The Apartment by Debbie Macomber Page A

whispered, his voice tinged with anger. He had no business being with her like this.
    â€œI should have checked with you before I planned the dinner.” Her voice was as fragile as a hummingbird’s wings.
    His gaze lowered to her mouth, her sweet, soft mouth, and he knew once more that he wasn’t going to be able to stop himself. Sean moaned, fighting her with every ounce of will he possessed, but before he could pull away, Hilary lifted her arms, tucked them around his neck and drew his mouth down to hers.

CHAPTER SIX
    H ilary felt Sean stiffen, felt him resist her, but she didn’t know who he was fighting—her or himself. She levered herself up until they were only separated by inches, their gazes holding one another’s. His eyes were filled with doubt, with regret and something else she couldn’t read. Fear? This man, who’d faced death many times over, who’d laughed when she’d trembled as he told her of his exploits overseas was afraid? It didn’t make sense.
    Now it was Sean who was trembling, like a man fighting himself much too hard.
    â€œKiss me,” she whispered, shocked that she would be so bold.
    â€œYou don’t know what you’re asking,” he said, dismissing her.
    â€œYes, I do.”
    â€œOh, Hil, damn it all, this shouldn’t be happening.” He groaned and caught hold of her. Hilary’s heart stopped and then lurched as his warm mouth covered hers. His hand moved slowly downward from her hair to the small of her back, urging her forward to receive his kiss.
    He raised his head, his breath quick and warm against her upturned face. “Why does it have to be you?”
    Hilary’s eyes fluttered open. “Instead of Carla?” she whispered.
    â€œNo,” he rasped. “No,” he said again, his tone husky with need. His hands cupped her face, and he kissed her with a fierce hunger that matched her own. She didn’t understand him, didn’t understand his question, but none of that mattered as long as she was in his arms, as long as he continued to hold her.
    He kissed her as she’d never been kissed before, sweeping her mouth with his tongue, forcing a response from her. He drew her closer until their upper bodies were flush against one another. His chest moved against hers, and the summits of her breasts ached with need. He moved his restless hands up and down her back as if he couldn’t believe he was touching her, as if he feared she would vanish.
    â€œI knew you’d taste like this,” he said, dragging his mouth from hers. “Like the sweetest angel in God’s own heaven.” She felt the tremor in him and he cupped her head and lightly rubbed his callused thumb over her moist lips.
    â€œNo more,” he said.
    â€œSean…”
    But he was gone before she could stop him. Hilary sat alone in the silence, willing him back. Her heart roared in her ears as she raised her fingers to her lips to investigate for herself what had happened.
    They were softly swollen—otherwise she might have believed his kisses had been nothing more than a wildly romantic dream.
    The following morning Sean was still furious, but he didn’t know who he was upset with more—Hilary or himself. He should be dragged before a firing squad for the stunt he’d pulled. Walking into Hilary’s bedroom was like pulling the pin on a hand grenade. Yet, knowing that hadn’t been enough to keep him away. The situation between them was explosive and growing more so each passing minute.
    Kissing Hilary had to rank as the most foolish thing he’d done in the last fifteen years. He was a man who’d cut his teeth on discipline, he was intimate with self-denial. The army had trained him well. For ten years he’d been part of the armed forces’ most elite corps; he’d proudly worn the hat of the Green Berets. It had taken less than a month and one sweet virgin to crumble his