabe?”
    He swallowed. “Anything you want.”
    The possibilities in those words made her quiver with want. And yet having to ensure Nathan’s safety had given her a bit of perspective. Shyness fought with desire. “I don’t… I mean to say…”
    “Too soon?” he asked softly. She wondered briefly if he was worried about if she was physically able and she felt the heat of a blush rise in her cheeks. Was it too soon? The way her body was throbbing she knew the answer. But was she ready? She wasn’t sure. Gabe saw her indecision and came forward. He took her hand and squeezed. “Forget I mentioned it,” he said, and he smiled, but she saw lines of strain around his eyes. “Let’s have dinner.”
    He turned to walk away.
    “No!”
    The word ripped from her throat. Nathan fidgeted and then settled back down once more. Gabe paused, his dark gaze penetrating. She didn’t want to just have dinner. She wanted him, and she was just frightened enough to need him to take the lead.
    “No,” she whispered, wanting him to understand without her having to say the words.
    He took her hand.
    She followed behind him, her pulse hammering through her body as he led her across the hall to his room. The sunset bathed the room in golden light and Gabe ran his hand down the length of her arm, making goosebumps pop up behind the caress. With a smooth movement, he gripped the hem of his T-shirt and pulled it over his head.
    He was beautiful, with muscled shoulders and arms and a flat stomach that tapered to the waist of his low-slung jeans. “Your