Family Man

nape of her neck, enjoying the silken feel of her skin. Her scent slowly filled him, sinking deeply into his awareness. He could feel the enticing thrust of her breasts against his chest and the curve of her hip pressed into his thigh. His body was already tight and hard with arousal. He took her mouth hungrily as he lowered himself along the length of her.
    For a moment nothing happened. Nothing at all.
    Luke was so consumed by the rising tide of his own desire that it took him several heartbeats to become aware that Katy was not responding to him. The knowledge stunned him when it finally worked its way into his brain. She was not fighting him, but she was not exactly melting, either.
    He was chagrined to realize that she was just lying against the cushions. Her body was stiff, her mouth primly closed. He wondered irritably if she was waiting for some grand revelation from on high before she deigned to surrender to the human emotion of passion.
    A terrible sense of impending disaster welled up in Luke. He could not believe he was this aroused by someone who did not want him as much as he wanted her. Surely this kind of powerful, driving need had to be mutual.
    Luke took Katy's earlobe between his teeth. She tensed as if she actually expected him to bite her.
    Frustration washed through him. What the hell did she want from him? he wondered. It had occurred to him that she might challenge him in this arena, just as she challenged him in other areas of their relationship. He had been prepared to deal with a variety of reactions—but not a lack of reaction.
    He was certain she had been aware of him on this fundamental level right from the start. All his masculine instincts had assured him she was as conscious of the electrical charge that crackled in the atmosphere around them as he was.
    Luke lifted his head, dazed. He could not believe she was not caught up in the currents of sexual tension flowing between them. He did not want to believe it.
    Deliberately he crushed Katy into the cushions. He bent his knee, forcing his leg up alongside her hip. The movement pushed her turquoise skirts up above her knees. A new wave of excitement roared through him when he felt her nylon-clad thigh next to his leg. Katy's lips moved against his for the first time.
    “Luke? I really don't think this is a good idea.”
    “Damn it, is that all you can say?”
    “Well, it's not as if you're my type, and I'm certainly not yours. And given the fact that we have to work together for the next six months, I think it would be best if we avoided this sort of entanglement, don't you?”
    With a husky groan Luke sealed her mouth shut with his own. He thereby effectively cut off her protest, but he accomplished little else. He slid his hand up over her hip, letting his fingers climb higher until they rested just beneath the enticing weight of her breast.
    Katy flinched, but she did not throw her arms around him and beg him to take her. To his shock, Luke could not even tell if the tiny tremor that went through her was desire or disgust.
    “I don't believe this,” he muttered hoarsely.
    “What?”
    “I don't believe you're not even a little bit curious about what it would be like between us.”
    Katy touched his rigid jaw with gentle fingertips. “I didn't say I wasn't curious, just that I don't think it's a very good idea to find out.”
    The gossamer feel of her fingers on his face sent sharp talons of desire through him. He sought for answers. “You're afraid of me, aren't you?”
    “No. Just cautious, the way I always am around Gilchrists.”
    “Christ, don't lump me in with the rest of the coven. I'm not like them.”
    She smiled faintly. “You don't think so?”
    “No, damn it. Katy, stop fighting this and kiss me.”
    “Why?”
    He gazed down at her, astounded. “Why? Because you're going to like it, that's why.”
    “What about you?”
    “I'm going to like it, too. A lot. Kiss me, honey. Put your arms around me and let me show you how it'll be between us.”
    She touched the tip of her tongue to the corner of her mouth. Her eyes searched his intently. “If I do, will you promise me that you won't be angry when I tell you to stop?”
    Relief soared in him as he sensed victory. His mouth curved with newfound indulgence. Everything was going to be all right now. “Word of honor.”
    “All right.” Katy slipped her arms around his shoulders.
    A hot surge of pleasure ripped through him. Luke gathered her close, one arm