Family Man

try to get it right this time,” Luke said, as if he had somehow read her mind.
    He bent his head and took her mouth, kissing her with a slow, inviting passion that took Katy's breath away. She felt herself sinking into warm quicksand. Her lips parted beneath his gently persuasive mouth.
    Luke made a soft, hoarse sound that told Katy of his desire and set her senses vibrating. Deep inside her something responded to the masculine need in him. She leaned into him and kissed him back with growing eagerness.
    When he opened his own mouth and invited her inside she hesitated. Then curiosity overcame her. She tasted him cautiously until she discovered an exciting heat that seemed to emanate from the core of his body. It hinted at a smoldering fire she longed to touch. She curled closer, silently asking for more.
    Luke groaned softly, deeply. His hand tightened tenderly on the nape of her neck and then his fingers slipped beneath the collar of her dress. Katy felt the coolness on her back as he lowered the zipper, but it was the warmth of his fingers gliding down her spine that jangled every nerve ending in her body. She tensed instinctively.
    “Relax, honey. I'm not going to rush you this time.” Luke raised his head slightly to look down at her. “We've got all night.”
    Katy smiled tremulously. She could feel the hardness of his body beneath her thighs, and she knew he was fully aroused. But she also sensed the discipline he was exerting over himself. It was there in every line of his body, from the set of his jaw to the corded muscles of his shoulders. She touched the side of his face with a sense of wonder.
    “I knew you were a passionate man,” she whispered, “but I hadn't realized you were in complete control of that passion.” She had never known a Gilchrist who was in control of his passions. They always seemed at the mercy of them.
    “Passion without control is the most destructive force on the face of the earth,” Luke said. “I had to learn how to tame the fire a long time ago.”
    “And passion that is under control?”
    Luke smiled his mysterious smile. “The most creative force in the universe. Tamed fire.”
    “I've never known a man who has tamed fire.” Katy slid her hand down the column of his throat to the open collar of his black shirt. “You're unique, Luke Gilchrist.”
    “No. You're the one who is unique.” His hand moved in her hair. “Definitely one of a kind. The fire is in you, too. Sweet and hot and waiting to be discovered.”
    Katy was fascinated. The notion that this man who fairly seethed with passion could see that emotion in her was incredibly seductive. She had never, ever thought of herself in that light. “How do you know it's within me?”
    “I can see it,” he said. “And hear it. And feel it. It was in your eyes when you told me I had a duty to save Gilchrist, Inc. It was in your voice when you ordered Justine not to grovel to me. It vibrates in you when you talk about your plans for the future. Honey, you're a regular volcano.”
    “No. I don't think so.” Katy splayed her fingers against his chest. She loved the feel of the crisp, curling black hair she found beneath his shirt. “But I'm glad you think you can see a few flames inside me.”
    “The fire is there, all right,” Luke said against her mouth. “You and I are going to go up in flames together.”
    “Then what?” she asked quietly. The part of her that always had one eye on the future could not be completely banished, not even for one night.
    “Then I'm going to tame it for a while.” Luke's hand stole around her to cup her breast. “But only for a short time. Half the fun of playing with fire is watching it burn wild and free.”
    Katy took a grip on her resolve and ruthlessly crushed all thought of the future. For once in her life she would live only in the present. She wrapped her arms around Luke's neck and hugged him fiercely.
    “Sweet and hot,” Luke whispered. He touched her nipple through the lacy fabric of her bra. His fingers moved lightly, coaxing forth her response.
    Katy moved restlessly beneath the caress. She realized she wanted more. She fumbled with the buttons of Luke's shirt, opening it all the way to his waist. Then she reached inside to touch him the same way he was touching her.
    Luke shuddered in response. His mouth closed over hers for a long, searing moment, and his hand was warm and strong on her breast.
    Katy felt the quicksand tugging at her, pulling her