From This Moment On - By Debbi Rawlins Page 0,41

him.”

“I know it’ll be hard to—”

She cut him off by gripping the back of his neck and pulling him into a kiss. He resisted at first, and then she didn’t have to stretch so high because he lowered his head and kissed her back. His breath was warm, laced with mint and coffee. She parted her lips for him, offering only panic and desperation in return.

He touched his tongue to hers, teasing and tempting her to join the dance. She clung to his neck, tugging him closer, willing him to kiss her harder and deeper and help her forget what she had to do.

Instead, Trace gently peeled her hand from the back of his neck. “Nikki,” he whispered. “This isn’t the time.”

“Make love to me, Trace. Please. Take me away from here. Anywhere.” She heard his sharp intake of breath and pressed her advantage by moving his hand over her breast.

“Sex isn’t the answer.”

She yanked her blouse from her jeans, then started unfastening buttons. He caught her hand on the third one. “I know you want me,” she said, jerking his shirt hem loose. She slid her palm underneath the fabric, over his flat belly, up to his bare chest, knowing she was turning him on. “Deny it if you want, but I’ll know it’s a lie.”

“I’d never deny it.”

“So? Come on. You must know someplace private around here. Your truck has a backseat, let’s go park somewhere.”

“Ah, Nikki.” He moved his hand away from her breast to touch her face. She sucked his forefinger into her mouth and rubbed her body against his. What he said didn’t matter, he was hard, really hard. “I know you’re hurting,” he said huskily. “But do you really want to worry Matt? Or Rachel and Lucy?”

She almost bit him. She hadn’t asked anyone to care about her. Wrong thing to do. If anyone got too close they’d see how cowardly and selfish she really was, and what then? Would they still think she was worth their concern?

Pulling up his T-shirt, she pressed her mouth against his warm skin. He smelled strong and masculine, and she had no doubt he could make her forget a whole lot. With the tip of her tongue she tempted his resolve and sampled the slight saltiness of his skin. His breath came out harsh and raspy, and she knew he was on the verge of giving in to her.

“Come on, Trace,” she murmured against his chest. “Last chance.” She cupped his erection through the thick denim fly, pressing against his cock with her palm, using just enough pressure to make him moan.

He jerked. Stilled. Then pushed her hand aside. “Nikki, stop. I mean it.”

She froze, not sure what to do next. She could’ve sworn she had him. “Goddamn you, Trace,” she said, and shoved him back. “Damn you.”

“Wait.” He tried to capture her hand, but she dodged him and ran for her truck.

She was too angry, hurt and embarrassed to hear anything more. He probably assumed she’d make a beeline for the highway. Good. Let him waste time blocking the road. Exhaustion had dug in to every pore and was slowly leveling her. She wanted to crawl into bed, pull the quilt over her head and sleep for three days. Maybe she’d find that today had only been part of a bad dream.

Her name carried on the breeze, and she muffled his voice by starting the noisy engine. By the time she pulled into her normal parking spot near the house, she saw Trace’s headlights right behind her. Taking the flagstone walk, she counted four extra cars, two of them unfamiliar. Trace met her at the front door.

“You didn’t have to follow me,” she said. “I’m a big girl.”

He smiled. “I came to pay my respects to Matt.”

Nikki swallowed, briefly closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. She put her hand on the doorknob and told herself she could do this. But she only believed it when Trace touched the small of her back.

10

“THIS IS WAY TOO MUCH food.” Nikki eyed the huge bowl of cubed potatoes, then frowned at the whole ones she had yet to cut up. “Everyone’s going to be eating potato salad for a month.”

“Don’t bet on it.” Rachel used the back of her wrist to dab at her tears. “Any time you want to trade is okay with me. We don’t need as many onions.”

“No, thanks.” Nikki started to smile, then sighed.

She probably should show more gratitude. Here Rachel, Hilda and Mrs. McAllister