Loving Katrina

Fourteen

Katrina didn't know why her body refused to move and her mind declined to function. Although she didn't want Felix in her room while she wore a bed sheet—with only a chemise underneath—she secretly hoped he wouldn't leave. She found it impossible to grasp the words to tell him to get out. Heaven help her, but the energy sparking inside her belly made her feel alive. No other man had accomplished making her feel that way.

He stalked her like an animal ready to attack its prey. When he finally came to a stop, he was mere inches from her nose. Resting his arm on the wall above her head, he leaned closer.

The breath hitched in her throat. The only thing moving was her heartbeat, and it hammered so fast she feared she'd swoon...and since she'd never swooned, this must be worse.

Without saying a word, his gaze devoured her, slowly moving over her face and neck and down to her hands clutching the bed sheet so tightly to her bosom that her fingernails dug into her palms. His azure eyes turned darker the longer he stared. Fast breaths, faintly smelling like whiskey, exited his parted lips. She prayed he was not intoxicated. That kind of man was harder to control.

He lifted his other hand to her face, and ever so gently ran his fingertips across her cheek then lower to her lips. She tried moistening her dry throat with a hard gulp, but it didn't do the trick.

"So soft," he whispered. "So very tempting."

At this point she didn't know what she was more afraid of—him kissing her, or enjoying it and wanting more. But if or when he kissed her, she wanted him sober and alert. She knew what alcohol did to the minds of men.

And this this was the very thing she'd been forewarned about. It was dark, and he was leaning in to kiss her. Now she needed to make a decision. Should she try and stop the inevitable?

Cupping her head, he lowered his mouth, gently brushing his lips across hers. Tingles danced over her skin, but she fought the sensations, reminding herself she wanted him sober!

She swallowed again and hoped to be able to speak this time. "Mmm....Mmm..." Oh, good grief! She couldn't even utter the word mister! And why had her voice been so low, sounding so indecent?

A light chuckle shook his chest as he pressed his mouth against hers and sealed the kiss. The palm of his hand dropped from her face and slid down her neck, tenderly stroking her skin. Before she had a chance to react, he moved his hand across her shoulder and arm before sliding it behind her to pull her closer. The shock of their bodies pressing together so intimately made her gasp. He took advantage of that moment to deepen the kiss. Her gasp quickly turned into a sigh.

Stars danced behind her closed eyes, and the romantic music of harps hummed through her ears. The taste of his mouth wasn't as bad as she thought it would be considering he'd been drinking. Now she wondered if he had consumed much at all.

With a mind of their own, her hands released the sheet she'd held to her bosom, and she glided her palms up Felix's muscular chest. Ahhh... So strong—just as she knew he'd be. Curiously, she traveled her fingers up his neck and over his jaw. Indeed, this man was superbly built.

Releasing a throaty sigh, she relaxed more, allowing her frame to meld with his. Gently, she continued touching his magnificent body, sliding her palms around the thick cords of his neck. When she slowly moved her hands down his back, a low groan slipped from his lips. His arms tightened around her and he kissed her with urgency.

Heavens, this man could kiss! Never before had a man taken such liberties and shared something so personal with her. Yet it didn't matter. She enjoyed every second of his attention. But just as she began to participate in the steamy kiss, his body stiffened. Within seconds he released her as if she were hot coals and stepped back.