Hallie's Destiny (The Donovans of the Delta) by Peggy Webb

by the sight of him to say a thing.
    Smiling, he reached out and tipped up her chin with his forefinger. “You look good enough to eat in red.”
    She ran her tongue over her lips. “Have you had breakfast?”
    He threw back his head and roared with laughter. “Is that an offer, my wicked gypsy angel?”
    His laughter and his saying her nickname transported her back to the lake, to a time before the hurts, before the goodbyes. She unconsciously stood taller, looking him squarely in the eye.
    “Certainly.”
    “Can I come inside, or do you want me to stand out in the hallway and scandalize the neighbors?”
    Suppressing her smile, pretending to be insulted, she quoted what he’d said the day he’d climbed the tree. “I’ll have you know my intentions are strictly honorable.”
    “Mine aren’t.” He reached out one arm and pulled her against his chest. His eyes glowed with amber fire as he gazed down at her. “I came as soon as I got your message, Hallie.”
    “I wanted you to.”
    “I’ve missed you so much I could taste it. Not a day has passed that I didn’t want you in my arms. Not an hour has passed that I didn’t remember the feel of your lips, the glow of your skin, the beauty of your smile.” His arms tightened. “You’re my obsession, Hallie Donovan. I can never let you go.”
    His lips crushed down on hers. All their pent up longings poured forth in the kiss. Hallie molded herself to him, seeking the familiar hollows and planes and ridges of his body. The honeysuckle drifted to the floor as he backed her into the room and kicked the door shut.
    His mouth never left hers as his hands found her belt, loosened it, and pushed her robe apart. As always, the passion between them could neither be controlled nor denied. Hallie accepted her destiny as surely as she accepted the rising of the sun.
     “You can tell me no, Hallie,” he murmured, “while I can still turn away.”
    “Nooo . . .” She was so overwhelmed she could barely get out the word.
    He pulled back from her and gazed into her face. “I didn’t mean for it to happen like this, Hallie. With us passion always seems to get in the way of reason.”
    “No.” She reached blindly for him. “Don’t turn away from me, Josh. I want you.”
    He held her close, buried his face in her fragrant hair. “I can’t promise anything,Hallie. I can’t offer anything except passion.”
    “That’s all I want . . . and need. I’ll take the moment, Josh.”
    His lips found hers again. “Sweet,” he murmured. “I’m so hungry for you.”
    This time, knowing how it would all end, they kissed in a slow and languorous manner, savoring each other. With his mouth slanting across hers, he could feel the simmering heat of her, the gathering passion, the vibrant excitement.
    His mouth left hers as he slowly pushed her robe aside. It fell to the floor, landing like a giant scarlet blossom among the fallen honeysuckle. He sucked in his breath at the sight of her. He curbed his greed long enough to let his gaze wander down her body. Her torso was lithe, her waist almost small enough for him to span with his hands.
    Like a man in a daze, he reached out and circled her waist. “You are perfection, a dream come true.”
    She lifted her heavy hair and let it fall back around her shoulders. “I’m real. Touch me.”
    His hands drifted slowly down her hips, then he opened them flat against her stomach. “I’ve dreamed of this, Hallie.”
    The scent of honeysuckle drifted around them, as he unbuttoned his shirt, cast it aside. In one swift movement he cast aside his pants and lowered her to the floor. Her hair spread over the scarlet robe, a raven’s wing against flame. Her long slim legs pressed against the honeysuckle.
    For a moment he propped himself on his elbow, worshiping her with his gaze. “My woman in red. You’re too exquisite to be real.”
    Her slow smile was sexy. “Try me.”
    “An invitation too good to resist.”
    For a very long while