Page 43 of Tempt Me-

She tips her head up, meeting my gaze, her lips offered up to me—even if that isn’t her intent.

Intent or not, I need a taste.One last taste if that’s what it turns out to be.I capture her lips with mine, gliding my tongue over the seam, waiting for the breathy moan sure to follow, and when she gives it up, I slide deeper inside.I kiss her hard, grasping her face and turning her first one way, then another, anything to devour all of her.

She rises onto tiptoes, presses her body into mine, her breasts smashed against my chest, her arms coming to wrap around my neck, her fingers curling up and into my hair.My hands drop to her waist, and I pull her into me, my cock rubbing sensually against her stomach.I throb painfully, and it must be my thick erection that sinks into her consciousness, because she jerks back, stepping out of my arms.

“No.I don’t want to send mixed signals,” she says, dismay and unhappiness etched on her face as she speaks through her puffy, well-kissed lips.“And we shouldn’t do that again… I just wanted to let you know how happy I am for you about Bailey.I didn’t mean—”

“I know,” I assure her.“Idid it.Because I can’t resist you.But I will try harder.And you can consider this helping me celebrate.Nothing more.”

Except it is.Kissing her is everything.

Chapter Nine

Mia

Idecide tobeat Austin to the kitchen early the next morning.I want to fuel him with coffee before his meeting with his ex-wife.I set my alarm knowing what time he usually comes downstairs, but I didn’t plan to find it so difficult to get out of bed.No sooner do I sit up than nausea swamps me, and I lie back down until the wave passes, staring at the ceiling and praying to feel better.

I try to sit up again, this time with more positive results.Nothing more fun than a stomach bug, I think wryly, but I push on and manage to shower, feeling semi-okay once I dress.

My cell phone rings just as I am ready to go to the kitchen.I don’t recognize the number but it has a New York area code.My stomach churning even more now, I answer the call.

“Hello?”

“Mia?It’s Kate Collins, the Manhattan district attorney.I assume you received the summons to appear?”

“Oh, hi, yes.I did.I’m surprised you didn’t call me first.”

“I’m sorry about that.I was in court on a case and we had to get this moving.I’d like you to come to the city for some trial prep.”

I swallow hard.“Sure.Whatever you need.”

“Great.I’ll be in touch with the day and time.”

“Thank you,” I say, and Kate utters good-bye and disconnects the call.

I pinch the bridge of my nose and breathe in deep, holding back the nausea that isn’t courtesy of the phone call.

I head out to the kitchen and make myself a cup of tea, which works to settle my queasy stomach, at least until I brew coffee for Austin.I breathe in, smell the aroma, and run for the bathroom.I throw up the tea and not much else since my stomach is empty.

I brush my teeth and wash my face, glancing in the mirror over the towel as I dry off.Ugh.My face is pale, my eyes glassy.But I feel better again after losing what little is in my stomach, and I walk out to talk to Austin before he leaves.

I find he’s already poured himself a cup of coffee when I arrive, and this time, my stomach doesn’t clench at the smell.“Good morning.”

“Morning.”He lifts the cup to his sexy mouth and takes a sip.“You’re pale,” he says, meeting my gaze.“Are you okay?”

I blush at the mess I look like, but when you live in the same house as someone, there isn’t much you can do to disguise the bad days.“Yeah.I… um… I wasn’t feeling well earlier but I think I’m better now.”

He glances at me with concern in his eyes.“Well, rest today.It’s not like Bailey is around to keep you hopping, so take advantage.”

I smile.“I will.”I hesitate, wondering if I should apologize again for what happened between us yesterday.

I have to learn to live in the same house with him even when Bailey isn’t around.I can’t kiss him one minute and push him away the next, sending mixed signals because my body and heart want what my mind knows I can’t have.

I sigh and push that thought away.There are more pressing concerns going through my mind.

“Austin,” I say, knowing I have to tell him about my phone call.“The district attorney called me this morning.She wants me to come into the city for trial prep.I realize Bailey’s not home, so it shouldn’t be an issue, but I thought you should know.”

“Shit.I wish you didn’t have to deal with this again.”