SNOWFIRES by Caroline Clemmons Page A

the other side of the tracks, Holly, but
I’m determined to succeed in this.”
    She couldn’t stop thinking of the picture he
painted of his childhood. Her heart broke for that little boy,
alone and injured by the people assigned to protect him.
Irrationally, she wanted to make it up to him, supply the nurturing
he’d missed. Her cheek touched the skin of his shoulder. As if by
its own volition, her hand raised to rest where her fingers gently
brushed his chest.
    He caressed her hair before his hand slid
down her back, stroking her. Salving motions from this hard man
touched a place deep inside her core. Heat swirled and built within
her. Years spent as the caregiver, as the glue welding her family
together, melted in the wake of her need to comfort him. She
yearned to console this man and experience the solace and release
his arms offered.
    Lightly she pressed her lips to his chin then
his cheek. Her mouth parted to receive the kiss she craved. His
lips claimed hers softly, tentatively exploring. So gentle, so
sweet. No matter how much she disagreed with him about company
business, how could she resist this man?
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER SEVEN
    In answer to
her own question, she told herself no sane, healthy woman could
resist this opportunity. She leaned into him, slipping her arms
around his neck. He deepened the kiss. Their tongues danced and
their lips merged. A low moan escaped from her while raw rumbles
emanated from his throat.
    His hands explored her body, his fingers
searing her skin as they had in her dream. Fully awake this time
she was more alive than ever in her life. Each touch of his fingers
set her blood pumping, her heart singing.
    His hand cupped her breast as his mouth
trailed kisses along her neck and shoulders. When he unhooked her
bra and he suckled her hardened nipple, she moaned and pulled his
shoulders to her. Swirls of heat pooled low in her abdomen. Honeyed
moisture gathered in her vagina. The hard ridge of his desire
pushed against her thigh, and she parted her legs.
    As his hand left her breast, he snagged a
finger into the waistband of her panties and pulled them down. She
wriggled to assist him and arched her back. The cool sheets raked
against her naked flesh and sent her to new heights.
    “ Now you.” She nipped at his chest and
pushed his cotton underwear down.
    She’d thought to be the seducer but now he
took control. His hands and lips created magic with her body. Being
with a control freak was a plus when he had this power.
    He slid his finger into her wet folds and
rubbed his thumb against the nub of her yearning. “You’re ready for
me. Your last chance to say no, Princess?"
    For the very first time in her life, Holly
Tucker gave in to the moment. Her mind emptied of everything but
the man who lay with her. Gone were thoughts of family duties,
grudges, responsibilities, and carefully weighed decisions. She
surrendered to her desire to be one with this man.
    "Yes. Oh, yes. Don’t keep me waiting any
longer, pirate." Her hips nudged his.
    His hand slid beneath the pillow and pulled
out a foil package.
    “ You, you had that ready? Were you so
sure?” Should she be angry he’d taken her for granted or thankful
he came prepared?
    “ Princess, I’m a man sharing a bed with
a beautiful woman. How could I not hope I’d need this? Besides,
remember last night. I always keep some in my travel bag for, um,
an emergency.”
    Quickly he slid the condom on and returned to
her. Their hot, savage joining left them cleaved together long
after the waves of climax passed. Trent rolled to his back and
pulled her atop him. Then, he tugged the blankets to cover them
both.
    "It's a shame to cover a body like yours, but
I sure as hell don't want you catching your death now."
    "It seems warm in here to me. Did you
notice?" She straddled him and looked at his face.
    "First time I've been warm in two days." His
fingers wrapped around a long curl dangling over her shoulder. He
pulled her head to his