“Maybe that kiss affected you more than it did me.”
Dane didn’t even think before he crushed his lips to hers. Like hell she wasn’t affected. And so was he, whether he wanted to be or not. He’d been waiting too long for another sample. Nine whole hours and every minute that went by, he could still taste her. Well, now he didn’t have to fantasize because she was in his arms.
Or more like plastered against him, which was exactly where he wanted her. He hadn’t expected to physically ache for her. Never once did he consider that he would have an issue with self-control. Dane was always in control—except when the nightmares came. But with women? When he’d gone to bed with the few women he’d had since coming home scarred and broken, he’d never relinquished his power or felt out of control.
Dane wrapped his arms around her, settling his hands over her round backside and urging her hips to align with his.
Stella let out a little moan as he coaxed her lips apart and thrust his tongue against hers. There was no hesitation on her end, and much to his surprise, she reached up with her free hand and threaded her fingers through his unruly hair. That slight tug had even more arousal pumping through him.
He turned her toward the back of the leather sofa and lifted her to sit on the top of the cushions. Dane stepped between her spread legs and raked his hands up her bare thighs and beneath the hem of her skirt.
Pulling her hand from between their bodies and out of his grip, Stella reached for the buckle on his belt and gave a swift jerk.
Dane pulled away and worked on taking deep breaths and getting this situation back under his control. He still needed information and it was damn difficult to think with her mouth all over his.
“Why don’t we eat?” he suggested.
Stella blinked and dropped her hands. “Right...um, that is the reason I invited you.”
“And to talk,” he reminded her, because hearing all about her life with her father was of the utmost importance...despite his arousal.
Stella slid off the couch and straightened her dress. Every part of Dane wanted to finish what they’d started—but that just proved that he needed to back away. He had to stay in control, had to keep his eye on the prize and not get distracted by how good she looked. And smelled. And tasted...
Everything about Stella had become more complicated than he’d initially thought. Each moment had to be assessed and plotted.
Dane followed the sway of Stella’s hips as she led the way toward the table for two set up in front of the fireplace. But when she just stood there, looking down at the setting, Dane came up beside her.
“Something wrong?”
Her eyes shifted to him and she smiled. “Let’s take dinner onto the balcony.”
The climate-controlled, glassed-in balcony off the bedroom would be less intimate.
“Sounds good to me.”
They both filled their plates and grabbed their wineglasses before heading out to the cozy, spacious area high above the valley. This was just another area he and Ethan had enjoyed when they came to stay with their mother. They’d pretend they were military spies looking over
enemy territory.
Dane glanced to the L-shaped sofa and pushed aside the memories of when the space had three plaid upholstered chairs for Ethan, their mother and Dane. Their stepfather was often out doing business, leaving the three of them alone, which had been just fine with Dane. From day one he’d had an odd feeling about the guy his mother had married, but it hadn’t been until after his mother’s death that that feeling had grown into full-fledged hatred.
Stella took a seat in the corner of the sofa and extended her legs out, propping her plate on her lap. Dane sat on the other end and balanced his plate on one leg and sat his wineglass on the maple table before him.
“Is this the first time this week you’ve made it back to your room at a reasonable time?” he asked, stabbing the steak with his fork.
“Yes.” She took a sip of her wine and leaned to the side to put her glass next to his. “The first time in a lot longer than a week, actually. I’ve never had a reason to get back to my room by a certain time. Nothing seemed as important as being with my staff and ensuring all the guests’ needs were attended to.”
“I’m flattered I ranked above that,” he commented.
“Oh, if I get a call, I’m heading back down,” she stated with a laugh. “Nothing comes between me and my goals.”
Dane shot her a side glance and found her looking back at him. Apparently he’d been added to her goal list, which was fine with him. But then the scars would come up and that wasn’t exactly a point he wanted to discuss.
And yet another niggling speared at him. She had no clue why he was here, what he was capable of doing...what he would ultimately take from her.
Guilt could be all-consuming, but he had to remain focused. He had to see this through.
Dane forced his eyes back to his plate and focused on the meal. Guilt had no place here, not if he wanted to complete this mission. It wasn’t his fault that she’d ended up in this situation, nor was it his duty to protect innocent people.