“Why are you here?” To give herself something to do, she went over to the counter, opposite Ethan, to pour a cup off coffee. Turning, she leaned against the counter so they were facing each other, her steaming cup held up like a shield. A mere three feet separated them. If he tried anything, he was going to end up wearing her coffee.
“Well, let’s see. You didn’t return my calls-”
“That should tell you something.” Interrupting seemed like the best line of defense.
“You ran away last night-” It didn’t work.
“I didn’t run.” Another interruption in the name of self-defense.
“Yes you did. I kissed you. You liked it, got scared and ran.” His voice was firm and left no argument.
He had her there. She had run. Run from him and what he would do to her heart if she let him. Because she loved him and he didn’t love her. In a case of flight or fight, she had run. But that didn’t mean she had to admit to it. She put the coffee cup down with a snap.
“Why are you here? What do you want?” It was best to keep on topic, the topic of his unwanted presence.
“That’s two questions. First, why am I here? To get what I wanted last night…” his voice trailed off suggestively.
She straightened in outrage. “As if you cocky bastard.”
“Which is to talk. Something you refused to do last night.”
Rather than say anything she settled for an evil glare as she picked up her cup for another sip of coffee.
“And second, what do I want? You. I want you.”
The statement was blunt and Sophia felt it like a punch to the solar-plex. There was a moment of silence, Ethan waiting for her response, but she was clueless as to what that response might be.
“Well, you had me and threw me way.” She couldn’t keep the bitterness from her voice. "Remember? I do.” And how she remembered. Every friggin’ day and night.
“That’s not true.” Frustration lent an edge to his tone she chose to ignore.
“Really?” She could feel herself starting to tremble. Time for him to go. Past time. “This is pointless. We could argue all day.” Turning, she gave him her back. Her cup landed with a thump, betraying her agitation.
“You’re absolutely right. This conversation is pointless.”
The tone gave her a split second warning, but it was too late for her to do anything anyway. Colors blurred as hard hands clamped down on her shoulders and spun her around. She had but a second to get her bearings and look up into his face, before he slammed his mouth down over hers. It was a wild, dominant kiss. He wasn’t asking permission, rather he was taking what he wanted. His tongue thrust into her mouth, licking and curling around hers. The warm, velvet slide of his tongue along hers was intoxicating, melting any resistance she had thought to offer. Her will power had not improved. Instead it was as if the kiss last night had whetted her appetite for, more. Knees crumpling, she collapsed against him, depending on him for support. One hand clamped to the back of her head and tangled in her wet hair. The other gripped her ass and pulled her into his groin. Her thin, damp robe offered no protection. She could feel his steely length pressing into her stomach, the hard muscles of his chest firm against her nipples. Wild sensations and emotions ripped through her. She wanted to crawl inside him; she wanted to tear away from him.
Stop.
The word floated in her head.
Don’t do this.
Warning. Warning. This is not a good idea.
Lifting her hands, she grasped each side of his, as if to pull him away. Her hands slid into the silk of his hair. Yet, it was already too late. She gave up without a fight. Gave up with a whimper. His smell, his taste, the pressure of his body pressing into hers was more than she could fight, a whimper escaped her throat. Last night’s kiss had reawakened her desire for him. Her hunger. Maybe she could have resisted, if he hadn’t kissed her last night. But he had. And just like that she was addicted again, addicted to him and in need of her next fix.
