The Heartbreaker by Vicki Lewis Thompson

resistance was already, would have predictable results. Yet she seemed to have grown roots. “You...were like the brother I never had.”
    He reached up with his other hand and began taking the pins from her hair. “And that’s how you think of me? Like a brother?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œWere you treating me like a brother when you demonstrated the cutter just now? Was I the only one going crazy when you touched me?”
    â€œI—” She swallowed as he freed her hair and tossed the scrunchy and hairpins onto the light table. “Mike, stop...”
    He combed her hair with his fingers as he gazed deep into her eyes. “I don’t think you’d tremble like this if a brother decided to take your hair down.”
    â€œI have to go.” Yet she couldn’t move.
    â€œYou can leave in a minute.” He slipped one hand behind her head, cradling it. “Right after I kiss you.”
    Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. “Mike—”
    â€œTwo things,” he said, hovering nearer. “One, don’t bite me. Two, I am not your brother.” Then his mouth settled over hers.

4
    M IKE LONGED TO CRUSH Beth to him and bury his pain in an orgy of passion, but being exposed to the depth of his need might scare her away. And his needs were deeper than even he had realized. Her touch, her gentle voice and her empathy had created a thirst he could not deny. He couldn’t let her leave without holding her once more and drinking sweet comfort from her lips.
    At first he kept the pressure of his mouth light, the kiss almost platonic. Almost. Tasting her again made his head swim. Her scent was spicier and more womanly than it had been eight years ago, but her mouth was a remembered wonder, her kiss the beginning of a journey he knew he must take one day or lose his sanity.
    As the velvet firmness of her lips softened a fraction, he allowed himself the smallest aggression, subtly coaxing her to open to him. Her lips parted slowly, cautiously. He fought the needs coursing through him and took only as much as she offered, then gently urged her to offer more.
    Heart hammering, he drew the tip of her tongue into his mouth. She trembled, and he steadied her with a hand at her waist while he stroked his tongue against hers. Her soft moan told him she might allow more. He didn’t take more.
    Instead he lifted his head and opened his eyes. There. That was the moment he’d dreamed of, the moment he’d been denied twice—once when Ernie had called to them and brought an abrupt end to their kiss, and last night, when she bit him. Her eyes remained closed, her dark lashes resting against cheeks tinged pink with desire, her mouth rosy and ripe with promise. How he longed to return there. Yet he waited.
    Her eyes drifted open, and all his dreams found an answer in their shadowy blue depths.
    Then she squeezed her eyes shut and pushed away from him. “That was despicable of me.”
    â€œNo. Beth—”
    â€œI’m going to ask you to ignore what just happened.” She straightened her shoulders and looked him square in the face, as if she were facing a firing squad. “Please.”
    â€œI can’t.” His voice was raw from wanting her.
    â€œSuit yourself. I’m going to ignore it”
    â€œI don’t think you can, either.” He could even prove the point by taking her in his arms again, but he wouldn’t. Not if it made her hate herself. “There’s something between us, Beth. I think there always has been.”
    She drew in a breath and took another step backward. “Okay, I won’t deny that I...I’m attracted to you. But that doesn’t mean I’ll ever do anything about it.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œI can’t believe you have to ask.”
    â€œI’m not engaged to Alana anymore. I never plan to be engaged to her again. We’re all different people, now.”
    â€œAre