Next excerpt!

Posted by Leslie on March 27th, 2007 | No Comments

Enjoy!

~~~~~

Lizzie followed him across the lawn, the grass vibrant and soft beneath her feet. It would be wondrous to lie down here on a warm sunny day, have Markham kiss her senseless.

They fought against the wind, as the ominous clouds promised this surprise would be a quick study. Markham reached behind him for her hand. She let him take it, far past caring who could be watching from the upper windows.

The heat greeted them the moment they stepped inside. Then, she noticed the aroma. Sweet, spicy, bitter and all-around heavenly.

Markham looked down at her and raised a black eyebrow. “Take a look around.”

Even more excited than she had been at the Botanical Gardens, Lizzie reluctantly let go of Markham’s hand and crossed directly to the vibrant bouquet of colors at the far end.

Ah. Roses.

Everywhere, in various stages of bloom, roses of pink, yellow, white and red tantalized her with their succulent fragrances. She cupped a scarlet bud in her hands, gently stroking its velvety petals.

Markham came up behind her, the pull from his warm body a force she bravely fought. It took everything in her not to lean back against his broad chest.

“And so you like the third surprise?”

Lizzie nodded, afraid to trust her voice.

She felt him tug at her cape and pull it from her head and shoulders. The chill did not last long in the warm room. Then his breath was hot in her ear. “I have more.”

Throat thick and tight, Lizzie swallowed. “M-more surprises?”

“One…perhaps two more.”

His lips touched her neck, shutting down her brain. She released the rose, eyes drifting closed.

Heavy taps pounded the glass above them. The rain. They took too long. But she didn’t care. Wet, dry, she didn’t care.

Markham’s tongue traced a damp line from her neck to her ear. He nibbled on the rim and then kissed his way back down to her shoulders. Then, those hands, those strong, very male hands cupped her breasts, possessing them. He yanked her back against him, proving his strong arousal on the small of her back.

The increasingly loud patter on the glass could not obscure his moan. “I want you.” Her spine tingled with his dark, throaty voice.

That craving ache began low in her belly, forcing her to turn, to find his mouth. Lizzie had to kiss him, she had to answer this humming and burning in her blood.

“I want all of you.” His black gaze penetrated her, halting her search for his lips. “Time for your fourth surprise.”