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school banners. She felt Marc s cool fingers wrap around her arm as he motioned her
into a corner.
When they were a few feet away from the crowds, he asked her,  Have you
thought about what I asked you? I'd still like to take you out.
 I appreciate the offer, but I just don t want any complications, especially after
the fire at the parlor. She had taken Brick s advice to play down the explosion.  I have
a lot of details to get straightened out.
The cool fingers on her arm tightened marginally. She wasn t sure why, exactly,
but suddenly she didn t want his hand on her.  I understand you may be seeing
someone already. If that s it, just tell me.
Her mouth dropped open.  That's rather presumptuous, Marc. I m not seeing
anyone. If it bothers you, a friend of mine was there the day of the fire and he was
injured. I have been helping him, but there is not a relationship there.
 I m sorry. That was out of line. He dropped his hand. Rubbing his eyes briefly,
he continued.  I guess when I found out about the fire and how close you had been to
being seriously hurt; I realized how much you mean to me.
 But you don t even know me, she answered, stunned. What on earth was he
talking about?
Ice Cream In The Snow 121 Diana Castilleja
 Yes I do. I see the mirror image of you everyday. His smile was sincere and
helped to melt away some of her indignation.  I know Jacob wouldn t be the boy he is if
it weren t for you.
 Thank you, Marc. But I don t think& 
 Mom, are you ready? Her head snapped back toward the hallway, thankful at
least Jacob knew where she was. For once, she was glad for the interruption.
 I better go. She started to turn, but Marc grabbed her arm again. His touch was
not as gentle. She met his eyes with hers, wide and slightly apprehensive.
 Just please think about it, Jessica. He paused, and on a desperate breath leaned
in and said next to her ear,  I think I m falling for you. She had no chance to respond,
his exit was so sudden.
She was silent on the return home.
 I m going to go show Brick, Jacob said excitedly, disappearing into the house.
She closed the door behind her as he bounded away.
 Hang up your jacket, she called after him, but she knew he hadn t heard. She
could hear Jacob from down the hall, reciting the whole speech, and his acceptance, in a
fast flood of words. She dropped her purse off in her room and made her way to join
them at her own pace.
When they had first settled Brick into the room, he had been short tempered and
non-vocal from pain, probably for Jacob s sake. She, on the other hand, could barely
keep herself from trembling as she touched him and aided his move.
Discovering during a kiss in the hospital that Brick had been naked had really
done something to her blood pressure. It had occurred to her with a phenomenal sense
of awareness she wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed with him, if she had been
in any capable shape. To be held by him, kissed by him and to find out whatever
wonderful discoveries fortune had set at her doorstep. Him merely holding her hand
sent her pulse rate up, and had her mouth salivating like a starving woman.
Ice Cream In The Snow 122 Diana Castilleja
Maybe she was starving, but after being propositioned again by Marc, she knew
it was becoming more than just a physical craving, the want to cure an itch, and it was
terrifying.
When Marc pulled her aside and asked again to see her, she'd felt uncomfortable.
She knew she wouldn t say yes. His admission of his feelings was even more difficult to
digest. How could a man claim to have feelings for her when he didn t know her?
Brick knew her, sometimes better than she knew herself. Living under the same
roof, he was going to get to know her a lot better, whether she was ready for it or not.
She watched from the doorway as Jacob sat on the edge of the bed, regaling the moment
he made his thank you to the crowd.
 And everyone applauded, huh? Brick prodded him.
 Yeah. A standing ovation. It was wild. Jacob was still glowing with pleasure.
Brick glanced up to find an angel standing in his doorway, and just like that, he
couldn t breathe. Good Lord, she had the most incredible legs under the sway of the
dress she was wearing. His body was already starting to show appreciation. He reached
for the book he had been reading, lifted it from his chest to double check the page, and
then surreptitiously laid it over the obvious statement of his attraction. He was
beginning to wonder if he d made a huge mistake by staying there after all. He had no
idea how long he d be able to keep his hands off of her after tasting the sweet softness
of her lips.
 Jacob, why don t you give me a minute with your mom? Jacob didn t notice
the slight hoarse catch in his voice. Brick cleared his throat. He couldn t have stopped
the words; they were so necessary to him at the moment, just like she was.
 Sure, I m going to go find the perfect place for this. In a hop and a rush, he was
past his mother and out the door.
 Do you think he would be concerned if the door was closed? Brick asked
Jessie. She didn t say anything, but she nudged the door, leaving it open only a crack.
 Perfect, came his response, as she strolled with purpose to his bedside.
Ice Cream In The Snow 123 Diana Castilleja
 Wait, let me just look. I don t think I ve ever seen you in heels. She flushed, but
let him stare as long as he wanted. He held out his hand.  I don t think I can wait
another minute. He wrapped his hand around hers and pulled her down to the bed,
cradling her into his chest.
 Brick, I--
He laid a finger across her lips.  In a minute. I have something very important I
have to do. And holding her face in his hand, he settled his lips down to hers. It was a
gentle kiss as his lips brushed over hers in a deliberate motion, sipping at her warmth
and softness, bringing lightening to strike his nerves and melt her into him. She stroked
his chest, running tender hands over his skin. Her fingernails grazed his neck, forcing a
growl of pleasure from deep within him. His heart thumped hard against his ribs as her
softness molded against him. It was the closest to heaven he had ever experienced.
Jessie took a breath as he started to lift his head, but instead of giving him his
freedom, she wrapped her arms around his neck, keeping him right where he was. Pale
eyes glowed as he watched emotions race across her lovely features. She touched his
mouth with her tongue, reenacting the torture he had just delivered. As she stretched
over him, she brushed her breasts against his arm where it still lay in the sling across his
chest. It was a wanton move, a seductive caress that destroyed his thoughts with the
sensation. His moan was soul shattering.
He wrenched himself free, but could move no further than the end of her grip.
 Woman, what are you doing? he asked on a harsh gasp for air. His eyes closed, and
his body pulsed with incredible electricity. So much punishment, such delicious
punishment.  Are you trying to kill me?
She sat up and looked at him with a stare that was heat and desire through and
through. His hand shook when he lifted it to thread his fingers through her hair. She d
had it trimmed to rid herself of the fire damage, but it was still gorgeous, and long
enough to wrap himself into, to lose himself. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]