The Bachelor by Carly Phillips

reveal it to Charlotte. “You turned me down flat. What’s with the change of heart?”
    She was barely dressed and offering him his heart’s desire. But he had to fight it or risk jeopardizing the job he loved and
     the future he wanted.
    “I didn’t think you’d care about the hows or the whys.” She reached for the collar of his denim shirt and ran a shaking finger
     down one pointed edge.
    He actually broke into a sweat. “I do have morals and standards, you know.”
    “You’re also up front about your intentions. You aren’t sticking around. I appreciate your honesty.”
    “I’ll always be honest with you, Charlotte.”
    “Well, I decided that works fine for me.” A hesitant smile tipped her lips. “You want to acknowledge the attraction? So do
     I.” She swallowed hard. “I … I want you, Roman.”
    “Oh, damn,” he muttered. What kind of man could resist a declaration like that? His hand came around the back of her neck,
     his fingers threaded into her hair, and he sealed his mouth tight over hers.
    This first kiss began gently, indulging the need to explore, but quickly flared out of control, thanks to the hunger of too
     many pent-up years. A driving need to make up for lost time consumed him. Hot and ravenous, he ran his tongue over the seam
     of her lips, demanding entry, and she gave it to him. She was moist and damp inside, sweet and pure, and she tasted too damn
     right.
    A throaty moan escaped her lips. He wasn’t sure who moved first, but she backed up and he followed, his mouth never leaving
     hers. They hit the wall behind them. Once they were in the small, enclosed dressing room, the swinging doors closed shut,
     sealing them inside. His hands traveled from her neck to grip her waist, pulling them into intimate contact. His groin nestled
     into the vee of her legs and his erection grew, swelling with need as he found a warm and welcoming home.
    Her damp feminine heat cushioned him through the rough denim of his jeans. “Sweet Jesus,” he muttered, his body full to bursting.
     The barrier of clothing was restricting and a sweet yet painful ache begged for fulfillment. He shifted from side to side,
     seeking deeper access than was possible.
    As if she’d read his mind, her legs slipped open wider, and he sucked in a ragged breath. They were cheek to cheek, her hands
     gripping his shoulders, her fingertips digging into the skin beneath his shirt, and her breath came in shallow, uneven gasps.
    She surrounded him. Physically, her body cradled his, and when he inhaled he was enveloped in her essence. Her scent fulfilled
     him in a way that surpassed mere sexual need, and
that
was the notion that brought reality surging back. “What the hell are we doing?” he managed to ask.
    She let out a shaky laugh, her breath hot on his skin. “I don’t know what you’d call it, but I’m getting you out of my system.”
    As if such a thing were possible, he thought. Ten years later, and this was still the only woman who jumbled his emotions
     along with his hormones. She had the ability to make him throw his resolutions to hell and back.
    Her head resting against the wall, she studied him through glazed eyes. “You have to admit, the idea’s got merit.”
    He stepped back and ran an unsteady hand through his hair. The idea had merit—if he had the time to play around until he tired
     of her. Assuming he ever tired of her. Roman had his doubts.
    He also had his plan. A destiny he hadn’t intended but had to fulfill, thanks to the flip of a coin and strong family obligation.
     Right now he hadn’t a clue how he was going to accomplish his objective, but this woman was hazardous. She didn’t want a long-term
     commitment with a man who didn’t plan to stay in Yorkshire Falls. That alone put her off limits.
    But Roman also feared she had the ability to pull him back to her, to this town, and make him forget the dreams and life goals
     he’d always had.
    The more he indulged, the deeper she