Taboo by Mallory Rush Page A

jumped at the sound of his voice, then again as he rested his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face him. Cammie cursed herself for being a coward, but she couldn't make herself meet his gaze, especially when the unsated remnants of desire still lapped at her.
    "What's wrong?" he asked.
    "I feel guilty."
    He muttered a low, graphic curse.
    "Don't be angry with me, Grant."
    He tilted her face up until she looked at him. She read frustration in his eyes, but understanding as well.
    "I don't want you to feel guilty," he said, "and I can't help but resent it that you do. But what's making me angry more than anything are the circumstances we can't control."
    She nodded, feeling the sting of unwanted tears. Too much had happened, and she couldn't lay the blame at Grant's feet. She had been a willing participant, after all; she and Grant had been partners in crime. It was horrible to feel so wonderful about giving in to the forbidden.
    "Grant, I'm so confused. And I'm scared."
    "Don't be. I'm here."
    "That's what scares me."
    "Ah, Cammie, don't be afraid of me. We've always been there for each other."
    "Be there for me now?" She could feel the salty sting break loose as she whispered, "Hold me, Grant. Hold me like you used to."
    "I don't know if I can do that, Cammie." He drew her into his arms and cradled her head against his chest. "Because I want to hold you even better."
    She didn't try to stop them. She let the tears fall, the confusion spilling out from inside her. Grant rocked her back and forth, giving her comfort while he threaded his fingers through her hair.
    When she was spent, she let him support her, leaning into the strength he offered. It was then she realized that while he had soothed her, something else had happened as well.
    His hand was cupping her buttocks and he was hard, his erection pressing into the softness of her belly. She looked up at him, and his eyes simmered with an odd mixture of tenderness and riveting hunger.
    "I can't stop what you do to me," he said softly, "and I'll never apologize for wanting you so bad, it's eating me alive. But I care enough to give you what you need before taking what I want."
    He lowered his head, and she prayed he wouldn't try to kiss her. She could feel the momentum of passion gather, wanting it as much as he did, and that want was as unwelcome as it was strong.
    He pressed his lips against her forehead, and she shut her eyes in gratitude and weariness and disappointment. Before he could work his way down, she latched onto what surely was as wise as it was painfully difficult to say.
    "I need some time alone, Grant."
    "I know."
    "Don't call me or come see me this week. Please."
    His hands tensed. "If that's what you want."
    She didn't want it, any more than she wanted him to leave. But it was rational, her only hope to make some sense of this insanity that was unraveling their lives.
    "It's... yes. It is what I want."
    "Then I'll pick you up Saturday morning. We can talk on the way to Mom and Dad's."
    The celebration, of course. She dreaded it already. How could she face them after tonight? How could she sit next to Grant in their driveway in the very car they had nearly made love in?
    "I—" She took a deep breath, steeling herself. "I think it would be a good idea if we took separate cars."
    "Son of a—Dammit, I know what you're thinking and I want you to quit it." His voice was harsh. "Quit wallowing in your guilt, Cammie Walker. I won't have it."
    He gripped her arms tight, and his brows drew together ominously as his mouth loomed dangerously close to hers.
    "No, Grant." She shook her head in fierce denial, as much for her own benefit as his. "Don't do it."
    "Don't worry," he growled. "When I kiss you it won't be with any reservations on your part. As much as I'd love to go at your mouth right now and drive out that conscience that's working overtime, you'd regret it the minute I was out the door."
    He released her abruptly, uttering a curse.
    She