The Driven Snowe Read Free Page A

sounding as casual as her anger and nervousness would allow. “It’s nice.”
    â€œI like it. Lots of privacy. You could make all sorts of noise—” he looked at her suggestively “—and nobody would hear a thing.”
    Ignoring the statement, she followed him in the house. He turned on the lights. He doesn’t live like a hedonistic bachelor, she thought, then almost laughed at the primness of her own observation. What had she expected? Empty beer cans, bras hanging from the chandelier?
    The furniture was modern, but not harshly so—clean lines, and a subtle styling she appreciated. Windows opened up to the trees beyond. A large octagonal fish tank illuminated the corner. “It’s great.”
    â€œSo. Should we go at it on the couch, or what?”
    Her high heel caught on his carpet, and she stumbled. “Sorry?”
    â€œAfter all, you’re here for sex, right?” He sat down onthe couch, patting the cushion next to him. “I imagine you’re in something of a hurry.”
    â€œI see.” She didn’t, but then, he was the expert. “So…the point of this is to just dive in there, and be as fast as possible? I mean, is that normal for you?”
    â€œHardly.” He looked insulted, though that wasn’t her intent. He stood and faced her. “If you want slow…”
    He went to her and took her mouth and her breath in the same instant. He moved languorously, seducing her lips.
    Oh my, can this man kiss!
    It was the last coherent thought she had for several minutes. Soon, the slow seduction became a building need. He went from sampling her lips to devouring them. She felt his kiss wash over her in waves, like a relentless storm. She was helpless to do anything but give herself over to it.
    When he released her, it took her a moment to get her bearings. “Well. That was better than I expected.”
    He let out a burst of sharp laughter. “How would you know what to expect—being a virgin, and all?”
    â€œI read a lot.” She took a calming breath, nerves fluttering in her stomach. “But you’re right. I’m out of my depth here…” She paused, registering the smug smile that was spreading across his face. “And you knew it. That’s the point you’re trying to make here, isn’t it?”
    She snatched up her purse. “If you just brought me here to prove something,” she whispered, her voice shaking, “then maybe you should have left me at the bar.”
    He went and stood between her and the door. “And then what would you have done?”
    â€œI don’t know.” She felt deflated. She wished she could take off her shoes. The pinching made it hard forher to think. “It took me all day just to get the guts to ask you. And I know this will make you angry, but after all I’d heard, I didn’t think that you were going to say no.”
    â€œAngela, what the hell have you heard about me? I mean, I’ve had a lot of fun in my time, but I’m hardly the Casanova of Manzanita.” He smiled when she giggled, a real smile this time, not a smug, challenging one. He sat down and patted the sofa again, with no suggestive overtones. “Sit down for a sec.”
    She did so, feeling the heat coming off his body. She paused, then kicked off her shoes. He grinned at the action.
    She studied him. His black hair and cobalt blue eyes. The way his grin curved, the way his chin looked like it was carved out of granite. The small scar over his right eyebrow. The kindness of his smile, one of the first things that had struck her, and the gentleness in his voice.
    She had made the right choice.
    â€œWhy are you doing this? Really.” His voice was low. “Are you sure you even want to?”
    â€œOh, yes,” she breathed. “I’m sure. Scared or not, it’s definitely what I want.”
    â€œIt’s the scared part that concerns