Southern Romance by Crystal Smith Page B

"What you don't want me to touch you,,,,, with that salve?"  Jade's smile was full of seduction.
    Sara couldn't tell if he was mocking her earlier comment or making a suggestion.
         "No; that's not it, its fine."
         Jade stepped toward her.  "But I can touch you then."  Jade placed a hand on her shoulder curving his lips into a slight smile.  He could feel her tremble at his touch and touch alone.  Her nervousness only made him want to touch her more. 
         His touch left her shoulder and she didn't like it. He was looking at something behind her.  She went to turn to look, but Jade blocked her movements with his body.  "Don't move."  He warned.             
         He was standing there and she could feel his hard muscular body against hers.  Was he teasing her?  What was his plan?  What was he up to?  And why would he put his body to hers and then not touch her? 
         Sara didn't realize it, but her hands were touching him.  His smell was driving her crazy.  She felt him quiver at her touch.  Just being near, him made her body want to do things she never thought was possible.  Yearn to do the unthinkable.  Made her daring with her actions.
         His quiver only added to her own feelings stirring deep inside her.  She looked up at him as he towered over her still looking behind her.  That was it, he was tempting her.  Well, then she would just see how far she could push him. 
         She slid her hands down to where his t shirt was tucked into his jeans and pulled up.  She heard him take a gasp of air as she slid her hands up his chest.  Feeling and studying the hard muscles of his abdomen and chest, as she allowed her hands to explore. 
         She raised his shirt slowly and seductively, she wanted to see what it was that she was feeling.   About the time she was beginning to lose herself in a way she didn't know was possible, her lips touched his chest, she felt him tense and then in one quick movement, he swung his arm from behind him and struck the beam that she had been leaning against.  Sara jolted and ran a few feet away. He had scared her but why?  Then she saw why. 
         Jade looked at her.  There in his hand was the biggest rattle snake she had ever seen.
         "I didn't want to startle you.  I was afraid your movement would cause it to strike."
         Sara stood there, in a shock like state.  He was trying to protect her.  She had read him way wrong.  She felt foolish for thinking that someone like Jade could be so interested in someone like her.  Someone who looked hideous.  And then to top it all off, why after everything she had been through was she so interested in Jade.  She never thought she would want to be near a man again; much less the things that her inner self was wanting Jade to do.
         Jade carried the snake out the door and threw it out.  When he returned he could see Sara's face was a different kind of red.  He knew what she was thinking.  He could still feel her tender hands and the short but sweet touch of her lips to his chest. 
         He tried to fight the urge of closing the gap and allowing her to finish what she had started but the fire inside him was too strong.  He slowly closed the gap.   As he approached her the look in his eyes only made Sara blush more.  She knew she had done this to him, but she didn't know if she could go through with it now. 
         She dropped her head down as he came closer.  He tenderly redirected her to face when with the touch of a single finger.  She was gorgeous.  My God breathe taking.  He leaned his head down, there was only about a half an inch between his mouth and her lips.  He could feel her breathing heavy as he closed in. 
         He slowly and passionately kissed her lips trying not to scare her away or make her feel pressured.  Brushing hers with his.  Teasing her lips with his tongue before she opened her mouth and he