Wild Texas Rose by Jodi Thomas Page B

reasons why she’d let him behave as he had toward her, but never once had it occurred to him that this was simply what she wanted. Someone else to take charge. Someone who told her what he wanted and acted without discussion or debate.
    She’d set the rules. She made the choice to come here, and apparently she wanted him to do the rest.
    He caught her wrist just before she was out of his reach. “Where do you think you’re going, Sara?” He used her first name to remind her she wasn’t just anyone to him, she was special. “We’ve only just begun.”
    Tugging her toward him, he ignored her protest as he lowered into the chair and pulled her atop him. When she was on his lap, he moved his hand along her arm and over her shoulder until he reached her throat and closed his fingers gently around her cool skin. “Close your eyes and open your mouth. I plan to kiss you long and completely before you go.” His voice came hard and demanding as he drew her to him.
    Before she could say anything, his mouth covered hers. She pushed at his chest, but his arms held her. When she tried to turn her head, he grabbed her jaw and held her steady. “Don’t move, Sara. Don’t try to pull away from me. I know you didn’t cross the night to run away from me now.” He could feel her tears falling, but he didn’t let go of her. If she didn’t want his apology, he’d try this. Either way, he might lose her forever.
    After a hard kiss against her closed mouth, his fingers dug into her hair and tugged, pulling her an inch away. “Kiss me back,” he ordered. “Kiss me back.”
    He could feel her heart pounding wildly against his as he loosened his grip on her hair to a caress.
    She timidly moved her lips to his. For a few heartbeats she barely brushed his mouth with hers. He didn’t move. He wanted her to come to him willingly, and slowly she did. She was fighting her own shyness, her own hesitation, her own fears, not him.
    When she finished another kiss and leaned a few inches away, he said simply, “That’s the way to do it, my love. Now again.” His fingers caressed her face. “Kiss me, Sara.”
    He thought he saw a smile a moment before her mouth touched his. With a laugh, he drew her near and deepened the kiss she’d offered.
    As the room grew warm, she melted against him without protest. He pulled off her cape, letting it fall on the floor. Underneath she wore only a blouse and skirt, not her normal suit. He set her a few inches away. Her eyes were bright as she watched him, gulping for air as she waited to see what would come next.
    “Be very still,” he said, his hand moving along her jaw.
    She nodded slightly.
    He tugged at the scarf she’d knotted almost like a tie around her throat. As it gave and drifted to the floor he felt as though he were opening a wonderful gift. He’d watched her for years, even spent time trying to think of how to talk to her about something other than school supplies. Only tonight, here she was, sitting on his good leg, letting him touch her. His fingertips brushed over her face, needing to know every line, every curve, and loving the feel of her warm skin.
    She remained still even when he kissed her lightly.
    His hands settled around her waist, liking the feel of her without a jacket or coat. “Unbutton the top button of your blouse.”
    When she didn’t move, he whispered his request again. “I’ve a need to taste your throat,” he added. “Such a beautiful throat. Unbutton the top for me.”
    With trembling hands she loosened the first button.
    He kissed her quickly, then pushed her back in place against the arm of his chair. “And now the next button.”
    She leaned back, closing her eyes as he continued to move his hands over her. “You’re a woman who needs to be touched, Sara.” His fingers moved into her hair, pulling slightly as his free hand spread out over her blouse just below her breasts.
    She held his gaze as she worked the next button free. When she’d