Pirate's Gold by Lisa Jackson Page B

Instead he continued to grip the steering wheel and stare into the black night.
    Maren reached for the door handle.
    â€œDon’t go,” he commanded. “Not yet.” His voice was hushed and raw. It forced Maren’s heart to her throat.
    â€œI wasn’t looking forward to this meeting,” Maren admitted cautiously. She felt the urgent need to explain herself.
    â€œNeither was I.”
    â€œBut I guess I should thank you for your offer to purchase Festival. I realize that you think it would not only be in your best interests, but mine as well.”
    â€œOh, Maren, haven’t we talked enough business for one night?” His hand moved from the steering wheel to touch her cheek. It was a gentle caress and quickly withdrawn, leaving Maren suddenly cold.
    â€œAre you asking me to leave?” she asked haltingly.
    â€œWhat do you think?”
    Maren signed. “Truthfully, Kyle, I don’t know what to think.”
    â€œYou’re the most interesting woman I’ve ever met.” It was a flat, emotionless statement and it almost sounded as if the admission disgusted him.
    â€œI guess I should consider that a compliment.”
    Kyle’s eyes found hers in the darkness. They drove deeply into her soul. “You should, lady, because I meant it to be one. I find you incredibly alluring. You’re beautiful, I suppose you know that much. But…it’s not your looks that make you so damned captivating…it’s more than that. A lot more.”
    â€œAnd you don’t like it,” she finished for him.
    Kyle’s smile was grim. “I don’t know how to handle it.”
    â€œI find that hard to believe.”
    â€œI suppose you do, but then you don’t know me very well, do you?”
    Honesty flashed in her clear blue eyes. “Not as well as I’d like to.”
    â€œNow that’s the problem, isn’t it?” he whispered. “Because I want to know you better as well…a whole lot better. You know it and it scares you.” His voice had lowered to the point where it was barely audible. His eyes searched her face and she knew in that instant that he was going to kiss her.
    His hand reached under her hair and gently pulled her head toward his. She offered no resistance. She could feel the warmth of his breath fanning her face, heating her cheeks. He groaned when his lips first touched hers and conveyed the depth of his need. Liquid sparks of passion raced through her blood as his arms tightened over her body, crushing her to him with a savagery that bespoke hours of restraint. She closed her eyes and let him part her lips with his tongue. Hungrily he tasted the sweetness of her mouth and felt her soft, teasing body pressed against his.
    His lips moved over hers, gently coaxing the warmth within her to flood her senses. She felt devastatingly feminine, and the womanly ache within her began to grow as it spread upward through her body.
    â€œOh, Maren,” he moaned, kissing her eyelids and letting his fingers twine through the thick fiery strands of her hair. “Let me be with you tonight. Come home with me.” His breath was ragged against her ear. It softly beckoned her to respond. Her throat became dry, her emotions torn.
    Against the persuasive touch of his fingers on her skin, she slowly pulled herself out of his tender embrace. A thousand reasons to go with him filled her mind, but she ignored them. “I can’t,” she whispered. He heard the regret in her words.
    â€œWhy not?” He attempted to take her into his arms again, but she held his hands away from her body. Her hair was tousled, her breathing ragged, her heart pounding.
    â€œThis…this has nothing to do with desire or want,” she attempted to explain. “I just need some time to sort out my feelings about you.” Her blue eyes, darkened by the night and her passion, pleaded with him to understand. “Until a few hours ago,