Jodi Thomas by In a Heartbeat Page A

stories. Maybe this is one she’ll add to her collection.”
    “Maybe.” Joanna realized she didn’t want to believe her aunt would do such a thing any more than he wanted to believe his daughters were at fault.
    “So what’s the plan, Captain?”
    “We have no choice but to wait here until the cook comes in to start dinner. My guess, since I can’t see my watch, is that’ll be in about half an hour, maybe more.”
    “And what do we do until then, talk about your lack of feelings?” Joanna knew she was being unkind, but cellars had never been one of her favorite places.
    “I didn’t say I don’t feel.” Colt’s words were surprisingly calm. “I only said I don’t believe in love.”
    “And how do you feel right now?” Joanna asked. “Are you angry, feeling betrayed, or only frustrated that you’re trapped in here with me when you hoped by now I’d be on a train headed back east?”
    “I feel”—his voice lowered—“like I want to break that promise I made to you this morning.”
    Before she knew he was moving, he pulled her into his arms. His hands gripped her shoulders and slid slowly up her neck to hold her head as his mouth lowered over hers.
    Joanna closed her eyes and forgot all about the darkness. The musty smell of the cellar was replaced by the scent that always surrounded Colt. He smelled of fresh soap and spring water from his baths in the stream and wool and brass polish from his uniform.
    “Kiss me back,” he pleaded as his fingers plowed into her hair, destroying her bun.
    “Is that another order?” she murmured as her hands slid up his shirt and wrapped around his neck. She ran her fingers into his thick hair and pulled his head lower. Joanna felt as if she’d been starving for his touch all her life and now she couldn’t let go even if the door to the cellar were suddenly flung open.
    “No,” he whispered as his kiss grew more demanding, bruising her lips with his need as he held her in a warm embrace. “A request.”
    He loved the taste of her. Never had a woman felt so right in his arms. Colt found himself holding back for fear he’d frighten her if she knew how great was his need for her.
    “I’m not dead inside, Joanna,” he whispered, his lips brushing her cheek. “My guts twist every time you enter the room. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve thought I’d go mad these past few weeks from longing to touch you?”
    Joanna couldn’t believe she was in his arms. She felt she was living out a dream she’d had for years. A dream of a handsome lover longing for her alone.
    “Tell me you don’t want me to touch you and I’ll stop.” Colt’s voice was so low it was almost a thought between them. “If you don’t want to be this close to me, I’ll pull back.”
    Joanna couldn’t lie. She’d relived their first kiss every night in her dreams and had finally decided it couldn’t have made her feel as wild as she’d thought. But now he’d kissed her again and she knew it was real. His touch made her feel that every part of her was alive. She was no longer waiting on a shelf, but living and loving as she’d always longed to do.
    Sliding her fingers from his hair to his face, she touched his strong jaw and the roughness of his cheeks. Slowly she touched his open lips and felt his warm breath against her fingertips. This was the man she’d looked for all her life and she’d only been able to recognize him in complete darkness.
    “I’ve never been kissed like you kiss me,” she whispered honestly, wishing she knew how to be coy and play the game of loving so many women seemed to know how to play from birth. “I feel like I’m riding the wind.”
    Colt raised his hand to cover hers in the blackness. He pressed each one of her fingers against his lips. “I’ve never met a woman like you, Joanna.” He moved her hands to his chest. “You make my heart pound and my blood feel like it’s running double time.”
    He kissed her cheek and moved slowly