Free Sunkissed by Janelle Daniels

himself, he moved toward her, the glint in her eyes drawing him in. He rubbed her shoulders through the soft robe. “You did well today. You must be sore.”
    “Only a little. We designers are made of sterner stuff.” She moaned. “Oh, that feels so good.”
    “You’re going to be much sorer tomorrow.”
    “Right now, this feels too good to care. You’re very good at this.” She arched under his touch.
    Jumping away from her as if burned, he blindly turned toward the kitchen. “Any requests for dinner?”
    “You don’t need to cook anything.”
    “It’s the least I can do. I appreciated your help today. I almost feel guilty.”
    He heard the soft chuckle as she stepped toward him. “I enjoyed it. It was worth it to see you in your element.”
    He could feel her body near his, his nerves tingling with her proximity. Turning to face her, he tried to look casual as he leaned against the counter, but his hands betrayed him, gripping the counter behind him.
    Her mouth quirked, eyes smoldering.
    “So… dinner?” he asked, his voice straining.
    She shook her head softly, taking another step toward him.
    “Natalie,” he groaned. “Sweetheart, if you keep doing this, I’m not going to be able to control myself. You must be exhausted.”
    “Do I look exhausted?”
    She trapped him, looping her arms around his waist. The shock that surged through him made him jolt. “You’re not making this easy. I was going to make you dinner, then rush you out the door.”
    She shook her head softly. “I don’t think so. Is that really what you want?”
    “What do you think?”
    She toyed with her lip, the movement mesmerizing him. “I think you want me. You want me every bit as much as I want you.”
    Hearing her desire freed the beast inside him.
    He took her lips quickly, impatiently, enraptured by the first taste of sweetness. Holding her close, he relished the feel of her, the way she melted into him as he kissed her over and over again.
    “I love the way you taste,” he said before taking her lips again. “I love the way you smell, the way you move, the way you think.”
    She trembled, bringing forth the need to soothe her. He slowed, sampling her in short, soft kisses instead of greedy gulps.
    She was potent, smooth. Her taste lingered in his senses, his head. His soul.
    He sensed a change in her, a slow slide into something stronger than lust. His heart recognized it, leaping at the possibility that she might feel something more than just the chemistry between them.
    He wanted her. He wanted to take her here, in this kitchen, without a moment’s hesitation. But it wasn’t right for them. She needed more. He needed to give her more. Show her that there was more between them than a sparking flash of lust.
    He eased away from her, rubbing her cherry lips as her eyes fluttered open.
    “Why?” He knew what she was asking. Why were they stopping.
    “Because it’s not the right time.”
    A frown creased her brow. He thought she might argue, but she finally nodded, looking at him with affection.
    He pulled her into him, cradling her with his body. They stood there. Barefoot in the kitchen, holding each other while the rhythm of their hearts slowed together.
    “Come on,” he said, running his hands up and down her back before stepping away. “I should probably get some food in you.”
    Heaving a long-suffering sigh, she adjusted the belt on her robe as she teased, “If you insist.”
    “I do,” he grinned, loving her reaction.
    She leaned forward for a soft kiss. “I’m going to check on the laundry while you start.”
    Watching her hips sway, her curves hidden beneath the soft layer of his robe, made him ache, made him feel possessive of her.
    He wanted to hold her, kiss her, keep her in his arms. Mark her as his in every way possible.
    Opening the fridge, he paused. His?
    Mentally, he took a step back, examining his feelings. How had things moved so quickly? This depth of want was something he had never