Dark Promise by M. L. Guida Page B

The key slipped into the ignition and the car started. Before she could pull out of the parking space, Eric leaned over, slipping his hand around her neck, pulling her toward him, toward those mesmerizing lips. The tender, teasing stroke of his lips on hers flamed her desire. His tongue explored every inch of her mouth and she indulged in discovering his velvet-soft interior. He swept away her dream, replacing it with reality, demanding she respond to him, taking her response, all hunger and desire. His kiss was better than any kiss she’d had in her dream.
    She leaned closer reaching for his shoulders when her elbow hit the steering wheel. A loud honk broke the kiss.
    Cassandra jumped. Eric laughed. He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “You’re so beautiful. So very beautiful.”
    “We better get going.” She fumbled to put the gear shift into drive.
    He grabbed her hand, spreading warmth through her, and he held her with his determined gaze. “Cassandra, please let me drive. You’re shaking.”
    She wanted to say no, but she couldn’t form a single thought. She wasn’t sure she could drive and at least if he drove, she could focus. “All right.”
    He smiled, leaning closer again. He kissed her, his tongue pushing open her mouth, devouring her, leaving her breathless. Her mind whirled at the sensations as her body responded, wanting to feel his lips on her neck, sucking and biting her skin. He released her and opened the door. Cassandra sat in the driver’s seat, trying to gather some rational thought. Her door opened and Eric led her to the passenger side. The drive was a blur.
    He pulled into the Galena Street Inn parking lot and turned off the ignition. He handed her the keys. “I'll meet you in the lobby at six.”
    He got out of the car and got his skis and out of the rear. Cassandra leaned toward the wheel and glanced in the rearview mirror, still clutching the keys in her hand. He nodded at her and headed into the Inn.
    Cassandra managed to answer. “Oh, yes, fine,” she said. What just happened? Cassandra cursed again. She wanted to relax in the hot tub, take a hamburger back to her room and finish reading Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Bad Moon Rising . But no. She had not only let Eric talk her into driving him back to the inn, but had agreed to go to dinner with him.
    The clock seemed to be ticking faster and faster. She rolled her eyes at her weakness as she brushed her hair. She lost all sense around Eric and was surprised at how upset she’d been when Diane hung all over him. It had hurt worse than it had with Luke. Why was that? She’d known Eric less than a day. Had he uttered a seductive incantation?
    Applying the last bit of mascara, Cassandra cursed herself for being so wish-washy. She stepped back. Make-up failed to conceal her raccoon eyes, since she’d forgotten to put sunscreen on her face. Too much drama today. She inspected her clothes, straightening her white pearled sweater. Her faded jeans were worn at the knees and her brown suede snow boots were old. Why had she agreed to go? Face it. Because, if not the genuine thing, he was the closest she'd ever seen to her dream man.
    She grabbed her parka and purse and headed out the door. Attraction compelled Cassandra to Eric, but she didn’t trust it. It wasn't real, an illusion. Luke was real, but unlike Eric's kiss, Luke's never swept her into a whirl of sensations.
    She strode into the lobby.
    Eric stood in front of the fireplace, staring into the roaring fire. The light shone on his long black duster jacket, giving it an eerie, smoky, glow. His hair was pulled back into a loose queue and showed a sparkling diamond stud in his right ear. He was a dark pirate stepping out of the past. A slow smile spread across his face as he flicked his gaze over her. Shivering, she hesitated.
    He held out his hand. “You look lovely, Cassandra.”
    His smooth voice unsettled her. She forced her legs to move. She lifted her unsteady hand and took his.