Running From the Storm by Lee Wilkinson Page A

fire and leaning back at his ease, his eyes half-closed.
    With his thick, curly lashes almost brushing his hard cheeks, his hair slightly rumpled, his lips a little parted and a golden stubble adorning his chin, he looked incredibly sexy.
    In spite of all her efforts to stay unmoved, Caris’s breathing grew laboured and her pulse-rate quickened as she imagined those beautiful, sculptured lips touching hers …
    ‘Penny for them.’
    Flustered by the intent way he was studying her face, she found herself blushing furiously.
    ‘Sorry,’ he apologized, proving he didn’t lack sensitivity. ‘I didn’t mean to stare. But you looked so …’ He broke off.
    Knowing that her nose was shiny and the thick braid hanging over one shoulder must look schoolgirlish to a sophisticated man like Zander, she said, ‘I imagine I look an absolute fright.’
    He shook his head. ‘I wouldn’t say that.’
    ‘Then what would you say?’ she asked, without really thinking.
    Smiling, he told her, ‘That you look utterly enchanting, seductive, sweet and sensuous, like a woman who’s longing to be made love to …’
    Panic bringing her to her feet, she said jerkily, ‘I’m starting to feel really tired now, so I think it would be better if I went to bed after all …’
    Realizing that she was babbling, she broke off abruptly, biting her lip.
    He rose too, his face straight, his eyes devilishly amused. He queried, ‘Alone?’
    ‘Alone!’ she croaked.
    ‘Of course—if you’re sure that’s what you want?’
    ‘Yes, I’m sure. But, as I’m nowhere near as tall as you, it would make more sense for me to sleep on the couch.’
    ‘I won’t hear of it.’
    ‘But I want you to have the bed,’ she insisted. ‘Otherwise I’d feel guilty.’
    He shook his head decidedly. ‘The only way I’m prepared to sleep in the bed is if you want to share it with me.’
    Seeing on her expressive face the return of her previous panic, he said carefully, ‘I meant platonically. I’m not trying to take advantage of the situation, and I’m noted for my self-control.’
    It was her own self-control she didn’t trust, rather than his, but she could hardly tell him that.
    ‘So, as soon as I’ve seen you safely tucked in, I’ll retire to my couch.’
    With a slight sigh, he added, ‘Though I frankly admit that I want you more than I’ve ever wanted any other woman …’
    Somehow she found her voice. Struggling to sound both amused and dismissive, she said, ‘I bet you say that to any girl who comes along.’
    ‘I won’t deny there have been other women, but the way I feel about you is different, unprecedented. The instant I set eyes on you, you affected me strangely, touched my heart …’
    He took a step forward, his voice low and intense. He murmured, ‘Though I didn’t really know you at all, I felt as if I did. As if, somehow, I’d always known you.’
    I know you too, she thought. I know you as if you were part of me.
    But he was going on. ‘You delight me, enchant me, and I’ve thought of little else but taking you in my arms and making love with you …’
    Gently he laid the flat of his hand against her cheek, and with a little murmur she turned her mouth into his palm. His other hand came up to cup her face and then his mouth was moving against hers.
    Their first kiss, a kiss they had both been waiting so long for, was a slow and gentle brushing of lips, but it said far more than either of them could have put into words at that moment.
    When he finally drew back, she was flushed and euphoric, and a glance at his face showed that everything she was feeling, he was feeling too.
    The realization was overwhelming, and it sent a charge like electricity running through her. Lips a little parted, she swayed towards him.
    With a hand at the back of her head, he drew that lovely face to his. Then his mouth was on hers once more, tasting, enjoying, lingering seductively, as though he could happily spend the rest of his life just