The Hellion and The Heartbreaker by Jennifer McNare

and she didn’t want it to
end.  They stood alone in the quiet stable, only a few feet apart, but
suddenly it felt like a mile.  She wanted to reach out and touch him more
than anything in the world.  The sudden longing was unfamiliar, but also
fierce and undeniable. 
    Do something, before it’s too late, her inner voice
commanded.  Her mind raced as a dozen different notions flitted through
her thoughts.  Suddenly she had an idea, something Bethany had done once
before when she’d fancied one of the young stable hands.  But did she have
the nerve to do it herself?  Her pulse quickened and before she could put
too much thought into it, she looked past Alec and gave a small shriek. 
Launching herself at him, she pressed her body fully against his in feigned
alarm, her hands tightly gripping the front of his coat.
    Instinctively, Alec’s arms went around Scarlett as she
hurtled into him.  Pulling her close, he turned to see what had frightened
her.  Scanning the area, he saw nothing untoward and quickly turned back
around, looking questioningly upon her upturned face.
    “A mouse,” she said, pointing a finger toward a shadowy
corner, the folds of his coat still held firmly in her grasp.
    Alec looked to where she was pointing.  “I don’t see
anything.”
    Scarlett continued to cling to him, savoring the feel of
being held in his arms, despite their heavy winter clothing.  “Are you
certain?” she asked, trying to appear frightened and apprehensive.
    Alex turned his gaze back to Scarlett and suddenly became
aware of just how tightly her body was pressed against his own.  How easy
it would be to dip his head and capture the sweet fullness of her lips, he
noticed.  “For someone who practically grew up in a stable, I’m surprised
that you would be frightened by the sight of a mouse,” he teased softly,
fighting against the treacherous thoughts that swirled within his head.
    “Silly isn’t it?” she replied breathlessly.
    “Well I think it’s gone.  Are you alright now?” he
murmured.
    Scarlett didn’t respond, the words lodging in her throat as
she relished in Alec’s nearness.  Their faces were only inches
apart.  Their eyes locked and held for an endless moment.  She parted
her lips just the tiniest bit and Alec’s teasing smile faded.  She
beckoned him with her eyes.
    Alec’s sanity fled.  As if without conscious thought, he
lowered his head and brushed his lips softly against Scarlett’s.  She
returned the kiss without hesitation, and when his lips became more demanding,
she responded in kind.  Before he knew it, he was lost.
    Though she was a novice, the kiss felt so natural, so
right.  She opened her mouth at his gentle coaxing, her knees nearly
buckling as his tongue traced the delicate curve of her lips and then moved to
plunder the softness within.  She was stunned at how much she liked the
shockingly intimate caress.  Of their own accord, her hands traveled
upward, her fingers delving into the thick, dark hair at the base of his neck
as she crushed her body against his.  Boldly she touched her tongue to
his.  Alec’s muffled groan of satisfaction was like an aphrodisiac. 
Apparently she was doing something right.  The kiss deepened and Scarlett
wanted it to last forever.
    Alec mentally cursed the thick barrier of their clothing as
Scarlett crushed her body against his own.  Though warning bells rang in
his head, he couldn’t seem to stop himself from drawing her even closer. 
Despite the danger, the physical attraction he felt toward Scarlett was so
intense and overpowering that it was impossible to suppress.  Her
enthusiastic response to his kiss was perilous to a man unaccustomed to denying
his physical desires.  He attracted women like a loadstone, he always had,
and self-denial wasn’t his strongest attribute.  He knew he should stop,
before things went too far.  He had to stop now.  He didn’t. 
Tangling his fingers in her long tresses, he ravaged her