fact that it was Kayleigh only made it worse. He wanted to fix it for her, he wanted to make everything okay. But if he let down his guard even for a minute, then the distance he’d fought so hard to maintain between them would be wasted. Steven wasn’t just his best friend, he reminded himself, he was pretty much his only friend. Making a move on Kayleigh would destroy that friendship.
In the dark, Patrick moved through the cabin, through the bedroom and into the bathroom. The ancient clawfoot tub had been refinished and the porcelain over cast iron sparkled. There were candles on the shelf and a book of matches. Setting Kayleigh on her feet, trying not to think about how good it had felt to hold her and how damned hard it was to let her go, he lit the candles and let the soft glow fill the room. The power hadn’t been out for long. The room was still pretty warm. Turning on the taps, he let the tub begin to fill.
“This room won’t stay warm for very long with the power out, but I’ll get the fire built up in the living room. Get out of those clothes and get a hot bath,” he said. He knew that he was barking orders at her, but it was all he could do.
“Aye, aye, captain.”
“You’re trying my patience, Kayleigh. I don’t know how long we’re going to be stuck here together and you getting sick isn’t an option. Now, strip and get into that tub, or I’ll put you in it clothes and all!”
Angry, not just at him and his orders, but at the situation itself and at the mess that had brought her there, Kayleigh yelled back at him. “Fine! You want me to strip then I’ll strip.” With a hard yank she pulled her jacket open, sending buttons flying everywhere. The silk blouse beneath it came next, again the buttons skittering across the tiled floor. She shrugged out of both garments, letting them fall to the floor. She couldn’t rip the skirt, she knew, but she unzipped it and let it drop to the ground until she stood there in only her bra and panties and the garter belt and stockings that she preferred. Pantyhose had always been a misery to her, and the ultra feminine stockings and garters made her feel sexy and beautiful, no matter how sedate her outward appearance was.
Breathing hard from anger, her face flushed and her lashes still damp with tears, she glared at him. “Happy now?” She was unprepared for his response. He shoved her against the wall, his body pressing against hers intimately. His mouth was on hers instantly--hard, unyielding, claiming, but oh so skillful. It wasn’t a kiss so much as a vanquishing. Her hands were above her head, pinned there by one of his larger hands. His other hand cupped her chin, tilting her head up, giving him greater access to her mouth. The kiss deepened even further. His tongue swept between her lips, gliding sensuously over hers.
Every subtle movement, every slight shift of his mouth over hers was both delight and torment. It took her back to Steven and Dawn’s wedding, and that kiss under the mistletoe. That had been the first moment in her life where she’d truly felt passion. Prior to that, kissing and even sex, had been just something she could take or leave. It was nice when it happened, but it wasn’t a focus in her life. Then Patrick Murphy had settled his lips over hers in a ballroom crowded with friends and family and had literally set her world on fire. Now he was doing it again, in the darkened bathroom of his home, while she was helpless and practically naked in his arms, her temper once again leading her down an unexpected path.
Kayleigh fought back the whimper of protest when his lips finally broke from hers. He stepped back and it was all she
In the dark, Patrick moved through the cabin, through the bedroom and into the bathroom. The ancient clawfoot tub had been refinished and the porcelain over cast iron sparkled. There were candles on the shelf and a book of matches. Setting Kayleigh on her feet, trying not to think about how good it had felt to hold her and how damned hard it was to let her go, he lit the candles and let the soft glow fill the room. The power hadn’t been out for long. The room was still pretty warm. Turning on the taps, he let the tub begin to fill.
“This room won’t stay warm for very long with the power out, but I’ll get the fire built up in the living room. Get out of those clothes and get a hot bath,” he said. He knew that he was barking orders at her, but it was all he could do.
“Aye, aye, captain.”
“You’re trying my patience, Kayleigh. I don’t know how long we’re going to be stuck here together and you getting sick isn’t an option. Now, strip and get into that tub, or I’ll put you in it clothes and all!”
Angry, not just at him and his orders, but at the situation itself and at the mess that had brought her there, Kayleigh yelled back at him. “Fine! You want me to strip then I’ll strip.” With a hard yank she pulled her jacket open, sending buttons flying everywhere. The silk blouse beneath it came next, again the buttons skittering across the tiled floor. She shrugged out of both garments, letting them fall to the floor. She couldn’t rip the skirt, she knew, but she unzipped it and let it drop to the ground until she stood there in only her bra and panties and the garter belt and stockings that she preferred. Pantyhose had always been a misery to her, and the ultra feminine stockings and garters made her feel sexy and beautiful, no matter how sedate her outward appearance was.
Breathing hard from anger, her face flushed and her lashes still damp with tears, she glared at him. “Happy now?” She was unprepared for his response. He shoved her against the wall, his body pressing against hers intimately. His mouth was on hers instantly--hard, unyielding, claiming, but oh so skillful. It wasn’t a kiss so much as a vanquishing. Her hands were above her head, pinned there by one of his larger hands. His other hand cupped her chin, tilting her head up, giving him greater access to her mouth. The kiss deepened even further. His tongue swept between her lips, gliding sensuously over hers.
Every subtle movement, every slight shift of his mouth over hers was both delight and torment. It took her back to Steven and Dawn’s wedding, and that kiss under the mistletoe. That had been the first moment in her life where she’d truly felt passion. Prior to that, kissing and even sex, had been just something she could take or leave. It was nice when it happened, but it wasn’t a focus in her life. Then Patrick Murphy had settled his lips over hers in a ballroom crowded with friends and family and had literally set her world on fire. Now he was doing it again, in the darkened bathroom of his home, while she was helpless and practically naked in his arms, her temper once again leading her down an unexpected path.
Kayleigh fought back the whimper of protest when his lips finally broke from hers. He stepped back and it was all she
Similar Books
