Blaze of Winter: A Loveswept Contemporary Romance by Elisabeth Barrett

why hadn’t she noticed the way a few locks of hair curled slightly down the back of his neck? It was just too long to be considered clean-cut, but she suspected that Theo could care less about that. As she wondered what it would feel like to run her fingers through the curls, her fingers curved.
    What was she doing? Imagining herself touching him was not wise. Quickly, she jerked her gaze away and pretended to search for something behind the desk.
    “What do you have to do?” Theo asked, leaning on the desk. “Maybe I could help?”
    Bad idea. The man was scorching hot, and Avery needed to stay away from him, not encourage him. “Check the voicemail messages, get things ready for tea tomorrow, that kind of thing.” She waved her hand around to indicate that it would be boring. “Though I guess I won’t have to do the setup if you’re going to be out for teatime.”
    “Oh, I’ll be here all right. Where is it served again?”
    “In the parlor.”
    At his confused look, she realized she was going to have to show him. “Here.” She gestured for him to follow her, flicking on the light switch when she reached the room. She sighed contentedly as she stepped into the warm, welcoming space. Built-in bookshelves filled with old tomes flanked two of the walls. Centered against another wall was a fireplace topped by a huge mantel that showcased an old-fashioned clock with visible gears, and a model sailboat. Several comfortable chairs were arranged around a low table, and a pair of small sofas sat opposite each other across a Persian rug. Antique floor lamps provided the light. This was Avery’s favorite room in the Inn, and she’d often sit on the window seat and watch the harbor when things weren’t busy. “There are some parlor games, like Scrabble, underneath that bookshelf,” she said, pointing to a cabinet in the corner.
    “Want to play?” His voice deepened suggestively.
    Avery swallowed hard. “Not tonight,” she said, trying to sound firm even though the thought of battling wits and words with this man made her start heating up like an oven. Staying with him would be a disaster. Her cheeks—not to mention the rest of her—were already warm.
    “Why are you wearing your hair up?” he asked abruptly.
    Surprised, she reached up to pat her twist. No loose strands. “I—I like it up. It’s more secure that way.” Safer.
    He stepped closer. “It’s fine up, but it looks better down.”
    “Yes, well,” she said, swallowing, “it’s more distracting down. And now I need to go. Thanks for dinner. Good night.” She moved to step around him, but he reached out and curled one huge hand around her upper arm, stopping her. Frozen in place, she didn’t even try to pull free. Heart beating crazily in her chest, her pulse rate skyrocketed. Every inch of her body was tingling from his touch. Concerned about what she was going to see, she raised her gaze to meet his.
    “You never answered my question from before,” he said huskily, his eyes a deep, dark green. “What do you want?”
    All the tension that had been building throughout the evening bubbled up to the surface and Avery lost the tight rein she tried to keep on her emotions. “I have no idea,” she retorted. “What do you want?” It was a pathetic response, but his nearness was making it hard to think straight.
    “You,” Theo said, just before he slid his other arm around her and claimed her lips with his own.

CHAPTER 5
    Stunned by the electricity of his touch, Avery stood utterly still, eyes wide open, as he wound those powerful arms around her. Without warning, a shock wave of pleasure began at her lips and radiated outward until her entire body thrummed.
    When that jolt traveled up her spine, she shivered—this time, not from the cold. It was clearly the reaction he’d been seeking. Tightening his grip, he slid one hand up her back to pull her in closer. Pressed against him, her breasts tingled. She gasped in surprise at the sensation