Once Bitten, Twice Dead - By Bianca D'Arc Page 0,18

to him, pressing herself against his wide, muscular chest. The feel of him was maddening in the best possible way. He was beyond fit—tall and lithe, with strong muscles that made her want to stroke him all over…for hours. She’d love to take her time discovering all the sensitive places on his hard body.

But she was getting ahead of herself. This was just a kiss, after all. And it hadn’t even really started yet.

She yielded to him as he molded her body to his. Her breasts pressed against his chest as his lips took possession of hers in a more definite sweep. He was in command of not only the kiss but of her response as well. She felt as if he’d taken control of her free will and her pleasure. He held both in the palm of his hand, and, most disturbingly, she trusted him with it all. She trusted that he wouldn’t push her too far, wouldn’t take her beyond her boundaries, though he would test them.

Xavier’s tongue plunged deep, playing with hers as one of his hands roamed lower to cup the curve of her butt. He squeezed, drawing her closer to his lower body. She could feel the buckles and straps of his utility belt against her, but there was also a delectable ridge of hardness running up the front of his trousers that made her want to touch and tease. He was hard for her. Just like that.

Sarah felt a little thrill of feminine power at being able to affect him in such a blatant way. He made her feel desirable and powerful. He also made her hotter than she’d ever been.

Xavier backed off little by little. He pressed her lower body against his hardness one last time before letting up on the pressure. He moved his hand off her ass, holding her waist instead. When she would’ve pressed herself against him, he held her off.

Thank goodness he was thinking for both of them. At this point, Sarah was almost too far gone to care that they were both still on duty and had a job to do.

He lifted his lips from hers, keeping his arms loose around her midsection. Those soft brown eyes looked down into hers, the hint of humor in the crinkles at the corners making the moment more intimate somehow. He watched her closely, seeming to gauge her reaction.

Sarah felt boneless. Her knees were wobbly and her pulse raced. All that from just a simple kiss.

“Wow.” Damn, she hadn’t meant to say that out loud. It had just slipped out. Xavier smiled down at her, the devilish quirk of his lips making her insides squirm. The man was potent. Sanity began to return as she straightened in his hold. “That shouldn’t have happened.”

“Why not?” His gaze hardened and dared her to come up with a reason.

For the life of her, she couldn’t. Not a good reason, anyway. She finally settled for one of her weaker excuses as she stepped away from him and brushed off her clothing, removing imaginary lint. Too bad she couldn’t remove the feel of his hard body against hers as easily.

“It’s unprofessional.”

Xavier laughed outright. “I’m not buying it. You’re not in my chain of command. We’re not even coworkers.”

“We’re working together now,” she argued.

“I’m army. You’re a cop. We’re working together on this, but only because of some very unusual circumstances. There’s nothing unprofessional about giving in to the very real attraction we have for one another.”

“Speak for yourself, lover boy.” She tried to push her way past him, but he slipped one big hand around her upper arm, gently halting her progress.

“I didn’t figure you for a coward, Sarah. In fact, I know you’re not a coward. So don’t run from this.” His voice dropped as he whispered into her ear. “Don’t run from me.”

Sarah suppressed a shiver as he let go of her arm and let her proceed. Her senses were in an uproar and her mind was in a state of utter confusion. She’d never felt like this before. It seemed only this annoying Green Beret could drag this response out of her. She didn’t like it. Not one bit.

But to be honest, she had enjoyed his kiss. A little too much. She hadn’t responded to a man like this in a long time…if ever. She doubted she’d ever gotten so hot from just a kiss. As it was, Sarah had felt desire for him right down to her bones. He’d lit her on