Kisses and Scandal (A Survivors Series Anthology ) - Shana Galen Page 0,88

Heat shot between them, a flash of fire so hot Thomas could almost see the sparks. Slowly, he drew her back to him. She had begun to tremble, and he slid his free hand around her waist to quell her shaking. “I want to kiss you, Raeni. I’ve wanted to kiss you since the first time I saw you.”

She nodded.

He released her wrist. “But you don’t have to kiss me. You can tell me to stop.”

“I don’t want you to stop.”

Tension coiled in his belly at her words, and he fought for self-control. He would kiss her once. That was all.

For the moment.

He slid a hand along her cheek. “You are so lovely. So intelligent. So...organized.”

She laughed. “And you find that alluring?”

“Very much. I like a capable woman. I like—”

“Thomas? Do you think you can stop talking and just kiss me now?”

Oh, yes, he could absolutely do that. He bent his head slightly and brushed his lips over hers. His skin tingled and his heart hammered. One of her hands slid up his arm to his shoulder then behind his neck. Her fingers pressed into his skin lightly, letting him know she wanted more. He brushed his lips over hers again, lingering this time. She moaned softly, her body melting into his. He could feel the rise of her breasts against his chest, and he fought not to crush her to him.

His mouth took hers more confidently now, their lips joining together and exploring the way they fit. He nibbled at her lips, liking their fullness and the way they parted when she gasped at a flick of his tongue. He took advantage of her parted lips to kiss her deeper. She tasted so sweet, so intoxicating when her velvet tongue rubbed against his.

They broke apart, and he trailed his lips across her jaw and down her neck. The scent of coffee clung to her skin, permeating as it did everything in the shop. It was his favorite scent, and when mixed with the scent of her, of Raeni, it was irresistible.

A tap sounded on the door, actually a continual tapping, and Thomas lifted his head like a drunk man made suddenly sober. Clearly someone had been tapping for half a minute or more and he hadn’t even heard. Raeni jerked in his arms, and he knew she had heard it too. She stepped back, and he let her go, though the impulse to pull her back against him was almost overpowering.

“Sir?” It was Mrs. Poole. He hoped she had brought a tray of coffee, though he hadn’t asked for one. He needed something to fortify him at the moment.

“What is it?” Thomas called.

“There’s someone here to see Miss Sawyer.”

Raeni gasped, and Thomas cut his gaze to her. She’d gone very still and very rigid.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. Certainly, it was unusual for someone to call on a clerk at a place of business, but it did not warrant this much of a reaction. Raeni looked...afraid.

“It’s nothing,” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “I can’t think who would call on me here.”

She had obviously thought of someone, and whoever that was scared her. Thomas crossed to the door and pulled it open. Mrs. Poole peered past him, curious to see what had been happening in the chamber. Thomas let her look, disappointed she hadn’t brought the coffee. “Who has come to see Miss Sawyer?” he asked.

“I don’t know, sir. Mrs. Price sent me up to fetch Raeni. She didn’t say who it was, and I didn’t ask because...” She didn’t really need to say why she hadn’t asked. He knew Mrs. Price.

“Tell them I’m not here,” Raeni said. “Tell them you’ve never heard of me.” Her voice held a note of panic. Mrs. Poole glanced at Thomas for agreement, but he didn’t have any answers.

“Tell Mrs. Price we will be along in a few moments.”

“Yes, sir.”

Thomas closed the door and turned back to Raeni.

“I have to go,” she said, looking about frantically. “But not in this. Help me—” She gave him her back and gestured to the dress, where pins and laces held the bodice together.

“You want me to take off your clothing?” he asked.

“Quickly,” she said, not hearing or not caring about the tone of his voice.

“I will undress you, but I have no intention of hurrying.”

She scowled at him over her shoulder. “Thomas. Mr. Gaines, you don’t understand. I have to go. I have to leave. Now.”

“Why?”

“The men who’ve come for me, if they find me, they’ll take