Turn on a Dime - Blane's Turn by Tiffany Snow Page A

If Jimmy had harmed a hair on her head—
    “I’m supposed to keep quiet or else I’ll get sliced to ribbons,” she continued. “Any idea what he was talking about?”
    The accusation in her eyes stung Blane, as if she thought he was behind Jimmy’s threat. As if he would ever hurt her. “What are you implying?” he asked.
    “I’m implying that you’re the only one I’ve said anything to about who Sheila was seeing and who I think might’ve killed her and now, suddenly today, Jimmy’s telling me to keep my mouth shut! Do you want me dead?”
    Blane took the opportunity Kathleen had offered. If she wouldn’t listen to him as a protector, maybe she’d listen if he was a threat.
    In a flash, Blane had her by the throat. His hand easily held her neck in his grip, the delicate bones just under the skin reminding him of how terrifyingly fragile she was.
    She choked on a gasp, her hands pulling at his arm, but he barely felt them. Seeming to realize the futility of struggling, she squeezed her eyes shut and went still.
    Her pulse beat wildly as Blane leaned to place his lips by her ear. “If I wanted you dead,” he whispered, “you’d be dead. And I wouldn’t need Jimmy to do it for me.”
    A shudder wracked her body at his threat and Blane felt a wave of self-loathing. He’d never deliberately tried to scare a woman before, and it didn’t sit well now, despite the fact that he was doing it for her own good.
    His hold loosened and her eyes opened, their gazes colliding. But it wasn’t fear he saw in the blue depths of her eyes. It was something else entirely, and it called out to him as though she’d spoken aloud.
    Her lips were parted slightly, just enough for Blane to see a hint of gleaming pearl beyond. The rose tinted skin was moist and begged to be tasted. Unable, or maybe unwilling, to resist, Blane lowered his head and brushed her mouth with his.
    At first she didn’t respond, out of stubbornness or fear, he didn’t know. But her lips were pillowy soft and he teased them gently, brushing his tongue against the tender skin in a silent request. She made a noise at the touch, her mouth opening fully beneath his, and Blane couldn’t stop a groan from escaping as his tongue surged inside to stroke hers.
    Kissing Kathleen was like having his first kiss all over again. Her innocence was immediately apparent, her hesitation slowly evaporating as Blane kissed her. It was like she was giving him a gift, something precious and special, and not something bestowed just for a fleeting moment of carnal pleasure.
    Blane’s hand moved to cup the back of her neck, his fingers sliding through the silk of her hair. The tentative exploration of her hands as she touched his chest made Blane wish she was wearing a skirt, the need to touch her nearly a compulsion.
    In another time and place, Blane knew he would’ve seduced Kathleen without a second thought. The chemistry between them could easily ignite into a raging inferno and it would be very, very good.
    But the front seat of her car in the middle of his firm’s parking lot wasn’t the place. Reluctantly, Blane pulled back, the sweet taste of her still on his tongue. Her eyes were liquid pools of desire, her lips reddened and full.
    God had to be keeping score because Blane deserved a damn gold star for not taking this further. His cock was hard as a rock, which was uncomfortable as hell. Blane consoled himself by knowing that at some point, he’d have her. Just not yet.
    Kathleen shivered and Blane realized the confines of the car had gotten cold. The heat in his blood would serve to keep the chill away and he shrugged out of his suit jacket, wrapping it around her. As he lifted her hair from under the fabric, his fingers brushed her skin and she trembled again at his touch.
    A blush bloomed in her fair cheeks, discernible even in this low light, and Blane was struck anew at the sight.
    “You’re blushing,” he said, brushing the backs of his knuckles against