Two Little Secrets. Linda Randall Wisdom

them. Loved them dearly.

      If he thought she was perfect before, kissing her sealed the deal. She was more than he could have imagined.

      Her mouth was soft and inviting. Her skin like warm silk under his touch.

      He traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, silently asking admission, which was instantly granted. Her tongue wasn’t shy as she entered into the play, daring him to follow. A dare he was very happy to accept.

      She draped herself around him the way a piece of silk caresses the body. If she was a perfect fit for a kiss, what would she be like if there was more? What if he lay her down on the sand and they—

      He stopped his line of thinking.

      They may be alone now, but there was no guarantee someone wouldn’t come along.

      “Lady, you pack quite a wallop,” he said once he could catch his breath.

      She tipped her head back, eyes closed and lips slightly parted. “Thank you,” she said huskily. She swayed in his direction.

      Just as he feared, he could hear voices on the wind.

      “I think we’re going to have company soon.” He took several deep breaths, but all he seemed to smell was her perfume. It wasn’t helping his peace of mind at all.

      Ginna moved to his side and slid her arm around his waist. “Then I guess this would be as good a time as any to go back.” Her hip bumped gently against his.

      The sexual tension between them heightened with every step. When they were alone in the elevator, Zach took advantage and stole a kiss.

      Their steps slowed as they walked down the hallway to her room. When they reached her door, Ginna turned to face him. He planted his hands on either side of her shoulders, effectively trapping her against the wall. His head dipped and he kissed her again.

      “I’m going to be a gentleman and not ask to come in,” Zach murmured against her mouth.

      Her eyes were hazy with desire. But it was her lips he noticed that were curving upward.

      “And what if I invite you in?” she said in a throaty whisper.

      He already felt the mental kick to his backside. A kick he’d have physically done to himself if it were possible.

      “As much as I’d like to accept, I’d have to be a gentleman and regretfully decline.” His mouth slid along the curve of her cheek until it reached her ear. His tongue toyed with her gold hoop earring. “Or at least take a rain check.”

      “Damn.” Her curse came out on a soft breath. “And here I was going to lure you inside and drive you insane with passion.”

      “I like your plan.” He was too engrossed in exploring her ear. He kept his hands planted firmly on either side of her shoulders, because he knew if he touched her elsewhere, he’d never leave. And he should. He wanted to prove to her, and to himself, this was more than just mindless lust. But he knew if he didn’t get out of there soon, he’d never leave. “I’m still trying to be a gentleman here. How about tomorrow?”

      She pulled back as far as she could, the desire in her eyes starting to dissipate.

      “Maybe you’re right. Maybe we are going too fast,” she said, sensing the truth in his words. “I think it might be better if I did something by myself tomorrow. Then we could get together the next day.”

      Zach felt the blow. “Twenty-four hours?”

      She reached up and kissed him lightly. “More like thirty-six hours. You’re proving too addictive, Mr. Stone,” she murmured. “I need to catch my breath and I’m already finding out I can’t do it when I’m with you. I’ll meet you for breakfast the day after tomorrow.”

      “How about a drink two minutes after midnight? Or if you want to stick with breakfast, we have it at dawn?”

      “Dawn? I don’t think so. You’re not dealing with a morning person here,” she explained. “The best I can give you is seven-thirty.”

      “Seven-thirty, day after tomorrow. If I have to wait that long, I may as well have something that will hold me that long.” He pulled her back into his arms, and this time he didn’t hold back. He demanded everything of her.

      Ginna moaned softly as she melted in his embrace. By the time they parted, they were both breathing heavily.

      “Go now.” She pushed him away from her.

      “A day away from you isn’t going to make any difference,” he warned her.

      “It will if you happen to meet someone else who rings your chimes,” she said.

      Zach reached out and traced the lush contours of her lips with his fingertip. “You ring my chimes just fine, sweetheart. I’ll see you at breakfast, day after tomorrow.”

      As he walked back to the elevator, he realized that he was already counting down the hours until he saw her again.

      It couldn’t come soon enough.