That concern cloaked her in strength, and fueled her own. She could do this. And yet she wished hed touch her again, for comfort, for She could still feel his fingers on her jaw. Could imagine them sinking into her hair-
Suzanne?
Ready, she said quickly before he thought she was having a meltdown. If she was in danger of a meltdown, it was one of the senses, not of fear.
But how could she explain to herself the panic she suddenly felt wasnt due to the storm at all, but in stead was due to the fact that she could feel her heart thumping painfully at the touch of this incredibly appealing stranger? She didnt want this adrenaline rush that signified awareness of him as a man. She didnt!
He tugged her hand until she was on her knees facing him, and at the reassuring look in his eyes, she swallowed hard. She knew he would do whatever he had to in order to keep her safe. It made her knees weak. It made her yearn, when shed promised her self no more yearning.
Well be out of here before you know it. Another harsh crack of thunder reverberated through their small space, and Suzanne just about plowed him over in her haste to follow him.
Thats it, he murmured. Stay close.
Stay close? Shed be on top of him if she could. On her hands and knees, she crawled after him, under the fallen tree, squinting against the howling wind, thinking her life was literally in the hands of this man in front of her.
Which really explained her odd reaction to him, she decided. Fear and adrenaline were powerful emotions. No doubt, in the light of day things would be back to normal. Shed go to work, balance her checking account, figure out if she had any money this week to start buying furniture-
Boom.
The thunder startled the breath right out of her, but Ryan was right there, helping her out from under the branches, slipping an arm around her waist. Hey, just Mother Nature moaning and bitching. Were okay.
They were okay. Good. Okay was good. She lifted her head and found his mouth only an inch from hers.
He had a wide, firm mouth, and she suddenly, inanely wondereddid it know how to pleasure a woman?
His eyes were dark, gazed locked on to hers. Oh yeah, she thought shakily. He knew.
Oh, God, where were these inappropriate thoughts coming from? They were coming from her own desire, a desire she didnt understand. As she realized it, in the dim glow of the night, she saw the dangerous flare of a mirroring desire in his eyes.
And for a long heartbeat, neither of them moved.
You ready? he finally asked.
Yeah. Imready.
His gaze shifted to her mouth, he slowly nodded. Were just going to climb through the opening and get onto the ladder.
Right. Climb through the opening and onto the ladder. Got it.
The next flash of lightning, immediately followed by a bone-rattling boom of thunder came so suddenly after the stillness, they both jerked.
Oh, God, she whispered a little tearfully, her heart in her throat. I really could use that ice cream.
I wish I had some. The thunder continued to echo around them. But as far as distraction goes, he murmured. I do have this. Lifting her against him, he surrounded her with his heat, his strength, before closing his mouth over hers.
Her hands fisted in his hair, looking for balance in a world where there was suddenly none to be had. His kiss was glorious, made more so by the dark of the night, by the wet of the storm, by the lingering fear and adrenaline.
But then he slowly pulled back. Suzanne just barely managed not to cry out her protest. Through the darkness she could hear his ragged breathing-a ragged breathing that matched her own-as he stared at her and it was all she could do not to yank him back to her. Just as that thought formed in her mind, he lowered his head again, brushing his mouth over hers, almost in a question. She answered by slanting her mouth to better fit his, and then with a grateful, mutual groan, they sank into another wet, hot, long kiss.
With all that had happened to her already that night, a mere kiss shouldnt have been able to send more sensation rocketing through her, but thats exactly what it did. And then he was looking down at her, his breath coming hard and fast, a sort of stunned wonder on his face that she knew matched her own.
While she stood there, dizzy and weak-kneed and hot-blooded all at the same time, he ran a finger over her jaw, then turned back to the chore of getting them out.
SUZANNE FIGURED going down the ladder in Ryans flapping shirt and little else, being greeted by his crew, a freaked out Taylor and the fire truck that had come to help, would headline her nightmares for some time to come.
But when it was over, less than an hour had passed since shed been awakened by the tree hitting her bedroom.
A horrified Taylor insisted Suzanne share her own second story apartment, which had not been touched by the storm. There was no electricity, but with the flashlight Ryan had given her, she had no trouble seeing Taylors bedroom, and the finery in it. The bed was a four poster king that even she, in all her antique ignorance, knew had to be worth a hefty fortune.
