The Heart's Victory by Nora Roberts Page B

“Of course,” she began on a new thought, moving away before Lance could take her hand. “You could buy me something extravagant.” She whirled back to him with a smile. “That would be perfectly aboveboard, I believe.”
    â€œIs there anything particular you have in mind?”
    Her footsteps clicked on the sidewalk as she continued to circle away from him. “Oh, perhaps a pack of Russian wolfhounds.” Her laughter drifted. “Or a line of those marvelous horses with the sturdy legs . . . Clydesdales. Or a flock of Albanian goats. I’m almost certain they have goats in Albania.”
    â€œWouldn’t you rather have a sable?”
    â€œOh no,” she answered. She wrinkled her nose and, either by accident or design, moved just out of his reach. “I don’t care much for dead animals. I know! A pair of black Angus so I can start my own herd.” The decision made, she stopped. Lance slipped his arms around her. “You will be sure to get one male and one female, won’t you? It’s very important if you want things to move along properly.”
    â€œOf course,” he agreed as his lips traced her jawline.
    â€œI shouldn’t tell you this.” Foxy sighed as her arms encircled his neck. “I’m terribly glad you intimidated Scott.”
    â€œAre you?” Lance murmured, gently nipping at the pulse in her throat.
    â€œOh yes,” she whispered and drew him closer. “And I’d very much like it if you’d kiss me now. Right now.” The last word was muffled as their lips found each other.
    They seemed to fuse together in one instant of blinding heat. The instant was an eternity. She tangled her fingers in his hair as if she could bring him yet closer when now even the breeze from the sea could not come between them. Her body had molded to his as if it had no other purpose. She could feel his heart beat at the same speeding rhythm as her own. Unnoticed, her shawl slipped to the ground as he explored the smooth skin of her back. Together, they began to taste more of each other. His lips tarried on her throat, lingering and savoring the sweetness before moving to trace her cheekbone and whisper over her closed lids.
    She discovered a dark, male flavor along the column of his neck. She wanted to go on tasting, go on learning, but his mouth demanded that hers return to his. The power of the new kiss pierced her like a spear of lightning, shooting a trembling heat through her every cell. With a moan, she swayed against him. Lance plundered her surrendering mouth, drawing more and more from her until she was limp in his arms. When his lips parted from hers, she murmured his name and rested her head on his shoulder.
    â€œI don’t know if it’s you or the champagne, but my head’s spinning.” Foxy shivered once, then snuggled closer. Lance moved his hand to the base of her neck and tilted her face back to his. Her eyes were dark and heavy, her cheeks flushed, her mouth soft and swollen from his.
    â€œDoes it matter?” His voice was rough as he tightened his grip to bring her closer. She did not resist, but stepped back into the fire. “Isn’t it enough to know that I want you tonight?” he murmured against her ear before his tongue and teeth began to fill her senses again.
    â€œI don’t know. I can’t think.” Drawing away, Foxy took two steps back and shook her head. “Something happens to me when you kiss me. I lose control.”
    â€œIf you’re telling me that so I’ll play fair, Foxy, you’ve miscalculated.” In one quick motion, he closed the distance between them. “I play to win.”
    â€œI know,” she replied and lifted a hand to his cheek. “I know that very well.” Turning, she walked back to the sea wall and breathed deeply to clear her head. She leaned back and lifted her face to the moon. “I always admired your