Fire & Desire (Hero Series) by Yvette Hines, Monique Lamont

looking like a woman’s bedtime fantasy.
    It was a torturous way to leave a woman before she headed to bed.
    Trevor leaned forward. “What are you working on so intently? A
proposal to Congress?”
    Tiffany couldn’t help but smile. “No, just a fundraiser.” She made
the mistake of looking his way. There was barely any space between them. If
either of them wiggled their noses, they would likely touch.
    As if he’d read her mind, Trevor reached his hand up and grazed
the tip of her nose.
    “What would you say, Mrs. Selina-Wayne, if I told you I haven’t
been able to get you off my mind?”
    “I would say you either haven’t put that into action by filing for
divorce, or you just don’t have enough things to occupy your time.”
    “Would you?” Trevor slid his fingers across her cheek. “I don’t
think it’s a matter of things to occupy my time. Just none are as challenging.”
    Tiffany could feel goose bumps rising on her flesh as Trevor’s
thumb stroked her bottom lip.
    It took all her will power not to succumb to temptation and slowly
drag her tongue against the pad of his thumb.
    Turning her head, Tiffany said, “Look, Trevor, I think you got the
wrong impression of me after what happened the last time.”
    A frown wrinkled his brow. “The only impression I have of you is
that you’re a woman with very deep passions. Which I’d love the opportunity to
tap into further.”
    “I don’t want to be tapped?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
    “I think you do.” His lips tilted in a lopsided smile.
    “I hope you’re not a betting man.”
    “Why is that?”
    “Because you’d lose.” Tiffany unfolded her arms, dropping them
back in her lap, her palms slapping against her thighs.
    Trevor smiled. “You think so?” He waited until she gave an
affirmative nod. “What if we put your little dare to the test?”
    “I wasn’t issuing a challenge.” Butterflies danced in Tiffany’s
stomach as she leaned back and gave herself some needed space. She didn’t know
if it was from nervousness or anticipation of what Trevor would suggest.
    He lifted a shoulder as if to say it didn’t matter. “I propose you
allow me to kiss you. If you don’t become affected by it, then you win, but if
you respond . . .” He let the statement hang in the air between them for a time
before he said, “we both win.”
    “Deal,” Tiffany said, not quite sure why she agreed. She told
herself it was because she wanted to prove to him she was not in the least
attracted or affected by him. Also to prove to herself that everything that
occurred the last time was the result of a full moon or some freak of nature
with the combination of way too much alcohol.
    “Then let’s seal it with a kiss.”
    His words brushed against her lips like a soft caress as he leaned
forward, closing the tiny gap between them.
    Suddenly, Tiffany knew she was in trouble. The contact of his lips
on hers sent electric shock through her system. She jumped back slightly from
the sensation.
    “Too late to back out now,” Trevor said as he placed a firm hand
behind her head to keep her mouth in contact with his.
    She squeezed her lips tightly together, in hopes Trevor would tire
of the game before she eventually gave in.
    But he didn’t give up. He became creative with his assault. Trevor
used his tongue, teeth, and lips to persuade her to allow him passage into the
warm recesses of her mouth.
    Her resolve wore down, and she gave in completely, opening her
mouth to the kiss.
    Their mouths fused together as their tongues dueled against each
other for rite of passage.
    Her hands wrapped around the strong cords of his neck as Trevor’s
hands moved to her waist.
    The kiss was intense. Tiffany lost focus of everything except how
Trevor’s mouth manipulated hers. She wasn’t aware his hands had lifted her
blouse until she felt the cool air against her skin moments before his hands
covered her breasts.
    Utterly captivated by everything Trevor was