the pendant hanging overhead danced off her angelic face and highlighted the brown and golden tones in Kerrigan’s wavy hair that flowed over her shoulder, gently caressing her right cheek.
His pulse quickened. “Yes, I’m going to miss you, very much.” Her darting eyes stilled, fixed to his, and she froze. “And I know you’re going to miss me too.” A hard lump formed in his throat and his chest tightened, waiting for her reply.
He held her gaze. Beauty radiated from her frigid face. Melting the ice, the corners of her mouth curled into a warm smile . “Then I suppose I can make an exception just this once. May I ask about your trip? Where are you going?”
Tense shoulders relaxing, h e swallowed hard and then exhaled. “Yes, of course. I’m going to meet some clients in Denver. They want to discuss a new national campaign for their ski resort.” Wiping his mouth with his napkin as he glanced around, the background came into view again. “I thought I’d invite you along, but I know the kind of rumors that would stir.”
“I think you’re right about the rumors. I wouldn’t have gone anyway ,” she said.
If she had gone with him, he would have made sure that the rumors held merit.
When lunch ended, they walked to the restaurant’s waiting area. He guided them to a private corner, surrounded by greenery, to finish their conversation.
Standing close, “While I’m gone, can you gather research on McBride’s markets?” he asked softly.
“Sure. I’ll have the data ready in time for our next meeting.”
“Great. Thank you.” He paused and glimpsed around, discovering they were isolated. “I think we should say our goodbyes here. I know how nervous you are about rumors.”
She extended her arm for a handshake.
Forehead wrinkling, a glint of a smile crossed his lips. He stepped forward, no more than an inch between them. She didn’t move. “I think we can do better than that,” he said.
Intensely focused on nothing but her, for a brief moment, he and Kerrigan were the only two people in the room. With a quick motion, he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist, pulled her close to him until her tender breasts pressed into his chest. Kerrigan’s small hands landed on his biceps, her fingers digging into his arms through his shirtsleeves.
“What are you doing?” She whispered into his chest, her head hung down forestalling his gaze.
“Saying goodbye.” Leaning down, he nuzzled his head in the crook of her neck, inhaling the sweet fragrance that was uniquely hers. “Umm.” He released a low guttural groan and closed his eyes, succumbing to the serenity that settled over him with her nestled in his arms. Her head tilted to the side, giving him greater access. Softly, his lips brushed the throbbing vein in her neck.
A small gasp escaped her.
The tightening in his chest and knot in his stomach dissipated, replaced by boiling blood rushing through his system and sending him into a stupor. Like rock forming from molten lava, his desire rose, and his erection pressed into her. Trembling hands pushed hard against him, but he tightened his grip and held her in place, ending her protest. Slowly, tenderly and with skilled precision, he planted soft feather light kisses up her neck, along her jaw line to her cheek and then his lips touched the corner of her mouth.
“Uh, um.” The loud sound of a man clearing his throat jostled him out of his fog, and he stopped abruptly. His hands dropped from her waist, and he stepped back. Glancing around, he met the stark stare of two nearby patrons. The haggard cock blocker had the audacity to wink. He had never wanted to kiss her more than he did in that moment. Again, the kiss would have to wait. Although he didn’t intend for their hug to be platonic, he never expected to get lost in her. His head reeling and heart racing, the only thing on his mind was Kerrigan. The hug was a lover’s embrace, a promise of things to come. Mission
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