Sullivan's Woman by Nora Roberts

fingers were gentle on her face. “You taste of things I’d forgotten,” he murmured. “Fresh, young things. Kiss me, Cass, I’ve a need for you.”
    With a moan, half-despair, half-wonder, she answered his need.
    The flames that leapt between them were intense and wild. Her brain sent out quick, desperate protests and was ignored. A hunger for him drove her; her mouth became urgent and searching as his hands began to explore her soft curves. The fear she felt only added to her excitement, the exquisite terror of losing control. She was overwhelmed by a primitive need, an ageless necessity. When their lips parted and met again, hers ached for the joining.
    Abruptly he tore his mouth from hers and buried it against her neck. Cassidy shuddered from the onslaught even as she tilted back her head to offer him more. With his teeth he brought her skin alive with delicious pain. His hands found their way under her shirt, running up her rib cage. With his thumbs he stroked the sides of her breast while she strained against him.
    Her joints went fluid, leaving her helpless but for his support. For a moment, when their lips met again, there was nothing she had that was not his. The offer was complete and unconditional. Slowly, with his hands on her shoulders, Colin drew her away. Her lashes fluttered up, then down, before she found the strength to open her eyes. His expression was dark and forbidding. Briefly his hands tightened.
    â€œIt seems you were right,” he began in a voice thick with desire. “A kiss isn’t a simple thing. I want you, Cass, and you’d best know nothing in heaven or hell will keep me from taking you when I’ve a mind to.” His hands relaxed, the grip becoming a caress. “When the painting’s finished, we’ll have no choice but to meet our destinies.”
    â€œNo.” Frightened, disturbed by feelings that were too intense, Cassidy pulled out of his arms. She dragged a trembling hand through her hair, and her breath came quickly. “No, Colin, I won’t be the latest in your string of lovers. I won’t! I think more of myself than that. That’s something you’d best understand.” She stepped away from him, her shoulders straightening with inherent pride.
    Colin’s eyes narrowed. She could see his temper rising. “It should be an interesting contest.” He took a step forward and grabbed a handful of her hair. With a quick jerk he brought her face to his, then gave her a hard, brief kiss. Cassidy’s breath trembled out, but she kept her eyes steady. “Time will tell, Cass my love. Now it’s late, nearly midnight, and I’d best be on my way.” Lifting her hand, he brushed her fingers with his lips. “Sinning is much more appealing after midnight.” With another careless smile, he turned for the door. Reaching it, he pushed the latch so that it would engage when he shut it. “Find your keys,” he ordered and was gone.

Chapter 5
    Another week passed without any clash between Colin and Cassidy. She had returned to his studio the day after his visit to her apartment determined to resist him. She’d spoken the truth when she’d told him she wouldn’t be one of his lovers.
    All her life she had waited for a relationship with depth and permanence. Her own ideals and her dedication to her studies had kept her aloof from men, and her aloofness had prolonged her naiveté. She’d grown up with only a father and had never closely witnessed the commitment of a man and a woman to each other. She had watched her father enjoy several light relationships as she’d grown up, but none of the women in his life had become important to him. Watching him drift through life with only his work, Cassidy had vowed she would find someone one day to share hers.
    She didn’t consider her vow romantic, but as necessary to her soul as food was to her body. Until she found what she searched