I know, Taylor said, her voice husky with exhaustion. Im cash poor and asset rich. Stupid, huh? I could sell this stuff and get rid of the nations debt. She looked around, a sadness in her eyes that said there was far more to her story than shed let on. After spending so much time searching and buying it allI just cant. I love the pieces too much. She shrugged off the melancholy and shoved what looked like very expensive, very silk pajamas into Suzannes hands. Here, take these things and help yourself to a hot shower. Or I could draw you a bubble bath, if youd rather.
Oh, no, I-
And while youre soaking, Ill fix you a snack-
Taylor-
Do you like cheese and crackers? I have some wine-
Taylor. She smiled into Taylors pensive features. Im okay. Really. Im not going to sue you or anything.
Surprising her, Taylor suddenly sagged a little, then grabbed Suzanne close in a fierce bear hug that sucked the oxygen right out of her. Do you think I care about money? she asked in a horrified whisper. My God, youre my friend and my attempts at cost-cutting nearly got you killed tonight.
A little flustered, Suzanne pulled back. Friend?
We bonded over our singlehood together, didnt we? Do you think I do that with just anyone? Abruptly, Taylor turned away. Wrapping her arms around herself, she stared out into the dark, stormy night. Im so sorry, Suzanne. Ill never forgive myself for what happened tonight, for what could have happened.
But Im okay. Taylor, look at me. Suzanne held out her arms, still wearing Ryans shirt. It smelled like him, and for a moment she remembered exactly what it had felt like to be held by the man who owned that delicious one-hundred-percent male scent. Not a scratch on me.
Are you going to leave?
Wellit might be hard to live in a loft without a roof.
You can take the apartment next to mine.
Thats very sweet, but these units are twice as big.
Im sure I cant afford it.
You can, because Im going to give it to you for the same price as the loft. This month free of course, as reimbursement for what happened tonight. Please Suzanne, please stay.
The thought of finding another place exhausted her, but she felt as if she was taking advantage of the situation. Taylor-
Its important to me. Already youre important to me.
It had been a very long time since someone had wanted her around, really wanted her around. Oh, her family loved her, she was certain. But they didnt show love easily, if at all. And lately, true to Carter form, shed followed suit, drifting from one relationship to another, making sure to ruin the men emotionally before she got too attached.
This strange bond with Taylor threw her because of its immediate depth, and yet it made her feel good at the same time. Thank you, she said simply.
Is that a yes?
Its a thank God, yes, I want to stay. Suzanne let out a sheepish smile. I dont really care to see how warm I can get my car right now.
Taylor let out a grateful smile, then bustled Suzanne into the shower.
BY THE TIME Suzanne stepped out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom, there was hot cocoa waiting.
Dont get used to this, Taylor warned. Im far more used to being served than being the server. She slipped into one side of the bed, leaving Suzanne with enough room on her side for a small army.
Climbing into bed required the last of her depleted energy. She pulled up the silky sheets and weighty blanket, grateful for the warmth. It would be a shame to sell this bed. Its so luxurious.
I know, but with it, and all the other antiques I have in storage, I could start the renovations.
Wow, thats terrific. Suzanne felt awed by the collectors spirit, something shed never personally experienced. Somehow her lifestyle to date made it easier to travel light.
Its been a terribly expensive hobby, Taylor admitted, fluffing her pillows. And one I can no longer afford, obviously. But no worries. First thing tomorrow well get you down from the loft and into the apartment next door. Then after Ryan is done with the tree extraction, Ill start on everything else. Ill need an architect, a contractor-
Ryan. Just the sound of his name had Suzanne wide awake again. Shed never again think of him as just the Gorgeous Crazy Tree Guy. Hed become her hero. And as such, a man to avoid at all costs. He was tempting enough to make her forget her vow to remain single and she wouldnt be able to live with herself if she destroyed her hero like shed destroyed her ex-fiancés. Hes going to be around then?
All week, I imagine, getting that tree out and the others down.
All week. Would he talk to her in that voice of his, the one that said she was the only woman he saw? Would he touch her with those warm, sure hands? Or better yet, would he lean in and put that incredible mouth back on hers?
Oh, boy, there it went again, her vivid imagination. She didnt want this inexplicable attraction. No sirree. She didnt need anyone or anything but herself and her chef job.
No matter how much her tingly nipples told her otherwise.
No matter how much her tingly nipples told her otherwise.