A Baby Before Dawn by Linda Castillo Page B

girl.”
    “Oh, okay.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Wow. A little girl.”
    Lily couldn’t help it. Maybe it was the stress of the situation, or the lack of sleep, but she laughed. It was the first time she’d seen tough guy Chase Vickers speechless, and she couldn’t help but indulge.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “You.”
    The concern etched into his every feature softened. “I’m glad you find me so amusing.” Surprising her, he smiled, and for several seconds they grinned at each other like a couple of fools.
    The moment shifted when Chase lifted his hand and set it against her face. His palm was warm and slightly rough against her cheek. Lily had seen that look in his eyes before. She knew what would happen next. And while the intellectual side of her brain told her to pull away, a treacherous part of her brain refused to let her move.
    “I love your smile,” he said thickly. “I love it even more when you laugh.”
    “Nothing about this is even remotely funny.” She’d hoped the words would snap them out of whatever stupor gripped them.
    They didn’t.
    Stepping closer, Chase lifted his other hand, ran his fingertips across her cheek and through her hair. All the while he searched her face with an intensity that held her spellbound. “I’ve missed you,” he said.
    “Don’t.” Her word came out as little more than a puff of breath.
    “Too late.” Tilting his head slightly, he brushed his mouth across hers.
    The initial shock of pleasure curled her toes. Her body tingled with sensations she’d forgotten existed. Lily was no stranger to intimacy. But only in this man’s arms had she ever felt true passion. Not now, was all she could think, but he’d been right. It was too late to stop.…
    Need vibrated through her with such force that her knees went weak. Intellect warred with a sudden, jarring stab of desire that went from her brain to every erogenous zone in her body.
    “Wait,” she whispered.
    Chase didn’t wait. His hand slid from her hair, down her back where he gripped her and pulled her snug against him. His body was like a stone wall against hers, all sinew and muscle and tightly restrained male need. Lily wanted to believe that’s all this was. Lust caused by months of celibacy. The aftereffects of adrenaline and fear. High danger and higher emotion.
    But one look into his eyes and she knew this moment was so much more. And while the little voice of reason screamed for her to stop, her body moved closer. The ridge of his erection nudged her swollen belly and a pang moved through her. Locking his arms around her, he devoured her mouth. A powerful wave of desire swept the length of her when he used his tongue and went deep.
    Lily didn’t think. Her mind couldn’t form so much as a single rational thought. But then it had always been that way between them. Chase induced a desire too powerful to contain. Fool, the little voice accused. But she banished it.
    Vaguely, she was aware of his hands sweeping down her back, brushing the outsides of her breasts. A shiver barreled through her. She didn’t intend to put her arms around him, but the next thing she knew her arms looped around his rock-hard shoulders that trembled with restraint. She kissed him back with equal force, equal passion. Their tongues tangled, breaths mingled. All Lily could think was that she wanted more. If she didn’t get it she would die right here in his arms.
    Slowly, he backed her toward the small table. When the backs of her legs bumped into it, he lifted her and stepped between her knees. Desire like she’d never before known knifed her. She went wet. Forgetting about all the reasons she shouldn’t respond, Lily wrapped her arms around him and kissed him with a desperation she didn’t know existed. She was keenly aware of his arousal against her. His labored breaths in her ear. Her own labored breathing rasping from her throat.
    It was too much. It was too good. Too late. Too damn insane…
    Turning her