Sweet Revenge by Katherine Allred Page B

get your dancing shoes out, Sheriff.” His head went back and he groaned. “I can’t believe I agreed to this. I’m going to look like a clown. Not a good thing for someone in my line of work.”
    Jessie patted his knee. “Don’t worry, we’ll whip you into shape. Maybe we can start with the last number between Sandy and Danny, when they’re at the carnival. That one shouldn’t be too hard.”
    “You’re the boss.” He captured her hand and stood, pulling her to her feet. “I really have to go. But there’s one burning question I’d like the answer to before I leave.”
    “What question?” She looked up at him curiously.
    Before she knew what was happening, his hand slid under her hair to cup her nape and his mouth came down on hers. A s he had the night before, his lips and tongue teased, making her desperate for more.
    A sigh of surrender whispered in her throat as her eyes drifted shut and the bones in her body melted. She didn’t even have the strength to lift her arms to his neck. By the time he claimed her mouth completely the only thing that mattered was easing the burning hunger he’d brought to life in her.
    He raised her arms to encircle his neck then slid his hands down to her waist, pulling her tightly against him as he kissed her slowly and thoroughly. A nd from the size of the bulge in his jeans, he was as aroused as she, and making sure she knew it. Reflexively, her hips moved, pressing even tighter against his hardness, and a low groan escaped his lips.
    Still taking his time, nibbling as he went, he gradually released her mouth. “So tell me.” His voice was husky and low. “Is that gross?” Jessie’s lips quivered into a shaky smile while she attempted to slow her racing heart. “That was your burning question?” she whispered.
    “No. I can assure you, it isn’t the least bit gross.”
    “That’s good,” he said solemnly. “Because in light of your earlier statement, I’m going to assume that means you care.” He kissed her again, hard and quick. “I really, really have to leave now. Fast.”
    “I know.” Except now that her arms were around his neck, she couldn’t get them to turn loose. She let her hands drift through his hair the way she’d always dreamed of doing, and he groaned. Inexorably she pulled his head down until their lips met again. This was Chase holding her, the man she’d ached for most of her life. The edge between fantasy and reality became so blurred in her mind that she couldn’t tell where one started and the other ended. She only knew she wanted him.
    “Jessie.” Chase whispered her name as his lips moved frantically over her face. “Oh, God, I need you. I haven’t been able to think about anything else since you came back. It’s driving me crazy.”
    “Ssh. Tell me later.” She found his mouth again, effectively silencing his words, and felt herself being lifted. Then his weight was pressing her into the couch, his hands moving over her. A whimper of need escaped her as his callused palm skimmed her breasts. It seemed as though her clothing had been magically seared into ash by the heat racing through her.
    Even as his mouth ravaged hers, his hand moved down her body, under her clothes. Her legs parted and Jessie arched as he touched her sensitive swollen flesh, slipped beneath elastic, to caress with exquisite torture before his fingers found entry.
    The sound that came from him when he felt her readiness was agonized, and it sent blood singing triumphantly through every inch of her body. He wanted her. He really wanted her.
    There was a slight pause, the sound of metal on metal as he lowered his zipper, and then he was positioned above her. Her eyes widened at the pressure, then she gasped as he pushed past her entrance, stretched her almost beyond endurance.
    Instantly his mouth was back on hers as he froze, his tongue probing, claiming her attention. A nd when he had it, he began to push again.
    Jessie couldn’t stop the tensing of