Ean searched her features for a sign that she was wavering in her disagreement. He found nothing. “I want to explore this attraction between us.”
Megan’s breath caught in her throat. She coughed to dislodge it. “That’s direct.”
Ean’s features eased into his smile. “I thought you’d prefer that.”
She wouldn’t bother to deny their attraction. They’d both know she was lying. Megan led them from the bright foyer to the deeper shadows of the living room.
She settled onto the sofa. “It’s never been only a question of when you were leaving. I also don’t know whether Ramona will be able to let you go.”
Irritation creased his brow. “She walked out on me.” Ean sat beside her. “We’d been living together for less than a year before she told me she was returning to Trinity Falls with or without me.”
Megan shifted on the cushion to face him. “I’m really not sure, Ean. If Ramona still has feelings for you, I don’t want to get in her way.”
Which was much more loyalty than Ramona would ever show her. So why did she care? Because when she’d needed Ramona, her cousin had stayed. And when the town had needed her, Ramona had stayed longer.
Ean shook his head in disgust. “The only thing Ramona wants from me is a New York address. I’ve told her the same thing I’ve told you—I’m staying in Trinity Falls.”
Megan’s pulse beat harder. She stood and crossed the room, hiding her reaction to his words in deeper shadows. “But your being here may have brought back her feelings for you.”
Ean’s touch on her shoulder startled Megan. She hadn’t heard him approach. She turned to face him and was caught by the intensity in his olive eyes.
“I don’t want Ramona. I want you.” Ean lowered his mouth to hers.
CHAPTER 16
His taste was more than fourteen-year-old Megan could have imagined. Mysterious and dark, tempting her curiosity. Open and bright, sharing all that he was. Megan leaned closer, taking the kiss even deeper. Her control was slipping away. She wanted to get closer. She needed to taste more. She hooked her arms behind his back, pressing her breasts harder against his chest. She sent her tongue after Ean’
s, showing him what she wanted—his touch, his heat, his essence.
Ean tightened his arms around her waist, pulling her body to his. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, stroking her moist cavern with a suggestive pulse. Megan groaned deep in her throat. She’d dreamed of this. Her hips picked up their rhythm, moving against him with her own demands.
Ean shifted his hands lower to her hips, taking hold of her buttocks and raising her against him. Even with the layers of clothes between them, the sensation of his desire pulsing against the apex of her thighs set Megan’s body on fire. She tore free of his lips and threw back her head with a gasp. Her muscles ached. Her nipples tightened. She wanted more. She drilled her fingers into his shoulders.
Megan’s eyes popped open at the feel of Ean’s knit sweater beneath her hands. “Off.”
He froze, loosening his hold on her. “What?”
“Your sweater. Off.” Her words croaked.
Ean smiled as he set her free. He stepped back and, with his left hand, pulled off his sweater, letting it drop to her carpet.
His body was a masterpiece. Broad, molded shoulders, sculpted pecs and hard, flat abdominals. Dark hair lightly covered his chest, leading a tempting trail to the waistband of his denim jeans. She could stare at him all night. She’d rather lay with him, instead.
Megan lifted her gaze to his. She cleared her throat. “Your body . . . It’s incredible.”
The look in Ean’s eyes made her damp. “Your turn.”
“Yes.” She raised her arms to unbutton her suit jacket.
Ean stepped forward and nudged her hands aside. “Let me.”
“All right.” Her voice trembled. Was it nerves or need?
He took hold of her jacket. His fingers lingered on the bottom button. He leaned closer to her, pressing his face against her hair.
“I love the way you smell.” His voice, low and husky, shared a secret in her ear.
Oh, God. This was seduction. She’d never experienced it this way before. “It’s soap.” Her heart was beating too fast. She could barely speak.