Colleen nodded.
“I thought they’d leave tomorrow,” Eric said.
“They always leave after dinner. The kids usually fall asleep in the car. That way, they have the whole day tomorrow to goof off in the city. There’s a pancake place they always have to go to for breakfast, and Marc has tickets to a basketball game tomorrow—”
He interrupted her breathless rambling.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded, his manner fleetingly reminding her of how he might respond to a scattered parent who’d forgotten to tell him something crucial about his patient in the emergency room.
“I tried to,” she said defensively, giving him a pointed glare. “But you ran out of the house so fast, I didn’t get a chance.”
He released her coat like the material had burned him. “Why are you here?”
Not only his questions, but the blazing look in his dark eyes seemed to shine a blinding spotlight on her. She averted her gaze. Looking at him seemed to make her heart beat even more uncomfortably in her ears.
She dug deep for courage and slipped off her coat, hanging it on an antique armoire with hooks affixed alongside the mirror. She smoothed her skirt and shifted her feet, studying him through lowered lashes. “I just came to a decision, that’s all.”
“A decision,” he said deadpan, his eyes narrowed on her, his nostrils slightly flared.
“Yes,” she said with false cheerfulness. “And I really couldn’t have told you earlier, because I technically just decided on my way over to your house.”
“Are we talking about the decision…the rational decision?”
“That would be the one. Although…” She gulped as she met his stare. “I think we both have come to the conclusion that there isn’t much rational—” she waved her finger between their bodies “—about this.”
Her cheeks heated at his slow smile. He stepped toward her and leaned down. Her face was only inches away from his bare chest. His nipples were dark brown—small and erect from the chill of the outdoor temperature on his damp skin. When she inhaled, she smelled soap and felt a tingle of warmth on her lips.
His fresh, male scent and shower-steamed, heated body caused a shudder to go through her. He placed his hands on her upper arms and chafed her, mistaking her desire for cold. “Actually, I think it’s the most logical choice you’ve ever made.”
He pressed her body against his. She swore she could feel his heat emanating straight through her clothes. He kissed her, hard and sure. His tongue entered her mouth, stroking
her firmly, leaving her in little doubt she was about to be claimed. He tasted like spearmint toothpaste and Eric. Colleen was thankful he had a firm grip on her, her legs grew so weak. He lifted his head a moment later and shifted his hands, stroking her sides and settling on her hips.
She gave a little squeak of alarm when he lifted her into his arms and she was airborne. She glanced up at him, embarrassed by her yelp, only to see him looking down at her, grinning.
No. Beyond grinning. He looked triumphant…like he carried a priceless treasure he’d fought hard to win.
Despite his smile, his gaze scorched as he strode down the hallway and then carried her up the stairs.
Chapter Ten
When they reached his bedroom he didn’t bother to turn on a lamp, but Colleen was able to make out a few details due to the hall light flooding into the room. Two chairs with a table between them stood in a circular alcove surrounded by windows. The draperies were made of a rich, ivory colored fabric and were closed at the moment. She caught a glimpse of the bed before Eric laid her on it. It was king-size and covered in streamlined yet luxurious bedding.
Despite her anxiety, she sighed in pleasure when Eric laid her down. The duvet and pillows felt thick and soft. His singular scent filled her nose. He sat next to her on the bed, his hands still at her shoulders. His face was cast in shadow, but she saw the glint in his eyes as he looked down at her.
“You’re still shivering,” he murmured, rubbing her upper arms.
“I…I think it’s nerves, to be honest. I haven’t done this in a very long time,” she said in a thin whisper.
“Are you sure about this, Colleen?”
She nodded, unable to remove her gaze from his shadowed face. “Yes. What about you?”
He laughed, low and rough, causing the back of her neck to prickle in pleasure. “Are you kidding?” He leaned down and brushed his nose against hers. She instinctively tilted her chin up, seeking out his lips with her own. A sigh caught in her throat when their mouths touched. His hand swept along the side of her sweater, lifting it. She sat forward slightly, assisting him as he whisked it over her head. She sunk back on the pillows, her long hair falling in disarray all around her.
Her entire awareness focused on the sensation of Eric’s hands spread along the sides of her naked waist. He swept his palms along her ribs and back, seeming hungry to soak in the sensation of her skin against his own. The surrounding air felt cool, but Eric was warm. Hot. The contrast was delicious. Nerve endings sprung to attention wherever he touched. Pleasure swamped her awareness, leaving her a little stunned. It really had been too long for her. She’d forgotten how sublime it felt to have a man touch her.
Or had she ever known, to this degree?