A Lawman in Her Stocking by Kathie DeNosky

can keep Cornelia Worthington as quiet as she was this evening when she practiced the painting techniques you taught, is nothing short of miraculous.”
    His sexy smile and the rhythm of his deep voice made Brenna’s heart skip a beat. But when he reached out to draw her into his arms, she shook her head to clear it. “Dylan, this isn’t a good idea.”
    “What?” he asked, pulling her close.
    “You. Me.” His lips brushed hers, sending a wave of shivers coursing through her. “I don’t think it’s…wise.”
    “Darlin’, whether it’s wise or not, it’s not going to go away.”
    He nibbled kisses along her jawline to the hollow of her ear, and instead of pushing him away, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “It might.”
    His deep chuckle caused her pulse to race. “I don’t think so, Brenna. I’ve tried ignoring it for the past week and it’s just gotten stronger.”
    “Try harder,” she said, wondering if the community center had candy machines with a good selection of chocolate bars.
    “Do you really want me to do that, darlin’?” he asked, nuzzling the sensitive skin along the side of her neck.
    “Yes.” Even she could detect the lack of conviction in her tone.
    “Liar.” He leaned back to look down at her and the heat in his gaze took her breath. “I’m going to kiss you, Brenna. And afterward, I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t feel something drawing us together.”
    Before she could protest, he lowered his mouth to hers and she felt every ounce of her resistance drain away. Even the intense desire for something chocolate to sooth her jangled nerves faded to nothingness as she melted against him.
    He caught her to his wide chest, then ran his hands from her back down to cup her bottom in his large hands. Lifting her to him, he let her feel his strong arousal at the same time he parted her lips with athrust of his tongue. It felt as if a herd of butterflies were suddenly set free inside her lower stomach. As he stroked, tasted and explored her with a mastery that made her lightheaded, the fluttering tightened into a coil of deep need and Brenna had to cling to his strong biceps for support.
    Dylan eased the kiss in slow degrees and by the time he lifted his mouth from hers, she felt as if her world had changed and nothing would ever be the same again. Whether she liked it or not, there was no denying the truth any longer. Maybe it was chemistry. Maybe it was magnetism. She wasn’t sure. But whatever it was called, there was something between her and Dylan that was far more explosive than anything she’d ever shared with Tom. And it scared the daylights out of her.
    “Now, tell me you didn’t feel that, too,” Dylan said, resting his forehead against hers.
    “I…I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t feel anything,” she said shakily. “But I won’t give up my independence or my identity for the opportunity to find out what it is. I won’t give another man that kind of power over me ever again.”
    Brenna suddenly clamped her lips together and when she looked up at him, the shadows in her expressive blue eyes caused a knot to form in Dylan’s gut. “Who did this to you, darlin’?”
    Her gaze skittered away. “Did what?”
    “Who gave you the idea that men want to control women, want them to be dependent?” he demanded. If he could get his hands on the man who gave her that impression, Dylan would cheerfully throttle the stupid jerk.
    “It’s…not important,” she said, pulling herself from his arms. “Just suffice it to say, I learned my lesson well.”
    “Dammit, Brenna, it is important,” Dylan said, reaching out to place his hands on her shoulders. “If I’m being compared to another man, I’d like to know why.”
    Just when he thought she was going to ignore his request, she took a deep breath. “I met Tom in my senior year in college. He was a struggling law student and I was well on my way to a degree in business administration.