Chapter Ten

Large hands looped around her waist and urged her to fit closely to the cradle of his lean hips. Long fingers spanned the swell of her hips and dipped low to the base of her spine.

Automatically, her hands found his forearms. Hair roughened flesh warmed her fingertips. She tilted her head back to look up at his tanned face. His eyes gleamed down at her as his fingers etched a heated trail up her backbone. One big hand slid beneath her long, tumbled curls to encircle her slender neck. A callused thumb rested momentarily on the throbbing pulse in her throat.

"Hello beautiful" he said softly. "Here we are.. Again"

She smiled. "Here we are" acutely aware of the heat of his body. Somewhere her brain questioned the audacity of her lips and her vanishing inhibitions as her palms sought and found the width of his shoulders.

He guided her into an intricate dance routine. When she followed him easily, he said, "I was right. You move like liquid silk"

Emma stiffened as he drew her more tightly against him, her heart pumping frantically against her ribs. He was touching her as if he owned her!.

His chin muzzled her temple. His whisper vibrated against her cheek. "Shh, honey. Don't pull away.". The hoarse plea sank into Emma's bones. "You feel food woman. Relax" His husky command contained amusement. "I'm not a big bad wolf come to eat you. Though you look tempting". He added.

Enfolfed in his arms, Emma drifted into the strains of the song, easily matching his movements as they circled the dance floor.

A second slow number began, and Daniel kept her locked to his tall body. "Stay here honey" he murmured against her ear as the music floated softly around them. He placed a fingertip beneath her chin and raised her face to his. "I have known you for a while now.. And I haven't got to opportunity to really talk to you. So tell me... Are you from around here?"

"No I'm not" she answered. "And you are not either.. Right?"

"You're right... I'm not. Business brought me here". He guided her through several complicated steps and settled her lightly against him. "From that first day we met.. When you looked at me... I knew things weren't gonna be boring as I expected."

"I looked at you" she repeated.

"That's right. It's hard not to notice you know" he said as he studied the curling halo around her head. "Do you come here often?"

His chest brushed her breasts, and she swallowed, exhaling slowly. This man should be marked "high voltage."

"No I don't go out much. I guess I'm a home-body.

The thick brows lifted in disbelief." You are kidding " he stated flatly. The rough glide of a finger down her cheek left a heated trail."How come you are here tonight?"

"My friends made me. Karen to be precise". She answered

His hands tightened around her lower back. "it's been a long time since I met anyone like you"

Something in his tone suggested he found her peculiar.

The muscles in his arms shifted to bring her closer as they performed a thigh to thigh pivot. He brought a hand up to her spine and across her shoulder to sift through her long heavy hair. "You've got really beautiful hair"

"Thanks" she said not knowing what else to say.

The singer's last notes faded into silence, and Emma leaned closer to hear his reply. His brawny shoulders seared her fingertips, imprinting her body with his hard heat. "So you are here just for business?" she asked

He chuckled. "Yes honey. I make my home wherever I happen to be. But I have never held anything as sweet as you in my arms"

She shivered beneath the dark glow of desire in his eyes, felt the warm wash of blood rise to her cheeks.

"I can't believe it" he chuckled. "Even in this light. I can see you are blushing"

Emma couldn't stop the heated flush from deepening. "Are you going to tease me or dance?" she asked, unable to keep her eyes off the deep cleft in his chin.

His right hand caressed the curve of her spine. His mouth lowered to her temple. "Come on baby, give me a break" He murmured against her skin. "All I know right now is that I've got a whole lot of woman in my arms"

Emma followed his slow lead, her cheek pressed against his shoulder. Her lashes swept shut, spiking her cheeks. A sudden turn of his body sent his solid chest against her sensitized breasts, and she gave a long shuddering sigh.

As his lips prowled her temple, suddenly Emma wanted his mouth on hers

Her palms smoothed the cotton covering his broad shoulders as she edged closer. He felt... Just right.

"Oh honey" he groaned. "Don't move like that". His arms tightened, his breath quickened.

Aware of her body's rising needs, she reveled in his response as proof of her feminine powers. As his large hands caressed her, Emma arched against each stroke, then rubbed the cotton fabric with her cheek, her lips parted. Another shudder passed through him, and she smiled secretly.

Nuzzling the firm comfort of his shoulder, she delighted in the male musk permeating the lighter scents of smoke and spiced after shave. A curling mat of hair escaped his collar and tickled her nose. She blew into the shirts V-neck and felt his muscles tense against her cheek

It had been so long since she had made love...

She floated, harbored in strong arms that warmed and comforted. She nuzzled his neck, which felt momentarily cool against her flushed cheek. A ripple shuddered down his tall frame, once more proving her powers. A sharp, indrawn breath brought his hard chest against her breasts as his thigh parted hers. It remained within that juncture as they swayed, their feet barely moving.

He leaned back, drawing her weight upon him. His thigh rhythmically prodded hers, the erotic beat warm and solid. His mouth firm against her temple, he made no effort to shield her from the evidence of his desire.

She moaned as his rough jaw grazed the fine satin of her ckeek. Within the depths of her throat, the husky sound became a purr. Her fingertips traced patterns over his tense shoulders. His hands guided her hips against his, and warm, golden honey melted Emma's knees.

The music stopped, and the band took a break.

Daniel's arms tightened possesively around Emma before he possesively released her with a low growl. Hands on her waist, he leaned back against the locked circle of her arms.

She swayed against him, mesmerized by the harsh contours of his face. A flush stained his high cheekbone. His deep-set, probing eyes belied his easy hold on her.

Unbidden, Emma's left hand rose ; with an index finger she traced the features of the arrogant face. For a moment she had mystical powers, as if she were holding a great beast at bay merely by the touch of her finger.

His eyes closed slowly at her first stroke, his long lashes looking sift. Then, as her hand molded the ridge of his jaw, the ebony eyes opened again to look down at her.

Oblivious to the passing couples returning to their seats, Emma traced his masculine mouth, probing his lower lip's sensuous fullness. His teeth closed gently on the sensitive pad, and she stared at him, her body feeling strangely heavy.

His hands tightened on her hips. "Come with me, lady". He rasped against her palm.

She looked at him blankly, dazed by her need and the potent drug of his body.

The black gaze seared her face. "Your friend is tied up with his blonde. He won't notice. We could go to my place. Or a motel if you prefer to go there.

Abruptly her sensual mist cleared into the reality of the bar's neon lights, and Emma shivered. He expected her to warm his bed! She frowned up at him, stepping back from this embrace.

"We are too old to be coy about things like this, aren't we, honey?" his deep voice rasped. "I want to be with you. And your body isn't saying no" He said

"Well I'm saying it... No" she retorted.

Who did he think he was. What did he think she was?

Ignoring the dark anger on his face, she walked stiffly to where Tom was nuzzling the blonde. "Could you please take me home. I have had enough. Karen is with Frank and I think Monica left with that guy she was with. You can come back afterward... Please?"

"Oh honey." The blonde protested.

Tom looked at Karen, then at the girl in his arms. "Ah, Kathy, this is my friend, Emma. I can drop Emma off and come right back. Would you like to come along?"

Kathy agreed, and Tom led the two women away from the dance floor.

As they left, Emma refused to glance at Daniel. But her back felt scorched by the heat of his angry gaze.