Stone Cold Surrender - Brenda Jackson [37]
“The stew’s good, isn’t it?”
The sound of Stone’s husky voice drifted across the table and was as intimate as a caress. Madison glanced up from eating her stew and met his gaze. A part of her shivered inside from the visual contact. More than once she had caught him staring at her, and against her will her body had responded, each and every time.
Common sense demanded that she fight her interest in him, but it was hard to dredge up will power or common sense around a man like Stone. “Yes, it’s delicious,” she said trying not to feel the warmth that was spreading through her belly.
Stone pushed his bowl aside, licking his lips. “Too bad we don’t have anything for dessert.”
Madison swallowed, eyeing his lips with interest. Oh, she could think of a few things she had definitely developed a sweet tooth for over the last few days. His kisses topped the list. “Yes, it is, isn’t it?” she decided it was safer to say.
“I’ll help you with dishes,” Stone said, getting to his feet.
Madison considered his offer and quickly decided that it wouldn’t be a good idea. Earlier she’d told him that she didn’t mind him in her space but at the moment she needed him out of it to get her mind focused. “There’s no need. I only have a few items to take care of anyway.”
“You sure?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m positive. I’d think you’d want to retire early. Today has to have been an exhausting one for you.”
Stone’s throaty chuckle swirled over her like a sensual mist, absorbing her, snarling her and making desire ripple through her. “No, usually I have an overabundance of energy. It takes a lot to wear me out.”
She recognized his words as similar to ones she’d spoken earlier that day. She came to her feet and gathered their dishes off the table. Deep down she was aware of the electrical tension that was beginning to short circuit in her body, however she was determined not to go up in smoke.
She walked over to the kitchen sink, feeling the heat of Stone’s stare; she tried hard to ignore it. His very presence and the scent of him taunted her with the unknown and, although her back was to him, she was aware of every move he made and every breath he took.
Her pulse rate increased when she heard him get up from the table and cross the room to stand less than two feet behind her, and for a few moments he stood silently, not saying anything, not doing anything. Then he took another step, reducing the distance separating them and she quickly turned around.
Their gazes collided. His was so intense the force of it ripped through her, sending a sharp sexual longing to her belly, between her legs and to her breasts; making her nipples harden in immediate response.
Then she felt herself moving, taking a step forward and reaching out to drape her arms around his neck. She heard the growl he made, deep in his throat, just moments, mere seconds, before he claimed her mouth with a kiss that seduced any resistance she may have had out of her.
The heated, yet gentle thrust of his tongue as it slipped between her lips had her whimpering in pleasure, and he toyed and teased with her tongue while sharing his taste and the intensity of his hunger. She was trying hard to understand what was happening to her. Then she decided, why bother. Who could possibly understand how Stone was making her feel? Who could understand why her heart was beating five times its normal rate and how the heat of him was branding her all over, especially in the area between her legs to the point that she felt her panties getting wet. And when he pressed his body up against her, bringing her closer and letting her feel the magnitude and strength of his arousal, she emitted a soft moan. He was stroking a flame within her and she was a willing victim. She didn’t want to dwell on the decisions she had made yesterday morning. The only thing she wanted to think about was how he was making her feel.
She felt him pulling his mouth away and thought, no, not yet and tightened her arms around him, keeping their mouths locked, as her tongue became