Prey (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Mary Lou George Page A

without even knowing she was doing it. Too gentle, he was being too gentle. She wanted more. Clutching his hair in both of her hands she pushed his head down to hers and kissed him, releasing a little of the tightness in her chest. He pulled her closer. Her back arched, and she felt his hips against hers and welcomed his hardness. She wanted to wrap her legs around him and squeeze.
    Very slowly, Sam turned down the heat. The kiss that was once so passionate became softer, easier. When he was finished he lightly kissed both of her closed eyelids.
    He spoke in a low whisper. “That’s what you’re missing.”
    She swayed, and he steadied her. She looked up at him helpless, speechless.
    “You’ve had that coming to you since that night on the beach.”
    Stunned by the kiss, Jade took a second to reply, but when she did it was with spirit. “That’s not fair! I was a child then. Your experience far outweighs mine. In fact your experience outweighs just about everybody’s. You’ve turned kissing into art.” She stepped away from him, “If you kissed Ernestine like that, you’d get a response.”
    He looked so utterly horrified that Jade burst out laughing and didn’t stop until her sides ached.
    “But…Ernestine just likes me as a friend.” He said it so seriously that his words and expression set Jade off on another stream of laughter, and he joined her. Jade was relieved. It was a great tension breaker. She could face him again calmly, without all the heat he’d generated in her.
    She moved to the hook where she’d hung her coat. She put it on so swiftly she had it buttoned before he could even offer to help her. All he could do was straighten her collar.
    She faced him and took a deep breath. “Okay, Sam. So maybe you have a point. Since you’re so sure that I’m missing something important, I’ll give it a shot. I’ll go out on a date.”
    He looked surprised for a moment, but before he could say anything, she turned to walk away. In a carefree voice, she called out, “See you tomorrow.” And the door closed behind her.
     
    * * * *
     
    Sam wasn’t sure who was more affected by their kiss, him or her. He could barely stop himself. Once he’d got a taste of her something inside him demanded more and more. Jade didn’t know it, but she’d only seen the tip of the iceberg. So much of his desire for her was hidden beneath the surface. If a kiss made her weak, what would sex do? She’d be catatonic. Damn it! She was so innocent. A man with his experience wasn’t what she deserved. Her accusation was bang on. He’d been around the block more times than he could count and was now just a step away from jaded. He laughed at the unintentional pun. He was Jaded all right.
    He cursed as he walked to his office. How did a woman like Jade get to her age without getting experience? He suspected that sexually Jade was almost as naïve today as she’d been on that beach so many years ago.
    His cell phone rang again. Damn it! It was Michelle. He let it go to voice mail. With his head filled with thoughts of Jade, he didn’t have the patience to deal with Michelle twice in one day. He’d already spoken to her for too long tonight. She’d become a problem. Sam knew her through his parents, never a wise move. His parents had been manipulating him ever since they’d introduced him to Michelle. He’d decided to go to Chase and Reggie’s wedding alone. There wasn’t anyone he’d wanted to bring. His father had taken full advantage of Sam’s unusual datelessness and sicked Michelle on him. An incredibly confident and assertive Michelle had decided that he couldn’t possibly go to a wedding alone. It didn’t matter to Sam particularly, so he went along with it. Michelle was intelligent and witty. It didn’t hurt that she was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen. But for Sam, it quickly became evident that no one could hold a candle to Jade.
    When Michelle had called earlier, he’d felt compelled