Her Royal Bed Read Free Page A

against him.
    She looked him straight in the eye and said in apologetic tones, “I feel like an idiot here. This kind of thing is all new to me. Like I said, I don’t usually follow men out of parties, spy on them and offer to—”
    â€œAgain the offer,” he broke in, his gaze riveted on her, his eyes an almost stormy shade of blue. “What is it you’re offering, darlin’?”
    A picture of his body against hers flashed into her brain, but she rejected it. For the moment. “I just thought you might want to talk.”
    He stared at her blankly. The deep-cut shadows beneath his eyes hinted at nights not spent in sleep. Was it grief that kept him awake or the soft body of a woman?
    â€œI know what it feels like to lose someone,” she said, in a quiet voice. She hadn’t lost her mother physically, but in her own way she had. They hadn’t been able to do the same things, share the same things. “I know the pressures of a family member who has a disability.”
    He said nothing at first, just looked at her…or straight through her, she couldn’t tell which. Then he shook his head and muttered a terse, “Not into talking, Miss Hefner. Thanks, but no thanks.”
    â€œMr. Callahan—”
    â€œI’m not looking for a soulmate, and I sure as hell ain’t looking for pity.”
    â€œYou keep misunderstanding—”
    He pushed away from the wall and covered the few feet between them. “Have a beer on you?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œHow ’bout a whiskey?”
    She shook her head, tried mentally to slow her pulse as his closeness, his scent, had her heart in her throat. “No.”
    He shrugged, then suddenly reached out, took hold of her arm and hauled her against him. “Well, this’ll do, I suppose.”
    Jane never had a chance to think, much less react as Bobby Callahan dipped his head and covered her mouth with his. As his lips crushed against hers, she felt her belly tighten, felt her knees cease to hold her weight. There was no slow sweetness about his kiss. He was all passion and fireworks, hungry as a wolf and frighteningly demanding.
    For the first time in a month, Jane felt her mind go. His passion, anger, fear, whatever it was that had called her to him tonight, fused into her skin, branding her.
    He moved impossibly closer. He was incredibly tall, and although Jane stood five-foot-eight, she still had to roll up to her toes to gain full contact. When she did, Bobby growled, deepened his kiss, clearly spurred on by her interest. Gripping her waist and back, he tilted his head and eased his tongue into her mouth.
    When he pulled back, left her mouth, his gaze was fierce, but vulnerable. “Unless you can give me more of that, darlin’, we’re done here.”
    Breathless, her body shocked with electricity and heat, Jane tried to find her sense of reason, but it was lost. Completely evaporated into a sky of need. She had been kissed with such desperation, passion and ferocity, it was as though Bobby Callahan wanted to consume her. It was as though she’d been offered a chance tomorph into a hawk for one night and fly without any fear or reason. Her thighs trembled, for God’s sake.
    She’d never offered herself to a man. Not like this. Brazen and uncomplicated.
    Swallowing every last bit of unease, Jane curled a hand around his neck and tugged his head lower. But before Bobby reached her mouth, he uttered, “You sure?”
    â€œYes,” she said in breathless tones.
    â€œBecause this’ll go way past a kiss.”
    â€œI’m counting on it.”
    His dark gaze flickered to the doorway behind her. “We can’t do this here.”
    Truth be told, she didn’t care where they ended up. On the deck, in a bathroom, against the tiles of a shower. She wanted this man, this stranger. A raw desperation filled her, rationalized her actions. It was complete and utter