Heaven Scent by SpursFanatic Page A

sneaking you inside in
the first place.”
    Touché . Tarin dropped her hand. “So what kind of compensation are we
discussing?” Surely, he would not expect her father’s
shipping?
    “I’m not sure,” Rafe replied, closing
the distance between them. “Any suggestions?”
    Tarin swallowed hard as their eyes
held. Oh no, no, no. A kiss would not be wise. Not when he was
proving to be more desirable by the second.
    She was already entirely too attracted
to him. To engage in a kiss in the moonlight would surely find her
completely at his mercy.
    “N-No, no suggestions…”
    He took her chin in his hand. His thumb
grazed her jaw. “None?” he whispered.
    Heaven help her, she couldn’t think
when he touched her. Not when her body screamed for a kiss that
could only bring her trouble.
    “What kind of woman do you take me
for?”
    He devoured her mouth with his eyes.
“An intelligent, beautiful woman who’s passionate about her
interests.”
    Oh, he was sinful. Downright evil.
Tarin wanted to grab him by the shirt and show him just how
passionate she could be.
    “So you propose a kiss, then?” she
asked, her voice shaking.
    He hesitated, brows drawn low. “Did
I?”
    Heat exploded in her face. Tarin had
never felt so mortified. “Never mind –”
    “Okay, I accept.”
    Her gasp was lost in Rafe’s mouth as
his lips covered hers. All coherent thought vanished. He was not
demanding or forceful as his arrogance would dictate, but gentle
and coaxing as he feasted on her lips thoroughly, nipping and
tugging with excruciating ease.
    It was she who brazenly wrapped her
arms around his neck and pressed him for more. While his low moan
encouraged her, it became obvious to Tarin that Rafe would not be
rushed.
    Under the cloak of night, with only the
stars as witness, the kiss was the most moving, sensuous indulgence
she had ever experienced. His obvious skill made her heart race as
he maneuvered them into a thrill well beyond Tarin’s
imagination.
    Large, strong hands caressed her back
inside the cape, causing a tingling sensation to race down her
spine. His tongue toyed with hers, tasting, sucking as though he
had every right to do so.
    Tarin could not contain the groan in
her throat, wondered at the swirling heat low in her belly. She did
not understand what he did to her, knew it felt incredibly sinful,
but was helpless to stop him.
    There would be other seminars, she
thought in the back of her mind. She would sooner stay here all
night, kissing Rafe Sutherland in the moonlight.
    Applause from inside startled her. Rafe
broke away with a harsh frown, his finger to his lips again,
reminding her to be quiet.
    Tarin's legs shook. She did well to
breathe, much less speak. She planted a hand against the brick wall
to support herself.
    Inhaling a deep breath, she
stomped her foot in the dirt. She knew it. Knew the man had the ability to make
her forget her goal. Just seconds ago, Tarin was willing to forego
the seminar for a few kisses from Rafe Sutherland. Was she
mad?
    Rafe motioned for her to stay put while
he went around to the front door. Nodding, Tarin watched as Mr.
Wallace greeted him enthusiastically.
    She saw Rafe look inside the hall over
Mr. Wallace’s shoulder. He started to enter then said something to
Mr. Wallace as pointed his thumb over his shoulder.
    Surely, he hadn’t told Mr. Wallace of
her presence?
    “What are you doing?” she asked, when
he came back to her side.
    “I told Wallace I had to relieve myself
and then I’d be back. I told him to go in without me – I’d get the
doors.”
    The man was smart, if not
gauche.
    “There’s a small closet off the lobby.
You will have to stand in there. I will stand outside of it to keep
watch.”
    “Won’t Wallace be
suspicious?”
    Rafe shook his head. “I told him my
wounds got stiff if I sat too long so I preferred to
stand.”
    “Brilliant!”
    He grinned. “It’s the
truth.”
    Before she could remark, Rafe snatched
Tarin’s hand and dragged