Breathlessly he struggled up on one elbow so he could lean over her and stare into her unforgettable face. He watched the laughter fade from her eyes, as they darkened with sensual awareness.
Knowing he broke every rule, but unable to resist, Joss lowered his head and placed his lips on hers.
Chapter 7
Maggie knew Joss was going to kiss her. She even had time to say the words that would tell him not to.
Except she’d wanted him to kiss her since the moment skating had turned into flying.
No, that was a lie. She’d wanted him to kiss her yesterday, when they’d had such fun in the woods, cutting the greenery for the house.
Fun…
Who knew what fun fun could be?
Today had been fun, too. But fun spiced with a physical awareness that made every word, every touch feel like the gateway to some profound transformation. When his lips, a delicious mixture of cold and heat, met hers, she arched up in silent welcome. She slid her arm around his neck, knocking his hat off into the snow.
He gave a muffled grunt of amusement against her lips, before everything changed to dark delight. The warmth of his lips turned her bones to liquid, as she sank into a new and glorious world.
She’d never been kissed before. Her first reaction was surprise at the intimacy. Sharing breath with Joss felt like sharing her soul. Then more surprise when he nipped at her lower lip. The brief sting sent a shock of pleasure rushing through her.
She gasped. And gasped again when the tip of his tongue slipped through to taste her. He made a sound of appreciation deep in his throat and lifted her higher against his body. This was like being in a bear’s embrace. He was so big and hot and strong, and she felt so deliciously fragile in his arms.
Fragile yet strangely powerful.
She flexed gloved hands against the curls at his nape, striving to etch each sensation into her memory. In the lonely years to come, she would take out this exquisite moment and relive every detail. The subtle movement of his lips, soft yet demanding. The scent of his skin, warm male and sharp air. The press of the snow at her back. The way his arms lashed her into his chest as if he never wanted to let her go.
This time when his tongue flicked along the seam of her lips, Maggie opened to him. Immediately the kiss changed, flaring from gentle exploration to urgent demand.
When he slid his tongue into her mouth, she gave a muffled whimper. But the strangeness faded as desire burgeoned. A deep, insistent throbbing started between her legs, and she instinctively tilted her hips toward him.
Joss groaned and sucked her tongue into his mouth. Despite her innocence, Maggie recognized a blatant invitation to imitate how he kissed her. Feeling daring, she flickered her tongue along his. His salty taste flooded her senses and made her blood pump with wanton heat. She buried her hands in his hair and gave herself up to him.
His hands stroked along her body, until the barrier of clothing between them became unbearable. She made a soft sound of discontent and bowed up to press against him. His hand caught her breast, and despite all those layers of wool, the shock of the contact made her stiffen. Her nipple tightened in swift, aching demand for more.
“Hell,” he muttered and wrenched away to collapse flat on his back beside her.
Maggie didn’t immediately move, although the snow had started to seep through her thick clothing. His kisses had been so intoxicating, she lay lost in a dream of delight. Her lips tingled from the cold air and the pressure of his.
Then she turned her head and was dismayed to see how wretched he looked. “Joss?”
“We shouldn’t have done that.” She’d never heard him sound so grim.
Oh, dear Lord. Had she done something to displease him? She’d loved his kisses, but perhaps her inexperienced enthusiasm had disgusted him.
Feeling sick, she pushed herself up on her elbows, the better to read his expression. Then was sorry that she had. He looked tormented, and deep lines bracketed his mouth.
“I thought…I thought you liked it,” she said in a shaky voice.
He stared up at the trees, as if they held the answer to all his questions. “Of course I bloody liked it,” he bit out. “Too much.”
She frowned, not understanding how his ardor had changed so quickly to this bitterness. “Then why are you angry with me?”
His lips turned down in self-derision. “I’m not angry with you.”
She shivered at his curt tone. As the afternoon drew in, the air grew colder. When Joss had kissed her, she’d foolishly imagined she’d never feel cold again. “Then what’s wrong?”
At last he looked at her. The green eyes were dull and unhappy. “You’re not that innocent, Margaret.”