Naturally Naughty - Leslie Kelly [19]
He laughed out loud. “I’m not an egotistical man, Kate. But I know when I’m being kissed back.” He stepped closer, into her space, but she wouldn’t back down. “Admit it. You definitely kissed me back.”
“Only to give the old biddies something to chew on with their tea and crumpets,” she said with a determined frown.
“Ah, ah, you’re breaking my heart here.” He held his hands out at his sides, palms up in supplication.
“I somehow doubt that. You’re a complete stranger. One who accosted me in public this afternoon.”
A definite overstatement. “Not accosted. Surprised.”
“You surprised me all right. Don’t guys like you usually wind up kissing a celebrity or streaking through the Academy Awards, then get committed to the funny farm sooner or later?”
He rolled his eyes. “Do you always keep your guard up? Except when you’re singing your heart out in an old abandoned theater, that is?”
“Do you always go around kissing women you see on the street?” she countered.
He shook his head, becoming very serious. “Never. Not until today. Not until you.”
She broke their eye contact first, suddenly looking nervous. “Look, this is probably not a great idea, us being here. I don’t even know you.”
“Would it help if I give my word I’m not a psycho serial killing…or serial kissing…nutcase?”
She shrugged. “If I’d thought that I woulda pushed you into the orchestra pit and run like crazy out of here.”
“I’m glad to know you trust me. Now, about the coffee…”
“Don’t you ever give up?”
“Not when I’m faced with something this important.”
He didn’t elaborate, and she didn’t ask him to. They both knew what they meant. There was something happening here, something living and warm and vibrant flowing beneath them. She just wouldn’t admit it.
“I won’t say I’m not tempted. But I am on my way out of town,” she said slowly. “Heading home.”
“To Chicago?”
She paused. “How did you…”
“Well, I know there’s no way you live in Pleasantville.”
“True.”
“And I recognized you.”
“From where?”
“I’m from Chicago, too.” He saw her eyes widen. In interest? Or maybe relief? “I saw the article in the business paper a few weeks back. You own some hot new women’s store, right? The picture was striking.” He looked down at her body, her chest still heaving as she brought her breathing back to normal. His mouth went dry. “But it didn’t do you justice.”
She froze as he looked at her, probably seeing the pulse in his temple as he stared. Beneath his gaze, two sharp points jutted against her silk blouse, telling him she was as aware of him as he was of her. “I liked that picture,” she said, unable to disguise a shaky tremor in her voice.
“I did, too. For a businesswoman. A Katherine.” He watched as she smoothed her skirt with her palms. She then checked the waistband to be sure her blouse was tucked in. “But today, when you landed in my arms, you didn’t look like a Katherine. Then…and now…you’re Kate.”
Almost as if she was unaware of her movements, she slid one hand up higher, up the smooth, soft-looking skin of her arm, until the tip of her finger rested in the hollow of her throat and her forearm on the curve of her breasts.
Her nipples jutted harder now, brought to tighter peaks by the scrape of her own arm across them. Did she realize it? Was she conscious of the silently seductive invitation she issued? As if she read his thoughts, she tapped her index finger against her throat. Lightly. Drawing his gaze there once again.
“So you read about me.” She sounded breathless. Clearing her throat, she continued. “My store. Is that why you followed me? Why you kissed me?”
He shook his head, still watching the pulse tick away in her throat, right beneath the tip of her finger, wondering how she tasted right there. Wondering how she smelled. Wondering if she’d whimper when he gently licked the moist spot. And mostly wondering when he’d be able to take her in his arms again. Though, this time the decision would be hers. As much as she might believe otherwise, Jack didn’t believe in taking what he wanted. It was much more pleasurable to be