Page 20 of Zane

He used his expertise, prying her lips apart to introduce his tongue. Her limbs went weak, nerves fluttering as she leaned into the kiss. The minute she surrendered, he deepened the kiss, his tongue tangling with hers.

She tasted of the champagne she had imbibed, of honey and a dark sweetness that called out to him. His hands came up to curl around her throat, his body angling toward hers. His thumbs caressed and explored, stopping at the pulse jumping under her skin. She felt warm and completely addictive, like a strong and potent drink of his favorite malt.

Her response drove him wild, making him want more. He had to have her. Lord knew he had tried to stay away. But the taste, the sweet and honeyed taste of her lips, the texture, the feel of her slender curves against him, were more than he could stand.

Lifting his lips from hers, he trailed them over her cheek and down her neck, sipping, sipping from skin as soft as silk. Her fragrance, the subtle perfume, filled his nostrils. He was drunk on the scent of her. He cupped her breasts, feeling the jolt straight through his body at the hardness of her nipples. Jerking his head up, he stared at her, emotions swirling in his eyes.

"Come home with me." His voice was unrecognizable. He was holding himself together by a slender thread. "You cannot deny that you want me."

"No." She tried to push him away, but he wouldn't budge. Panic coated over the desire raging inside her. Her lips were still throbbing from the devastating kiss. If he continued to touch her, if he kissed her again, she was going to cave. Her insides felt like jelly and her body was trembling. "Please let go of me."

"No." His head descended, and she turned away so that his lips brushed her cheek. Clamping his fingers on her chin, he jerked her face around, eyes blazing. "I cannot stop thinking about you. We have a mutual attraction and there's no denying that. You cannot tell me you don't feel it."

Kara wanted to lie, wanted to tell him to go to hell, but he was right. What she was feeling was so foreign, she was going to have to spend some time examining herself. But right now, she wanted to be alone, wanted to think, and she could not very well do it with him holding her.

"I'm with someone else. You need to respect that." The excuse sounded lame and weak even to her own ears, but she had nothing else.

"Is that where you're going?" His mouth twisted sardonically. "The boyfriend/fiancé? You're going to have to do better than that."

She lifted her chin, eyes flashing. "All right. You're not my type, and even if I weren't with William, I could never be with someone like you."

He went still and for a moment simply stared at her. She held her breath as he continued to look at her and felt relief when he let her go and stepped back.

"You've made your point, Counselor."

Taking off his jacket, she draped it over the nearest chair. "Goodbye," she murmured. When he said nothing, she turned around and fled, leaving him staring after her, his hands shoved into the pockets of his dress pants

Chapter 6

Because she was watching for them, Zoe saw when the woman all but rushed back inside. She also saw the evidence of acute distress on her face and what seemed to be tears.

Turning toward the group, she touched William's arm lightly and forced a charming smile she did not feel. The man was a posturing idiot and talked way too much. He also thought too much of himself.

"I have to go to the ladies'." She sent her dad a pleading look. "Tell him about the Satterly's case. I'm sure he'll be very interested."

The man actually beamed at her and patted the hand on his arm, his manner clearly condescending. "You go do what you have to, my dear. We'll be right here."

"Right. Thanks, Dad."

When she turned around, there was no sign of Kara. Using her instinct and where she would rush to, Zoe headed out of the room and went to the nearest ladies' room. Jackpot! she thought as soon as she pushed open the door to find it empty except for the woman leaning against the pastel pink marble counter and staring at her face.

"Oh!" Obviously flustered and trying to hide the tears, she started to reach for a tissue. Zoe got to it first and handed it to her.

"Thanks. Allergies, I think."

"All right." Leaning on the counter, she crossed her arms over her breasts and studied the girl. She really was stunning, Zoe thought.

"Or we could call it by its name. Zane Stanhope. What did he do?"

"I... nothing."

"Darling, I know a thing or two about men, and I happen to know lots about my brother. What did he do to upset you?"

"Nothing." Kara dabbed at the corners of her eyes and met those stunning tawny ones in the mirror. Ones that reminded her of the man she had left in the garden. "He's... he's pushy." Turning away from the mirror, she sat on the padded bench. "William must be wondering where I am."

Zoe joined her. "William hasn't noticed you've been gone. He's in his element."

The tone of voice had Kara closing her eyes in despair. "He made a fool of himself. He's not usually..." She stuttered to a stop when Zoe placed a hand over hers.