Eyes dark and glittering, he closed the distance, stopping a millimeter from her lips. “Are you sure?”
“I am.”
In her forty-one years, Addy had sampled every flavor of kiss, from dry to slobbery, from clumsy to seductive, but she’d never known a kiss like Kieran’s.
A soft caress, a sigh of pleasure, the plushness of his lips contrasting with the gentle scrape of his beard. Pulling back, he held her jaw in his big, callused hands and whispered her name, then sealed his mouth to hers. His heat, his low moans as he teased her lips apart and gently, patiently, learned her mouth with decadent strokes—Kieran’s kiss left her breathless, dizzy, completely undone.
After what seemed like hours of swaying together under the moonlight, he broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. “Wow.”
“Amen.” She giggled, clutching his coat lapels to keep from crumpling to the ground. Every inch of her sizzled with desire.
He relaxed his embrace and rested his hands on her hips. “Addy, love, I know you’ve got a busy life far away from here, but I’m going to need more of this.” He brushed a kiss over her temple. “More of you.”
Too lust-drunk to form words, she could only nod. “Yes, please.” Steamy visions crowded her brain: Kieran scooping her into his burly arms, carrying her back inside, and tossing her onto his bed before he...
With a rumbling hum of pleasure, he rained kisses over her closed lids, her nose, her cheeks. “There’s a helluva Halloween Party at Salty Dog Saloon,” he murmured against her temple. “Care to be my date?”
Oops, time to cool her overheated jets before she embarrassed them both. Kieran was a decent, respectful man. Of course he wouldn’t rush her into his bed.
“I’d love to. But that’s not until Thursday.”
And I have to leave a few days after that.
Regret sliced between her ribs.
He nuzzled the sensitive skin behind her ear. “Seems like an eternity, doesn’t it? Tomorrow’s Sunday, lots of visitors to the lighthouse. Care for a sunset picnic?”
“Mmff.” Nodding, she pressed her lips to his. “I’ll bring the food.”
“No, you’re my guest.” He licked into her mouth.
Oh, the tantalizing, teasing delight of Kieran’s velvet tongue! She had to feel that marvel on her skin, her breasts, between her legs.
She raked her fingers through his short curls, eliciting a sexy grunt from the big man. “Tell you what, why don’t you come to my place? I’m renting a cottage on Narwhal Lane. I’ll whip up something while you work.” She’d wash the sheets, too, just in case.
“If you insist, beauty.” He nibbled her lower lip. “But dessert’s on me.”
Addy whimpered at the mental image of Kieran stretched out naked while she drizzled honey over his body and licked him clean.
What was with her tonight? Must be the shock of seeing the ghost, plus all this messy soul baring that left her feeling completely exposed, nerves sizzling with awareness.
Her usual level-headed caution had gone AWOL. Relinquishing her grip on Kieran’s hair, she tunneled her hands beneath his coat, desperate to touch his skin.
But Snoot hadn’t got the memo. At the end of his canine patience, her pup chose that moment to press his head between their knees, snuffling and grumbling.
“Sorry, pal.” Releasing Addy, Kieran bent to ruffle Snoot’s fur. “That’s enough monopolizing your mistress for tonight.”
Oh, it’s not nearly enough.
She sucked in a bracing breath before pecking Kieran’s lips. “Thank you, Keeper, for an unforgettable night. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
“As am I, Doc.” He traced her jawline with his forefinger. “Though the memory of kissing you will likely keep me up all night.”
Heaven help her, how was she supposed to sleep with the image of Kieranupseared into her brain?
Arm in arm, they walked back to the cottage, where Kieran insisted on packing up leftover pie for her to take home.
“All that talking can wear a body out.” Eyes gleaming, he pressed the container into her hands. “And you’ll need your strength for tomorrow.”
