able to stop himself.
Her mouth was soft opening beneath his, and she tasted as sweet and sugary as he’d imagined. And yes, there was a bite to her. But not like citrus. It was more a kick of something alcoholic, heady as summer wine and going straight to his head just as quickly.
He could also taste heat in her, the passion that he’d seen in her gaze. A secret she kept locked away, and yet now, as she pressed against him, a secret that was his too. He didn’t think anyone knew about the fire that burned inside cool and capable Astrid James, and he liked that. Liked it far too much for his own good.
Her fingers spread out on his chest, and her mouth was hungry, as if she hadn’t eaten for days and he was her first taste of food.
This was such a bad idea and he knew it. But the moment she’d set foot in the market, and everyone had looked at her, and she’d stood there looking back, her gaze finding his, her face lighting up.
He’d missed that. Missed having someone so pleased to see him that they glowed. The last person to do that had been his daughter, and since she had gone, there had been no one else.
Because you never let anyone get close enough.
And he shouldn’t be letting this woman get close enough either, but he couldn’t stop himself. She was too irresistible and he wanted her too much.
Her hands were both against his chest, pressed to his shirt, and she was kissing him back with a desperation that wound around his heart and pulled tight.
Backing her against the desk, he pushed his fingers deeper into her blond hair, the silky warmth of it flowing over the back of his hand as he eased her head back, allowing him greater access to the heat of her mouth. She moaned as he began to explore her, trying to stay gentle and in control because he always tried to whenever he was with a woman.
He’d never had to try so hard before, though.
She felt small and fragile against him, and yet there was nothing fragile about her kiss. There was a demand and a challenge in it that he found unbearably erotic.
“You should stop me,” he repeated against her lips. “Because I don’t think I can stop myself.”
Her fingers spread out on his chest, caressing. “What if I don’t want to stop you?”
“Astrid…” Her name came out low and rough. A warning.
She bit his lower lip, just a little nip, but it went through him like wildfire.
His hands clenched in her hair, and he kissed her again, harder, deeper, pressing her lightly against the desk, fitting those soft, slender curves tighter against him.
She sighed, her fingers winding into the material of his shirt as if she wanted him even closer. She smelled sweet and he wanted to bury his face in her neck, inhale her, fill himself up with that heady scent.
Hell, he’d never wanted to do that with a woman before. What was she doing to him? He really needed to stop. Because apart from anything else, she was still the mayor and Connor’s mom, and completely out of bounds.
He lifted his head, holding on to her hair gently and stopping her as she tried to follow his mouth.
“No,” he said, his voice rough. “Astrid, this is a bad idea.”
Her face was flushed, her eyes glittering. The way she’d looked when she’d come out of her class this morning. He was right: kissing her made her look that way too.
“Why?” She didn’t let him go, her fingers still twisted in the fabric of his shirt.
“Remember what I said this morning? About you being Connor’s mom? About you being mayor? Those things are still true.”
“I know.” The pulse at the base of her throat was frantic. He couldn’t take his eyes off it. “I know they are. But…all I am here is the mayor, the librarian. All I am is Connor’s mom. And don’t get me wrong, I want to be those things. I’m proud to be those things. But it’s been a long time since I’ve been anything else and I…want to be a woman for a change.” Her gaze was open, letting him see the desire in it, burning hot. “Does that make sense?”
It did—more’s the pity—and he wished it didn’t. His body was already urging him to disregard his better self; he didn’t need another reason to listen to it. Because it