The Danforths: Reid, Kimberly and Jake: The Cinderella Scandal / Man Beneath the Uniform / Sin City Wedding

His head tingled; heat rushed through his veins. He’d never felt anything like it before. Maybe I’m hallucinating, he thought. Or maybe he’d knocked himself out and this was one hell of an erotic dream.

If so, he didn’t want to wake up.

‘‘Where does it hurt?’’ she asked.

Her fingernails lightly brushed over his scalp, and Reid’s throat turned to dust. He doubted he’d be able to speak if he tried, so he simply pointed.

‘‘I did knock,’’ she said, softly touching the area he’d indicated. ‘‘I guess you didn’t hear me.’’

He could barely hear her now, through the buzzing in his head.

‘‘The door was open,’’ she went on when he didn’t respond. ‘‘I thought maybe you were in the back.’’

When her fingertips moved in a soothing, circular motion, Reid bit back a groan. Less than a foot separated their bodies; the press of her breasts against the white blouse she wore made it difficult to breathe, let alone think.

Surely the torture this woman was putting him through had to be some kind of karmic payback for something he’d done in his life, Reid thought. Some wrong he’d caused someone. The sweet scent of her—a mix of vanilla and cinnamon—the soft, incredibly erotic touch of her hands, the seductive, provocative tone of her voice. It was all he could do not to drag her in his arms, right here under this desk, on this dusty floor, to taste her, to shove her skirt up those long, slender legs until he touched warm, soft flesh and—

Gritting his teeth, he clamped his hands around her wrists. He didn’t pull her to him. He didn’t push her away.

Her eyes widened; her lips parted with surprise. She didn’t move.

He held her gaze with his own. Slowly, his intent clear, he tugged her closer…closer….

When his mouth touched hers, he watched her lashes flutter down, felt the release of her breath on his cheek. Her lips were soft as rose petals. He nibbled, cautiously, lightly, eager to taste her more fully. And while she didn’t respond, she didn’t pull away, either.

It was all the encouragement he needed.

He deepened the kiss, though just barely, tracing her bottom lip with his tongue. Sweet, he thought. Unbelievably, seductively sweet.

He wasn’t at all surprised at the need coursing through his body; he’d been attracted to her from the beginning, had wanted this since he’d laid eyes on her. Nor was he surprised by her response. He’d sensed her attraction to him, as well.

What surprised—no, annoyed—him was the unexpected, niggling question chipping away at the edge of his desire.

‘‘What would Jason think about this?’’ he murmured the words, cursed himself for wanting to know.

She stilled, then her eyes slowly opened. ‘‘Jason?’’

‘‘Yeah,’’ he said dryly. ‘‘Remember him?’’

Confusion furrowed her brow, then suspicion. ‘‘What do you know about Jason?’’

‘‘Not much.’’ Obviously, she didn’t appreciate being reminded that she and Jason were an item while she was kissing another man, Reid thought irritably. ‘‘I was hoping you would tell me.’’

It was fascinating, as well as frustrating, to watch the heat in Tina’s eyes turn to ice. With a regal lift of her chin, she pulled back, then stood and smoothed the front of her skirt. ‘‘I was sent over here to find out how many people to expect this evening.’’

‘‘Look, I’m sorry.’’ Reid stood, reached for her arm, but she yanked it away. ‘‘I shouldn’t have—’’

‘‘Fifty?’’ she said coolly. ‘‘A hundred?’’

‘‘Around fifty.’’ He dragged a hand through his hair, was instantly reminded of the bump he’d taken. ‘‘Tina, dammit, I know it’s none of my business, I—’’

‘‘You got that right, mister,’’ she said, tossing her hair back over her shoulders. ‘‘Now if you’ll excuse me, I really need to get back to work.’’

Reid watched her turn on her heel and march stiffly out the door.

‘‘Smooth, Danforth,’’ he muttered. ‘‘Real smooth.’’

Resting a hip on the desk, Reid stared at the door Tina had just disappeared through. It would be easier to just let it go, he told himself, to forget about her and keep his mind completely focused on his work.

But, he thought, smiling slowly, remembering the feel of her mouth against his, it wouldn’t be nearly as interesting.

Four

Tina didn’t make it to the alley before her knees buckled. Struggling to breathe, she stumbled around the corner of the passageway between the buildings and leaned against the wall.

Reid had kissed her.

She’d kissed him back.

Closing her eyes, she laid her head against the cool bricks. A groan rolled deep in her throat.

And what a kiss.

Her lips still tingled, her head still reeled, her pulse raced. She glanced down at the tips of her shoes to see if smoke was rising.

She’d certainly been kissed before, she wasn’t completely inexperienced with men. But she’d never been kissed like that. Never been so overwhelmed. And if he hadn’t asked her that ridiculous question about Jason, she’d probably be rolling around on the floor with Reid at this very moment.

The thought made her cheeks burn.

She wasn’t certain if she was glad that they’d stopped before things heated up even more, or if she was irritated.

Of course I’m glad, she thought, narrowing her eyes. Deliriously glad.

She touched her mouth. She could still taste him there, could still feel the press of his mouth on hers. An involuntary shudder coursed through her, and she knew she’d be lying if she didn’t at least admit she’d been curious. And maybe, at an unconscious level, she’d actually wanted him to kiss her. After all, she had been the one who’d touched him first. He must have thought she’d been asking—begging—for it, the way she’d put her hands on his head, then combed her fingers through his hair and lightly stroked his head.

Remembering the soft, thick texture of his hair sliding through her fingers and the touch of his scalp under her fingernails sent a wave of heat shimmering over her skin. She still couldn’t believe she’d done something so…intimate.

Couldn’t believe her fingers itched to do it again.

A welcome breeze rippled through the alley, cooling her blood and her skin, finally bringing her overloaded senses back to a manageable level. Once again, reason prevailed.

You’re making too big a deal about this, she told herself. Men like Reid kissed women all the time. It didn’t mean anything to him, for heaven’s sake, and it shouldn’t mean anything to her, either.

‘‘It doesn’t,’’ she said, needing to hear herself say it out loud. Reid had caught her off guard, that was all. In the future, she’d be more careful around him.

She’d also have to warn Jason to be more careful, she realized. If her parents found out about him—Tina shuddered at the thought—there would be hell to pay.

But there was no reason for them to find out, she told herself. Reid didn’t know anything. He’d been fishing, and he’d come up with an empty hook.