Page 48 of An Unexpected Match
When his tongue skimmed over her lips, she opened them, shivering again at the delight that filled her. Pressing against his chest, she held on tightly, wishing the moment would go on forever.
He deepened the kiss and took her to the stars and beyond.
Sanity returned in short order.
“Don’t pull away Arden,” he muttered, kissing her eyes, her forehead, her cheeks again.
“We can’t do this,” she said breathlessly, resting her forehead against his chin, wishing she could let go of her inhibitions and let the moment take them where it would.
Releasing her hands, which had somehow become locked behind his neck, she slowly drew them down and then pushed lightly against that rock-solid chest.
He released her instantly.
“Do you want me to apologize?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. Never that.”
Taking a deep breath, she moved to the counter, leaning against it gratefully. Her knees were too weak to hold her.
“Then?”
She wished the light was on so she could see him. But then he’d see her. Would he guess how his kisses had affected her? One look and she was sure the entire world would know.
“This can’t go anywhere.”
“It won’t. It’s just a few kisses.” His tone was light.
“Then there’s no point in tempting fate, is there?”
“And is it tempting?”
She shrugged, then realized he couldn’t see her clearly.
“It could be,” she said slowly. “I need to go to bed. I’m going to see my aunts again tomorrow.”
“Running away?” he asked softly.
“Prudently stepping aside,” she said.
Sidestepping to the opening to the family room, she turned and fled to her room as fast as she could.
She leaned against her closed door, reliving his kiss. Powerful and erotic, she still felt the tumbling sensations that made her feel like soft pudding inside.
Pushing away, she hurried to get to bed, determined to put the last few minutes out of her mind and get to sleep.
She could hardly wait to see her aunts. Maybe discuss with them the problem she faced.
How could she be falling for a man who didn’t want any involvement, and who if he ever married again, would want more children, especially sons?
But sleep didn’t come quickly. Arden lay awake a long time, staring into the darkness, and trying to ignore the ache in her heart.
On Sunday, Arden spent the day with her aunts, but elected not to tell them about her feelings for Brendan. She already knew what they’d say. Hadn’t she already planned for her future? Better to carry on with that than risk heartache by falling in love without being able to marry.
She stayed away until after she knew the girls would be asleep. Almost sneaking back into the house, she went directly to her room seeing no one. She heard Brendan moving around, but didn’t call out. Thankfully, he wasn't in the family room.
Monday morning, she delayed going to the kitchen until she heard Hailey calling her. When she entered, the little girl was balanced on the counter, trying to pull down a box of cereal from one of the cupboards.
“What are you doing?” Arden asked, scooping her around the waist and swinging her to the floor.
