Have you ever been kissed properly? he asked in a deep, gruff whisper.
Her lips parted under a rush of breath. Ofcourse.
I like it hard, he whispered, bending his head. I may be rough with you at first. Dont be frightened.
Matt! Her voice sounded wild.
His fingers tilted her chin, and there was a sensuality in his face that shed never seen before. What are you so nervous about? he breathed against her lips.
Her mouth felt the threat of his, and her hands clenched on his lapels as the images in her mind overwhelmed her. Her body was trembling, and he was so close to her that he had to feel it.
So hungry, he whispered, threatening her mouth with his without ever coming close enough to take it. Aching for me. And all it would take is another fraction of an inch, like this, he whispered, moving his head down so that she could breathe the minty scent of him, and I could have you, Kit.
Please, she whimpered, stiffening as the words and his cologne and the warmth of his whipcord body all weakened her. Matt, please, please She didnt realize that she was reaching up, her cold and trembling hands at the nape of his neck, her body at fever pitch with wanting.
Oh, no. He laughed softly. Both hands caught her by the waist. Not yet.
Her eyes widened. She was shaking. Shaking! And he was smiling at her with such worldly amusement.
Damn you, she said under her breath, tears threatening.
Im late already, he said. Go eat your dinner, honey. Well put everything on hold until tomorrow night. The movie, he reminded her in a low whisper. And I wont drink beer.
I wont go! She stared at him, eyes enormous in her face, her body shaking with what hed aroused and not satisfied.
Yes you will. He brushed back a strand of chestnut hair from her shoulder. His eyes held hers.
She moved away from him, fighting for composure. I wont be just one in a line, she said. I wont let you seduce me. Youre just after a new thrill. And Im not going to be it, she said firmly.
He laughed deep in his throat, and his eyes were bright with amusement. Coward, he murmured dryly.
She flushed, and almost ran back into the dining room. Catching herself, she slowly opened the door and left him standing in the hall.
* * *
Catherine didnt hear another word that was said to her for the rest of the night. She smiled and talked automatically, and all the while she felt Matts hands, the sigh of his breath on her mouth. She ached all over with strange new hungers, feeling oddly restless and irritable. And in the morning she was going to have to pretend she felt nothing because Matt was astute and it would be suicide to let him see how she felt. If only she knew what kind of game he was playing! Would he really go that far? Would he tease her just to keep her under his thumb? She lay awake until the early hours, worrying about it, more determined than ever to break free before she fell victim to his dark, sensuous charm.
Hal flew out sometime in the night and wasnt at the breakfast table the next morning. Betty was, though. And Matt.
He watched Catherine over his second cup of coffee, his eyes mocking as she fumbled her way through bacon and eggs.
Such a lovely day, after all that rain, Betty was saying. I think Ill drive into Fort Worth and do some shopping. Catherine, can I pick up anything for you?
No, thank you, Mama, Catherine replied, trying to stop her renegade heart from running wild every time Matt looked in her direction. He was wearing a three-piece gray suit, and he looked debonair and worldly.
She had on a simple short-sleeved green knit top and a skirt, and was worried that she might be overdressed for her first day on the job. I didnt know what to wear this morning, she began hesitantly.
Angel and the other girls usually wear dresses or skirts, Matt told her. Jack, our sales manager, wears a suit. I alternate between suits and jeans, depending on my schedule. Today I have to fly down to San Antonio, so Im a bit more formal. But we dont have a dress code. You can wear jeans if you like.
Ill remember tomorrow. Do I get my own office? she asked with a smile.
You can share mine, honey. Ive got an extra desk. He finished his coffee. Ready?
Yes. See you later, Mama, she murmured, rising as Matt held her chair. She couldnt help but be puzzled by
his new polite behavior. Even Betty seemed to notice, but she only smiled.
It felt strange riding beside Matt in his Lincoln. He glanced at her curiously; it wasnt like her to be so silent, so subdued.
Whats wrong? he asked gently as he pulled up in front of the ranch office.
Nothing, she said quickly and gave him a flashing smile. I was just thinking up ideas for the sale.
Fortunately, he took that at face value. He got out and opened her door, but he paused when she expected him to move, so that she cannoned into him.
His hands, firm and strong, caught her shoulders and he was so close that she felt his breath in her hair. He smelled of spice and tobacco, and the muscular warmth of his body enveloped her from head to toe. She couldnt quite breathe, and she didnt dare look up. Her heart was beating like mad.